Biogen Idec and Fumapharm AG today announced results from a Phase II study of BG-12, an oral fumarate, in patients with severe psoriasis.
Patients who received BG-12 in the trial showed greater improvement in their psoriasis than patients receiving placebo.
The results were presented today at the spring symposium of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) in Budapest, Hungary.
Burt A. Adelman, M.D., Biogen Idec's Executive Vice President, Development said, "It is encouraging that 42% of patients receiving the highest dose of BG-12 achieved at least a 75% improvement in their Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) after 12 weeks, as compared to 11% of patients receiving placebo.
We look forward to reviewing the results of the ongoing Phase III trial in Europe and enhancing Biogen Idec's dermatology franchise." The trial, conducted by Fumapharm, was a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging Phase II study of 144 patients with severe forms of psoriasis.
Patients were equally randomized within four treatment groups and received either placebo or BG-12 at one of three different doses (120 mg, 360 mg, or 720 mg per day) for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated using the PASI score, a common measure of overall psoriasis severity.