J&J subsidiary seeks new approval for psoriasis drug

HORSHAM, Pa. — Johnson & Johnson is seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration for a drug to treat active psoriatic arthritis, the company said Thursday.

J&J subsidiary Janssen Biotech submitted an application to the FDA for Stelara (ustekinumab) for adult patients with the disease, which affects more than 2 million people in the United States, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. Another subsidiary is seeking approval for Stelara for the same usage in Europe.

"We are pleased to present applications to health authorities in the U.S. and Europe seeking approval of Stelara for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis, a chronic, debilitating immune-mediated inflammatory diseases," Janssen Research and Development VP and head of immunology development Jerome Boscia said.

The drug is already approved for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults.

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