Plaque psoriasis (PsO) is a chronic immune-mediated disease resulting in overproduction of skin cells, which causes inflamed, scaly plaques that may be itchy or painful. It is estimated that 8 million Americans and more than 125 million people worldwide live with the disease. On Caucasian skin, plaques typically appear as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells or scale. On skin of color, the plaques may appear darker and thicker and more of a purple, gray or dark brown color. Living with plaque PsO can be a challenge and impact life beyond a person’s physical health, including emotional health, relationships, and handling the stressors of life.
It is estimated that 8 million Americans and more than 125 million people worldwide live with psoriasis.”
J&J’s approach to plaque psoriasis
Johnson & Johnson has played a leading role in the advancement of both transformational treatments and understanding of the underlying science of psoriatic disease for the past two decades. Building from successful anti- tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha therapy, we demonstrated the essential roles for inhibiting interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, establishing a new, differentiated treatment. And we continue to evaluate targeted therapies, focusing on IL-23 inhibition and alternative targets with oral therapeutics.
We’ll continue to strive to meet patient needs through innovative technology and our deep disease-area expertise to provide advanced therapies for the dermatology community. Our scientists are already at the forefront of molecularly defining psoriasis at the local tissue level using gene expression analysis, as well as systemically using flow cytometry and protein profiling.
Our goal is to provide maximum levels of skin clearance to treat the full range of patients with PsO. We aim to identify opportunities for prevention, early interception and long-term remission of this chronic, sometimes debilitating, disease.
