Despite Superior Efficacy on Psoriatic Plaque Clearance, Centocor/Schering- Plough/Tanabe's Remicade will be Supplanted as the Clinical Gold Standard for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis by 2015

WALTHAM, Mass., April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, Inc., one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that despite superior efficacy on psoriatic plaque clearance, Centocor's Remicade will be supplanted as the clinical gold standard for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis by 2015. The new report entitled Strong Pipeline Offers Advantages Over Current Systemic Therapies: A Psoriasis Study finds that Centocor/Medarex's Phase III agent in development for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, CNTO-1275, will be the clinical gold standard treatment by 2015.

CNTO-1275 attains the position of clinical gold-standard therapy by 2015 because, relative to Remicade, it has demonstrated comparable efficacy on psoriatic plaque clearance and superior efficacy on remission time, which surveyed dermatologists regard as the two most important drivers of prescribing decisions in moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

"However, the efficacy of CNTO-1275 is a double-edged sword. Dermatologists strongly caution that its potent immunosuppression could increase the risks for malignancies, serious infections, and cardiovascular events and that CNTO-1275's use will be constrained until long-term safety data become available," said Joanna Kim, analyst at Decision Resources.

Although Amgen/Wyeth/Takeda's Enbrel is not the 2005 clinical gold standard, it is prescribed more widely than Remicade.

"The efficacy of Enbrel is sufficient for moderate-to-severe psoriasis and, coupled with its favorable safety profile, renders it an attractive treatment option for a broader patient segment than Remicade. Enbrel is also more entrenched in treatment strategies, owing to its first-to-market advantage over Remicade in both the United States and Europe for the psoriasis indication," continued Ms. Kim.

About Strong Pipeline Offers Advantages Over Current Systemic Therapies: A Psoriasis Study

Strong Pipeline Offers Advantages Over Current Systemic Therapies: A Psoriasis Study covers the current and future state of the psoriasis drug market. The report includes:

  -- More than 3,000 physician responses that define drug attributes that
     drive prescription now and in the future.
      -- Clinical end point tradeoffs that are most influential to
         physicians.
      -- Areas of unmet need with highest potential.
      -- Benchmark trial results for specific drug opportunities.
      -- Patient share potential for emerging therapies and target product
         profiles.
  -- Decision Resources proprietary analysis of commercial factors that
     accelerate or constrain a drug's market potential.
      -- Promotion: DTC spend, detailing intensity.
      -- Reimbursement: formulary tier, prior approval restriction, quantity
         limits.
      -- Labeling: black box warnings, approved patient segments,
         contraindications.
      -- Competition: order of entry, pricing, generic entry, pipeline sales
         forecast.
      -- Medical practice: decision trees, treating physician type, line of
         therapy.
  -- Comparisons of the key clinical attributes of current and emerging
     therapies in the areas of efficacy, safety, and delivery.
  -- Analysis and supporting data that identifies the clinical "Gold
     Standard" now and over the next ten years.
  -- Key insights as to which clinical end points have the greatest
     influence on physician decision-making.

The report can be purchased by contacting Decision Resources. Members of the media may request an interview with an analyst.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources, Inc., (http://www.decisionresources.com/) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services, and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources, and master their chosen markets.

  For more information, contact:

  Elizabeth Marshall
  Decision Resources, Inc.
  781-296-2563
  emarshall@dresources.com