Recently, the FDA approved Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ) treatment TREMFYA for patients with plaque psoriasis. That means Novartis (NVS), Eli Lilly (LLY), and Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) could see some competition in this space. This is a good opportunity for investors to go long J&J stock.
Phase 3 Data
The approval of Tremfya comes about because J&J posted positive phase 3 results in three different trials using TREMFYA or guselkumab . These trials were known as VOYAGE 1, VOYAGE 2, and NAVIGATE. Between all three of these trials, there was a recruitment total of 2,000 patients. The first two studies VOYAGE 1 and VOYAGE 2 showed statistically significant efficacy in patients treated with TREMFYA. That is because patients in this trial, at week 16, experienced at least 90% clearer skin. That is an important finding because that means that these patients nearly achieved fully clear skin. At least 9 out of 10 patients that achieved a PASI score of 90 or higher at week 28, were able to keep that response rate intact until week 48. The most impressive part about the findings of these clinical trials was when TREMFYA was pitted against AbbVie's (ABBV) Humira. That is because it was reported that 7 out of 10 patients were able to achieve 90% clearer skin taking TREMFYA. On the other hand, those taking Humira reported that 4 out of 10 patients achieved 90% clearer skin. This reported data was a huge win for Johnson & Johnson shareholders. In my opinion these results solidify TREMFYA as a major player in the plaque psoriasis space.
