Eli Lilly forays into dermatological space, launches psoriasis drug Copellor in India

New Delhi: The leading biopharma major, Eli Lilly has launched Copellor®(Ixekizumab) in India for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. These patients include mostly the candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, as well as adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.

The company has introduced the drug following approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). With this development, Eli Lilly has now forayed into dermatological space.

A humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody, Copellor®(Ixekizumab) is designed to specifically target IL-17A, a protein that plays a role in triggering and maintaining inflammation in psoriasis.

Vineet Gupta, Managing Director, Eli Lilly and Company – India & India Subcontinent said, “Our foray into the dermatology segment strengthens Lilly’s promise of bringing innovative medicines to India. Global Studies show that the impact psoriasis has on a patient’s quality of life is comparable to that of ‘serious’ diseases such as cancer and heart failure.”

“The availability of a new treatment like Copellor®(Ixekizumab) will now empower healthcare providers with another option for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, as well as treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis, a huge unmet need in the country,” Gupta added.

Copellor®(Ixekizumab) is a prescription medicine to be used only on the advice of a dermatologist or rheumatologist and under medical supervision.

It is available in one strength of 80 mg/ml in a single dose prefilled autoinjector.