Skyrizi (Risankizumab) - NICE Approves New Biologic for Psoriasis

Skyrizi (Risankizumab) has been recommended for the treatment of severe psoriasis in England and Wales.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has today published its decision to recommend the biologic medicine, Skyrizi (Risankizumab), to treat severe plaque psoriasis in adults in England and Wales where the condition has not responded to systemic treatments (such as methotrexate, ciclosporin and phototherapy), or where these treatments cannot be tolerated by the patient.

This decision is the result of a fast track appraisal (FTA), a process which was first introduced in 2017 for technologies that offer exceptional value for money. According to NICE, the aim of fast track appraisals is 'to provide quicker access for patients to the most cost-effective new treatments.'

How does Skyrizi work?

Skyrizi works by blocking the action of interleukin-23 (IL-23), a chemical ‘messenger’ in the immune system which signals other cells to cause inflammation. In people with psoriasis, the immune system is overactive and creates too much inflammation, which leads to the development of psoriasis symptoms. By blocking IL-23, Skyrizi aims to prevent some of that inflammation from occurring, leading to an improvement in psoriasis for some people who take it.

How is Skyrizi taken?

Skyrizi is taken by injection at a dose of 150mg (two injections of 75mg each) at weeks 0 and 4, and every 12 weeks from then on.

We will be publishing more information on Skyrizi in the near future. If you have any further questions, please get in touch.