Eli Lilly's psoriasis drug has been approved by India's DCGI, allowing the company to enter Indian dermatology market

Eli Lily said Copellor will be a prescription medicine to be used only on the advice of a dermatologist or rheumatologist and under medical supervision.

US pharma major Eli Lily on March 14 announced their foray into dermatology portfolio in India by launching the drug, Copellor, for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

The Indianapolis headquartered company said it recently received approval from The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for the launch of Copellor in India.

“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,” Vineet Gupta, Managing Director, Eli Lilly, and Company - India & India Subcontinent said.

Gupta said the availability of a new treatment like Copellor will now empower healthcare providers with another option for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, which was a huge unmet need in the country.

Eli Lily said Copellor will be 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 auto-injector,” the company said.

Psoriasis is a chronic auto-immune disorder of the skin in which prolonged inflammation leads to dry, thick, raised, red patches on the skin that continuously shed silvery scales.

The company said these patches cause great discomfort to the patient because they are accompanied by unstoppable itching. It can affect daily activities such as dressing, walking, cooking, and typing.

Several studies show that patients with severe psoriasis are prone to depression and may even develop a suicidal tendency.

Psoriasis can also lead to a painful condition of the joints known as ‘psoriatic arthritis.’

The research shows that in psoriasis, inflammation is present throughout the body and this increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, kidney diseases, and inflammatory bowel diseases along with psoriasis.

There is no single cause identified for this condition, but there are a number of contributing factors: genetic risk, environmental triggers such as obesity, stress, some drugs, and injury.