Brodalumab: First Global Approval

Brodalumab (Lumicef (R)) is a human monoclonal immunoglobulin G antibody that is being developed by Kyowa Hakko Kirin in Japan, where it has been approved for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris, psoriatic arthritis, pustular psoriasis and psoriatic erythroderma. Brodalumab binds with high affinity to interleukin (IL)-17 receptor A, thereby inhibiting several pro-inflammatory cytokines from the IL-17 family. Regulatory applications for brodalumab in plaque psoriasis are also under review in the USA, EU and Canada. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of brodalumab leading to this first approval for the treatment of psoriasis.