FDA has accepted a Biologics License Application (BLA) and granted Priority Review for Boehringer Ingelheim’s spesolimab for the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) flares. 

The FDA has granted spesolimab Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of GPP, and Breakthrough Therapy Designation for spesolimab for the treatment of GPP flares in adults.

"The FDA acceptance of our filing for spesolimab is a critical step in our efforts to bring this first-in-class treatment to people living with GPP," says Matt Frankel, MD, Vice President, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Specialty Care, Boehringer Ingelheim. “There is an urgent unmet need for an approved treatment option that can rapidly clear painful GPP flares."

Spesolimab is a novel, humanized, selective antibody that blocks the activation of the interleukin-36 receptor (IL-36R), a signaling pathway within the immune system shown to be involved in the pathogeneses of several autoimmune diseases, including GPP. Spesolimab is also under investigation for the prevention of GPP flares and for the treatment of other neutrophilic skin diseases, such as palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).