Biotech Firms Seek OK for Psoriasis Drug

Genentech Inc. and Xoma Ltd. said they have asked U.S. regulators to approve Raptiva, an experimental treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis.

Raptiva, a monoclonal antibody given weekly by injection, reduced psoriasis by at least 75% in some 61% of patients taking it for a year in clinical trials.

Biogen Inc. is awaiting approval for its own experimental psoriasis treatment, Amevive. And Johnson & Johnson and Amgen Inc. plan to treat the skin disorder using their respective drugs Remicade and Enbrel, which already are approved for arthritis.