Latest news with #Tremfya
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
JNJ vs. MRK: Which Healthcare Titan Offers Better Growth Prospects?
Both Johnson & Johnson JNJ and Merck MRK are leading U.S. healthcare conglomerates — blue-chip pharmaceutical companies with massive R&D budgets and blockbuster drug portfolios. Both companies have a strong presence in oncology, immunology and neuroscience areas. Other than that, J&J also has drugs for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and infectious diseases, along with a strong presence in the medical devices segment. On the other hand, Merck boasts a strong presence in vaccines, virology and hospital acute care. Both firms face looming patent expirations and headwinds from Medicare Part D redesign. But which one is a better investment option today? Let's take a closer look at their fundamentals, growth prospects and challenges to make an informed choice. J&J's biggest strength is its diversified business model, which helps it to withstand economic cycles more effectively. It operates through more than 275 subsidiaries. Its Innovative Medicine unit is showing a growth trend. The segment's sales rose 4.4% in the first quarter of 2025 on an organic basis despite the loss of exclusivity (LOE) for its multi-billion-dollar product, Stelara, and the negative impact of the Part D redesign. In 2025, J&J expects growth in the Innovative Medicine segment in the face of Stelara biosimilar entrants to be driven by its key products such as Darzalex, Tremfya, Spravato and Erleada, as well as new drugs like Carvykti, Tecvayli and Talvey, and new indications for Tremfya and Rybrevant. J&J also has an interesting R&D pipeline that can generate innovative products and further drive its growth. J&J has been on an acquisition spree lately, with the latest acquisition of Intra-Cellular Therapies strengthening its presence in the neurological and psychiatric drug market. Sales in J&J's MedTech business are facing continued headwinds in the Asia Pacific, specifically in China. Sales in China are being hurt by the impact of the volume-based procurement (VBP) program and the anticorruption campaign. J&J does not expect any improvement in its business in the Asia Pacific region, specifically in China, in 2025. Competitive pressure is also hurting sales growth in some MedTech businesses. The company lost U.S. patent exclusivity of its blockbuster drug, Stelara, in 2025. The launch of generics is expected to significantly erode the drug's sales, hurting J&J's sales and profits in 2025. J&J also expects a negative impact of approximately $2 billion in sales due to the Medicare Part D redesign in 2025. The Part D redesign is expected to mainly hurt sales of drugs like Stelara, Tremfya, Erleada and PAH drugs J&J faces more than 62,000 lawsuits for its talc-based products, primarily baby powders. The lawsuits allege that its talc products contain asbestos, which caused many women to develop ovarian cancer. J&J insists that its talc-based products are safe and do not cause cancer. The company permanently discontinued the sales of its talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder. In April, a bankruptcy court in Texas rejected J&J's proposed bankruptcy plan to settle its talc lawsuits after a two-week trial in Houston. J&J will go back to the traditional tort system to fight the lawsuits individually with its bankruptcy strategy to settle the lawsuits failing for the third time. J&J's cash and cash equivalents were $38.8 billion at the end of March 2025 against long-term debt of $38.4 billion, resulting in a debt-to-capital ratio of 0.33, much lower than the industry's average of 0.42. Merck boasts more than six blockbuster drugs in its portfolio, with Keytruda being the key top-line driver. Keytruda has played an instrumental role in driving Merck's steady revenue growth in the past few years. Keytruda's sales are gaining from rapid uptake across earlier-stage indications, mainly early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Continued strong momentum in metastatic indications is also boosting sales growth. The company expects continued growth from Keytruda, particularly in early lung cancer. Merck is also developing a subcutaneous formulation of Keytruda that can extend its patent life. Merck is working on different strategies to drive Keytruda's long-term growth. Merck has been making meaningful regulatory and pipeline progress across areas like oncology (mainly Keytruda), vaccines and infectious diseases while executing strategic business moves. Merck's phase III pipeline has almost tripled since 2021, supported by in-house pipeline progress as well as the addition of candidates through M&A deals. Merck's new products, Capvaxive and Winrevair, are witnessing strong launches and have the potential to generate significant revenues over the long term. Earlier this week, the FDA approved its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, Enflonsia (clesrovimab). However, sales of Gardasil, which is Merck's second-largest product, are declining due to a weak performance in China, which resulted from sluggish demand trends amid an economic slowdown. Merck is also seeing weakness in the diabetes franchise and the generic erosion of some drugs. Merck is heavily reliant on Keytruda. Though Keytruda may be Merck's biggest strength and a solid reason to own the stock, it can also be argued that the company is excessively dependent on the drug and it should look for ways to diversify its product lineup. There are rising concerns about the firm's ability to grow its non-oncology business ahead of the upcoming loss of exclusivity of Keytruda in 2028. Also, competitive pressure might increase for Keytruda in the near future. Medicare Part D redesign is expected to hurt sales of diabetes drugs, Januvia/Janumet, in 2025. At the end of March 2025, its cash and cash equivalents were $9.2 billion against long-term debt of $33.5 billion, resulting in a debt-to-capital ratio of 0.41, which is slightly lower than the industry average of 0.42. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for J&J's 2025 sales and EPS implies a year-over-year increase of 2.7% and 6.2%, respectively. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings has risen from $10.54 per share to $10.60 over the past 60 days, while that for 2026 has declined from $11.02 to $10.98 over the same timeframe. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MRK's 2025 sales and EPS implies a year-over-year increase of 0.9% and 16.6%, respectively. EPS estimates for both 2025 and 2026 have declined over the past 60 days. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Year to date, J&J's stock has risen 10% compared with the industry's increase of 0.6%. Merck's stock has declined 17.5%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research MRK looks more attractive than J&J from a valuation standpoint. Going by the price/earnings ratio, J&J's shares currently trade at 14.53 forward earnings, slightly lower than 15.23 for the industry and its 5-year mean of 15.77. Merck's shares currently trade at 8.76 forward earnings, significantly lower than the industry as well as the stock's 5-year mean of 12.88. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research J&J's dividend yield is 3.32%, while Merck's is slightly higher at 3.98%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Both Merck & J&J have a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each, which makes choosing one stock a difficult task. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Merck has one of the world's best-selling drugs in its portfolio, generating billions of dollars in revenues. Though Keytruda will lose patent exclusivity in 2028, its sales are expected to remain strong until then. However, the company's problems are too many at present, including persistent challenges for Gardasil in China, potential competition for Keytruda and rising competitive and generic pressure on some drugs. All these factors have raised doubts about Merck's ability to navigate the Keytruda loss of exclusivity period successfully. Consistently declining estimates also reflect analysts' pessimistic outlook for the stock. On the other hand, J&J has shown steady revenue and EPS growth for years. J&J considers 2025 to be a 'catalyst year,' positioning the company for growth in the second half of the decade. J&J expects operational sales growth in both the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments to be higher in the second half of 2025 than in the first. While newly launched products should drive growth in the Innovative Medicines segment in the second half, the MedTech segment may benefit from new products and easier comps. J&J expects growth to accelerate from 2026 onward. Despite headwinds like softness in the MedTech unit, the legal battle surrounding its talc lawsuits, Stelara patent cliff and the potential impact of Part D redesign, J&J seems just one step ahead of Merck due to better prospects for sales and profit growth amid the various challenges. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Top Analyst Reports for Johnson & Johnson, T-Mobile US & Boeing
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS), and The Boeing Co. (BA), as well as one micro-cap stock, Franklin Financial Services Corp. (FRAF). The Zacks microcap research is unique, as our research content on these small and under-the-radar companies is the only research of its type in the country. These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today. You can see all of today's research reports here >>> Ahead of Wall Street The daily 'Ahead of Wall Street' article is a must-read for all investors who would like to be ready for that day's trading action. The article comes out before the market opens and attempts to make sense of that morning's economic releases and how they will affect that day's market action. You can read this article for free on our home page, and can actually sign up there to get an email notification as this article comes out each morning. You can read today's AWS here >>> Pre-Market Futures Have Fingers Crossed for Trade Deals Today's Featured Research Reports Shares of Johnson & Johnson have gained +5.8% over the past year against the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry's decline of -15.4%. The company's Innovative Medicine unit is showing a growth trend, driven by existing products like Darzalex, Tremfya, and Erleada, and continued uptake of new launches, including Spravato, Carvykti, and Tecvayli. J&J is making rapid progress with its pipeline and has been on an acquisition spree lately, which has strengthened its pipeline. However, sales in the MedTech segment have slowed down due to headwinds in Asia-Pacific markets like China and competitive pressure in some categories. The launch of Stelara generics is eroding the drug's sales in 2025. Uncertainty around talc lawsuits remains. (You can read the full research report on Johnson & Johnson here >>>) T-Mobile US' shares have outperformed the Zacks Wireless National industry over the past year (+33.4% vs. +28.3%). The company is gaining from healthy growth in service revenues driven by industry-leading postpaid net customer additions. In the first quarter, the company added 1.3 million postpaid net customers while postpaid net account additions were 205,000, both metrics being the best in the industry. Backed by robust demand for its postpaid services and cost discipline, the company has presented a bullish outlook for fiscal 2025. However, the highly competitive and saturated nature of the U.S. wireless market could adversely affect its financial results. (You can read the full research report on T-Mobile US here >>>) Shares of Boeing have outperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry over the past year (+17.2% vs. +15.5%). The company remains the largest U.S. aircraft manufacturer in the commercial aerospace sector. Soaring air travel should bolster the company's jet service business unit. The outlook for its defense business remains optimistic, buoyed by strengthening U.S. defense budget provisions. The acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems should strengthen Boeing's long-term revenue generation prospects. However, the shortage of labor continues to pose a threat to aerospace manufacturers like Boeing. Trade tensions between the United States and China may cause Boeing to be unsuccessful in the timely delivery of its 737 jets and thereby hurt its operational performance. (You can read the full research report on Boeing here >>>) Franklin Financial Services' shares have outperformed the Zacks Banks - Northeast industry over the past year (+35.7% vs. +17.0%). The company offers a compelling investment case supported by robust 11.2% loan growth driven by commercial real estate and residential lending, alongside a 15.7% rise in average loan balances. Strong deposit expansion of 18.1% enhances funding stability, with 85% of deposits insured or collateralized. The Wealth Management division boosts noninterest income and diversification, with AUM up 6.4%. A strategic $4.3 million securities restructuring enhances long-term profitability despite short-term earnings drag. (You can read the full research report on Franklin Financial Services here >>>) Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (CRWD), Schlumberger Ltd. (SLB), and Tesla, Inc. (TSLA). Mark VickerySenior Editor Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>> Today's Must Read J&J's (JNJ) Innovative Medicine Strong, MedTech Slows Down T-Mobile (TMUS) Rides on Healthy Demand, Strong Cash Flow Increasing Defense Orders Drive Boeing (BA), Amid Labor Shortage Featured Reports SLB Stock Positioned to Benefit From New Digital BusinessThe Zacks analyst projects SLB to gain from its New Digital segment by leveraging its extensive data resources and global expertise, positioning it as a leader in autonomy and AI-driven solutions. United Airlines (UAL) Rides on Air Travel Demand, Costs AilThe Zacks analyst is impressed with the fact that increased air-travel demand is aiding United Airlines' top-line performance. However, rising fuel costs continues to weigh on the bottom line. Improving Clearing and Transaction Fees Aid CME Group (CME)Per the Zacks analyst, CME is set to grow on higher clearing and transaction fees as market position, diverse derivative product lines and global reach drive volumes. However, escalating expense ails. New Order Volume Growth Aids Lennar (LEN), Macro Woes AilPer the Zacks analyst, Lennar is driving sales volume through is dynamic pricing model. However, ongoing affordability concerns in the housing market and high mortgage rates remain a concern. Post Holdings (POST) to Benefit From Solid Foodservice UnitPer the Zacks analyst, Post Holdings is likely to keep gaining from its Foodservice segment strength. Notably, unit sales grew 9.6% in the second quarter, backed by pricing and shake contributions. Powell (POWL) Gains From Strong Utility & Commercial MarketsPer the Zacks analyst, solid momentum across Powell's electric utility and commercial & other industrial markets, fueled by strong orders and healthy levels of project activity, will lend it momentum. CrowdStrike (CRWD) Rides on Product Strength, AcquisitionsPer the Zacks analyst, CrowdStrike is gaining from solid contributions of its growth-oriented products, primarily Falcon platform. Also, buyouts like Adaptive Shield and Flow Security are positive. New Upgrades Align Technology (ALGN) Banks on Solid Clear Aligner UptakePer the Zacks analyst, strong uptake of Align Technology's Invisalign DSP touch-up cases in North America supports Clear Aligner volume growth. Strength across APAC and EMEA regions is another plus. Focus on Alternatives to Support Affiliated Managers (AMG)Per the Zacks analyst, Affiliated Managers is well-placed for growth, driven by successful partnerships, global distribution capability, focus on alternative strategies, and a solid balance sheet. End-Market Strength & Diversification Aids Amphenol (APH)Per the Zacks analyst, Amphenol benefits from a diversified business model that lowers volatility of individual geographies. New Downgrades Backlog Decline and Tariff Woes to Weigh on Oshkosh (OSK)Falling backlog levels are likely to slow Oshkosh's revenue momentum, while tariff challenges could weigh on near-term margins, making the Zacks analyst bearish on the stock for now. Elevated Cost Inflation Hurt Conagra's (CAG) PerformancePer the Zacks analyst, Conagra is experiencing cost inflation for a while now, which is affecting its profitability. Higher input and protein costs are expected to persist into fiscal 2026. Tesla (TSLA) Hit by Falling Sales & Musk-Trump FeudTesla's EV sales are slipping across key markets including Europe and China. A public spat between CEO Musk and US President Trump has just made matters worse, per the Zacks analyst. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report The Boeing Company (BA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Schlumberger Limited (SLB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Franklin Financial Services Corp. (FRAF): Free Stock Analysis Report CrowdStrike (CRWD) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio


Medical News Today
a day ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
How Tremfya works: Mechanism of action explained
How it works How long it takes to work Tremfya (guselkumab) is a prescription drug that treats psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis. Its mechanism of action is binding to interleukin-23 that's overactive. Tremfya belongs to a class of medications called interleukin-23 blockers. It's a type of biologic called a monoclonal antibody, which is a protein that attaches to substances in the body. Tremfya works by binding to interleukin-23 (a protein in the body) that's overactive. By binding to this protein, Tremfya decreases how active your immune system is to ease inflammation and decrease symptoms of your condition. The way a drug works is known medically as its mechanism of action. The mechanism of action for Tremfya may vary depending on the condition it's being used to treat. Tremfya is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain conditions, including psoriatic arthritis. When you have psoriatic arthritis, your immune system (your body's defense against infections) is overactive. It attacks healthy tissues and cells, causing joint pain and inflammation. It also causes your body to make too many skin cells, leading to a buildup of cells and areas called plaques. These plaques are flushed, itchy patches on your skin. Tremfya is FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. This condition is one of many types of psoriasis. When you have plaque psoriasis, your immune system is overactive. It causes your body to make too many skin cells, leading to a buildup of cells and areas called plaques. These plaques are itchy patches on your skin. They may look pink or be darker than your skin color. Sometimes, they may look white and scaly. Tremfya may be an option for plaque psoriasis treatment if you can receive either: systemic therapy (treatment that affects your whole body), or phototherapy (treatment with light) Tremfya is FDA approved to treat moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults. When UC is active, it's causing symptoms. Tremfya is prescribed to help put UC in remission and keep it there. With remission, you have few or no symptoms of the condition. Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the colon and rectum. It's thought to result from overactivity in a person's immune system. With UC, you have inflammation in your colon, rectum, or both. In severe cases, ulcers can also form in these areas. Symptoms of this condition include blood in your stool, diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps, and weight loss. For this condition, Tremfya is typically prescribed alone. Your doctor may also prescribe nonbiologics to treat an ulcerative colitis flare-up. Tremfya is FDA approved to treat Crohn's disease. Like UC, Crohn's disease is a type of IBD. Unlike UC, which affects the colon and rectum, Crohn's disease can affect your entire digestive system, including your stomach, intestines, and colon. To find out more about Crohn's disease, visit our IBD hub. In clinical trials, people with plaque psoriasis often experienced a reduction in symptoms after receiving three doses of Tremfya over 16 weeks. Also, more than half of the people receiving Tremfya for psoriatic arthritis in clinical trials experienced a decrease in symptoms after 16 weeks of treatment. In a clinical trial of Tremfya for UC, more than half of the people receiving the drug experienced a decrease in symptoms after 12 weeks. Some people also experienced remission (few or no symptoms of UC). If you have more questions about how long it takes for Tremfya to work, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nkarta Appoints Shawn Rose Chief Medical Officer & Head of R&D as Company Resets Senior Leadership Role for Autoimmune Focus
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nkarta, Inc. (Nasdaq: NKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered natural killer (NK) cell therapies to treat autoimmune disease, today announced the appointment of Shawn Rose, M.D. Ph.D., as its next Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Head of Research and Development (R&D) starting on June 23, 2025. He replaces David R. Shook, M.D., who will be stepping down from the role to pursue other opportunities in the oncology space. Dr. Rose has dedicated his career to immunology translational medicine and advancing new treatment options for autoimmune patients. In various leadership roles, he has brought forward more than a dozen programs from discovery into clinical development, and he has developed multiple pioneering approved medicines such as Sotyktu, Stelara, and Tremfya. 'Dr. Rose joins the Nkarta team at a critical threshold as we discover the power of our NK cell platform to treat autoimmune diseases,' said Paul J. Hastings, CEO of Nkarta. 'He is an enterprise leader with a deep clinical background in rheumatology and immunology that's ideally suited to maximize the potential of our allogeneic NK cell platform. Shawn's proven track record as an expert clinician gives me full confidence that he will hit the ground running on day one and meaningfully advance our work in the clinic.' Dr. Rose most recently served as Chief Development Officer, Immunology, at Vividion Therapeutics, working to expand their portfolio by advancing previously undruggable targets in immunology. He also served as interim CMO and Head of Clinical Development at Magenta Therapeutics, working on cell-based therapeutic approaches for patients with cancer, genetic disorders and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Dr. Rose also held multiple clinical and development leadership roles at Annexon Biosciences, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. He did his postdoctoral research training and clinical training in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. 'I am thrilled to join Nkarta to advance innovative cell therapies for patients,' said Dr. Rose. 'I strongly believe that Nkarta's allogeneic NK cell platform has the potential to be a transformational approach for patients with immune-mediated inflammatory disease. I look forward to working closely with Paul and the broader Nkarta team on developing more treatment options for patients.' During the transition, Dr. Rose will work with Dr. Shook, who will remain on as a consultant through July 11. 'Dave was an early pioneer of NK cell therapy while working under Nkarta's scientific founder, Dario Campana, at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and he has tirelessly pursued options that were more convenient for patients with safety utmost in mind,' Hastings said. 'Dave has devoted much of his career to make important contributions to the advancement of natural killer cell therapy, leading our early clinical work in cancer and overseeing key aspects of our strategic shift into a new disease area with agility and flexibility. But Dave is a dedicated oncologist, and he has decided to return to the field he loves. He is a fearless advocate for patients and their well-being and a very good friend who will be missed.' About NKX019NKX019 is an allogeneic, cryopreserved, off-the-shelf immunotherapy candidate that uses natural killer (NK) cells derived from the peripheral blood of healthy adult donors. It is engineered with a humanized CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) for enhanced cell targeting and a proprietary, membrane-bound form of interleukin-15 (IL-15) for greater persistence and activity without exogenous cytokine support. CD19 is a biomarker for normal B cells as well as those implicated in autoimmune disease and B cell-derived malignancies. Nkarta is evaluating NKX019 in multiple autoimmune conditions. About NkartaNkarta is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing the development of allogeneic, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell therapies for autoimmune diseases. By combining its cell expansion and cryopreservation platform with proprietary cell engineering technologies, Nkarta is building a pipeline of future cell therapies engineered for deep therapeutic activity and intended for broad access in the outpatient treatment setting. For more information, please visit the company's website at Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," 'plans,' 'potential,' "projects,' 'would' and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning Nkarta's expectations regarding any or all of the following: Nkarta's position, plans, strategies, and timelines for the continued and future clinical development and commercial potential of NKX019 (including the future availability and disclosure of clinical data and other updates from Nkarta's clinical trials). Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Nkarta's limited operating history and historical losses; Nkarta's lack of any products approved for sale and its ability to achieve profitability; the risk that the results of preclinical studies and early-stage clinical trials may not be predictive of future results; Nkarta's ability to raise additional funding to complete the development and any commercialization of its product candidates; Nkarta's dependence on the clinical success of NKX019; that Nkarta may be delayed in initiating, enrolling patients in or completing its clinical trials; competition from third parties that are developing products for similar uses; Nkarta's ability to obtain, maintain and protect its intellectual property; Nkarta's dependence on third parties in connection with manufacturing, clinical trials and pre-clinical studies; the complexity of the manufacturing process for CAR NK cell therapies; and the success of Nkarta's recent (and any future) cost containment measures. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Nkarta's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC'), including the 'Risk Factors' section of Nkarta's Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on May 14, 2025, and Nkarta's other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Nkarta undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. Nkarta Media/Investor Contact:Nadir MahmoodNkarta, in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


Medical News Today
21-05-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
Tremfya for plaque psoriasis: How Tremfya works and more
With this condition, an overactive immune system leads to an overgrowth of skin cells. This can cause inflammation and skin changes. Symptoms of plaque psoriasis include darkened or discolored patches of skin that may be itchy or painful. These symptoms typically affect the scalp, elbows, and knees but may appear on other areas of the body. Plaque psoriasis may also cause nails to become ridged, thickened, or pitted. » Learn more about plaque psoriasis. Tremfya is prescribed for adults with plaque psoriasis in certain situations. Specifically, the drug is used when this condition can be treated with systemic (whole-body) treatments or light therapy. Tremfya is not approved for use in children. Plaque psoriasis can occur when the immune system becomes overactive. This leads to inflammation and an overgrowth of skin cells. Tremfya works by blocking the activity of a protein called interleukin-23 (IL-23). This protein is thought to play a role in an overactive immune system. By targeting IL-23, Tremfya can help reduce inflammation and ease symptoms of plaque psoriasis. To learn more about how Tremfya works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Tremfya has been shown to be effective for treating plaque psoriasis. In clinical trials, Tremfya treatment eased symptoms of plaque psoriasis and resulted in clearer skin. Below is information about the dosage of Tremfya for plaque psoriasis in adults. However, your doctor will determine the dosage that's best for your needs. For plaque psoriasis, the typical dosage of Tremfya is 100 milligrams (mg) per dose. The first two doses are given 4 weeks apart. Afterwards, it's given every 8 weeks. Note: In addition to treating plaque psoriasis, Tremfya has other uses. Keep in mind that the drug's dosage may differ for these other uses. To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Tremfya is given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under the skin). Your doctor or another healthcare professional will teach you or a caregiver how to inject the drug. You'll inject it under the skin of your upper arm, lower abdomen, or front thigh. If you have other questions about Tremfya treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. For plaque psoriasis, the first two doses are given 4 weeks apart. Afterward, it's given every 8 weeks. » Get more detaisl about Tremfya's dosage. The use of Tremfya for plaque psoriasis may cause side effects that are mild or serious. The lists below include some of the main side effects that have been reported with Tremfya. For information about other potential side effects of the drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to Tremfya's prescribing information. Tremfya is also approved to treat other conditions. It's important to note that side effects from Tremfya may differ depending on the condition it's being used to treat. Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while receiving Tremfya and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088. » Learn details about Tremfya's side effects. Mild side effects that can occur with Tremfya for plaque psoriasis include: These side effects of Tremfya may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if they last longer than this, or if they bother you or become severe, it's important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor right away if you develop serious side effects during Tremfya treatment. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you're having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. ALLERGIC REACTION For some people, Tremfya can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn't reported in the drug's clinical trials. In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious. Ways to manage For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They'll also let you know whether you should keep using the medication. For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you've had a serious allergic reaction to Tremfya, your doctor may recommend a different medication instead. Before you start Tremfya treatment, there's some important information to keep in mind. The drug may not be a safe option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Some of these are mentioned as follows. If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors are relevant to you, talk with your doctor before starting Tremfya treatment: if you have an infection or ever had tuberculosis (TB) if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or considering either if you've had an allergic reaction to Tremfya drug or any of its ingredients if you've recently received a vaccine or are scheduled to receive one Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions about Tremfya for plaque psoriasis. Possibly, if your doctor recommends it. Doctors prescribe Tremfya when plaque psoriasis can be treated with systemic (whole-body) treatments or light therapy. Sun exposure is a type of light therapy. However, many other types of light therapy for plaque psoriasis are available. If you have questions about Tremfya treatment with sun exposure therapy, talk with your doctor. They can recommend which type of light therapy is right for you. No, Tremfya is not a corticosteroid. Tremfya and corticosteroids help reduce inflammation with plaque psoriasis, but they work in different ways. Tremfya works by blocking the activity of a specific protein involved in inflammation. For details, see the 'How Tremfya treats plaque psoriasis' section. Corticosteroids, on the other hand, work by mimicking natural hormones in the body that help reduce inflammation. To learn more about how Tremfya compares with corticosteroids, talk with your doctor. They can recommend which drug may be suitable for treating your condition. Although uncommon, Tremfya may cause side effects at any point during treatment, even after long-term use. This risk may be greatest for infections. This is because Tremfya blocks the activity of a specific protein in the immune system, which could lower the ability of your immune system to fight against infection. Mild infections, such as cold sores, were common in clinical trials of Tremfya for plaque psoriasis. However, serious infections were rare. If you're concerned about long-term side effects from Tremfya, talk with your doctor. They can advise you on your risk and recommend whether Tremfya is the right treatment option. How much Tremfya costs is based on several factors. These can include your prescribed treatment regimen, your insurance plan, the pharmacy you use, and your location. Tremfya is a biologic drug. It's a brand-name medication that's not available in a biosimilar version. Brand-name biologics usually cost more than biosimilars. If you have other questions about the cost of Tremfya, such as its cost per month, talk with your doctor or insurance provider. » Get details on Tremfya's costs. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Psoriasis Pharmacy / Pharmacist Drugs Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Page 2