Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) has shared positive five-year results from a long-term extension (LTE) study of its oral TYK2 inhibitor Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

The POETYK PSO LTE enrolled patients who completed the 52-week phase 3 POETYK PSO-1 and POETYK PSO-2 trials to receive a 6mg once-daily dose of Sotyktu.

Results showed that clinical response rates were maintained in patients who were treated continuously with Sotyktu, with 46.3% achieving at least a 90% improvement on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 90) at year five compared to 45.9% at year one.

Additionally, 67.3% of patients achieved PASI 75 at year five compared to 72.1% at year one, and 52.6% achieved Physician’s Global Assessment scores of zero or one (clear/almost clear skin) after five years compared to 57.5% after one year.

The safety profile of Sotyktu also remained consistent throughout the five years, with no new safety signals identified.

At least 100 million people worldwide are affected by psoriasis, an immune-mediated disease that causes inflammation in the body. Plaque psoriasis occurs in up to 90% of psoriasis patients and is characterised by distinct round or oval plaques that are usually covered by silvery-white scales.

Sotyktu is designed to block the action of an enzyme that plays a role in triggering the production of substances known as cytokines, which are involved in the inflammation and other processes that cause psoriasis.

The drug is already approved in major markets to treat certain patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis after being shown to improve skin clearance, symptom burden and quality of life.

Commenting on the latest results for the therapy, Edgar Charles, vice president and senior global programme lead, early and late development immunology at BMS, said: “These positive five-year results build upon the established profile of Sotyktu, a first-in-class TYK2 inhibitor, as a transformative oral treatment for psoriasis.”