Janssen submits application seeking FDA approval of Stelara for the treatment of pediatric patients with juvenile psoriatic arthritis

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced the submission of a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the FDA seeking expanded approval of Stelara (ustekinumab) to treat pediatric patients ages 5 years and older with juvenile psoriatic arthritis (jPsA).

The filing is supported by extrapolation of data from nine studies across both adult trials in active PsA and adult and pediatric studies in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, totaling 3,997 patients evaluated across these closely associated diseases. Data extrapolation is the process of estimating response, trends or effects based on previous observations from patients with closely related conditions. With the limited availability of pediatric patients for clinical trial inclusion, researchers can extrapolate data from trials with adults to determine the potential efficacy and tolerability of a treatment for a pediatric population. A decision from the U.S. FDA is anticipated in late 2022.