An experimental new drug that suppresses certain parts of the immune system worked safely to relieve some of the symptoms of psoriasis, said research study in Canada
Isotechnika Inc a small company based in Edmonton, Canada makes the drug, called ISA247.

The drug mimics some of the effects of the immune suppressing drug cyclosporine, but is designed to avoid some of the dangerous side effects. The researchers tested 451 patients aged 18 to 65 years who had plaque psoriasis over at least 10 percent of the body. This unpleasant skin disease is caused by a mistaken immune reaction that causes red, scaly, itchy skin.

There are several monoclonal antibodies that target the immune response and may help against psoriasis, they wrote. But they are expensive and inconvenient to use.

ISA247 did not cause significantly more side-effects than placebo, even at the highest doses, the researchers found. The Phase III trial was a last step before seeking approval to market the drug.