Pharma powerhouse Eli Lilly has reported that its novel combo therapy has shown major breakthrough for psoriatic arthritis patients with obesity.

 

Results from its TOGETHER-PsA Phase 3b trial revealed that the combination of Taltz (ixekizumab) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) significantly outperformed Taltz alone in adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and obesity or overweight.

 

At 36 weeks, the dual therapy met the primary and all key secondary endpoints, marking the first controlled study to examine an incretin therapy alongside a PsA biologic. Researchers highlighted the urgent need for integrated approaches: an estimated 65% of U.S. adults with PsA also have obesity or overweight plus at least one weight-related comorbidity.

 

“TOGETHER-PsA represents a pioneering first step leveraging Lilly's leadership in incretin science to deliver a major advance in disease outcomes for people living with the cumulative burden of psoriatic arthritis and obesity or overweight,” said Mark Genovese, senior vice president of Lilly Immunology development. 

 

“This is the first controlled pharmacologic study to demonstrate that treatment of obesity improved PsA disease measures, and we are particularly impressed with the findings showing significant improvement in PsA disease activity with Zepbound used alongside Taltz, an already rapid-acting and durable PsA treatment. These results demonstrate how an integrated treatment approach has the potential to improve the standard of care in a compelling and comprehensive way.”

 

Safety was generally consistent with the known profiles of each drug. The most common adverse events in the combination arm included nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and injection site reactions, while Taltz alone most often caused injection site reactions and upper respiratory tract infections.

 

Taltz is a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin 17A, while Zepbound is the only FDA-approved dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity management.

 

“While treatment guidelines for psoriatic arthritis recommend management of obesity, the reality is these two chronic diseases are often addressed separately and moving the needle in psoriatic arthritis has remained challenging,” said Joseph F. Merola, Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology and Professor of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center.