( Most Patients Achieved at Least 75 Perc...)Abbott's Investigational Treatment ABT-874 Shows Positive Results,in Phase II Psoriasis Study,Health

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., May 04, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- New Phase II study results show Abbott's investigational treatment, ABT-874, reduced psoriasis symptoms significantly in the majority of patients treated. At 12 weeks, nine out of 10 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis achieved 75 percent improvement in psoriasis signs and symptoms in four of the five dosing groups receiving ABT-874, versus 3 percent of patients receiving placebo. Also, more than half of patients achieved 90 percent improvement, in the same four of five ABT-874 dosing groups, versus 0 percent of those receiving placebo. The results will be presented next week at the Society for Investigative Dermatology annual meeting in Los Angeles. ABT-874 is a fully human monoclonal antibody designed to target and neutralize interleukin-12 and interleukin-23, two proteins associated with inflammation in psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders.

ABT-874 represents a novel approach to treating psoriasis, targeting a part of the inflammatory response that is not addressed by any therapy available today. Abbott's biologic drugs in development, including ABT-874, are designed to selectively inhibit proteins that are responsible for inflammation, such as pro-inflammatory interleukins or tumor necrosis factor- alpha. Abbott plans to begin Phase III psoriasis studies with ABT-874 later this year.

"These early results are promising and warrant further development of ABT-874 as an additional treatment option for moderate to severe psoriasis patients," said Kenneth Gordon, M.D., associate professor of dermatology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, head, Division of Dermatology, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, and study investigator. "There is a s
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