Johnson & Johnson submitted a regulatory filing to the FDA to expand the use of Simponi (golimumab) to include the treatment of patients with active psoriatic arthritis.The new application seeks approval for the "inhibition of the progression of structural damage and maintenance of improvement in signs and symptoms and physical function" in patients with the disease.

The company noted that the submission is based on safety and efficacy data from the GO-REVEAL trial. The drug was approved in the US last year to treat active psoriatic arthritis, and it is also approved in the US to treat patients with and active ankylosing spondylitis, as well as rheumatoid arthritis.
In September, Johnson & Johnson filed an application with the FDA to expand approval to include the inhibition of the progression of structural damage in the treatment of moderately-to-severely active rheumatoid arthritis.
Johnson & Johnson, which has rights to the drug in the US, is currently involved in arbitration with Merck & Co. regarding the overseas rights to Simponi. Johnson & Johnson claims that rights should be returned to it following Merck's acquisition of Schering-Plough. A decision is expected in 2011.