TheraRadar

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Data updated: Mar 10, 2026

OTEZLA

APREMILAST Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors
Immunology Approved 2014-03-21

Otezla (apremilast) is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of specific inflammatory conditions in both adult and pediatric populations. It is used to treat active psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis in patients who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy. Additionally, the medication is approved for the treatment of oral ulcers associated with Behçet's Disease in adult patients.

Source: FDA Label • Amgen • Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitor

How OTEZLA Works

Apremilast is an oral small molecule that inhibits phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), an enzyme specific for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). By blocking the activity of PDE4, the medication increases the levels of cAMP within cells. Although the exact biological pathways for its therapeutic action are not fully defined, this increase in intracellular cAMP is the drug's primary mechanism of action.

Source: FDA Label
9
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
1
Priority Reviews
11
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2014-03-21
Routes
ORAL
Dosage Forms
TABLET

Companies

Active Ingredient: APREMILAST

OTEZLA Approval History

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What OTEZLA Treats

4 indications

OTEZLA is approved for 4 conditions since its original approval in 2014. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Active psoriatic arthritis
  • Plaque psoriasis
  • Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
  • Oral ulcers associated with Behçet's Disease
Source: FDA Label

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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

OTEZLA FDA Label Details

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Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

OTEZLA/OTEZLA XR, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), is indicated for the treatment of: Adult patients with: Active psoriatic arthritis Plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy Oral ulcers associated with Behçet's Disease Pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with: Active psoriatic arthritis Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy In the pediatric population, OTEZLA is indicated for patients weighing at least 20 kg, and OTEZLA XR is indicated for patients weighing at least 50 kg. 1.1 Psoriatic Ar...

OTEZLA Patents & Exclusivity

Latest Patent: May 2042
Exclusivity: Oct 2027

Patents (99 active)

US11752129 Expires May 27, 2042
US12427136 Expires May 27, 2042
US11969409 Expires May 27, 2042
US9872854*PED Expires Nov 29, 2034
US10092541*PED Expires Nov 29, 2034
US10092541 Expires May 29, 2034
US9872854 Expires May 29, 2034
US7427638*PED Expires Aug 16, 2028
US7427638 Expires Feb 16, 2028
+ 89 more patents

Exclusivity

M-299 Until Jul 2026
ODE* Until Jul 2026
PED Until Jan 2027
PED Until Jan 2027
M-299 Until Jul 2026
Source: FDA Orange Book

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.