Copellor® (Ixekizumab) — Anti-IL-17A Biologic for Psoriasis and Spondyloarthritis

Superior Skin Clearance and Joint Control Through Selective IL-17A Neutralisation

Copellor® (Ixekizumab) is a high-affinity humanised IgG4 monoclonal antibody that selectively neutralises interleukin-17A (IL-17A) — a key pro-inflammatory cytokine that drives the skin inflammation in plaque psoriasis and the joint and spine inflammation in psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. By specifically binding and neutralising IL-17A before it can activate its receptor on keratinocytes and synovial fibroblasts, Ixekizumab interrupts the central inflammatory cascade driving these conditions — achieving rapid, deep, and sustained clinical responses across skin, joint, nail, and spinal manifestations of IL-17A-driven inflammatory disease.

Copellor has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) and is launched in India by Eli Lilly and Company India Pvt Ltd for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, as well as for adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis. Milaap

A.K. Pharma is a trusted medicine distributor in Delhi supplying genuine Copellor (Ixekizumab) to hospitals, dermatology centres, rheumatology clinics, and pharmacies across India. Manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company, Copellor represents one of the most effective biologics available for plaque psoriasis — achieving skin clearance rates that were previously unattainable with conventional systemic therapies.

What is Copellor (Ixekizumab)?

Copellor contains Ixekizumab — a humanised IgG4 monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the protein IL-17A, which triggers and maintains inflammation in psoriasis. Milaap

IL-17A is produced primarily by Th17 lymphocytes — a subset of CD4+ T helper cells — as well as by gamma-delta T cells, innate lymphoid cells (ILC3), mast cells, and neutrophils in response to IL-23 signalling. In psoriasis and spondyloarthritis, dysregulated IL-23/Th17 axis activity leads to excessive IL-17A production — driving:

In Psoriasis:

• Keratinocyte activation → hyperproliferation and abnormal differentiation → epidermal thickening and plaque formation
• Antimicrobial peptide production (beta-defensins, S100 proteins) → further immune activation
• Chemokine production → neutrophil and T-cell recruitment to skin → inflammatory infiltrate
• VEGF upregulation → angiogenesis → characteristic erythema

In Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis:

• Synovial fibroblast activation → synovitis and pannus formation
• Osteoclast activation → bone erosion
• New bone formation → enthesophytes and syndesmophytes
• Enthesitis — inflammation at tendon and ligament insertion sites
• Spinal inflammation → vertebral erosion and ankylosis in AS

Why Specific IL-17A Blockade Rather Than Upstream IL-23: Ixekizumab targets IL-17A directly — the final effector cytokine in the Th17 pathway — blocking its action at the tissue level. This direct neutralisation provides rapid onset of action, as IL-17A produced by pre-existing Th17 cells is immediately neutralised without waiting for upstream pathway suppression.

Full prescribing information is available at the FDA label for Ixekizumab.

Clinical Studies and Evidence

UNCOVER-1, UNCOVER-2, UNCOVER-3 Trials (Ixekizumab in Moderate-Severe Plaque Psoriasis) Published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2016) and The Lancet (2016), the pivotal UNCOVER trials were Phase 3 randomised controlled trials enrolling over 3,000 patients with moderate-severe plaque psoriasis. Key results at week 12:

UNCOVER-1 (Ixekizumab Q2W vs Placebo):

• PASI 75 — 89.1% (Ixekizumab Q2W) vs 3.9% (placebo) — extraordinarily superior
• PASI 90 — 70.9% vs 0% placebo
• PASI 100 (complete skin clearance) — 35.3% vs 0% placebo
• IGA 0/1 (clear/almost clear) — 82.1% vs 3.2% placebo

UNCOVER-2 (Ixekizumab vs Etanercept vs Placebo):

• PASI 75 — 89.7% (Ixekizumab Q2W) vs 41.6% (Etanercept) vs 2.4% (placebo)
• PASI 90 — 70.7% vs 18.7% vs 0%
• PASI 100 — 40.5% vs 5.3% vs 0%
• Established Ixekizumab as significantly superior to Etanercept — the previous biological standard — across all skin clearance endpoints

UNCOVER-3 (Ixekizumab vs Etanercept vs Placebo — Long-Term):

• Confirmed consistent superiority of Ixekizumab over Etanercept
• Long-term maintenance data demonstrated sustained responses through 60 weeks of continuous treatment

The PASI 90 rates of approximately 70% and PASI 100 rates of approximately 35-40% with Ixekizumab were unprecedented at the time of approval — establishing IL-17A inhibition as the most effective class for skin clearance in moderate-severe plaque psoriasis.

SPIRIT-P1 Trial (Ixekizumab in Biologic-Naive Psoriatic Arthritis) Published in The Lancet (2017), SPIRIT-P1 demonstrated Ixekizumab significantly improved ACR20 response rates compared to placebo — 62% (Q2W) and 58% (Q4W) vs 30% placebo at week 24 — with significant improvements in skin manifestations (PASI 75 >75%) and physical function, and inhibition of radiographic progression.

SPIRIT-P2 Trial (Ixekizumab in TNF-Experienced Psoriatic Arthritis) SPIRIT-P2 enrolled patients with active PsA who had failed prior anti-TNF therapy — demonstrating Ixekizumab achieved ACR20 in 53% (Q2W) and 48% (Q4W) vs 20% placebo — establishing efficacy after anti-TNF failure.

COAST-V Trial (Ixekizumab in Biologic-Naive Ankylosing Spondylitis) Published in The Lancet (2017), COAST-V demonstrated Ixekizumab significantly improved ASAS40 response rates compared to placebo — 52% (Q2W) and 48% (Q4W) vs 18% placebo at week 16 — with significant improvements in spinal pain, fatigue, and MRI spinal inflammation scores.

COAST-W Trial (Ixekizumab in TNF-Experienced Ankylosing Spondylitis) COAST-W demonstrated ASAS40 of 31% (Q2W) and 25% (Q4W) vs 13% placebo in patients who had failed prior anti-TNF therapy — establishing Ixekizumab as an effective option after anti-TNF failure in AS.

COAST-X Trial (Ixekizumab in Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis) The COAST-X trial demonstrated Ixekizumab significantly improved ASAS40 in nr-axSpA — 35% (Q4W) and 40% (Q2W) vs 19% placebo — establishing the first approval of an IL-17A inhibitor for nr-axSpA.

Paediatric Plaque Psoriasis Data Clinical data demonstrated Ixekizumab efficacy and safety in paediatric patients with moderate-severe plaque psoriasis aged 6 years and older — leading to paediatric approval with weight-based dosing.

Available Strengths

Copellor is available as:

Copellor is available in one strength of 80mg/mL in a single-dose prefilled autoinjector. It is a prescription medicine that should be used only on the advice of a dermatologist or rheumatologist and under medical supervision. Milaap

Indications — What Copellor is Used For

Moderate-Severe Plaque Psoriasis:

• Adults with moderate-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy
• Children ≥6 years with moderate-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy (weight-based dosing)

Psoriatic Arthritis:

• Active psoriatic arthritis in adults — as monotherapy or in combination with conventional synthetic DMARDs (e.g. Methotrexate)
• Effective in biologic-naive patients and patients who have failed prior anti-TNF therapy

Ankylosing Spondylitis:

• Active ankylosing spondylitis in adults — radiographic axSpA
• Including patients who have failed prior NSAID and/or anti-TNF therapy

Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA):

• Active nr-axSpA with objective signs of inflammation (elevated CRP or MRI evidence) in adults
• Including patients who have failed prior NSAID therapy

For detailed indication information refer to MedlinePlus Ixekizumab.

Key Benefits of Copellor

Highest Skin Clearance Rates in Plaque Psoriasis The UNCOVER trials demonstrate PASI 90 in approximately 70% and PASI 100 (complete skin clearance) in approximately 35-40% of patients at 12 weeks — rates that were unprecedented at the time of approval and remain among the highest demonstrated for any biologic in plaque psoriasis. For patients who have lived with severe, treatment-refractory psoriasis for years, achieving complete skin clearance has a transformative impact on quality of life, mental health, and social functioning.

Superior to Etanercept Across All Skin Clearance Endpoints The UNCOVER-2 and UNCOVER-3 head-to-head trials demonstrate Ixekizumab is significantly superior to Etanercept (anti-TNF) across PASI 75, PASI 90, and PASI 100 — confirming IL-17A blockade as more effective than TNF blockade for skin manifestations of psoriasis. Ixekizumab achieves PASI 90 in approximately 70% vs 18.7% for Etanercept — a dramatic difference in skin clearance depth.

Rapid Onset of Action Clinical improvement in psoriasis is visible as early as week 1-2 after the first injection — with PASI 75 in approximately 50% of patients by week 4. This rapid onset is particularly important for patients with severe, symptomatic psoriasis causing significant quality of life impairment.

Comprehensive PsA Coverage — Skin, Joints, Nails, Entheses, Dactylitis In psoriatic arthritis, Ixekizumab simultaneously addresses all PsA disease domains — peripheral joint inflammation, axial involvement, psoriatic skin and nail disease, enthesitis, and dactylitis — providing comprehensive disease control from a single biologic injection.

Inhibits Radiographic Progression in PsA The SPIRIT-P1 trial demonstrates Ixekizumab significantly inhibits radiographic progression in psoriatic arthritis — protecting joint structure and preventing long-term disability.

Active in Both Biologic-Naive and Anti-TNF-Experienced Patients Ixekizumab demonstrates clinically meaningful efficacy in both biologic-naive patients and those who have failed prior anti-TNF therapy — providing an important treatment option for the significant proportion of patients who fail or become intolerant to anti-TNF biologics.

Convenient Monthly Maintenance Dosing After Loading After loading doses achieve rapid disease control, Copellor transitions to monthly (Q4W) maintenance dosing for psoriasis — significantly reducing treatment burden compared to biweekly injections required by some other biologics.

Paediatric Approval Down to 6 Years Copellor is approved for plaque psoriasis in children aged 6 years and older — addressing significant paediatric unmet need with weight-based dosing.

How Copellor Works — IL-17A Pathway in Psoriasis and Spondyloarthritis

The IL-23/Th17 Axis — The Central Pathological Mechanism:

The pathogenesis of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis involves dysregulated innate and adaptive immune activation — with the IL-23/Th17 axis playing the central pathological role:

1. Dendritic cells and macrophages in skin, joints, or gut-associated lymphoid tissue are activated by triggers (mechanical stress, microbiome dysbiosis, genetic factors — particularly HLA-B27 in AS)
2. Activated dendritic cells produce IL-23 → drives differentiation and expansion of Th17 lymphocytes
3. Th17 cells produce large amounts of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and TNF
4. IL-17A acts on keratinocytes (skin), synovial fibroblasts (joints), osteoblasts (bone), and entheseal fibroblasts (entheses):
   • Keratinocytes → hyperproliferation, abnormal differentiation, chemokine release → psoriatic plaque
   • Synovial fibroblasts → RANKL upregulation → osteoclast activation → bone erosion
   • Osteoblasts → paradoxically also promotes new bone formation in AS → syndesmophyte formation
   • Entheseal fibroblasts → inflammation and fibrosis → enthesitis

Ixekizumab’s Mechanism:

Step 1 — High-Affinity IL-17A Binding: Ixekizumab binds IL-17A with very high affinity (Kd ~3-4 pM) — capturing free IL-17A in the circulation and tissue before it can bind to the IL-17 receptor (IL-17RA/IL-17RC complex) on target cells. The IgG4 subclass of Ixekizumab is chosen for its reduced effector function — minimising complement activation and ADCC — appropriate for targeting a cytokine rather than a cell surface antigen.

Step 2 — IL-17 Receptor Blockade: By binding IL-17A, Ixekizumab prevents IL-17A from interacting with the IL-17RA receptor complex on keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and other target cells — blocking all downstream IL-17A-driven signalling including NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT3 activation.

Step 3 — Tissue-Level Inflammatory Suppression: Without IL-17A signalling in skin:

• Keratinocyte hyperproliferation ceases
• Antimicrobial peptide and chemokine production normalises
• Neutrophil recruitment to epidermis stops
• Epidermal thickness and scaling resolve

Without IL-17A signalling in joints/entheses/spine:

• Synovial inflammation reduces
• RANKL-driven osteoclast activation decreases → bone erosion halts
• Entheseal inflammation resolves
• Spinal MRI inflammation scores improve

For a detailed mechanism overview refer to EULAR PsA Recommendations and ASAS/EULAR AS Management Recommendations.

Copellor vs Scapho — IL-17A Inhibitors Compared

Both Copellor (Ixekizumab) and Scapho (Secukinumab) target IL-17A — here are the key differences:

Dosage and Administration

Plaque Psoriasis — Adults:

• Loading dose: 160mg SC at Week 0 (two 80mg injections at different sites simultaneously)
• Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12: 80mg SC every 2 weeks (Q2W) — 6 doses
• Maintenance from Week 12: 80mg SC every 4 weeks (Q4W)

Plaque Psoriasis — Children ≥6 years (weight-based):

• Body weight <25kg: 40mg at Week 0, then Q4W
• Body weight 25–50kg: 80mg at Week 0, then Q4W
• Body weight >50kg: Same as adult dosing

Psoriatic Arthritis — Adults (without moderate-severe plaque psoriasis):

• 160mg SC at Week 0 (two 80mg injections) — optional
• 80mg SC Q4W thereafter
• OR: 80mg SC Q2W — for patients with coexistent moderate-severe plaque psoriasis (use psoriasis dosing)

Ankylosing Spondylitis — Adults:

• 160mg SC at Week 0 (two 80mg injections)
• 80mg SC Q4W thereafter

Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis — Adults:

• 80mg SC Q4W (no loading dose required per approved indication)

Administration:

• Subcutaneous injection — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm
• Rotate injection sites — avoid areas with bruising, tenderness, redness, or hardness
• Allow autoinjector pen to reach room temperature before injection — 30 minutes
• Single-use prefilled autoinjector pen — discard after use
• Patients may self-inject after appropriate training by healthcare professional

Full dosing guidelines available at Drugs.com Ixekizumab Dosage.

Pre-Treatment Screening — Essential Before Starting Copellor

All patients must be screened before initiating Copellor:

• Tuberculosis (TB) — Screen with TST or IGRA + chest X-ray. Treat latent TB before starting. Active TB — do not start Copellor
• Hepatitis B — Screen HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs. Consult hepatologist for HBsAg-positive patients
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) — Important: IL-17A inhibitors may worsen or trigger IBD (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis). Carefully evaluate benefit-risk in patients with IBD history. Monitor for new bowel symptoms during treatment
• Infections — Do not start in patients with active serious infections
• Candida infections — IL-17A plays a role in mucocutaneous candida immunity; Candida infections are more common with IL-17A inhibitors

Who Should Use Copellor

Copellor is prescribed for:

• Adults with moderate-severe plaque psoriasis who have failed or are not suitable for topical therapies and/or phototherapy
• Children ≥6 years with moderate-severe plaque psoriasis
• Adults with active psoriatic arthritis — biologic-naive or after anti-TNF failure
• Adults with active ankylosing spondylitis — including after anti-TNF failure
• Adults with active nr-axSpA with objective signs of inflammation

Copellor is prescribed by dermatologists, rheumatologists, and immunologists. A.K. Pharma supplies Copellor to hospitals, dermatology centres, rheumatology clinics, and pharmacies across Delhi and India.

Possible Side Effects

Common side effects include injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling — 17%), upper respiratory tract infections including nasopharyngitis (13-14%), nausea (2%), tinea infections, and conjunctivitis.

Serious side effects include:

• Serious infections — including bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Do not initiate in patients with active serious infections
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease — new onset or exacerbation of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis; monitor for new bowel symptoms; consider discontinuation if IBD develops
• Hypersensitivity reactions — including anaphylaxis and urticaria; discontinue and treat promptly for serious reactions
• Neutropenia — monitor CBC if clinically indicated
• Mucocutaneous Candida — oral candidiasis and vulvovaginal candidiasis are more common with IL-17A inhibition due to reduced mucosal defence; manageable with antifungal therapy without discontinuation in most cases

Full side effect information available at FDA Ixekizumab Safety Information.

Precautions

• TB screening mandatory before starting — do not initiate in active TB; treat latent TB first
• IBD risk — evaluate carefully in patients with IBD history; monitor for new bowel symptoms throughout treatment
• Candida infections — manage with antifungal therapy; temporary treatment interruption may be required for persistent or recurrent mucocutaneous candidiasis
• Live vaccines — avoid concurrent administration of live vaccines during treatment
• Hepatitis B — screen before starting; monitor HBV carriers
• Neutropenia — monitor CBC if clinically indicated
• Pregnancy — limited data; use only if clearly needed; effective contraception recommended
• Refer to EULAR Psoriatic Arthritis Recommendations and EAACI Psoriasis Guidelines for complete management context

Storage and Handling

• Store in refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C
• Do not freeze — discard if frozen
• Protect from light — keep in original carton
• Allow to reach room temperature before injection — approximately 30 minutes
• Can be stored at room temperature below 30°C for up to 5 days if needed — then discard
• Single use prefilled autoinjector pen — discard after use

As a responsible medicine distributor in Delhi, A.K. Pharma maintains full cold chain requirements during storage and supply of Copellor ensuring product integrity for every unit supplied.

Manufacturer Information

Copellor (Ixekizumab) is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company India Pvt Ltd, the Indian subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company — a global pharmaceutical leader with a major immunology and dermatology portfolio. Eli Lilly has announced the launch of Copellor (Ixekizumab) in India after approval from The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Milaap Ixekizumab received FDA approval in March 2016 for plaque psoriasis. A.K. Pharma supplies only genuine Copellor sourced from authorized Eli Lilly distributors.

Related Immunosuppressant, Skin and Arthritis Medicines Available at A.K. Pharma

• Scapho (Secukinumab) — anti-IL-17A biologic — alternative IL-17A inhibitor for psoriasis and spondyloarthritis
• Simponi (Golimumab) — anti-TNF biologic for RA, PsA, and AS
• Dupixent (Dupilumab) — anti-IL-4/IL-13 biologic for atopic dermatitis and asthma
• Betrecep (Abatacept) — T-cell inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis
• Browse all Immunosuppressant Medicines available at A.K. Pharma

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Copellor used for? Copellor (Ixekizumab) is used to treat moderate-severe plaque psoriasis in adults and children ≥6 years, active psoriatic arthritis, active ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adults. More information available at MedlinePlus.

Q. What is the generic name of Copellor? The generic name of Copellor is Ixekizumab. It is a humanised IgG4 anti-IL-17A monoclonal antibody manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company India Pvt Ltd.

Q. How does Copellor work? Copellor binds with high affinity to IL-17A — a pro-inflammatory cytokine that drives skin inflammation in psoriasis and joint/spine inflammation in psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. By neutralising IL-17A before it can activate its receptor on target cells, Copellor interrupts the central inflammatory cascade — suppressing psoriatic plaque formation, joint inflammation, and spinal disease.

Q. How quickly does Copellor work for psoriasis? Clinical improvement is typically visible within 1-2 weeks of the first injection. In the UNCOVER trials approximately 50% of patients achieved PASI 75 by week 4 — with maximum response at week 12 where approximately 70% achieve PASI 90 and 35-40% achieve complete skin clearance (PASI 100).

Q. How is Copellor different from Scapho (Secukinumab)? Both target IL-17A but differ in antibody subclass, binding affinity, and dosing schedule. Copellor (IgG4) has approximately 25-fold higher binding affinity for IL-17A than Scapho (IgG1). Clinical trial data suggests slightly higher PASI 100 rates with Copellor — though direct head-to-head trials are limited. Maintenance dosing is monthly (Q4W) for both in psoriasis.

Q. Can Copellor be used for psoriatic arthritis? Yes — Copellor is approved for active psoriatic arthritis in adults — both biologic-naive patients and those who have failed prior anti-TNF therapy. In addition to improving joint symptoms, it simultaneously addresses psoriatic skin disease, nail psoriasis, enthesitis, and dactylitis.

Q. Is Copellor safe in patients with IBD? IL-17A plays a role in gut mucosal immunity — IL-17A inhibitors including Ixekizumab may worsen or trigger inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis). Carefully evaluate benefit-risk in patients with IBD history. Monitor for new bowel symptoms during treatment. Copellor is generally avoided in patients with active or history of significant IBD.

Q. Is Copellor available in India? Yes — Copellor has been approved by DCGI and launched in India by Eli Lilly. It can be supplied to hospitals, dermatology centres, rheumatology clinics, and pharmacies across India through licensed pharmaceutical distributors. Contact A.K. Pharma — medicine distributor in Delhi — for availability and pricing.

Q. What is the price of Copellor in India? Copellor 80mg price in India varies. Contact A.K. Pharma at 011 4172 6999 or WhatsApp +91 9810034827 for current pricing and bulk supply rates.

Q. How to order Copellor from A.K. Pharma? You can request a quote directly from this page, call us at 011 4172 6999, or WhatsApp us at +91 9810034827 with your requirements and we will respond promptly.

Q. Does A.K. Pharma supply Copellor in bulk? Yes. A.K. Pharma supplies Copellor in bulk to dermatology centres, rheumatology clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies across Delhi and India. Contact us for bulk pricing and availability.

Why Order Copellor from A.K. Pharma?

• Licensed medicine distributor in Delhi with all required drug licenses
• 100% genuine Copellor sourced from authorized Eli Lilly distributors
• Cold chain maintained throughout storage and delivery
• Available alongside companion immunology medicines — Scapho, Simponi, Dupixent, Betrecep
• Bulk supply available for hospitals and dermatology/rheumatology centres
• Prompt response to all quote requests
• Serving dermatologists and rheumatologists across Delhi NCR and India

Contact A.K. Pharma for Copellor Supply 📍 E-2/257A, 2nd Floor, Shastri Nagar, New Delhi 110052 📞 011 4172 6999 📱 WhatsApp: +91 9810034827 🌐 akpharma.in