Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG), a global biopharmaceutical company, reported Friday positive results from additional efficacy and safety analyses of OTEZLA (apremilast) from the ESTEEM phase III clinical trial program. Apremilast is the CELG's oral, selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), for patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy. An analysis of ESTEEM 2 demonstrated that apremilast significantly improved psoriasis in difficult-to-treat areas such as the palms of the hands and feet, nails and scalp. Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) reported that after 32 weeks of treatment with apremilast 30 mg twice daily, 55% of patients achieved at least a 50% improvement. Of those patients who had moderate to severe psoriasis on their palms and feet, 65% had these symptoms reduced to clear or almost clear at week 16. Improvements over baseline in nail, scalp and palmoplantar psoriasis were seen for up to 32 weeks.An analysis of ESTEEM 1 and 2 found that apremilast improved skin discomfort or pain. Patients report that pruritus (itching) is one of the most common and bothersome symptoms of psoriasis. A post-hoc analysis found that improvements in itching and in skin discomfort/pain with apremilast 30 mg twice daily were observed as early as week 2 and were maintained through week 32.Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE:CLDT), a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing in premium-brand hotels, said on Friday it declared a monthly dividend on its common shares of 8 cents for October, unchanged from a September payout. The dividend will be paid on Nov. 28 to shareholders of record on Oct. 31. Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE:CLDT) has traded in a range from $18.28 to $24.09 a share in the past 52 weeks.Prosensa Holding NV (NASDAQ:RNA), a biotechnology company focused on the treatment of genetic disorders, said on Friday it started the submission process for a new-drug application regulatory filing to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for Drisapersen. The drug is meant to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy and has received a fast-track status from the FDA. Prosensa Holding NV (NASDAQ:RNA) expects the submission to be completed by the end of the year.The FDA Safety and Innovation Act of 2012 provides for an accelerated approval regulatory pathway which is designed to expedite the development and availability for drugs for serious conditions that fill an unmet medical need, based on whether the drug has an effect on a surrogate or an intermediate clinical endpoint which is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. Prosensa shares fell 3.7% to $8.32 in New York on Friday. The stock has traded in a range from $3.43 to $13.32 a share in the past 52 weeks.
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