Johnson & Johnson psoriasis drug ustekinumab (also called Stelara) gave better results than Enbrel, now a leading drug for psoriasis, a new study has found. The study by Johnson & Johnson's biotech unit, Centocor Inc., will give the company more market share in the treatment of psoriasis, a painful skin condition.

Enbrel, an equally safe drug which is jointly marketed by Wyeth and Amgen, currently commands 75 percent of the global market. The study was the first to help Johnson & Johnson's psoriasis treatment challenge that of Enbrel.

The biotech treatment for the chronic immune disorder psoriasis using ustekinumab cut the severity of the psoriasis by 68 percent in patients taking a 45 milligram dose and 74 percent, a 90 milligram dose. The international study included about 900 men and women with moderate or severe psoriasis; each got one of the three drugs.

Patients taking 50 milligrams of Enbrel only saw a 57 decrease in their disease. The new treatment eliminated red, scaly skin patches more than the Enbrel. Both drugs are given through injections, but Johnson & Johnson said Stelara would be administered less frequently.