Art Garfunkel Leads Sun Pharma’s Psoriasis Campaign

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Sun Pharma launched a new educational campaign about the emotional struggles that conditions like psoriasis can cause on patients.¹ The I LUV YA for The Long Haul campaign features testimonials from patients, including stories from famous musician Art Garfunkel.

The campaign is part of a promotional push for Ilumya, a monoclonal antibody treatment used to treat adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

In a press release, Garfunkel said, “With support from my wife, Kim, and a treatment I trust, I am finally ready to give my history with psoriasis a voice. After struggling for decades, I finally started ILUMYA about two years ago, and experiencing clearer skin has helped me regain my confidence. I am excited to share my story as part of the I LUV YA campaign in the hope that it will encourage others to find the right treatment for them."

Sun Pharma’s head of biologics marketing Maureen Shannon said, “We are so honored to partner with Art Garfunkel to share his ILUMYA story and to bring greater awareness to the impact psoriasis has beyond the physical symptoms. Art's music has impacted millions and his experience, shared for the first time, is sure to leave a lasting impression."

Sun Pharma also recently agreed to acquire immunotherapy and targeted oncology company Checkpoint.² This includes Checkpoint’s FDA approved Unloxcyt, a metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma treatment for adults. According to the agreement, Sun Pharma will purchase common stock at $4.10 a share, with a potential bonus of $0.70 a share if cosibelimab approved in certain regions of the European Union by certain deadlines.

In a press release issued at the time, Checkpoint’s president and chief executive officer James Oliviero said, “I am proud of the dedication and passion of our team at Checkpoint that allowed us to achieve the first and only FDA-approved anti-PD-L1 treatment for patients with advanced cSCC, and we are excited to enter this transaction with Sun Pharma as the next step to bringing UNLOXCYT to cSCC patients in need of a differentiated immunotherapy treatment option. Sun Pharma is aligned with Checkpoint's commitment to improving the lives of skin cancer patients, and I believe this transaction will maximize value for our stockholders and provide accelerated access to UNLOXCYT in the United States, Europe and other markets worldwide."

In the same press release, Sun Pharma chairman and managing director Dilip Shanghvi said, “Combining UNLOXCYT, an FDA-approved anti-PD-L1 treatment for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, with Sun Pharma's global presence means patients with cSCC may soon have access to an important, new treatment option. The acquisition further bolsters our innovative portfolio in onco-derm therapy."

SOURCES

1. Music Icon Art Garfunkel Opens Up About His Experience with Psoriasis for The First Time in Partnership with Sun Pharma. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries. April 4, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/music-icon-art-garfunkel-opens-up-about-his-experience-with-psoriasis-for-the-first-time-in-partnership-with-sun-pharma-302420561.html
2. Sun Pharma to Acquire Checkpoint Therapeutics. Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries. March 9, 2025. Accessed April 4, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sun-pharma-to-acquire-checkpoint-therapeutics-302396492.html