Novartis showcases dermatology leadership on International Urticaria Day announcing new data to be presented at EADV 2014

Novartis International AG / Novartis showcases dermatology leadership on International Urticaria Day announcing new data to be presented at EADV 2014 . Processed and transmitted by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• New data for the IL-17A inhibitor AIN457 (secukinumab) in psoriasis and Xolair^® in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) at EADV to highlight benefit to patients' quality of life
   

Data continue to reinforce the landmark Phase III results of secukinumab in psoriasis and Xolair in CSU that showed consistent, fast efficacy and acceptable safety[1]-[4]
 

Important head-to-head trial of secukinumab versus Stelara^® (CLEAR), powered to evaluate superiority in clearing skin, completed patient enrolment in record time

The digital press release with multimedia content can be accessed here:

Basel, 1 October 2014 - Novartis announced today, on the first-ever International Urticaria Day, that 15 abstracts from the Novartis specialty dermatology portfolio, will be presented at the European Association of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, 8-12 October, in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The abstracts include new analyses of pivotal Phase III studies for AIN457 (secukinumab) in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and Xolair^® (omalizumab) in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) highlighting benefit to patients' quality of life. The new data to be presented at EADV continue to reinforce the previously presented landmark Phase III results of secukinumab in psoriasis and Xolair in CSU that showed consistent, fast efficacy in the treatment of these debilitating diseases[1]-[4].

In an update on ongoing Novartis dermatology trials, the Phase IIIb CLEAR study finished full enrolment of 679 moderate-to-severe plaque patients earlier than expected after recruitment started in February 2014. CLEAR is the second head-to-head secukinumab study versus a biologic treatment and will compare the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of secukinumab versus Stelara^®* (ustekinumab), a current standard-of-care therapy. Results are anticipated in the coming months.

"Psoriasis and CSU are serious diseases that have a significant negative impact on quality of life," said Vasant Narasimhan, Global Head of Development, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "With our new data at EADV 2014 and the record-breaking enrolment timeline of the CLEAR study, we are excited to continue generating important clinical evidence of the impact of secukinumab and Xolair on patients."