Novartis showcases dermatology leadership on International Urticaria Day announcing new data to be presented at EADV 2014 - Seite 3

• A straight pathway for patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (9 October, 17:00 - 18:30 CET)
• Revealing a clear path towards a new era in the management of psoriasis (10 October, 17:00 - 18:30 CET)

About AIN457 (secukinumab)
AIN457 (secukinumab) is a fully human monoclonal antibody (a special type of infection fighting cell produced in a laboratory) being investigated for diseases that affect the immune system[5]-[7]. Secukinumab stops a protein called interleukin-17A (IL-17A) from its involvement in the development of psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases, including psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS)[5]-[9]. IL-17A is found in high concentrations in skin affected by psoriasis and is a preferred target for investigational therapies[5]-[10].

Secukinumab is the first medicine selectively targeting IL-17A with positive Phase III results for the treatment of psoriasis and PsA. Phase III results for secukinumab in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis were first presented in October 2013 and March 2014. Following the presentation of the first psoriasis Phase III results in secukinumab in October 2013, EU and US regulatory filings were submitted at the end of 2013. Results from Phase III studies for arthritic conditions (PsA and AS) will be presented in late 2014.

About Xolair^®
Xolair (omalizumab) is a targeted therapy that binds to immunoglobulin E (IgE)[11],[12]. Xolair suppresses histamine-induced skin reactions, probably through its reduction of IgE and downstream effects on cellular activation mechanisms[11]. Research is ongoing to understand the mechanism of action of Xolair in CSU, which could lead to a deeper understanding of how the disease develops[12].

Xolair is approved for the treatment of refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in the EU and Switzerland, as well as in more than 25 other countries, and in the US and Canada for refractory chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) as it is known there. Xolair is approved for the treatment of moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma in more than 90 countries, including the US since 2003 and the EU since 2005 and has over 500,000 patient years of exposure[11]. In the EU, it is also approved for the treatment of severe persistent allergic asthma in children (aged six and above), adolescents and adults. In addition, a liquid formulation of Xolair in pre-filled syringes has been approved in Australia and in the EU and launched in most European countries. Novartis co-promotes Xolair with Genentech/Roche in the US and shares a portion of the operating income, but does not book US sales.