Novartis' Cosentyx is first and only IL-17A inhibitor to potentially modify the course of psoriasis

Novartis International AG / Novartis' Cosentyx is first and only IL-17A inhibitor to potentially modify the course of psoriasis . Processed and transmitted by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• New data suggests that disease modification with Cosentyx may be achievable for around 20% of patients following one year of treatment[1]
   

Patients with longer disease duration before treatment with Cosentyx were more likely to relapse, highlighting the potential importance of early treatment with Cosentyx[1]
 

To further investigate disease modification, Novartis has initiated the STEPIn trial, evaluating Cosentyx in patients with early onset of moderate-to-severe psoriasis[2]

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

 

Basel, March 21, 2017 - Novartis today announced new data suggesting, for the first time, that Cosentyx^® (secukinumab) may modify the course of moderate-to-severe psoriasis leading to long-term, treatment-free skin clearance[1]. Cosentyx is the first and only IL-17A inhibitor to have reported this potential of disease modification. These data were presented at the 13^th Annual Maui Derm for Dermatologists 2017, Maui, Hawaii at which Novartis presented 14 abstracts.

Following one year of treatment with Cosentyx, patients were randomized to either continuous treatment or treatment cessation until relapse. Patients with continuous treatment maintained their high level of response. Among the patients that discontinued treatment, 21% of psoriasis patients maintained skin clearance for up to one year without treatment and 10% maintained skin clearance after two years without treatment[1]. Patients with longer disease duration were more likely to relapse, suggesting that early intervention increases the chance of remaining relapse free[1].

Previous data has shown that Cosentyx, a fully human, specific inhibitor of the IL-17A cytokine, delivers long-lasting clear or almost clear skin (PASI 90 to PASI 100) in up to 80% of patients out to four years[3],[4].

"These results suggest that Cosentyx may go beyond simply treating symptoms and could actually modify the course of psoriasis, and highlights the need for further investigation into early intervention," said Vas Narasimhan, Global Head, Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. "Being able to change the course of disease is the ultimate goal of treatment, which is why we are investing in the STEPIn trial to further understand the disease modifying ability of Cosentyx in psoriasis."