Novartis' Cosentyx is first and only IL-17A inhibitor to potentially modify the course of psoriasis - Seite 3

About STEPIn[2]
A randomized, multicenter study to evaluate the effect of secukinumab 300 mg s.c. administered during 52 weeks to patients suffering from new-onset moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis as early intervention compared to standard of care treatment with narrow-band UVB. STEPIn aims to demonstrate the benefit of early secukinumab treatment with the ultimate goal of altering the natural course psoriasis with a reduced disease burden and need for treatment.

About psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common, non-contagious, autoimmune disease that affects more than 125 million people worldwide[9]. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the disease and appears as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells.

Psoriasis is not simply a cosmetic problem, but a persistent, chronic (long-lasting), and sometimes distressing disease, which can affect even the smallest aspects of people's lives on a daily basis. Up to 30% of patients with psoriasis have, or will develop, PsA[10]. PsA is a condition in which the joints are also affected, causing debilitating symptoms including pain, stiffness and irreversible joint damage[10],[11]. Psoriasis is also associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression[8].

Disclaimer
The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "potentially," "suggests," "may," "potential," "investigate," "initiated," "suggesting," "suggest," "could," "investigation," "goal," "investing," "ambition," "launched," "aims," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential new indications or labeling for Cosentyx, or regarding potential future revenues from Cosentyx. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Cosentyx will be submitted or approved for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that Cosentyx will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding Cosentyx could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the company's ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; general economic and industry conditions; global trends toward health care cost containment, including ongoing pricing pressures; safety, quality or manufacturing issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.