Cosentyx receives positive opinion for psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis in Europe

Novartis announced Cosentyx has received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use in Europe for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, according to a company press release.

Cosentyx (secukinumab, Novartis), an interleukin-17A inhibitor, was approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in the United States and Europe early this year. Secukinumab was approved in Japan for psoriatic arthritis in 2014, according to the release.

“With Cosentyx, we have seen major and rapid reductions in the signs and symptoms of disease, including pain, disease progression and joint damage, paving the way for a potential new standard of care,” Novartis Pharmaceuticals Division Head David Epstein said in a press release.

The opinion follows the results of the ongoing MEASURE 1 and 2 studies of patients with ankylosing spondylitis and the ongoing FUTURE 1 and 2 studies of patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with secukinumab. The combined studies included more than 9,600 patients. Secukinumab is administered in a 150-mg subcutaneous dose every week for 4 weeks, followed by monthly injections.

Novartis expects the recommendation to result in approval for the new indications within 2 months.

Reference : www.novartis.com