AIN 457 a new approach to Psoriasis

Novartis has announced positive results from three Phase II trials showing that AIN 457 (secukinumab) produced a quick and significant improvement of symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The results were presented at the annual European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, in Lisbon, Portugal. In one study, 81% of patients receiving AIN457 150mg subcutaneously once a month experienced at least a 75% improvement of psoriasis signs and symptoms as measured by PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) vs 9% for placebo at week 12 (p<0.001). in another study results also showed that 83 of patients who were given an intravenous starting dose of ain 457 experienced at least a 75 improvement of symptoms vs 10 for placebo. a third study showed that receiving ain 457 in the first month was beneficial to 55 of patients vs 2 for placebo at week 12 p><0.001). ain457 is a fully human monoclonal antibody neutralizing interleukin-17a a key pro-inflammatory cytokine. phase ii studies in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and arthritides rheumatoid arthritis ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis have suggested that ain457 may provide a new mechanism of action for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases. phase iii trials are underway.>