Phase III extension study shows Cosentyx (secukinumab) efficacy in plaque psoriasis- Novartis

New data demonstrates that Cosentyx (secukinumab), from Novartis, provides high levels of skin clearance and sustained efficacy in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis while maintaining a favourable safety profile across three years. A2304E1 is a multicentre, double-blind and open-label, four-year extension to the pivotal Phase III SCULPTURE and STATURE studies. In this extension study, 320 patients received secukinumab in a fixed dosing schedule for three years. 69% achieved clear or almost clear skin (PASI 90) at year one. This response was well maintained after three years with 64% of patients continuing to have a PASI 90 response. In addition, 43% of patients maintained completely clear skin (PASI 100) at year three (from 44% at year one). 83% achieved the standard treatment goal of PASI 75 skin clearance at three years. Secukinumab had a favourable safety profile consistent with that observed in previous Phase III studies. The results of this study – the longest Phase III secukinumab trial conducted to-date – were presented at the 24th Annual Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Comment: Some analysts expect that new psoriasis treatments could double the market to more than $7 billion by 2022, with Eli Lilly, Amgen, Celgene and Valeant among others in competition with Novartis.