IQWiG finds

The IQWiG in Germany has advised that Cosentyx (secukinumab) from Novartis shows " considerable additional benefit" in the treatment of plaque psoriasis over Stelara (ustekinumab) from Johnson & Johnson .This decision will assist Novartis is its price negotiations in Germany with G-BA ,the German pharmaceutical pricing regulator.

The decision was influenced by the results from the CLEAR study which compared Cosentyx with Stelara where 93% of patients treated with Cosentyx achieved a PASI 75 response ( that is, 75% achieved an improvement in their skin condition)and 79% achieved clear or almost clear skin. Some 44% of Cosentyx patients achieved a PASI 100 response. In the case of Stelara, some 28% of patients achieved a PASI 100 response and 58% of patients achieved a PASI 90 response with 83% of patients taking Stelara securing a PASI 75 response.

Comment: Cosentyx data has shown higher efficacy than the TNF antagonists.