Novartis' Cosentyx proves long-term efficacy in psoriasis skin clearance

At the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress in Geneva, Switzerland, Novartis unveiled new Phase 3 data for Cosentyx (secukinumab) evidencing its long term skin clearance benefits and safety profile in the treatment of psoriasis.

The trial measured the drug’s efficacy using the Psoriasis Are and Severity Index (PASI), where a response of 75, 90 or 100 was seen as a success regarding efficacy, with 100 representing full skin clearance. In the period ranging from 52 weeks of treatment to a full five years, Consentyx produced consistent response rates; at 52 weeks, 89% of patients achieved a PASI score of 75, while 69% achieved a score of 90, and this was maintained until the end of the five years, producing rates of 89% and 66% respectively.

Furthermore, by the end of the first year, 44% of patients achieved complete skin clearance, which was maintained at year five with a rate of 41%.

Consentyx is the first and only fully-human IL-17A inhibitor approved in the treatment of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis. Administered once a month via an auto injector, the drug has been used to treat over 100,000 patients over 10 years.

"The five-year data reinforce Cosentyx as an important treatment option for those people living with psoriasis who aspire for skin clearance that can last," said Vas Narasimhan, Global Head of Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer at Novartis.