Novartis will file its potential blockbuster secukinumab for psoriatic arthritis next year after presenting impressive late-stage data.
 
The drug, an interleukin-17A inhibitor, met primary and key secondary endpoints in two PsA Phase III studies, including improvement of peripheral joint disease and preventing joint damage versus placebo. It also delivered clear or almost clear (PASI 90) skin.

The studies enrolled over 1,000 patients and detailed results  will be presented at an upcoming medical congress.

Vasant Narasimhan, global head of development at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, said the results will form the basis of filings for PsA to regulatory authorities next year. He added that “effective new therapies are urgently needed for newly PsA diagnosed patients and for nearly half of PsA patients who are dissatisfied with or not responding to their current treatments”.

Secukinumab was filed on both sides of the Atlantic for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis at the end of 2013 and Novartis expects approvals later this year or early next. The Swiss major is also testing the drug for ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis.