Novartis announces NEJM publication of secukinumab Phase III data confirming significant efficacy in patients with psoriatic arthritis

In the FUTURE 1 study, secukinumab showed rapid and significant efficacy in active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, including improvement of skin and joint disease and reduction in progression of joint structural damage. Clinical benefits with secukinumab observed in patients with previous treatment with standard of care anti-TNF therapy and those without prior treatment Secukinumab is the first IL-17A inhibitor to report positive Phase III results in PsA; new options needed as 45% of patients are dissatisfied with current therapies - The digital press release with multimedia content can be accessed here: - Basel, September 30, 2015 - Novartis announced today that results from the pivotal Phase III FUTURE 1 study for secukinumab in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were published online in the New England Journal of Medicine ( NEJM ). Secukinumab is the first interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor to demonstrate efficacy in a Phase III study in patients with active PsA, a painful, debilitating condition causing inflammation of joints and skin , . PsA is part of a family of long-term diseases impacting joints, known as spondylorarthritis. In this study, secukinumab met the primary endpoint with a 20% reduction in the American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR 20) at Week 24 showing rapid and significant clinical improvements versus placebo. ACR is a standard tool used to assess improvement of PsA signs and symptoms. In addition, secukinumab met all secondary endpoints, including improvements in skin and joint diseases and joint structural damage progression.