Novartis announces data on autoinflammatory diseases

Novartis has announced that new phase III data demonstrates a biological drug it is developing achieved long-lasting and rapid clinical remission after one dose in children and adults with a group of autoinflammatory diseases called cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS).

According to the company, because of the long duration of the response, patients only needed further treatment with ACZ885 (canakinumab) every two months.

In addition, preliminary results of a phase I/II study in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis – the most serious form of arthritis in youngsters – showed most patients who received treatment with the drug achieved “substantial” clinical improvement within 15 days.

Professor Philip Hawkins of the National Amyloidosis Centre at the Royal Free and University College Medical School in London, said the results of the trial were “exciting” for both patients and the medical community at large.

“Current treatments are not always effective, and are also short-acting and often poorly tolerated by patients.

“The rapid and long-lasting remission induced by ACZ885 is an important and much-needed development for both children and adults with CAPS,” he added.

In recent days, Novartis announced it is to acquire the pulmonary business unit of Nektar Therapeutics.