Novartis reports positive data from ankylosing spondylitis drug trial

Novartis has announced positive data from new clinical trials of secukinumab, showing the benefits the drug can offer to sufferers of the joint condition ankylosing spondylitis.

Results from the pivotal MEASURE 1 and MEASURE 2 phase III studies has shown the therapy was able to meet its primary and key secondary endpoints in both trials, becoming the first selective IL-17A inhibitor to do so.

It delivered improvements in active ankylosing spondylitis patients' symptoms when compared to placebo, while also enhancing physical function and quality of life.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a painful, progressively debilitating condition associated with inflammation of the spine that can lead to severe disability. Secukinumab has also shown efficacy in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis, and Novartis is seeking approval of the drug in both indications.

Vasant Narasimhan, global head of development at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, said: "We are thrilled to see positive results with secukinumab in ankylosing spondylitis, a gravely debilitating condition with a significant remaining unmet need as up to 40 percent of patients do not respond to anti-TNF therapies."

Data showing the drug's benefits for psoriasis patients was presented at the European Association of Dermatology and Venereology Congress earlier this month.