Novartis’ Cosentyx recommended by NICE for ankylosing spondylitis

Novartis' human monoclonal antibody therapy Cosentyx has been recommended for NHS use by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for ankylosing spondylitis.

The regulator has published new draft guidance endorsing the use of Cosentyx for treating active ankylosing spondylitis in adults when non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or TNF-alpha inhibitors have not worked or are considered unsuitable.

Cosentyx was licensed for use in the UK in May and is the first in a new class of drugs to treat the condition. It works by reducing inflammation and pain and improving mobility, and is delivered via prefilled pen syringes injected by the patient.

The recommendation will only apply if Novartis agrees to provide a discount, as negotiated through a confidential patient access scheme.

Professor Carole Longson, director of the centre for health technology evaluation at NICE, said: "The committee concluded that secukinumab is a promising new advance in treating active ankylosing spondylitis and that its availability on the NHS would be good news for people with this often distressing condition."

The drug is also approved in Europe for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.