Novartis reports positive data from head-to-head Cosentyx trial

Novartis has announced positive data from Clear, a new head-to-head study comparing its psoriasis drug Cosentyx to an established competitor.

Results from the phase IIIb trial have indicated that Cosentyx is significantly superior to the alternative product, a widely used biologic, in achieving clear or almost clear skin for psoriasis patients.

Completely clear skin at week 16 was achieved by significantly more patients treated with Cosentyx, while Novartis' drug demonstrated a rapid onset of action and greater efficacy at all time points in the study.

The secukinumab-based therapy is the first and only interleukin-17A inhibitor approved to treat adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Vasant Narasimhan, global head of development at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, said: "With Cosentyx now approved in many countries around the world, we are committed to helping psoriasis patients significantly improve their overall quality of life."

The company is presenting 18 abstracts on Cosentyx at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology this week.