Novartis reports positive psoriatic arthritis trial data for secukinumab

Novartis has announced results from a pair of phase III clinical trials showing the safety and efficacy of its drug secukinumab in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

Data from the Future 1 and Future 2 studies showed the drug, also known as AIN457, demonstrated rapid and significant clinical improvements versus placebo in improving the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

More than 80 percent of secukinumab-treated patients experienced no progression of joint structural damage, while rapid and sustained improvements in skin psoriasis conditions were also seen.

Vasant Narasimhan, global head of development at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, said: "We are thrilled to present these landmark phase III results of secukinumab in psoriatic arthritis, a painful and debilitating condition, with a significant unmet treatment need for patients."

These findings were presented at the American College of Rheumatology's annual congress, where the company also shared data showing the drug's effectiveness as an ankylosing spondylitis therapy.

Findings from all of these clinical studies will be used to support a forthcoming application for regulatory approval of the drug.