Novartis receives first regulatory approval for Cosentyx

Novartis has achieved a key milestone in the development of its psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis Cosentyx, which has received its first regulatory approval.

The secukinumab therapy, formerly known as AIN457, has been ratified in Japan for the treatment of both psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis in adults who are not adequately responding to systemic therapies, except for biologics.

Cosentyx works by inhibiting the action of IL-17A, a protein that is found in high concentrations in the skin of patients affected by psoriasis. It is known to be central to the development of inflammatory diseases.

The approval is based on safety and efficacy results from more than ten phase II and phase III studies, which Novartis has detailed during recent medical industry conferences.

David Epstein, division head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, said: "Nearly half of patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are unhappy with their current therapies. With this approval, we are able to address this critical unmet need."

The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use recommended Cosentyx as a first-line treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients in Europe last month. It is also expected to be approved in the US early next year.