Cosentyx meets the primary endpoints

Cosentyx (secukinumab) met the primary endpoints of superiority compared to placebo in patients with difficult-to-treat psoriasis of the nails, palms and soles, Novartis said in a press release.

According to the study, one third of patients with moderate-to-severe palmoplantar psoriasis achieved clear or almost clear skin on their palms and soles after 16 Weeks of treatment with Cosentyx; severity of nail psoriasis decreased by almost a half.

Cosentyx is first approved IL-17A inhibitor to show efficacy in patients with psoriasis in these locations; trial results considered most robust to date.

“These are the largest trials to prospectively compare an active therapy to placebo in patients with psoriasis affecting the palms, soles, and nails, an area where a high unmet need for an effective treatment still exists,” said Vasant Narasimhan, Global Head of Development, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. “These results add to the growing body of evidence that Cosentyx is setting a new standard of care for patients with even the most challenging types of psoriasis.”