Novartis announces secukinumab (AIN457) demonstrated superiority to Enbrel® in head-to-head Phase III psoriasis study
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Novartis announces secukinumab (AIN457) demonstrated superiority to Enbrel® in
head-to-head Phase III psoriasis study
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* FIXTURE trial of more than 1,300 moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis
patients showed superiority of secukinumab (AIN457) to Enbrel(®)
(etanercept)
* All primary and secondary endpoints were met
* FIXTURE is a pivotal trial for registration; Regulatory submissions for
secukinumab (AIN457), a therapy targeting IL-17A, are on track for the
second half of 2013
Basel, July 8, 2013 - Novartis announced today top-line results from the head-
to-head Phase III psoriasis study which showed the superiority of secukinumab
(AIN457) in clearing skin to Enbrel(®)* (etanercept), an anti-tumor necrosis
factor (anti-TNF) therapy. In addition, secukinumab (AIN457) met all primary and
secondary endpoints.
The FIXTURE trial (the Full year Investigative eXamination of secukinumab vs.
eTanercept Using 2 dosing Regimens to determine Efficacy in psoriasis) was a
randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, multicenter global
study of subcutaneous secukinumab (AIN457) in moderate-to-severe plaque
psoriasis involving 1,307 patients. It was designed to demonstrate efficacy
after 12 weeks of treatment, compared to placebo and etanercept, and to assess
the safety, tolerability and long-term efficacy up to 52 weeks. Established
treatment measures were used to assess the efficacy of secukinumab (AIN457)
including PASI 75 (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75) and the Investigator's
Global Assessment (IGA mod 2011), a standard tool to assess the clearing of skin
after treatment.
"These results showing that secukinumab (AIN457) is superior to Enbrel, a
current standard-of-care therapy, are great news for people living with
moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis," said Tim Wright, Global Head of
Development, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "With 40-50% of people living with
moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis dissatisfied with their current therapies,
there is clearly an unmet medical need for new therapies that act faster and
longer to relieve pain, itching and other symptoms."
Full results from the secukinumab (AIN457) Phase III study program, the largest
undertaken in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis to date, are expected to be
presented at major medical congresses later this year.
Secukinumab (AIN457) is the first medicine selectively targeting IL-17A to
present Phase III results. IL-17A is a central cytokine (messenger protein) in
the development of psoriasis, and is found in high concentration in skin
affected by the disease[1]-[3]. Research shows that IL-17A plays a role in
driving the body's autoimmune response in disorders such as moderate-to-severe
plaque psoriasis and is a preferred target for investigational therapies[1]-[5].
In the FIXTURE study, the observed safety profile of secukinumab (AIN457) was
consistent with previously reported results from Phase II studies in moderate-
to-severe plaque psoriasis and no new safety concerns were identified[6],[7].
About plaque psoriasis
Approximately 2% of the world's population, or around 125 million people, are
affected by plaque psoriasis[8],[9], with more than one third of these suffering
from its moderate-to-severe form[10]. Psoriasis is a chronic disease
characterized by thick and extensive skin lesions, called plaques, known to
cause itching, scaling and pain[8]. This common and distressing disease is not
simply a cosmetic problem - even those with very mild symptoms find their
condition affects their everyday lives[11]. Psoriasis is also associated with
psychosocial effects and those with more severe disease are at a greater risk of
death from comorbid diseases such as heart disease and diabetes[12],[13].
About the secukinumab (AIN457) clinical trial program in psoriasis
The robust secukinumab (AIN457) Phase III clinical trial program involved more
than 3,300 patients in over 35 countries on five continents. Primary endpoints
for four studies related to PASI 75 and IGA (IGA mod 2011) and the fifth study
evaluated the proportion of patients who maintained PASI 75 after having
achieved PASI 75 after 12 weeks of active treatment. The studies evaluated 150
mg and 300 mg doses of secukinumab (AIN457).
About secukinumab (AIN457)
Secukinumab (AIN457) is a fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively binds
to and neutralizes IL-17A, a key pro-inflammatory cytokine[1]-[3]. Proof-of-
concept and Phase II studies in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and
arthritic conditions (psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid
arthritis) have suggested that secukinumab (AIN457) may potentially provide a
new mechanism of action for the successful treatment of immune-mediated
diseases[6],[7],[14]-[16]. The Phase III programs for these potential
indications are ongoing. Results are being released this year for moderate-to-
severe plaque psoriasis, and in 2014 and beyond for arthritic conditions. Phase
II studies are also ongoing in other areas, including multiple sclerosis.
About Novartis in specialty dermatology
Novartis is committed to developing innovative, life-changing specialty
dermatology therapies redefining treatment paradigms and transforming patient
care in severe skin diseases where there are remaining high unmet medical needs.
The Novartis specialty dermatology portfolio includes two unique targeted
products in Phase III development, secukinumab (AIN457) for moderate-to-severe
plaque psoriasis and omalizumab (Xolair(®)) for chronic spontaneous urticaria
(CSU). There are also more than 10 compounds in early stage development for a
wide range of severe skin diseases in the Novartis specialty dermatology
portfolio.
Disclaimer
The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified
by terminology such as "on track," "expected," "investigational," "potentially,"
"potential," "ongoing," "committed," "goal," or similar expressions, or by
express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing submissions or
approvals for secukinumab (AIN457), potential submissions or approvals for new
indications or labeling for Xolair, or regarding potential future revenues from
such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such
forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management regarding
future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements.
There can be no guarantee that secukinumab (AIN457) will be submitted or
approved for sale in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be
any guarantee that Xolair will be submitted or approved for any additional
indications or labeling in any market. Neither can there be any guarantee that
such products will achieve any particular levels of revenue in the future. In
particular, management's expectations regarding these products could be affected
by, among other things, unexpected clinical trial results, including unexpected
new clinical data and unexpected additional analysis of existing clinical data;
unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally;
competition in general; government, industry and general public pricing
pressures; unexpected manufacturing issues; the company's ability to obtain or
maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection; the
impact that the foregoing factors could have on the values attributed to the
Novartis Group's assets and liabilities as recorded in the Group's consolidated
balance sheet, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current
Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or
more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those
anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Novartis is providing the
information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any
obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press
release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving
needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis
offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines,
eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and
diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the
only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2012, the Group
achieved net sales of USD 56.7 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted
to approximately USD 9.3 billion (USD 9.1 billion excluding impairment and
amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 129,000
full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around
the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow (at)Novartis at
http://twitter.com/novartis.
*Enbrel(®) is a registered trademark of Amgen Inc.
References
[1] Gaffen SL. Structure and signaling in the IL-17 receptor family. Nat Rev
Immunol. 2009; 9(8):556-67.
[2] Ivanov S, Linden A. Interleukin-17 as a drug target in human disease. Trends
Pharmacol Sci. 2009; 30(2):95-103.
[3] Kopf M, Bachmann MF, Marsland BJ. Averting inflammation by targeting the
cytokine environment. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2010; 9(9):703-18.
[4] Onishi RM, Gaffen SL. Interleukin-17 and its target genes: mechanisms of
interleukin-17 function in disease. Immunology. 2010; 129(3):311-21.
[5] Krueger J, Fretzin S, Suárez-Fariñas M, et al. IL-17A is essential for cell
activation and inflammatory gene circuits in subjects with psoriasis. J Allergy
Clin Immunol. 2012; 130(1):145-154.
[6] Papp KA, Langley RG, Sigurgeirsson B, et al. Efficacy and safety of
secukinumab in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: a
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II dose-ranging study. BJD
2013; 168, pp412-421.
[7] Rich PA, Sigurgeirsson B, Thaci D, et al. Secukinumab induction and
maintenance therapy in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: a randomized,
double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II regimen-finding study. BJD
2013;168: 402-411.
[8] Nestle FO, Kaplan DH, Barker J. Psoriasis. N Engl J Med
2009; 361(5):496-509.
[9] Brezinski EA, Armstrong AW. Off-Label Biologic Regimens in Psoriasis: A
Systematic Review of Efficacy and Safety of Dose Escalation, Reduction, and
Interrupted Biologic Therapy. PLoS ONE; 7(4):e33486.
[10] Krueger JG, Koo J, Lebwohl M, et al. The impact of psoriasis on quality of
life: Results for a 1998 National Psoriasis Foundation patient membership
survey. Arch Derm. 2001; 137:280-284.
[11] Mason AR, Mason J, Cork M et al. Topical treatments for chronic plaque
psoriasis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;15;(2):CD005028.
[12] Abuabara K, Azfar RS, Shin DB, Neimann AL, Troxel AB, Gelfand JM. Cause-
specific mortality in patients with severe psoriasis: a population-based cohort
study in the U.K. Br J Dermatol. 2010 Sep;163(3):586-92
[13] Gelfand JM, Troxel AB, Lewis JD, Kurd SK, Shin DB, Wang X, Margolis DJ,
Strom BL. The risk of mortality in patients with psoriasis: results from a
population-based study. Arch Dermatol. 2007 Dec;143(12):1493-9.
[14] Genovese MC, Durez P, Richards HB, et al. Efficacy and safety of
secukinumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a phase II, dose-finding,
double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled study. Ann Rheum Dis
2013;72:863-869.
[15] Baeten D, Sieper J, Emery P, et al. The anti-il17a monoclonal antibody
secukinumab (AIN457) showed good safety and efficacy in the treatment of active
ankylosing spondylitis. At: EULAR 2011, The Annual European Congress of
Rheumatology, 25-28 May 2011, London, UK. Abstract 0174.
[16] McInnes IB, Sieper J, Braun J, et al. Efficacy and safety of secukinumab, a
fully human anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, in patients with moderate-
to-severe psoriatic arthritis: a 24-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-
controlled, phase II proof-of-concept trial. Ann Rheum Dis 2013 Jan 29;
doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-202646.
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Datum: 08.07.2013 - 07:13 Uhr
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News-ID 276051
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