Novartis Starts New Secukinumab (AIN457) Versus Stelara (Ustekinumab) phase IIIb Head-to-Head Psoriasis Study

Novartis has announced that a new phase IIIb head-to-head study of IL-17A inhibitor secukinumab (AIN457) versus Stelara (ustekinumab) in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis has started patient enrollment. A total of twenty-five secukinumab abstracts, including two pivotal phase III convenience studies to be presented for the first time, will be unveiled at the 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), taking place in Denver, Colorado, USA from 21–25 March 2014.

"We are pleased to announce the start of CLEAR, our global phase IIIb head-to-head psoriasis study of secukinumab versus Stelara at the 2014 AAD annual meeting, which will provide further evidence regarding the benefit IL-17A inhibitor secukinumab brings to patients," said Tim Wright, Global Head of Development, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "We initiated this study following the positive results from the phase III FIXTURE study, which showed secukinumab was significantly superior to Enbrel in clearing skin, and we look forward to presenting additional new phase III data from our specialty dermatology portfolio at AAD."

Nearly 3% of the world's population, or more than 125 million people, are affected by plaque psoriasis[1],[2], with more than one third of these suffering from its moderate-to-severe form[3]. Between 40–50% of patients are dissatisfied with their current psoriasis therapies, indicating an unmet need for convenient therapies that act faster and longer to relieve the debilitating symptoms[2] [4] [5] [6].

References

[2] www.worldpsoriasisday.com/web/page.aspx?refid=114. Accessed March 2014.
 

[3] Stern RS, Nijsten T, Feldman SR, Margolis DJ, Rolstad T. Psoriasis Is Common, Carries a Substantial Burden Even When Not Extensive, and Is Associated with Widespread Treatment Dissatisfaction. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc 2004; 9(2):136-9.

[4] Herrier R. Advances in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Am J Health-Syst Pharm 2011; 68:795-806.
 

[5] Christophers E, Griffiths CEM, Gaitanis G, et al. The unmet treatment need for moderate to severe psoriasis: results of a survey and chart review. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2006;20:921-925.

[6] 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.

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