Novartis new data show Cosentyx® improved quality of life over 5 years in two thirds of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

Novartis International AG / Novartis new data show Cosentyx® improved quality of life over 5 years in two thirds of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis . Processed and transmitted by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• Two thirds of patients on Cosentyx^® (secukinumab) reported no impact of skin disease on their quality of life over 5 years, SCULPTURE study shows[1]
   
• Findings show absolute PASI <=1/<=2/<=3 responses were sustained in those treated with Cosentyx from Year 1 to Year 5[1]
   
• Cosentyx is the first and only fully human interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor that showed sustained skin clearance rates at 5 years in patients from a psoriasis Phase III study[2]  

The digital press release with multimedia content can be accessed here:

Basel, February 16, 2018 - Novartis announced today, additional results from the SCULPTURE study showing that two thirds of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis patients treated with Cosentyx^® (secukinumab) reported no impact of skin disease on their quality of life through 5 years, as described by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) 0/1 response (72.7% at Year 1 and 65.5% at Year 5) - a questionnaire used to evaluate the impact of skin disease on a patient's quality of life[1],[3]. These data were presented at the 2018 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. 

Study findings also show absolute PASI <=1/<=2/<=3 scores at Year 1 (58.6%, 67.9% and 74.1%, respectively) were sustained to Year 5 (53.3%, 66.4% and 75.4%, respectively); as observed analysis[1]. Absolute PASI scores can provide an indication of disease severity after treatment. Achievement of an absolute PASI score lower than 2 or 3 has been proposed as an indication of treatment success[4].

Psoriasis is not simply a cosmetic problem, but a persistent, chronic (long-lasting), and sometimes distressing disease, which can affect even the smallest aspects of people's lives on a daily basis."There is a link between achieving skin clearance and improved quality of life, and proper management of psoriasis should address both the physical symptoms of the disease and its impact on patients' daily lives," said Craig Leonardi, MD, Adjunct Professor of Dermatology at St. Louis University School of Medicine. "Results from the SCULPTURE study show treatment with Cosentyx can deliver both over the long-term. It's encouraging to see such improvements in DLQI responses and absolute PASI scores below 3 through 5 years."

"Patients with psoriasis are looking for a treatment that not only achieves clear skin, but also addresses the negative impact psoriasis has on their lives," said Shreeram Aradhye, Chief Medical Officer and Global Head, Medical Affairs, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "We are excited by this new evidence, showing two thirds of psoriasis patients reporting no impact on their quality of life at 5 years when treated with Cosentyx, and the possibilities this offers patients."

The most common adverse events included nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection and headache, consistent with those reported in the core study and previous Phase III studies[1].

Cosentyx is the first and only fully human IL-17A inhibitor approved to treat ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and moderate to severe plaque psoriasis[5]. To date, Cosentyx has been prescribed to more than 140,000 patients worldwide since launch[6].

About psoriasis
Psoriasis is a distressing and painful autoimmune disease that affects more than 125 million people worldwide[7]. It is a debilitating condition associated with a significant emotional and physical daily burden. In the long-term, psoriasis can also lead to other conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, depression and psoriatic arthritis - which up to 30% of patients with psoriasis may develop[8].

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the disease and appears as raised, red skin patches covered with a silvery white build-up of dead cells. Most patients with psoriasis will also develop difficult-to-treat forms of the disease which appear on the scalp, nails, palms of the hands or soles of the feet and are associated with further pain, decreased mobility and functional impairment[9]-[12].

About Cosentyx (secukinumab) and IL-17A
Cosentyx is the first and only fully human IL-17A inhibitor approved to treat psoriasis, PsA and ankylosing spondylitis (AS)[5]. Cosentyx is a targeted treatment that specifically inhibits IL-17A, cornerstone cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, and the inflammation of the entheses in PsA and AS[5],[13]-[15].

Cosentyx delivers psoriasis patients long-lasting skin clearance, with proven sustainability and safety out to 5 years[2]. Cosentyx is also approved for the most difficult-to-treat forms of plaque psoriasis - palmoplantar psoriasis (psoriasis of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet), nail psoriasis and scalp psoriasis[5].

Cosentyx has a large clinical trials program in psoriasis, PsA and AS which includes over 60 studies and over 10,000 patients[16]. To date, Cosentyx has been prescribed to more than 140,000 patients worldwide since launch[6].

About the Cosentyx 5-year extension study (NCT01406938)[1],[2]
NCT01406938 is a multicenter, double-blind and open-label, 5-year extension to the core Phase III SCULPTURE study. The primary objective of this extension study was to assess the long-term safety and tolerability of Cosentyx in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, examining both treatment and quality of life outcomes.

Efficacy measures included proportion of patients achieving PASI 75, PASI 90 and PASI 100, and quality of life improvement as measured by Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). This long-term extension study demonstrated the sustained efficacy and safety of Cosentyx. The current as observed analysis describes, PASI 75/90/100 at Year 1 (88.9%, 68.5% and 43.8%, respectively) and  Year 5 (88.5%, 66.4% and 41%); absolute PASI <=1/<=2/<=3 responses at Year 1 (58.6%, 67.9% and 74.1%, respectively) and  Year 5 (53.3%, 66.4% and 75.4%, respectively), DLQI 0/1 at Year 1 (72.7%) and Year 5 (65.5%), and long-term safety and tolerability.

In the core Phase III SCULPTURE study, PASI 75 responders at Week 12 were randomized to double-blind maintenance treatment of Cosentyx 300 mg or 150 mg, given either at a 4-week fixed-interval regimen or in a retreatment-as-needed regimen. Patients who completed 52 weeks of the SCULPTURE study were eligible to continue the same dose and regimen in the extension study (N=642). Patients subsequently entered the extension phase and continued the same double-blinded treatment regimen to Year 3, and thereafter un-blinded to the end of the study at Year 5 (n=126 at Week 260). No topical treatments were allowed in SCULPTURE, and only in the extension study when applied to the scalp, face, and/or genitoanal area for a maximum of 14 days. The safety profile of Cosentyx was in line with the known safety profile for Cosentyx.

About Novartis Immunology & Dermatology
Novartis is a global leader in Immunology & Dermatology. We are dedicated to transforming the lives of people living with immunologic diseases, focusing on immunodermatology, rheumatology and specialty liver diseases. Our Immunology & Dermatology pipeline includes multiple compounds in liver disease and other immunological areas where high unmet medical needs exist.

Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political and economic conditions; safety, quality or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. 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, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2017, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.1 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 122,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

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References

[1]   Bissonnette R et al. Secukinumab demonstrates high sustained efficacy and a favorable safety profile through 5 years of treatment in moderate to severe psoriasis. Eposter presented at 2018 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting; February 16-20, 2018, San Diego, California. Poster #7382.
[2]   Bissonnette, R., Luger, T., Thaçi, D., Toth, D., Lacombe, A., Xia, S., Mazur, R., Patekar, M., Charef, P., Milutinovic, M., Leonardi, C. and Mrowietz, U. Secukinumab Demonstrates High Sustained Efficacy and a Favorable Safety Profile in Patients with Moderate to Severe Psoriasis through 5 Years of Treatment (SCULPTURE Extension Study). J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Accepted Author Manuscript. doi:10.1111/jdv.14878
[3]   Finlay AY, Khan GK. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)-a simple practical measure for routine clinical use. Clin Experiment Dermatol. 1994;19(3):210-216.
[4]   Zheng J. Absolute Psoriasis Area and Severity Index: an additional evaluation for clinical practice. Br J Dermatol. 2017;176:563-576.
[5]   Cosentyx Summary of Product Characteristics. Novartis Europharm Limited. Available at: http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/medicines/human/medicines/003729/human_med_001832.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058001d124. Last accessed January 2018.
[6]   Novartis. Data on file.
[7]   International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA) World Psoriasis Day website. "About Psoriasis." Available at: http://www.worldpsoriasisday.com/web/page.aspx?refid=114. Last accessed January 2018.
[8]   National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriatic disease: about psoriasis. Available at: www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis. Last accessed January 2018.
[9]   Zampieron A et al. Quality of life in patients with scalp psoriasis. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2015 Jun;150(3):309-16
[10] Baran R. The burden of nail psoriasis: an introduction. Dermatol. 2010:221 Suppl 1:1-5.
[11] Kumar B et al. Palmoplantar lesions in psoriasis: a study of 3065 patients. Acta Dermatol Venereol. 2002;82:192-5.
[12] Chung J et al. Palmoplantar psoriasis is associated with greater impairment of health-related quality of life compared to moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Oct;71(4):623-632.
[13] Smith JA et al. Review: The Interleukin 23/Interleukin 17 Axis in Spondyloarthritis Pathogenesis: Th17 and Beyond. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2014;66:231-41.
[14] Nestle FO et al. Mechanisms of disease psoriasis. N Eng J Med. 2009;361:496-509.
[15] Girolomoni G et al. Psoriasis: rationale for targeting interleukin-17. Br J Dermatol. 2012;167:717-24.
[16] Novartis. Data on file.

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