Novartis reports new Phase III data showing secukinumab (AIN457) improved moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in patients

EAST HANOVER, N.J., March 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis today announced results from the Phase III FEATURE and JUNCTURE studies showing secukinumab (AIN457), a selective interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor, met both co-primary endpoints at Week 12 based on Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 and Investigator's Global Assessment modified 2011 (IGA mod 2011) 0/1 response rates compared to placebo. Results from these studies also demonstrated skin clearance at Week 12 based on PASI 90 response rates compared to placebo, usability and acceptability of the secukinumab pre-filled syringe (PFS) and autoinjector pen (AI), and an approximately 50% mean decrease in PASI scores from baseline by Week 3 (300mg) and Week 4 (150mg).(1,2,3,4) These results, along with more than 20 posters were presented for the first time at the 72^nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) in Denver.

"The results from FEATURE and JUNCTURE offer insights into the potential of secukinumab as a treatment option for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis," said Andre Wyss, President, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and President, Novartis Corporation. "We are committed to developing innovative therapies that address significant patient unmet needs. We look forward to providing additional information from ongoing secukinumab clinical trials to the dermatology community." 

FEATURE results showed the efficacy of secukinumab 300mg and 150mg based on a statistically significant higher proportion of patients who achieved a PASI 75 response at Week 12 compared with placebo patients: 75.9% (300mg) and 69.5% (150mg), versus 0% for placebo (p <.0001). On the co-primary endpoint, the efficacy of secukinumab 300mg and 150mg was shown based on a statistically significant higher proportion of patients who achieved an IGA mod 2011 0/1 response at Week 12 compared with placebo: 69.0% (300mg) and 52.5% (150mg), versus 0% for placebo (p <.0001).(1)

Results from JUNCTURE also showed the efficacy of secukinumab 300mg and 150mg based on a statistically significant higher proportion of patients who achieved a PASI 75 response at Week 12 compared with placebo: 86.7% (300mg) and 71.7% (150mg), versus 3.3% for placebo (p <.0001). On the co-primary endpoint, the efficacy of secukinumab 300mg and 150mg was shown based on a statistically significant higher proportion of patients who achieved an IGA mod 2011 0/1 response at Week 12 compared with placebo: 73.3% (300mg) and 53.3% (150mg), versus 0% placebo (p <.0001).(2)

Additionally, more secukinumab patients in both studies experienced an improvement in PASI of greater than or equal to 90% (PASI 90) from baseline as compared to placebo,(1,2) which is a higher standard of skin clearance compared to PASI 75. In FEATURE 60.3% (300mg) and 45.8% (150mg) of secukinumab patients achieved a PASI 90 response at Week 12 compared to 0% of placebo patients (p <.0001).(1) In JUNCTURE, 55% (300mg) and 40% (150mg) of secukinumab patients achieved a PASI 90 response at Week 12 compared to 0% of placebo patients (p <.0001).(2)

In FEATURE (n=177), the most common adverse events (AEs) in any treatment group including placebo were diarrhea, nasopharyngitis and headache. There were a total of four serious adverse events in the study – three (5.1%) in the 300mg secukinumab arm and one (1.7%) in the placebo arm. Two patients (one in secukinumab 300mg arm, one in placebo arm) discontinued due to AEs.(1) In JUNCTURE (n=182), the most common AEs in any treatment group including placebo were nasopharyngitis, headache, pruritus and hypertension.(2) There were a total of five serious adverse events in the study – one (1.7%) in the 300mg secukinumab arm, three (4.9%) in the 150mg secukinumab arm and one (1.6%) in the placebo arm. One patient in the placebo arm discontinued due to adverse event.(2) There were no deaths reported during either study.(1,2)  

Patient satisfaction and usability data related to self-injection also presented at AAD
A secondary endpoint of both FEATURE and JUNCTURE measured patient satisfaction and usability with self-injection of secukinumab via PFS and AI, respectively. Satisfaction was assessed in both studies using a self-administered Self-Injection Assessment Questionnaire (SIAQ) which measures overall subject experience with subcutaneous self-injection before the first self-injection and after dosing on the domains of feelings about injections, self-confidence, satisfaction with self-injection, injection-site reactions, ease of use, and self-image. Overall, patient-reported acceptability of both the PFS and AI were high at baseline across both studies and remained high during the study. These studies were presented in separate posters at AAD.(3,4)

"Treating psoriasis can be challenging as not all treatments are appropriate or effective in every patient," said Dr. Andrew Blauvelt, President of the Oregon Medical Research Center and an investigator in the secukinumab clinical trial program. "The clinical data we have seen with secukinumab suggest it may offer a new therapeutic approach for patients living with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis."

Studies presented at AAD are part of a clinical program reporting results in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis with more than 3,000 patients in over 35 countries.

About FEATURE
FEATURE (First study of sEcukinumAb in prefilled syringes in subjecTs with chronic plaqUe-type psoriasis REsponse) was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, Phase III study involving 177 subjects with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. In this study, prefilled syringes (PFS) were introduced into the secukinumab clinical program.(1)  

The co-primary endpoints were assessed at Week 12 and compared secukinumab efficacy versus placebo according to PASI 75 and Investigator's Global Assessment modified 2011 (IGA mod 2011) 0/1 response. Secondary endpoints included PASI 90 response up to Week 12 and patient satisfaction with self-injection of secukinumab via PFS determined by a self-administered Self-Injection Assessment Questionnaire (SIAQ). The trial is ongoing.(1)  

About JUNCTURE
JUNCTURE (Judging the efficacy of secUkinumab in patients with psoriasis using autoiNjector: a Clinical Trial evalUating treatment REsults) was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, Phase III study involving 182 subjects with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. In this study, the autoinjector/pen (AI) was introduced into the secukinumab clinical program.(2)  

The co-primary endpoints were PASI 75 and Investigator's Global Assessment modified 2011 (IGA mod 2011) 0/1 response for secukinumab vs placebo at Week 12. Secondary endpoints included PASI 90 response up to Week 12 and patient satisfaction with self-injection of secukinumab via the AI device determined by a self-administered Self-Injection Assessment Questionnaire (SIAQ). The trial is ongoing.(2) 

About secukinumab (AIN457) and interleukin-17A (IL-17A)
Secukinumab (AIN457), an investigational agent, is a fully human monoclonal antibody (mAb) that selectively targets interleukin IL-17A.(5) Secukinumab has been shown to selectively bind to and neutralize IL-17A, inhibiting its pro-inflammatory effects.(6,7)

IL-17A is a key cytokine (messenger protein) involved in the development of plaque psoriasis, and is found in high concentrations in psoriasis skin plaques.(8) Research shows that IL-17A plays an important role in driving the body's immune response in disorders such as moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and may represent a new target for investigational therapies.(9,10)

Disclaimer
The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "to be," "offer," "potential," "committed," "innovative," "look forward," "ongoing," "can," "suggest," "may," "investigational," or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals for AIN457 or regarding potential future revenues from AIN457. You should not place undue reliance on these statements.  Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management 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 AIN457 will be approved for sale in any market where it has been submitted, or that AIN457 will be submitted or approved for sale in any additional markets, or at any particular time.  Nor can there be any guarantee that AIN457 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; global trends toward health care cost containment, including ongoing pricing pressures; the company's ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection; competition in general; unexpected manufacturing issues; general economic and industry conditions, 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 Pharmaceuticals Corporation researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative medicines aimed at improving patients' lives. We offer a broad range of medicines for cancer, cardiovascular disease, endocrine disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, neurological disease, organ transplantation, psychiatric disease, respiratory disease and skin conditions.  The company's mission is to improve people's lives by pioneering novel healthcare solutions.

Located in East Hanover, New Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis AG, which 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, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2013, the Group achieved net sales of USD 57.9 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.9 billion (USD 9.6 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 136,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

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(1) Blauvelt A, Prinz J, Gottlieb AB, et al. Secukinumab Efficacy and Safety: Results From the First Study of Secukinumab in Prefilled Syringes in Subjects with Chronic Plaque-Type Psoriasis Response at 12 Weeks (FEATURE). E-poster presentation at: 72^nd AAD Annual Meeting; Denver, Co.; 21-25 March 2014.
(2) Paul C, Lacour JP, Cooper S. Secukinumab Efficacy and Safety: Results From the Judging the Efficacy of Secukinumab in Patients With Psoriasis Using Autoinjector: A Clinical Trial Evaluating Treatment Results (JUNCTURE). E-poster presentation at: 72^nd AAD Annual Meeting; Denver, Co.; 21-25 March 2014.
(3) Kingo K, Sofen H, Mallya U, et al. Secukinumab Prefilled Syringes Demonstrate Patient Satisfaction: Analysis of the Self-Injection Assessment Questionnaire (SIAQ) in the FEATURE Study. E-poster presentation at: 72^nd AAD Annual Meeting; Denver, Co.; 21-25 March 2014.
(4) Kreutzer K, You R, Mallya U, et al. Secukinumab Autoinjectors Demonstrate Patient Satisfaction: An Analysis of the Self-Injection Assessment Questionnaire (SIAQ) in the JUNCTURE Study. E-poster presentation at: 72^nd AAD Annual Meeting; Denver, Co.; 21-25 March 2014.
(5) Patel D. Effect of IL-17A blockade with secukinumab in autoimmune diseases. Ann Rheum Dis. 2013; 72: ii116-ii123.
(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. Brit J Dermatol 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. Brit J Dermatol 2013;168: 402-411.
(8) Johansen C, Usher PA, Kjellerup RB, et al. Characterization of the interleukin-17 isoforms and receptors in lesional psoriatic skin Brit J Dermatol. 2009; 160:319-24.
(9) Gaffen SL. Structure and signaling in the IL-17 receptor family. Nat Rev Immunol. 2009; 9(8):556-67.
(10) Krueger J, Fretzin S, Suarez-Farinas 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.

SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation