Novartis data show Cosentyx® treatment results in rapid and sustained resolution of signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis in patients with and without enthesitis

• New two-year data compare the effects of Cosentyx (secukinumab) treatment in psoriatic arthritis patients with and without enthesitis, a manifestation described in 30-50% of patients [1]
   
• Results from a pooled analysis of two Phase 3 studies, show that patients treated with Cosentyx (n=477) had a faster time to complete resolution of enthesitis than those receiving placebo (n=235) [2]
   
• Both Cosentyx 300 mg and 150 mg provided sustained improvements in signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis at two years in patients with or without enthesitis [2]
   
• Results strengthen unique position of Cosentyx as a rapid and long-lasting complete treatment of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis with over 250,000 patients treated worldwide [3]

            
Basel, October 10, 2019 – Novartis, a leader in rheumatology and immuno-dermatology, today announced results for Cosentyx from a pooled-analysis that shows sustained improvement in signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, particularly for American College of Rheumatology 50 (ACR50), and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) severity endpoints.

“We are pleased that the data show rapid and sustained improvement across two years in the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis with Cosentyx, regardless of whether patients have enthesitis or not,” said Eric Hughes, Global Development Unit Head, Immunology, Hepatology & Dermatology. “Psoriatic arthritis is complex with multiple manifestations driving patient symptoms including enthesitis, which is often associated with more severe disease. At Novartis we are striving to reimagine care in immuno-dermatology and across all manifestations of psoriatic disease to support patients and help them achieve improved quality of life.”

The abstract, being presented at the 28th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) in Madrid, shows that ACR 50, PASI 90 and Quality of life response with secukinumab at month 4 in patients with and without enthesitis is sustained up to 2 years.

Disclaimer
This media update 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 media update, 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 media update 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 and requirements for increased pricing transparency; 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 media update as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this media update as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach more than 750 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 108,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis or follow @NovartisNews for the latest News & Media Updates at https://twitter.com/novartisnews
For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library
For questions about the site or required registration, please contact [email protected]

References
[1.]   Ritchlin CT et al. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(10):957-970
[2.]   Wallman JK et al. Secukinumab provides sustained improvement in signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis in patients with and without enthesitis: 2 year pooled analysis of two Phase 3 studies. Presented at the 38th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV); 9-13 October 2019; Madrid, Spain.
[3.]   Novartis data on file. September 2019.

# # #

Novartis Global External Communications
E-mail: [email protected]

Novartis Investor Relations
Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944
E-mail: [email protected]