Novartis announced today that Health Canada has approved Cosentyx (secukinumab) for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Offering a new treatment option for Canadians living with plaque psoriasis, Cosentyx is the first approved human monoclonal antibody (mAb) that selectively binds to interleukin IL- 17A.

“An unmet need exists in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in achieving clear to almost clear skin and not all treatments are effective in all patients.” said Dr. Richard Langley, Professor in Dermatology of Medicine, and Director of Dermatology Research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. “Achieving clear skin is the ultimate treatment goal for patients with psoriasis; 50% of psoriasis patients are not content with current therapies. The approval of Cosentyx, a therapy targeting IL-17A for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, offers a new treatment option for physicians in treating this condition.”

For more details, go to: http://www.novartis.ca/cs/www.novartis.ca-v2/downloads/en/News/030215_Cosentyx_Approved_in_Canada.pdf