FDA approves 2 new indications for Novartis’ Cosentyx

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — Novartis announced Tuesday that the Food and Drug Administration had approved two new indications for its Consentyx (secukinumab). 

 

The two new indications are for the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults. The two are inflammatory diseases that can lead to joint or spinal bone damage if left untreated. 

 

Cosentyx works by binding to the protein IL-17A, inhibiting its interaction with receptors, and is currently the only IL-7A agonist approved for these two indications, according to Novartis. 

 

“We were inspired by patients to pursue new indications for AS and PsA, because these diseases can result in significant pain and impede the simplest of tasks in a person's daily life,” Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Novartis Corp. president Christi Shaw said. “The approval of additional indications for Cosentyx represents an important milestone for AS and PsA patients, their caregivers, and their doctors.”