Novartis announced first-of-its-kind long-term data showing that Cosentyx is effective in treating nail and palmoplantar psoriasis. Up to 90 per cent of psoriasis patients may develop these types of psoriasis, which affect the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. These hard-to-treat types of psoriasis seriously impact a patient’s quality of life by reducing mobility.

Two clinical studies have now shown that Cosentyx provides sustained improvements for up to 2.5 years. In the TRANSFIGURE study, patients with nail psoriasis who were treated with Cosentyx experienced an improvement of 63 per cent and 73 per cent, depending on the dose taken. In the GESTURE study, 53 per cent and 59 per cent of patients with palmoplantar psoriasis achieved clear or almost clear palms and soles at 2.5 years.

Cosentyx inhibits the protein interleukin 17A (IL-17A), which is involved in the development and progression of psoriasis.

“As an IL-17A inhibitor, Cosentyx provides a highly targeted treatment option that can not only effectively treat the plaques caused by psoriasis, as evident by recently presented 5-year data, but also hard-to-treat forms and associated arthritic conditions,” said Eric Hughes, Global Development Unit Head, Immunology & Dermatology.