The Basel pharmacetical company Novartis has released the latest data showing that its treatment Cosentyx delivers high and long-lasting skin clearance in patients with plaque psoriasis. Over the course of a 4-year study, patients were treated with Cosentyx. 68.5 per cent of them had clear or almost clear skin after the first year, and this high rate was maintained through to the fourth year. 43.8 per cent of the patients achieved completely clear skin.

The study also looked at the long-term efficacy of Cosentyx in treating psoriasis of the hands and feet, long considered difficult areas to treat on the body. The Novartis treatment was equally effective in this regard: approximately 60 per cent of patients achieved clear or almost clear palms and soles with Cosentyx. These results continued to improve over 1.5 years.

Novartis also published the results of a global survey on psoriasis patients. It shows that 57 per cent of the 8,300 patients surveyed have not achieved clear skin with standard treatments. Many of those surveyed said that they do not believe they will ever achieve clear skin. A total of 84 per cent of those surveyed said they face discrimination and humiliation, and 38 per cent said they have been diagnosed with a psychological condition due to their psoriasis.

Novartis is keen to remedy this situation and supports the World Health Organization’s resolution to make psoriasis a global health priority. Cosentyx is already approved in many countries to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriasis arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.