Novartis' IL-17 inhibitor approved in U.S. and EU

Cosentyx secukinumab from Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) this week became the first IL-17 inhibitor to be approved in the U.S. and the EU. On Wednesday, FDA approved a BLA for Cosentyx to treat adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy. EMA on Monday approved the human IgG1 mAb targeting IL-17A as a first-line systemic treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy.

Novartis spokesperson Eric Althoff said the company plans to launch the drug in the "next several months" but declined to discuss the drug's price. ...