Japan approves Cosentyx for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis

Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) said Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) approved Cosentyx secukinumab to treat psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis in adults who are not responsive to systemic therapies, marking the first regulatory approval of the human IgG1 mAb targeting interleukin-17A ( IL-17A). The company said Cosentyx is the first IL-17A inhibitor approved for either indication in Japan.

Novartis spokesperson Eric Althoff declined to disclose details concerning the drug's price and launch date. ...