- Cosentyx narrowly missed statistical significance for superiority in ACR 20, the primary endpoint of the EXCEED trial, while showing numerically higher results versus Humira®*[1]
- Statistically significant advantages of Cosentyx versus Humira®* in psoriatic arthritis (PsA)-specific endpoints were observed in a pre-specified sensitivity analysis[1]
- EXCEED underscores Novartis commitment in rheumatology as first double-blinded monotherapy head-to-head trial with a primary endpoint specific to joints in PsA[1]
BASEL, Switzerland I November 1, 2019 I Novartis, a leader in rheumatology and immuno-dermatology, today announced results from the EXCEED head-to-head trial comparing Cosentyx® (secukinumab) to Humira®* (adalimumab) in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA)[1]. While Cosentyx narrowly missed statistical significance for superiority in ACR 20, the primary endpoint of the EXCEED trial, it showed numerically higher results versus Humira®*[1]. Statistically significant advantages of Cosentyx versus Humira®* in PsA-specific endpoints were observed in a pre-specified sensitivity analysis. The trial demonstrated a consistent and favorable safety profile for Cosentyx in line with previous clinical trials[1],[2]-[7]. No new safety signals were detected[1].
“These data will be welcomed by patients and clinicians to guide clinical decision making and highlight secukinumab as a viable option as a first-line biologic for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis,” said Iain McInnes, Professor of Rheumatology, University of Glasgow and an investigator in the secukinumab clinical trial program.
“EXCEED is the first ever monotherapy head-to-head trial with a primary endpoint in psoriatic arthritis specific to joints.” said Eric Hughes, Global Development Unit Head, Immunology, Hepatology & Dermatology. “Novartis continues to reimagine care for patients and advance science in rheumatology. We will assess the EXCEED data in their totality and we view the results as confirming our vision of Cosentyx becoming standard of care in psoriatic arthritis.”
Detailed data is planned to be presented at a future scientific congress.
Cosentyx is the only biologic with proven efficacy in all key manifestations of psoriatic arthritis[8] and is backed by 5-year sustained efficacy and consistent safety data across psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis[2]-[7]. To date, over 250,000 patients have been treated worldwide[9].
About Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complex disease with multiple manifestations driving patient symptoms[10],[11]. It is estimated to affect up to 50 million people worldwide[12],[13].
PsA is part of a family of life-long inflammatory diseases (spondyloarthritis) that target the joints and is closely associated with psoriasis[13]. Approximately 40% of patients with psoriasis have PsA[13] and as many as one in four people with psoriasis may have undiagnosed PsA[14]. Symptoms of PsA include joint pain and stiffness, skin and nail psoriasis, swollen toes and fingers, persistent painful swelling of the tendons, and irreversible joint damage[13].
About EXCEED
EXCEED is the first double-blinded head-to-head clinical trial evaluating Cosentyx (secukinumab) 300 mg versus Humira®* (adalimumab) 40 mg. EXCEED is a 52-week, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, active control, Phase IIIb trial evaluating the efficacy of Cosentyx compared with Humira®* in patients with active PsA who are naïve to biologic therapy. The trial involves over 800 biologic-naïve patients with PsA[1].
The primary endpoint assessed statistical superiority of Cosentyx monotherapy against Humira®* monotherapy for ACR20 response rates at Week 52. The ACR20 is a composite measure defined as both improvement of 20% in the number of tender and number of swollen joints, and a 20% improvement in three of the following five criteria: patient global assessment, physician global assessment, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), visual analog pain scale, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein (CRP). Key secondary endpoints, tested for superiority at Week 52, are PASI90, ACR50, physical function (HAQ-DI (disability index) score relative to baseline), and resolution of enthesitis. PASI stands for Psoriasis Area and Severity Index[1].
Cosentyx 300 mg was administered at baseline, weeks 1-4, and then every 4 weeks until Week 48. Humira®* 40 mg was administered at baseline, and then every 2 weeks until Week 50.
About Novartis
Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach more than 750 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 108,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at www.novartis.com.
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References
[1] Novartis data on file. October 2019.
[2] Data on file. CAIN457F2310 (MEASURE 2): 5 Year Report. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; September 15, 2015.
[3] Data on file. Data Analysis Report: Study CAIN457A2302E1. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; November 30, 2015.
[4] Data on file. CAIN457F2310 and CAIN457F2305 Summary of 5-Year Clinical Safety in (Ankylosing Spondylitis). Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; May 2019.
[5] Data on file. CAIN457F2312 (FUTURE 2): 5 Year- Interim Report. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; May 2019.
[6] Data on file. CAIN457F2312 Data Analysis Report. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; November 2008.
[7] Data on file. CAIN457F2310 (MEASURE 1 and 2): Pooled Safety Data. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; July 23, 2018.
[8] https://www.novartis.com/news/media-releases/novartis-cosentyx-first-sho…
[9] Novartis data on file. September 2019.
[10] Ritchin CT et al. Psoriatic Arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2017; 376(10): 957-970.
[11] Kavanaugh A et al. Psoriatic Arthritis and Burden of Disease: Patient Perspectives from the Population-Based Multinational Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (MAPP) Survey. Rheumotol Ther. 2016; 3(1); 91-102.
[12] National Psoriasis Foundation. Statistics. Available at: https://www.psoriasis.org/content/statistics. Last accessed: October 2019.
[13] Mease PJ et al. Managing patients with psoriatic disease: the diagnosis and pharmacologic treatment of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis. Drugs 2014;74:423-41
[14] Zachariae H. Prevalence of joint disease in patients with psoriasis: implications for therapy. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003; 4:441-7.
SOURCE: Novartis
