Novartis Reports Data on Cosentyx for Psoriatic Arthritis

Novartis AG NVS announced new data from the FUTURE 5 study that showed no radiographic progression in almost 90% of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients treated with Cosentyx (secukinumab) 300mg over two years.

The study evaluated the effect of Cosentyx on the signs and symptoms of PsA, in addition to inhibition of radiographic progression of the disease. These data demonstrate that 89.5% (300mg), 82.3% (150mg) and 81.1% (150mg no loading dose [LD]) of PsA patients treated with Cosentyx found no radiographic progression at two years.

FUTURE 5 is a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the effect of Cosentyx on radiographic progression across two years in PsA patients. Data at two years demonstrated that more than 50% of adults with active PsA achieved American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR50), and almost 50% achieved Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 100) response with Cosentyx 300mg.

The results show that Cosentyx can be a rapid and long-lasting comprehensive treatment of spondyloarthritis and psoriatic disease, with more than 200,000 patients treated worldwide.

The company also announced new data from the MAXIMISE study evaluating the efficacy and safety of the drug in the management of axial manifestations of PsA. The ongoing 52-week phase IIIb study met its primary endpoint, with 63.1% of patients treated with Cosentyx 300 mg achieving rapid and significant improvements in the signs and symptoms of PsA with axial manifestations at week 12. The study also met the secondary endpoint, with 66.3% of patients treated with Cosentyx 150 mg achieving the same at week 12.

Shares of the company increased 19.4% year to date compared with the industry’s growth of 5.3%.

 

Cosentyx is the first and only fully-human biologic that directly inhibits interleukin-17A (IL-17A), a cornerstone cytokine involved in the inflammation and development of PsA, psoriasis (PsO) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

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Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Novartis currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the healthcare sector include Bristol-Myers Squibb Company BMY, Pfizer Inc. PFE and Merck and Co., Inc. MRK. While Bristol-Myers sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Pfizer and Merck carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Bristol-Myers’ earnings per share estimates increased from $4.79 to $5.03 for 2020 over the past 60 days. Estimates for 2020 also increased 48 cents. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in the trailing four quarters, with average beat of 11.85%.

Pfizer’s earnings per share estimates increased from $2.86 to $2.89 for 2019 over the past 60 days. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in the trailing four quarters, with average beat of 5.65%.

Merck’s earnings per share estimates have moved up from $4.65 to $4.73 for 2019 and from $5.18 to $5.21 for 2020 in the past 60 days. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in the trailing four quarters, with average beat of 5.67%.

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