Singapore: Global pharma company Novartis has confirmed positive results from two pivotal phase III studies evaluating interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor secukinumab (AIN457) for improving moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis symptoms.

The study measured the redness, scaling and thickness of psoriatic plaques and the extent of involvement and treatment efficacy is assessed by the reduction of the score from baselin.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by thick and extensive skin lesions, called plaques, known to cause itching, scaling and pain that is associated with significant impairment of physical and psychological quality of life.