NICE recommends Cosentyx in ankylosing spondylitis
pharmafile | August 4, 2016 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | Cosentyx, NICE, Novartis, ankylosing spondylitis
Novartis has announced that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Cosentyx (secukinumab) to treat adults with active ankylosing spondylitis who have responded inadequately to conventional therapy.
Cosentyx is the first in a new class of drugs to treat the condition, which is a type of arthritis that mainly affects the back. It was approved in the EU late last year, has performed very well in late-stage trials, with newer trials planned to directly compare it to blockbuster Humira (adalimumab).
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that has been diagnosed in around 200,000 people in the UK. Cosentyx works by blocking the activity of the molecule interleukin 17a which is involved in the condition, reducing the activity of the immune system and the symptoms of the disease.
The list price of Cosentyx is £9140.85 in the first year and £7312.68 in subsequent years.
Hugh O’Dowd, country president and general manager Novartis UK and Ireland, says: “Novartis welcomes the news that patients in England and Wales are one step closer to gaining access to Cosentyx for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. This decision acknowledges the significance of clinical data supporting this innovative and highlights the potential of Cosentyx as the new standard of care for AS. Symptoms of this condition are often chronic and painful, impacting on patients’ daily lives and Novartis is committed to helping alleviate the burden that this condition brings to patients and their loved ones.”
Professor Carole Longson, director of the centre of health technology assessment at NICE, comments: “The committee heard from patient and clinical experts that having a greater choice of treatments would be particularly valuable because it would allow people with ankylosing spondylitis and their clinicians choose treatments that reflect their individual needs and preferences and give them more control over their condition.
“The committee concluded that Cosentyx is a promising new advance in treating active ankylosing spondylitis and that its availability on the NHS would be good news for people with this often distressing condition.”
Sean Murray
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