Novartis' Cosentyx Superior to Rival Stelara

In head-to-head trials, Novartis’ interleukin-17A inhibitor Cosentyx was more effective than Johnson & Johnson’s Stelara in retaining skin clearance in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Results from the 52-week study demonstrated that Cosentyx exhibited a superior rapid onset of action versus Stelara, but had a similar safety profile, Novartis said. Stelara recently was approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis in the EU and U.S.