Novartis announced that the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has further approved Cosentyx (secukinumab) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in pediatric patients (six years and older with a bodyweight ≥50 kg) who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, making it the only interleukin inhibitor approved in China for these patients. Cosentyx is already approved in China for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults and adult ankylosing spondylitis. The approval is based on two Phase III international studies in pediatric patients aged 6 to < 18 years old, which showed that Cosentyx was as safe in children and adolescents as when used in adults^7,8.

“Psoriasis goes beyond skin symptoms. If left untreated it can become a source of embarrassment, affecting a young person’s self-esteem. The approval in China of Cosentyx means we can help even more children and adults around the world live their lives to the fullest, by providing them with a safe and effective therapy they can trust,” said Todd Fox, Novartis Global Medical Franchise, Head of Immunology, Hepatology and Dermatology. “With the further US and European filings for childhood arthritic conditions, we have taken another step in our ambition to expand Cosentyx to 10 indications over the next 10 years as part of our commitment to immuno-dermatology and rheumatology.”

This approval in China follows the recent approval of Cosentyx in the United States and Europe for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in pediatric patients six years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.

Cosentyx is backed by more than 14 years of clinical experience and long-term five-year clinical data across three indications of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (AS), as well as real-world evidence. These data strengthen the unique position of Cosentyx as a rapid and long-lasting comprehensive treatment across AS, PsA and psoriatic disease, with more than 500,000 patients treated worldwide with Cosentyx since launch.