Secukinumab: First Global Approval

Secukinumab (Cosentyx (TM)) is a fully human monoclonal antibody against interleukin-17A, formulated for intravenous and subcutaneous administration. It received its first global approval in Japan on 26 December 2014 for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in adults who are not adequately responding to systemic therapies (except for biologic agents). In the USA and the EU, secukinumab was approved in early 2015 for the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Secukinumab is also being investigated in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of secukinumab leading to its first approval for the treatment of adult patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.