New Anti-psoriasis Drug By Novartis Launched In India

From: healthaim

Novartis has launched an anti-psoriasis drug called Scapho in India. This drug is meant for use by patients suffering from moderate-to-severe form of plaque psoriasis.

Anti-psoriasis drug Scapho is the first interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor to be approved within the country after receiving a go ahead from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). It is an injectable medicine, which could act as a first-line biologic treatment option to prove be a boon for patients requiring systemic therapy.

Scapho, or secukinumab, will be made available in 150mg dosage form.
“Most psoriasis patients are not content with current therapy options including the earlier biologics and there is a significant unmet need,” said Dr Anchala Parthasaradhi of the Anchala Skin Institute, in a statement. “Secukinumab seems to be a promising treatment for psoriasis and can provide patients a better chance of achieving clear or almost clear skin. Importantly this therapy comes as an alternative to treatments that have significant side effects.”

Novartis is hopeful that their drug would help improve the lives of the people who suffer from the condition. The Novartis officials believe that the launch of the medicine could prove a turning point in the history of the psoriasis treatment within the country.

During the clinical trial, the researchers found that patients treated with the new drug secukinumab 300 mg achieved either clear skin or almost complete skin within the initial 16 weeks of treatment. The same effects continued till the end of 52 weeks of treatment.
The research team also found a correlation between the use of Scapho and overall improved quality of life in patients treated with the drug. Secukinumab is known to neutralize circulating IL-17A, which plays an essential role in making the human immune system respond in case of psoriasis, spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.

http://www.healthaim.com/new-anti-psoriasis-drug-novartis-launched-india/46923