FDA Approves IL-17 Blocker Secukinumab for Plaque Psoriasis

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the interleukin 17A inhibitor secukinumab (Cosentyx) for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.  

Cosentyx is administered as a subcutaneous injection and may be used in combination with phototherapy.

In reports at the American College of Rheumatology meeting last November, secukinumab showed promising results against psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Phase 3 trials. Observers have antipated that approval for psoriasis would predate any approval for PsA.