Novartis presented recent developments in its research programme to investors in London, including positive results for its ophthalmology treatment RTH258.
Novartis developed RTH258 for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). As the Basel-based pharmaceutical company has now announced, recent data shows that patients treated with RTH258 showed fewer signs of specific disease activity than patients treated with a reference medication. Novartis expects to start clinical trials next year and eventually receive approval to enter the attractive growing U.S. market.
In the field of immunology, its medication Cosentyx continues to demonstrate good results. The treatment has demonstrated sustained control of signs and symptoms in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, and even has the potential to change the course of disease in the latter two.
Novartis also announced positive developments in the field of neuroscience, where its treatment AMG 334 has shown encouraging results in reducing monthly migraine days, even in difficult to treat patients. The company has already filed for approval in the U.S. and EU, which it expects to receive in 2018.
In cardiology, data on ACZ885 has shown a significant reduction in major adverse cardiac events. Collaboration with regulators in the U.S. and EU will move forward as planned.