1 June 2017 - The manufacturer of secukinumab has applied for a new benefit assessment as new scientific evidence emerges.

Psoriasis or psoriasis is an incurable chronic disease with a hereditary component in which your own immune system attacks the skin. The result is scaly, reddened and often very itchy skin parts. In Germany an estimated two million people are affected, of which about 400 000 are medium to severe.

The monoclonal antibody secukinumab (Cosentyx) has been approved for adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis since 2015. The monoclonal antibody ixekizumab (Taltz) has been approved since 2016. In two early evaluations, the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has investigated whether these drugs offer those concerned an additional benefit compared to the appropriate comparison therapies. 

For both drugs, there are indications for a considerable additional benefit for certain patients.

Read IQWiG press release [German]