ZURICH-Novartis AG has received European regulatory approval for
its Cosentyx treatment for a chronic skin disease, as the Swiss
pharmaceutical company adds another potentially big-selling product
to its lineup.
Basel-based Novartis said on Monday that the European Commission
had granted approval for the use of Cosentyx as a first-line
treatment for moderate to severe forms of the psoriasis, which
manifests itself in skin lesions that cause itching, scaling and
pain.
Some analysts estimate Cosentyx could generate peak sales of as
much as $1.5 billion.
The medication has already been approved for use in Australia
and Japan. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to
make a decision on the drug early this year following a
recommendation for approval by the Dermatologic and Opthalmic Drugs
Advisory Committee.
Psoriasis causes both physical and psychological damage. It
affects roughly 3% of the world's population, with about 2.4
million patients in Europe suffering from moderate to severe forms
of the disease.
Write to Neil MacLucas at neil.maclucas@wsj.com
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