Novartis announced Wednesday that Phase III data published in the NEJM demonstrate that its IL-17A antagonist Cosentyx (secukinumab) resulted in significant clinical improvements versus placebo at reducing the signs and symptoms of active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Atul Deodhar, an investigator in the Cosentyx clinical trial programme, said the findings "[add] to our growing understanding of the key role IL-17 plays in the pathophysiology of the disease."