ACZ885 demonstrated the reductions in disease attack frequency, symptom relief, normalisation of blood markers of inflammation, and quality of life improvements in the studies.
Novartis pharmaceuticals division integrated hospital care global development head John Hohneker said, "We are dedicated to realizing the potential of ACZ885, wherever alternative treatment options fail to appropriately help patients and whenever a strong scientific rationale comes into play."
A minimum of 50% reduction in the frequency of disease attacks during three months of ACZ885 treatment was observed in all the patients in the Phase II FMF study.
During the three-month treatment period, eight of the nine patients were attack-free, while blood markers of inflammation normalised by day eight after ACZ885 dosing and remained low throughout the study.
A sustained symptom relief in ACZ885 treated patients with TNF-receptor associated periodic syndrome was observed in the Phase II study in TRAPS.
Improvements in both physical and mental measures of quality of life when assessed during the initial four-month ACZ885 treatment period were also reported.
The studies reported similar adverse events to those already reported for ACZ885’s approved indication in Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes.