Ligelizumab fails to show superiority to omalizumab in chronic spontaneous urticaria: Clinical trials

CSU is an unpredictable, systemic skin disease, characterized by the spontaneous and recurrent appearance of itchy, painful hives (wheals) on the skin, angioedema or both for at least 6 weeks2,3 and affects up to 1% of the population at any one time2. Approximately 60% of patients do not achieve complete control with first-line treatment antihistamines4-7.

Novartis is dedicated to reimagining the care of patients with diseases that can severely limit quality of life such as CSU, psoriasis, acne and atopic dermatitis. Novartis is committed to developing medicines that will advance the treatment of CSU, so patients are able to live their lives without the distressing and unpredictable symptoms of this debilitating disease10. These include ligelizumab (QGE031) a high-affinity monoclonal anti-immunoglobulin E antibody and remibrutinib (LOU064), a highly selective, potent oral Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor with a potential best-in-class profile for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Any new therapies will add to our portfolio of medicines that already includes Xolair® (omalizumab), our existing approved therapy for CSU.