Urticaria, also known as hives, is a common condition that affects millions of people around the world. It is characterized by red, itchy bumps on the skin that can appear suddenly and disappear just as quickly.

While urticaria is not usually a serious condition, it can be extremely uncomfortable and have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Novartis, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, is working to change this by developing new treatments for urticaria that are more effective and better tolerated than existing options.

Understanding Urticaria

Urticaria is a type of skin rash that is caused by an allergic reaction.

When the body encounters an allergen, such as certain foods, medications, or insect bites, it releases histamine and other chemicals that cause the blood vessels in the skin to swell, resulting in the characteristic bumps and redness. In some cases, urticaria can also be triggered by non-allergic factors, such as stress, heat, or exercise.

Urticaria can range in severity from mild to severe and can last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks or months. It can also be a chronic condition, with some people experiencing intermittent flare-ups for years.

Current Treatment Options

The treatment of urticaria typically involves the use of antihistamines, which block the action of histamine in the body and reduce itching and swelling.

While antihistamines can be effective in many cases, they often come with side effects such as drowsiness and dry mouth, which can be bothersome for some patients.

For more severe cases of urticaria, oral steroids may be prescribed. However, these drugs can have serious side effects such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of infection, and are generally only used as a last resort.

Novartis’ New Treatments

Novartis has been working on developing new treatments for urticaria that are more effective and better tolerated than existing options.

One of these treatments is a drug called secukinumab, which works by blocking a protein called interleukin-17A that is involved in the inflammatory response that leads to urticaria.

Secukinumab has shown promising results in clinical trials, with some studies showing that it can provide significant symptom relief with fewer side effects than traditional antihistamines.

Novartis is currently seeking regulatory approval for secukinumab as a treatment for chronic urticaria in several countries around the world.

Another treatment that Novartis is working on is a combination of two drugs, omalizumab and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis inhibitors.

Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets immunoglobulin E (IgE), a protein that is involved in the allergic response that leads to urticaria. HPA axis inhibitors are a class of drugs that work by blocking the release of certain hormones that are involved in the inflammatory response.

Studies have shown that this combination therapy can provide significant symptom relief in patients with chronic urticaria that has not responded to traditional antihistamines or other treatments.

Novartis is currently conducting clinical trials of this combination therapy in several countries around the world.

The Future of Urticaria Treatment

Novartis’ work in developing new treatments for urticaria is just one example of the many advances that are being made in the field of allergy and immunology.

As our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of urticaria and other allergic conditions grows, we are discovering new ways to treat these conditions that are more effective and better tolerated.

With the development of drugs like secukinumab and combination therapies like omalizumab and HPA axis inhibitors, it is likely that we will see significant improvements in the treatment of urticaria and other allergic conditions in the coming years.

Conclusion

Urticaria is a common condition that can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. While current treatments such as antihistamines and steroids can be effective, they often come with side effects that can be bothersome for patients.

Novartis is working on developing new treatments for urticaria that are more effective and better tolerated than existing options, including drugs like secukinumab and combination therapies like omalizumab and HPA axis inhibitors. With these advances, it is likely that we will see significant improvements in the treatment of urticaria and other allergic conditions in the near future.