Multiple-loading Dose Regimen Study in Patients With Chronic Plaque-type Psoriasis

Phase II Randomized, Double-blind, Multi-center, Parallel-group, Placebo-controlled Multiple-loading Dose Regimen Study to Assess the Safety, Efficacy and Duration of Response of AIN457 in Patients With Chronic Plaque-type Psoriasis.

Loading dose, four arm, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study comparing single and multiple doses of AIN457 to placebo in patients with a diagnosis of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of plaque psoriasis for at least 6 months prior to screening. The patients must meet all of the following criterion:

  1. Coverage of the body surface area (BSA) of 10% or more with plaques

  2. A score of 3 or more on the IGA scale

  3. A PASI score of at least 12 at baseline

     Exclusion Criteria:

• Have forms of psoriasis other than the required "plaque psoriasis"

• Women of childbearing potential

• Recent use of investigational drugs or treatment with other biological therapies (wash-out periods required)

• Previous treatment with this investigational drug

• Subjects with active or history of clinically significant cardiac, kidney or liver abnormalities;

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply