Further investigations would require changes in study design; the use of different endpoints, a different IL-17 antibody or a different patient population.

This study is a preliminary proof of efficacy study of AIN457 in patients with bronchial asthma that is poorly controlled with the current standard of care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients with asthma >1 year duration diagnosed according to the GINA guidelines (GINA 2010).
• Daily treatment with > 1000μg beclomethasone dipropionate or equivalent, plus a long acting beta agonist for ≥ 3 months prior to Day 1, that has been stable for at least 4 weeks prior to screening.
• Asthma which is not adequately controlled on current treatment
• Peripheral blood eosinophil count < 400/μl at screening

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women of child-bearing potential unwilling to use effective contraception during the study and for 16 weeks after stopping treatment.
• Use of other investigational drugs at the time of screening, or within 30 days of screening.
• Smokers