Study to Demonstrate the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of an Intravenous Regimen of Secukinumab Compared to Placebo in Subjects With Active axSpA

Ankylosing Spondylitis Clinical Trial

Official title:

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel Group, Phase III Multicenter Study of Intravenous Secukinumab to Compare Efficacy at 16 Weeks With Placebo and to Assess Safety and Tolerability up to 52 Weeks in Subjects With Active Ankylosing Spondylitis or Non-radiographic Axial SpondyloArthritis

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT04156620
• Other study ID #: CAIN457P12301
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Start date: December 11, 2019
• Est. completion date: December 20, 2022

Study information

• Verified date: December 2023
• Source: Novartis
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this global study was to demonstrate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of an intravenous (i.v.) regimen of secukinumab compared to placebo in participants with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA ) at Week 16 despite current or previous non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) and/or anti Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) therapy. In addition, to further support efficacy and safety of an i.v. regimen, data was collected for up to 52 weeks of treatment.

Description:

This multicenter study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design to study the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of treatment with intravenous secukinumab (initial dose of 6 mg/kg followed thereafter with 3 mg/kg administered every four weeks starting at Week 4) in subjects with active axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The study population consisted of active of 413 participants with AS and 113 participants with active nr-axSpA. This study consisted of 4 periods totaling up to 70 weeks: the screening period (up to 10 weeks), the treatment period 1 (total duration of 16 weeks), treatment period 2 (total duration of 36 weeks) followed by the safety follow up period of 8 weeks after the end of treatment visit (at Week 60) regardless of whether participant completed the study as planned or discontinued prematurely. At baseline, participants were randomized to one of the two treatment groups and stratified to disease condition (AS or nr-axSPa): - Group 1: secukinumab 6 mg/kg i.v.) at baseline and which was followed by the administration of secukinumab 3 mg/kg i.v. every four weeks starting at Week 4 through Week 48 (exposure through Week 52) at clinic visits - Group 2: i.v. placebo at baseline, Weeks 4, 8, and 12 and switched to secukinumab 3 mg/kg i.v. at Week 16 and every four weeks through Week 48 (exposure through Week 52) at clinic visits Although study treatment was open label secukinumab i.v. starting at Week 16, all subjects and investigators/site staff remained blinded to original treatment assignment to ensure unbiased efficacy and safety assessments for the remainder of the study. This study enrolled participants with active disease despite current or previous NSAIDs, conventional DMARDs and/or TNF inhibitor therapy or intolerance to these therapies. The regular assessment of disease activity ensured that subjects who experienced worsening of disease in any of the treatment groups could exit the study at any time upon their own accord or based on the advice of the investigator. A temporary pause of study recruitment only was implemented from 09-Apr-2020 to 11-May-2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but not for study visits, assessments or other conduct of the study.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 527
• Est. completion date: December 20, 2022
• Est. primary completion date: February 17, 2022
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Subjects eligible for inclusion in this study must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Subject must be able to understand and communicate with the investigator, comply with the requirements of the study. and must give written, signed and dated informed consent before any study assessment is performed

2. Male and non-pregnant, non-lactating female patients = 18 years of age

3. Diagnosis of axSpA according to ASAS criteria

1. Inflammatory back pain for at least 6 months

2. Onset before 45 years of age

4. For subjects with AS: Diagnosis of AS with prior documented radiologic evidence (x-ray or radiologist's report) fulfilling the Modified New York criteria for AS

5. For subjects with nr-axSpA:

X-ray of SIJ negative (centrally read) for AS by Modified NY criteria AND

1. Sacroiliitis on MRI (centrally read) with = 1 SpA feature OR HLA-B-27 positive with =2 SpA features AND

2. Objective signs of inflammation at screening, evident by either MRI with SIJ inflammation (centrally read) AND / OR hsCRP > ULN (as defined by the central lab)

6. Active axial SpA assessed by BASDAI =4 cm (0-10 cm) at Baseline

7. Spinal pain as measured by BASDAI question #2 = 4 cm (0-10 cm) at Baseline

8. Total back pain as measured by VAS = 40 mm (0-100 mm) at Baseline

9. Subjects should have had inadequate response or failure to respond to at least 2 NSAIDs at an approved dose for a minimum of 4 weeks in total and a minimum of 2 weeks for each NSAID prior to randomization, or less than 4 weeks if therapy had to be withdrawn due to intolerance, toxicity or contraindications

10. Subjects who are regularly taking NSAIDs (including COX-1 or COX-2 inhibitors) as part of their AS or nr-axSpA therapy are required to be on a stable dose for at least 2 weeks before randomization

11. Subjects who are intolerant or have been inadequate responders to a TNF inhibitor (not more than one) will be allowed to enter into the study (not more than 20% per group). They must have experienced an inadequate response to previous or current treatment at an approved dose for at least 3 months prior to randomization, or have been intolerant to at least one administration of an anti-TNF agent. These subjects will undergo an appropriate wash-out period prior to randomization, if required

1. 4 weeks for Enbrel® (etanercept) - with a terminal half-life of 102 ± 30 hours

2. 8 weeks for Remicade® (infliximab) - with a terminal half-life of 8.0-9.5 days

3. 10 weeks for Humira® (adalimumab) - with a terminal half-life of 10-20 days (average 2 weeks)

4. 10 weeks for Simponi® (golimumab) - with a terminal half-life of 11-14 days

5. 10 weeks for Cimzia® (certolizumab) - with a terminal half-life of 14 days

12. Subjects taking methotrexate (MTX) (= 25 mg/week ) or sulfasalazine (= 3 g/day) are allowed to continue their medication and must have taken it for at least 3 months and have to be on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to randomization. Subjects on MTX must be on folic acid supplementation before randomization

13. Subjects who are on a conventional DMARD other than MTX or sulfasalazine must discontinue the DMARD 4 weeks prior to randomization, except for leflunomide, which must be be discontinued 8 weeks prior to randomization, unless a cholestyramine washout has been performed

14. Subjects taking systemic corticosteroids must be on a stable dose of =10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent for at least 2 weeks before randomization Exclusion Criteria: Subjects meeting any of the following criteria are not eligible for inclusion in this study

1. Subjects with total ankylosis of the spine

2. Chest x-ray or MRI with evidence of ongoing infectious or malignant process obtained within 3 months of screening and evaluated by a qualified physician

3. Subjects taking moderate and high potency opioid analgesics (e.g. methadone, hydromorphone, morphine)

4. Presence of significant medical problems which at investigator's discretion, will prevent the subject from participating in the study, including but not limited to the following: Subjects with severely reduced kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <29 ml/min/1.73m2), history of renal trauma, glomerulonephritis, or patients with one kidney only, or a serum creatinine level exceeding 1.5 mg/dl (132.6 µmol/L)

5. Any therapy by intra-articular injections (e.g. corticosteroid) within 4 weeks before Randomization

6. Underlying conditions (including, but not limited to metabolic, hematologic, renal, hepatic, pulmonary, neurologic, endocrine, cardiac, infectious or gastrointestinal) which in the opinion of the investigator significantly immunocompromises the subject and/or places the subject at unacceptable risk for receiving an immunomodulatory therapy

7. Any medical or psychiatric condition which, in the Investigator's opinion, would preclude the participant from adhering to the protocol or completing the study per protocol

8. Active systemic infections during the last two weeks (exception: common cold) prior to randomization or any infection that reoccurs on a regular basis

9. History of ongoing, chronic or recurrent infectious disease or evidence of tuberculosis infection as defined by either a positive purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test (the size of induration will be measured after 48-72 hours, and a positive result is defined as an induration of = 5 mm or according to local practice/guidelines) or a positive QuantiFERON TB-Gold test as indicated in the assessment schedule in Table 8-1. Subjects with a positive test may participate in the study if further work up (according to local practice/guidelines) establishes conclusively that the subject has no evidence of active tuberculosis. If presence of latent tuberculosis is established, then treatment according to local country guidelines must have been initiated

10. Past medical history of infection with HIV or hepatitis B prior to randomization or active infection or on treatment for Hepatitis C at randomization

11. History of lymphoproliferative disease or any known malignancy, or history of malignancy of any organ system treated or untreated within the past 5 years, regardless of whether there is evidence of local recurrence or metastases (except for skin Bowen's disease, or basal cell carcinoma or actinic keratoses that have been treated with no evidence of recurrence in the past 12 weeks; carcinoma in situ of the cervix or non-invasive malignant colon polyps that have been removed)

12. Use or planned use of prohibited concomitant medication (see Section 6.2.2)

13. Inability or unwillingness to undergo repeated venipuncture (e.g., because of poor tolerability or lack of access to veins)

14. Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women, where pregnancy is defined as the state of a female after conception and until the termination of gestation, confirmed by a positive hCG laboratory test

15. History or evidence of ongoing alcohol or drug abuse, within the last six months before randomization

16. Screening total WBC count <3,000/µl, or platelets <100,000/µl or neutrophils <1,500/µl or hemoglobin <8.5 g/dl (85 g/L)

17. History of clinically significant liver disease or liver injury indicated by abnormal liver function tests, such as SGOT (AST), SGPT (ALT), alkaline phosphatase and serum

bilirubin. The investigator should be guided by the following criteria:

• Any single parameter may not exceed 2 x the upper limit of normal (ULN). A single parameter elevated up to and including 2 x ULN should be re-checked once more as soon as possible, and in all cases, at least prior to randomization, to rule-out laboratory error.
• If the total bilirubin concentration is increased above 2 x ULN, total bilirubin should be differentiated into the direct and indirect reacting bilirubin. In any case, serum bilirubin should not exceed the value of 1.6 mg/dL (27 µmol/L)

18. Significant medical problems or diseases, including but not limited to the following:

uncontrolled hypertension (=160/95 mmHg), congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association status of class III or IV), uncontrolled diabetes, or very poor functional status precluding ability to perform self-care

19. Plans for administration of live vaccines during the study period or within 6 weeks prior to randomization

20. Women of child-bearing potential, defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant, unless they are using effective methods of contraception during the entire study or longer if required by locally approved prescribing information (e.g.,

20 weeks in EU). Effective contraception methods include:

• Total abstinence (when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post-ovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception
• Female sterilization (have had surgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy) or tubal ligation at least six weeks before taking study treatment. In case of oophorectomy alone, only when the reproductive status of the woman has been confirmed by follow up hormone level assessment
• Male sterilization (at least 6 months prior to screening). For female subjects on the study, the vasectomized male partner should be the sole partner for that subject
• Barrier methods of contraception: Condom or Occlusive cap (diaphragm or cervical/vault caps). For UK: with spermicidal foam/gel/film/cream/ vaginal suppository
• Use of oral, injected or implanted hormonal methods of contraception or other forms of hormonal contraception that have comparable efficacy (failure rate <1%), for example hormone vaginal ring or transdermal hormone contraception
• Placement of an intrauterine device or intrauterine system In case of use of oral contraception women should have been stable on the same pill for a minimum of 3 months before taking study treatment. Women are considered post-menopausal and not of child bearing potential if they have had 12 months of natural (spontaneous) amenorrhea with an appropriate clinical profile (e.g., age appropriate, history of vasomotor symptoms) or have had surgical bilateral oophorectomy (with or without hysterectomy) or tubal ligation at least six weeks prior to randomization. In the case of oophorectomy alone, only when the reproductive status of the woman has been confirmed by follow up hormone level assessment is she considered not of childbearing potential.

21. Active ongoing inflammatory diseases other than axSpA that might confound the evaluation of the benefits of secukinumab therapy, including inflammatory bowel disease or uveitis

22. Current severe progressive or uncontrolled disease which in the judgment of the clinical investigator renders the subject unsuitable for the trial

23. Use of other investigational drugs at the time of enrollment, or within 5 half- lives of enrollment, or within 4 weeks until the expected pharmacodynamic effect has returned to baseline, whichever is longer; or longer if required by local regulations

24. History of hypersensitivity to any of the study drug constituents

25. Previous exposure to secukinumab (AIN457) or any other biologic drug directly targeting IL-17 or the IL-17 receptor

26. Previous treatment with any cell-depleting therapies including but not limited to anti-CD20 or investigational agents (e.g., CAMPATH, anti-CD4, anti-CD5, anti-CD3, anti-CD19)

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Axial Spondyloarthritis
• Spondylarthritis
• Spondylitis
• Spondylitis, Ankylosing

Intervention

Drug:
• Secukinumab
The subjects will receive secukinumab 6 mg/kg i.v. at randomization (Baseline (BSL) visit), followed by the administration of secukinumab 3 mg/kg i.v. every four weeks starting at Week 4 through Week 48 (exposure through Week 52)
• Placebo
The subjects will receive i.v. placebo at randomization (BSL visit), Weeks 4, 8, and 12 , followed by the administration of secukinumab 3 mg/kg i.v. at Week 16 and every four weeks through Week 48 (exposure through Week 52)

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Belgium	Novartis Investigative Site	Bruxelles
Belgium	Novartis Investigative Site	Leuven
Brazil	Novartis Investigative Site	Juiz de Fora	MG
Brazil	Novartis Investigative Site	Rio de Janeiro
Brazil	Novartis Investigative Site	Salvador	BA
Brazil	Novartis Investigative Site	Sao Jose do Rio Preto
Brazil	Novartis Investigative Site	São Paulo	SP
Brazil	Novartis Investigative Site	Vitoria	ES
Bulgaria	Novartis Investigative Site	Pleven
Bulgaria	Novartis Investigative Site	Plovdiv
Bulgaria	Novartis Investigative Site	Plovdiv
Bulgaria	Novartis Investigative Site	Sofia
Bulgaria	Novartis Investigative Site	Sofia
Colombia	Novartis Investigative Site	Barranquilla	Atlantico
Colombia	Novartis Investigative Site	Barranquilla
Colombia	Novartis Investigative Site	Bogota
Colombia	Novartis Investigative Site	Bucaramanga	Santander
Colombia	Novartis Investigative Site	Cundinamarca
Colombia	Novartis Investigative Site	Ibague	Tolima
Czechia	Novartis Investigative Site	Ostrava	Czech Republic
Czechia	Novartis Investigative Site	Praha 2
Czechia	Novartis Investigative Site	Praha 4
Czechia	Novartis Investigative Site	Praha 5
Czechia	Novartis Investigative Site	Uherske Hradiste
Greece	Novartis Investigative Site	Athens
Greece	Novartis Investigative Site	Patra
Guatemala	Novartis Investigative Site	Guatemala
Guatemala	Novartis Investigative Site	Guatemala
Guatemala	Novartis Investigative Site	Guatemala City
Guatemala	Novartis Investigative Site	Guatemala City
India	Novartis Investigative Site	Bangalore	Karnataka
India	Novartis Investigative Site	Hyderabad	Telangana
India	Novartis Investigative Site	Mumbai	Maharashtra
India	Novartis Investigative Site	Nashik	Maharashtra
India	Novartis Investigative Site	New Delhi
India	Novartis Investigative Site	Surat	Gujarat
Italy	Novartis Investigative Site	Siena	SI
Italy	Novartis Investigative Site	Verona	VR
Korea, Republic of	Novartis Investigative Site	Gwangju
Korea, Republic of	Novartis Investigative Site	Seoul
Korea, Republic of	Novartis Investigative Site	Seoul
Korea, Republic of	Novartis Investigative Site	Seoul
Malaysia	Novartis Investigative Site	Ipoh	Perak
Malaysia	Novartis Investigative Site	Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia	Novartis Investigative Site	Kuching	Sarawak
Malaysia	Novartis Investigative Site	Selangor Darul Ehsan
Malaysia	Novartis Investigative Site	Seremban	Negeri Sembilan
Philippines	Novartis Investigative Site	Dasmarinas	Cavite
Philippines	Novartis Investigative Site	Lipa City	Batangas
Philippines	Novartis Investigative Site	Manila
Philippines	Novartis Investigative Site	Quezon
Poland	Novartis Investigative Site	Bialystok
Poland	Novartis Investigative Site	Krakow
Poland	Novartis Investigative Site	Sochaczew
Poland	Novartis Investigative Site	Torun
Poland	Novartis Investigative Site	Warszawa
Russian Federation	Novartis Investigative Site	Chelyabinsk
Russian Federation	Novartis Investigative Site	Ekaterinburg
Russian Federation	Novartis Investigative Site	Kazan
Russian Federation	Novartis Investigative Site	Kemerovo
Russian Federation	Novartis Investigative Site	Kemerovo
Russian Federation	Novartis Investigative Site	Moscow
Russian Federation	Novartis Investigative Site	Novosibirsk
Russian Federation	Novartis Investigative Site	Novosibirsk
Russian Federation	Novartis Investigative Site	Petrozavodsk
Russian Federation	Novartis Investigative Site	Saint Petersburg
Russian Federation	Novartis Investigative Site	St Petersburg
Russian Federation	Novartis Investigative Site	Ulyanovsk
Russian Federation	Novartis Investigative Site	Yaroslavl
Sweden	Novartis Investigative Site	Danderyd
Sweden	Novartis Investigative Site	Stockholm
Thailand	Novartis Investigative Site	Bangkok
Thailand	Novartis Investigative Site	Bangkoknoi	Bangkok
Thailand	Novartis Investigative Site	Khon Kaen	THA
Thailand	Novartis Investigative Site	Songkhla	Hat Yai
Turkey	Novartis Investigative Site	Adana
Turkey	Novartis Investigative Site	Ankara
Turkey	Novartis Investigative Site	Istanbul
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Beckley	West Virginia
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Bowling Green	Kentucky
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Columbia	South Carolina
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Cumberland	Maryland
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Duncansville	Pennsylvania
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Everett	Washington
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Grand Blanc	Michigan
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Greensboro	North Carolina
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Irvine	California
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Jackson	Tennessee
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Katy	Texas
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	La Mesa	California
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Lincoln	Nebraska
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Memphis	Tennessee
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Middleburg Heights	Ohio
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Ocoee	Florida
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Plantation	Florida
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Portland	Oregon
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Potsdam	New York
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	San Leandro	California
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Spokane	Washington
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Spring	Texas
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	The Woodlands	Texas
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Upland	California
United States	Novartis Investigative Site	Winter Park	Florida

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Countries where clinical trial is conducted

United States,  Belgium,  Brazil,  Bulgaria,  Colombia,  Czechia,  Greece,  Guatemala,  India,  Italy,  Korea, Republic of,  Malaysia,  Philippines,  Poland,  Russian Federation,  Sweden,  Thailand,  Turkey, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Percentage of Participants Who Achieved an ASAS40 (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society Criteria)	ASAS40 is = 40% and an absolute improvement from baseline of =20 units (range 0-100) in = 3 of the following 4 domains: back pain [10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS)], patient global assessment of disease activity (10 cm VAS), physical function (BASFI; range 0-100) and inflammation (mean score of items 5 and 6 of the BASDAI; both 10 cm VAS) without any worsening in the remaining domain.; ASAS consists of 6 domains (4 main and 2 additional): 1. Patient's global assessment measured on a visual analog scale (VAS); 2. Patient's assessment of back pain, measured on a VAS; 3. Function represented by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) measured by VAS; 4. Inflammation represented by mean duration and severity of morning stiffness, on the BAS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) as measured by VAS; 5. Spinal mobility represented by the BAS Metrology Index (BASMI) lateral spinal flexion assessment; 6. C-reactive protein (acute phase reactant).	Baseline to Week 16
Secondary	Percentage of Participants Who Achieved Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Major Improvement	ASDAS-CRP was utilized to assess disease activity status. Parameters used for the ASDAS included: total back pain (BASDAI question 2), patient's global assessment of disease activity, peripheral pain/swelling (BASDAI question 3), duration of morning stiffness (BASDAI question 6) and CRP in mg/L. Disease activity states: inactive disease, moderate disease activity, high disease activity, and very high disease activity. The three values selected to separate these states are: < 1.3 between inactive disease and moderate disease activity; < 2.1 between moderate disease activity and high disease activity; and > 3.5 between high disease activity and very high disease activity. Selected cutoffs for improvement scores are a change of = 1.1 unit for "minimal clinically important improvement" and a change of = 2.0 units for "major improvement" .	Baseline to Week 16
Secondary	The Change From Baseline in Total Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI)	BASDAI consists of a 0 through 10 scale (0 indicating no problem and 10 indicating the worst problem, captured as a continuous VAS), which was used to answer six questions pertaining to the five major symptoms of AS: fatigue, spinal pain, peripheral joint pain / swelling,, areas of localized tenderness (enthesitis, or inflammation of tendons and ligaments), morning stiffness duration, morning stiffness severity.; To give each symptom equal weight, the mean of the two scores relating to morning stiffness is taken into account (questions 5 and 6). The resulting 0 to 10 score is added to the scores for questions 1 through 4. The resulting 0 to 50 score is divided by 5 to give a final 0 10 BASDAI score.	Baseline to Week 16
Secondary	Percentage of Participants Who Achieved an ASAS 5/6 (Assessment of Spondylarthritis International Society Criteria)	The ASAS 5/6 improvement criteria is an improvement of =20% in at least five of all six domains. A higher score on the VAS signifies higher severity.; ASAS consists of 6 domains (4 main and 2 additional): 1. Patient's global assessment measured on a visual analog scale (VAS); 2. Patient's assessment of back pain, measured on a VAS; 3. Function represented by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) measured by VAS; 4. Inflammation represented by mean duration and severity of morning stiffness, on the BAS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) as measured by VAS; 5. Spinal mobility represented by the BAS Metrology Index (BASMI) lateral spinal flexion assessment; 6. C-reactive protein (acute phase reactant).	Baseline to Week 16
Secondary	The Change From Baseline in Total Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI)	The BASFI is a set of 10 questions designed to determine the degree of functional limitation in subjects with AS. The questions were chosen on the basis of predominant input from subjects with AS. The first eight questions consider activities related to functional anatomy. The final two questions assess the subjects' ability to cope with everyday life. A 0-10 scale (captured as a continuous VAS) is used to answer the questions. The BASFI score is the mean of the ten scales - a value between 0 and 10.	Baseline to Week 16
Secondary	The Change From Baseline in Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary (SF-36 PCS)	The Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary (SF-36 PCS) is an instrument to measure health-related quality of life among healthy patients and patients with acute and chronic conditions.; It consists of eight subscales (domains) that can be scored individually: Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role- Emotional, and Mental Health. Two overall summary scores, the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) also can be computed. The eight domains are based on a scale from 0-100 while PCS and MCS are norm-based scores with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10.; Higher scores indicate a higher level of functioning. A positive change from baseline score indicates an improvement.	Baseline to Week 16
Secondary	The Change From Baseline in Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQol)	The ASQoL is a self-administered questionnaire designed to assess health-related quality of life in adult subjects with AS. The ASQoL contains 18 items with a dichotomous yes/no response option. A single point is assigned for each "yes" response and no points for each "no" response, resulting in overall scores that range from 0 (least severity) to 18 (highest severity). As such, lower scores indicate better quality of life. Items include an assessment of mobility/energy, self care and mood/emotion. The recall period is "at the moment".	Baseline to Week 16
Secondary	The Change From Baseline in High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP)	This assessment (laboratory assessment) was performed in order to identify the presence of inflammation, to determine its severity and to monitor the response to treatment. Exponentially transformed LSM, the geometric mean ratio of post-baseline/baseline. A value <1 indicates a reduced CRP	Baseline to Week 16
Secondary	Percentage of Participants Who Achieved an ASAS20 (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society Criteria)	The ASAS Response Criteria (ASAS20) is defined as an improvement of =20% and =1 unit on a scale of 10 in at least three of the four main domains and no worsening of =20% and =1 unit on a scale of 10 in the remaining domain. A higher score on the VAS signifies higher severity.; ASAS consists of 6 domains (4 main and 2 additional): 1. Patient's global assessment measured on a visual analog scale (VAS); 2. Patient's assessment of back pain, measured on a VAS; 3. Function represented by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) measured by VAS; 4. Inflammation represented by mean duration and severity of morning stiffness, on the BAS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) as measured by VAS; 5. Spinal mobility represented by the BAS Metrology Index (BASMI) lateral spinal flexion assessment; 6. C-reactive protein (acute phase reactant).	Baseline to Week 16
Secondary	The Percentage of Participants Achieving Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Inactive Disease.	ASDAS-CRP was utilized to assess disease activity status. Parameters used for the ASDAS included: total back pain (BASDAI question 2), patient's global assessment of disease activity, peripheral pain/swelling (BASDAI question 3), duration of morning stiffness (BASDAI question 6) and CRP in mg/L.; Disease activity states: inactive disease, moderate disease activity, high disease activity, and very high disease activity. The three values selected to separate these states are: < 1.3 between inactive disease and moderate disease activity; < 2.1 between moderate disease activity and high disease activity; and > 3.5 between high disease activity and very high disease activity. Selected cutoffs for improvement scores are a change of = 1.1 unit for "minimal clinically important improvement" and a change of = 2.0 units for "major improvement"	Baseline to Week 16
Secondary	Percentage of Participants Who Achieved ASAS20 (Assessment of Spondylarthritis International Society Criteria) Partial Remission.	ASAS partial remission criteria are defined as a value not above 2 units in each of the four main ASAS domains on a scale of 0-10.; ASAS consists of 6 domains (4 main and 2 additional): 1. Patient's global assessment measured on a visual analog scale (VAS); 2. Patient's assessment of back pain, measured on a VAS; 3. Function represented by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) measured by VAS; 4. Inflammation represented by mean duration and severity of morning stiffness, on the BAS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) as measured by VAS; 5. Spinal mobility represented by the BAS Metrology Index (BASMI) lateral spinal flexion assessment; 6. C-reactive protein (acute phase reactant).	Baseline to Week 16
Secondary	Change From Baseline in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)	The PSQI is a self-report questionnaire that assesses sleep quality over a 1-month time interval. Consisting of 19 items, the PSQI measures several different aspects of sleep, offering seven component scores and one composite score. The component scores consist of subjective sleep quality, sleep latency (i.e., how long it takes to fall asleep), sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency (i.e., the percentage of time in bed that one is asleep), sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction.; Each item is weighted on a 0-3 interval scale. The global PSQI score is then calculated by totaling the seven component scores, providing an overall score ranging from 0 to 21, where lower scores denoted a healthier sleep quality.	Baseline to Week 16