Effect of Secukinumab on Radiographic Progression in Ankylosing Spondylitis as Compared to GP2017 (Adalimumab Biosimilar)

Inclusion Criteria:

- Male or non-pregnant, non-nursing female patients at least 18 years of age

- Diagnosis of moderate to severe Ankylosing Spondylitis with radiologic evidence
(centrally read X-ray) fulfilling the Modified New York criteria for AS despite
previous or current NSAID/ nonbiologic DMARD therapy

- Active AS assessed by total BASDAI ≥ 4 on a scale of 0-10

- Spinal pain as measured by BASDAI question #2 ≥ 4 (0-10)

- Total back pain as measured by visual analog scale (VAS) ≥ 40 mm (0-100 mm)

- hsCRP ≥ 5 mg/L OR presence of at least 1 syndesmophyte on centrally read spinal X-ray

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with total ankylosis of the spine

- Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women

- Evidence of ongoing infectious or malignant process

- Previous exposure to any biologic immunomodulating agent, including those targeting
IL-17, IL-17 receptor or TNFα

- Subjects taking high potency opioid analgesics

- Previous treatment with any cell-depleting therapies including but not limited to
anti-CD20, investigational agents

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply