Study Estimating the Clinical Difference Between 300 mg and 150 mg of Secukinumab Following Dose Escalation to 300 mg in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Key Inclusion Criteria

• Understand and communicate with the investigator, comply with the requirements of the study and give a written, signed and dated informed consent
• Male or non-pregnant, non-lactating female patients at least 18 years of age
• Diagnosis of moderate to severe Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) with prior documented radiologic evidence fulfilling the Modified New York criteria for AS
• Active AS assessed by total Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity index (BASDAI) ≥ 4 (0-10) at baseline
• Spinal pain as measured by BASDAI question #2 ≥ 4 cm (0-10 cm) at baseline
• Total back pain as measured by visual analog scale (VAS) ≥ 40 mm (0-100 mm) at baseline
• Patients should have been on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at the maximum tolerated dose for at least 4 weeks prior to their Baseline Visit, with an inadequate response or for less than 4 weeks if withdrawn for intolerance, toxicity or contraindications
• Stable dose of NSAIDs including Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) or Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors for at least 2 weeks before their Baseline Visit
• Patients who have been on a tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitor (not more than one) must have experienced an inadequate response to previous or current treatment given at an approved dose for at least 3 months prior to baseline or had been intolerant upon administration of an anti-TNFα agent

Key Exclusion Criteria

• Total ankylosis of the spine
• Use of other investigational drugs within 5 half-lives of enrollment, or within 4 weeks before the Baseline Visit, whichever is longer.
• History of hypersensitivity to any of the study drugs or its excipients or to drugs of similar chemical classes.
• Chest x-ray, computerized tomography (CT) scan, or chest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with evidence of ongoing infectious or malignant process, obtained within 3 months prior to screening and evaluated by a qualified physician.
• Previous exposure to secukinumab or any other biologic drug directly targeting Interleukin-17 (IL-17), Interleukin-12/23 (IL-12/23), or the IL-17 receptor, or any other biologic immunomodulating agent, except those targeting TNFα
• Patients who have taken more than one anti-TNFα agent
• Any intramuscular or intravenous corticosteroid injection within 2 weeks before baseline
• Any therapy by intra-articular injections (e.g. corticosteroid) within 4 weeks before baseline
• Previous treatment with any cell-depleting therapies
• Patients taking high potency opioid analgesics (e.g., methadone, hydromorphone, morphine)

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.