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