Efficacy at 24 Weeks and Safety, Tolerability and Long Term Efficacy of Secukinumab (AIN457) in Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and an Inadequate Response to Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor α (Anti-TNFα) Agents (CAIN457F2309 and CAIN457F2309E1)

Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or non-pregnant, non-lactating female patients
* Presence of RA classified by ACR 2010 revised criteria for at least 3 months before screening
* At Baseline: Disease activity criteria defined by \>= 6 tender joints out of 68 and \>= 6 swollen joints out of 66

WITH at least 1 of the following at screening:

* Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (Anti-CCP) antibodies positive OR
* Rheumatoid Factor positive

AND WITH at least 1 of the following at screening:

* High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) \>= 10 mg/L OR
* Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) \>= 28 millimeter (mm)/1st hour
* Patients must have been taking at least one anti-TNF-α agent given at an approved dose for at least 3 months before randomization and have experienced an inadequate response to treatment or have been intolerant to at least one administration of an anti-TNF-α agent
* Patients must be taking MTX or any other DMARD (but not more than 1 DMARD) for at least 3 months before randomization and have to be on a stable dose at least 4 weeks before randomization (7.5 to 25 mg/week for MTX or other DMARD at maximum tolerated dose)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Chest x-ray with evidence of ongoing infectious or malignant process, obtained within 3 months prior to screening and evaluated by a qualified physician
* RA patients functional status class IV according to the ACR 1991 revised criteria
* Patients who have ever received biologic immunomodulating agents except for those targeting TNFα
* Previous treatment with any cell-depleting therapies

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.