Bimzelx shows improvement in psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis patients treated with Bimzelx showed a greater improvement from baseline than those treated with placebo in a phase 3 trial, UCB announced in a company press release.

The randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, phase 3 BE COMPLETE trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Bimzelx (bimekizumab), a humanized monoclonal immunoglobulin G1 antibody interleukin-17A and interleukin-17F inhibitor, in 400 patients with active psoriatic arthritis who were intolerant to antitumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-alpha) therapy.

Topline data from the study showed those in the treatment group achieved a 50% or greater improvement in signs and symptoms of disease compared with placebo.

In addition, there were significant improvements in physical function, as measured by Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, and in skin clearance, as measured by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index.

“We believe that these consistent and robust results have the potential to elevate the standard of care for patients,” Emmanuel Caeymaex, executive vice president of immunology and U.S. solutions at UCB, said in the press release. “Both psoriatic arthritis studies in the program used ACR50 as the primary outcome measure. The positive findings in both studies highlight the clinical potential of bimekizumab in psoriatic arthritis for both biologic naïve and anti-TNF therapy experienced patients.”