UCB has presented new findings on Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) and one of its key pipeline molecules, bimekizumab, for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis (PSO), along with findings from an international survey on physicians’ perceptions about treating women with chronic inflammatory disease, such as psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and PSO at the annual meeting of the EADV. Cimzia is the only Fc-free, PEGylated anti-TNF agent.

Findings presented this week at EADV suggest efficacy and safety, response durability and dose flexibility of Cimzia in diverse PSO patient populations. Two separate sub-analyses from the Phase 3 study, CIMPACT, studied disease activity in patients following transition to Cimzia therapy after being treated with etanercept (Enbrel®). Findings suggest the potential value of Cimzia to induce and maintain beneficial skin response, both in patients who were primary non-responders as well as those who responded to etanercept. Other findings based on pooled data from the ongoing Phase 3 PSO studies, CIMPASI-1, CIMPASI-2 and CIMPACT, confirm durable efficacy for Cimzia across indicated doses.

New findings from the Phase 2b BE ABLE study on bimekizumab focus on disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and associated levels of skin clearance in PSO. Bimekizumab potently and selectively neutralizes both IL-17A and IL-17F, two key cytokines driving inflammatory processes.

“This year has proven to be the most ambitious for UCB in immuno-dermatology, and our commitment to this community is clearly seen at this year’s EADV conference. Growing evidence from all three ongoing Phase 3 Cimzia trials suggests potential value for a range of underserved patient populations living with psoriasis. Following approval earlier this year by both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we are working to reach as many of these patients as possible,” says Emmanuel Caeymaex, Head of Immunology and Executive Vice President at UCB. “Also evident at EADV is our commitment to future solutions, including new measures of the value of dual neutralization of both IL-17A and IL-17F provided by our investigational molecule bimekizumab, and research that advances our partnership with physicians working to better address the special needs of women of childbearing age with inflammatory diseases.”

An additional oral presentation included full survey findings from an international study of physicians, including dermatologists, obstetricians and gynecologists, reflecting varying levels of confidence about treating chronic inflammatory disease, such as PsA and PSO, among women of childbearing age with tumor necrosis factor antagonists (anti-TNFs), and suggesting the value of additional information and education.