UCB’s Cimzia shows benefits against ankylosing spondylitis

UCB has published new clinical trial data showing the potential benefits its drug Cimzia can offer in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

The company has completed a phase III trial designed to assess the efficacy and safety of Cimzia among patients with adult-onset active axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA), a family of inflammatory rheumatic diseases that includes AS.

It was found that the drug delivered statistically significant improvements for patients compared to placebo, thus meeting the primary efficacy endpoint of the trial.

Based on this positive outcome, UCB intends to begin filing for regulatory approval of Cimzia in this indication by the end of the year.

Professor Dr Iris Loew-Friedrich, chief medical officer and executive vice-president for UCB, said: "The positive top-line results are very encouraging, since there is a need for treatments for patients with non-radiographic AxSpA and for additional effective anti-TNF treatments for AS."

This comes after the company commenced a new clinical study for Cimzia earlier this year, which will evaluate the treatment among rheumatoid arthritis patients who have not been exposed to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.