Merck Sharp and Dohme’s Remicade and Simponi receive NICE recommendations

Merck Sharp and Dohme has announced that its biologic therapies have been approved for new indications by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

A final appraisal document from the regulator has endorsed the drugs as options for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults whose disease cannot be controlled by conventional therapy options, including corticosteroids and mercaptopurine or azathioprine.

Simponi has been approved on the basis that Merck Sharp and Dohme offers a patient access scheme. Remicade has also been recommended for use in children and young people between the ages of six and 17.

Both therapies have been jointly developed and commercialised by Merck Sharp and Dohme and Johnson and Johnson.

Helen Terry, director of policy at patient organisation Crohn's and Colitis UK, said: "This is fantastic news for people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, as it gives them much-needed additional treatment options."

This comes after the firm reported positive data last month showing the benefits Simponi can also offer to axial spondyloarthritis patients.