Merck Sharpe and Dohme’s Simponi recommended by NICE

Merck Sharpe and Dohme's ankylosing spondylitis treatment Simponi has been given a positive recommendation by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

In final guidance published by the UK healthcare regulator, the golimumab therapy has been endorsed as an option for adults with severe ankylosing spondylitis who have been frequently affected by spinal disease or failed to respond to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Simponi has been ratified as offering similar clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness when compared to adalimumab and etanercept, both of which are commonly used to treat the condition.

Professor Carole Longson, director of the health technology evaluation centre at NICE, said it is good news that this new treatment option will be made available to UK patients.

"Ankylosing spondylitis causes a great deal of pain and discomfort for individuals, impacting significantly on day-to-day life," she added.

Earlier this month, Merck Sharpe and Dohme's new drug ridaforolimus was accepted for review as a metastatic soft-tissue or bone sarcoma treatment by the European Medicines Agency.