UCB announces Cimzia trial results

UCB pharmaceutical company has announced the results of two studies showing a potential therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is effective.

Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) was combined with methotrexate (MTX) and patients displayed “significant” ease of signs, symptoms and progression of the chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder.

Benefits were also experienced when Cimzia was administered on its own in doses of 400 mg.

Cimzia is the only PEGylated anti-TNFalpha (Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha).

Professor Roy Fleischmann from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, described the results of the FAST 4WARD study as “exciting” and said they could herald a new therapy for RA.

“While the RAPID studies have shown the benefits of certolizumab pegol as combination therapy, this is the first phase III trial to show a clinical benefit as monotherapy.”

Some patients could benefit due to having to discontinue other drugs because of tolerability issues, he added.

The simultaneous RAPID studies are the first large, placebo-controlled Phase III trials to demonstrate the efficacy and tolerability of Cimzia in patients with RA.

UCB has businesses in more than 40 countries. Its particular focuses lie in the fields of allergy and epilepsy.