UCB reports new data for Crohn’s disease drug

UCB has reported new clinical data from its Welcome study showing Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) to be effective in Crohn’s disease patients who are intolerant or are no longer responding to infliximab.

Presented at the 3rd congress of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation, the six-week results are part of a phase IIIb study of the effects of Cimzia on Crohn’s patients for whom infliximab has not been successful.

Over 500 patients received 400mg of Cimzia sub-cutaneous at weeks zero, two and four. At week six, 61 per cent of patients had achieved the primary endpoint of response as defined by a decrease in the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) of 100 or more points from the baseline.

Additionally, 39 per cent of patients were in remission, defined as a CDAI score lower or equal to 150 points.

Severine Vermeire of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium commented: “The Welcome data shows that certolizumab pegol could be a treatment option for patients with Crohn’s disease who are refractory to other biological agents, showing consistent results across all patient groups.”

Last month, UCB highlighted that Cimzia could provide an “important new option” for people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).