UCB’s Cimzia recommended for rheumatoid arthritis approval

UCB has announced that its drug Cimzia has been recommended for European approval as a treatment for severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis.

The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion recommending extending the drug's European indication.

This would allow Cimzia to be used in the treatment of severe, active and progressive rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients who have not been treated with methotrexate or other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

Data from phase III clinical trials has shown that use of the therapy was associated with statistically significant sustained remission and inhibition of radiographic progression in this patient group.

Emmanuel Caeymaex, head of the immunology patient value unit at UCB, said: "Evidence suggests that early assessment, recognition and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are associated with less joint destruction in the long term and higher chances of achieving remission."

A final decision from the European Commission is expected during the first quarter of next year.