New data backs UCB drug for arthritis
New clinical data endorses the efficacy of UCB SA's experimental drug Cimzia given either fortnightly or monthly, researchers said on Thursday.
By Agencies |
BARCELONA: New clinical data endorses the efficacy of UCB SA's experimental drug Cimzia given either fortnightly or monthly, researchers said on Thursday. Pivotal data from two studies presented at the annual European Congress of Rheumatology suggest its effectiveness is similar to three established rivals in the same class.
In both Phase III studies, significantly more patients had a 20 per cent reduction in symptoms when given injections of Cimzia plus the older drug methotrexate than those given methotrexate alone.
The higher 400 milligram dose of Cimzia also proved unnecessary, with people doing well on 200 mg.
Cimzia is Belgian pharmaceutical group UCB's biggest new drug hope. It was developed first as a treatment for Crohn's disease, a serious bowel disorder, but has suffered delays at the US Food and Drug Administration in that indication.
It belongs to a class of biotech drugs that block an inflammatory protein called tumour necrosis factor, or TNF.
The first of the TNF blockers were launched nearly 10 years ago and Cimzia will be fourth to market - behind Amgen's Enbrel, Johnson & Johnson's Remicade and Abbott Laboratories Inc's Humira.
UCB hopes it will still carve out a significant niche, helped by the fact it may be suitable for monthly use via an under-the-skin injection - an improvement on current treatments.
But some experts believe UCB will face an uphill struggle to differentiate its product.
The company aims to file Cimzia as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis with regulators by the end of 2007.
In both Phase III studies, significantly more patients had a 20 per cent reduction in symptoms when given injections of Cimzia plus the older drug methotrexate than those given methotrexate alone.
The higher 400 milligram dose of Cimzia also proved unnecessary, with people doing well on 200 mg.
Cimzia is Belgian pharmaceutical group UCB's biggest new drug hope. It was developed first as a treatment for Crohn's disease, a serious bowel disorder, but has suffered delays at the US Food and Drug Administration in that indication.
It belongs to a class of biotech drugs that block an inflammatory protein called tumour necrosis factor, or TNF.
The first of the TNF blockers were launched nearly 10 years ago and Cimzia will be fourth to market - behind Amgen's Enbrel, Johnson & Johnson's Remicade and Abbott Laboratories Inc's Humira.
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UCB hopes it will still carve out a significant niche, helped by the fact it may be suitable for monthly use via an under-the-skin injection - an improvement on current treatments.
But some experts believe UCB will face an uphill struggle to differentiate its product.
The company aims to file Cimzia as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis with regulators by the end of 2007.
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