CIMZIA(R) (certolizumab pegol), Significantly Reduces Structural Damage and Rheumatoid Arthritis Signs & Symptoms for Up t...( Two Large Phase III Trials Co...),Health

Two Large Phase III Trials Confirm Robust Efficacy of CIMZIA

BOSTON, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB announced today the results of new Phase III data from the RAPID 1 and 2 studies presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting (ACR), which show CIMZIA(R) (certolizumab pegol), the first and only PEGylated Fc-free anti-TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor), given with methotrexate, is significantly more effective than methotrexate alone for the inhibition of progression of structural joint damage in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Also, CIMZIA combined with methotrexate was shown to significantly reduce the signs and symptoms of active RA compared with methotrexate alone for up to one year.

The RAPID 1 data show that CIMZIA, given every two weeks with methotrexate, is significantly more effective for the inhibition of the progression of structural joint damage compared with placebo plus methotrexate at both six and 12 months, as measured in change from mTSS(b) at baseline. Data from RAPID 2 confirm these results, showing that CIMZIA in combination with methotrexate is significantly more effective in inhibiting the progression of structural joint damage compared with placebo plus methotrexate at six months.

"These findings suggest that treatment with certolizumab pegol plus methotrexate can significantly inhibit structural joint damage, which is important for patients who do not respond effectively to methotrexate," explained Edward Keystone, M.D., Rheumatology Department at the University of Toronto. "The data show that certolizumab pegol may lessen debilitating damage and suggest that it has the potential to become an important therapeutic option for patients with RA."

In addition, another study demonstrated the efficacy of CIMZIA in the treatment of the signs and symptoms of RA as a monotherapy, administered every four weeks. "This potential flexibility in dosing could be important for patients," co
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