Cimzia(R) Provides Long-Term Efficacy with Stable Dosing in Crohn...( Data on Newly-Approved Cimzia(R) Pre...),Health

Data on Newly-Approved Cimzia(R) Presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW)

SAN DIEGO, May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB announced today that data presented at Digestive Disease Week reaffirm the long-term, sustainable efficacy and safety of Cimzia(R) (certolizumab pegol) at stable doses in treating patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease. Data also showed continued remission amongst the majority of responders and the remission rate remained stable in many of the patients who were re-induced with Cimzia(R). These results represent data from the PRECiSE trial program, which evaluated more than 1,300 patients receiving continuous treatment with Cimzia(R) (400 mg) for up to 18 months.

"The long-term Cimzia(R) data provide very important information for clinical practitioners treating people with Crohn's disease," said study investigator Gary R. Lichtenstein, M.D., professor of medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa. "In clinical trials, Cimzia(R) showed remarkable and sustainable long-term results without the need for dose escalation. Further, patients can achieve long-term symptom relief and remission regardless of the magnitude and rapidity of onset of the initial response."

Cimzia(R) is the first and only PEGylated anti-TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha) antibody approved for reducing signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease and maintaining clinical response in adult patients with moderate to severe active disease who have an inadequate response to conventional therapy. Cimzia(R) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 22, 2008.

UCB, the manufacturer of Cimzia(R), presented analyses of the PRECiSE 3 and 4 open-label extension studies, which demonstrated the long-term efficacy of Cimzia(R) in treating Crohn's disease. PRECiSE 3 data showed that eight out of ten patients who were in remission at six months stayed in remission for up to 18 months. Furthermore, 35 percent of pat
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