Cimzia
Generic name: certolizumab pegol
Treatment for: Crohn's Disease, Active, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Plaque Psoriasis, Ankylosing Spondylitis
UCB's meeting with U.S. FDA defines path forward for Cimzia in rheumatoid arthritis
No new studies required; UCB to submit the response for Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) in the second quarter of this year
Brussels (Belgium), 6th February, 2009 - 07:00 AM (CET) - UCB announced today that it met the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and clarified the requirements for the approval of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for Cimzia, the first PEGylated anti-TNF, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
During the meeting, the FDA communicated that they require further analysis of existing data and a new safety update. No additional studies (clinical or non-clinical) are needed to fulfill this request.
"UCB is working diligently with the FDA to fulfil its request and, due to the already rich database available for Cimzia in rheumatoid arthritis, we anticipate submitting the full response for Cimzia in the second quarter of this year," said Prof. Dr. Iris Loew-Friedrich, Chief Medical Officer of UCB.
In January this year, UCB received a Complete Response Letter from the FDA in connection with the Cimzia BLA. The BLA, accepted for filing and review in February 2008, was based on a clinical program conducted by UCB which included more than 2,300 patients, representing more than 4,000 patient years of experience and involved several multi-centre placebo-controlled Phase III trials.
On April 22, 2008, the FDA approved Cimzia for reducing the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease, and maintaining clinical response, in adult patients with moderate to severe active disease that have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. Cimzia is also approved in Switzerland for the induction of a clinical response, and for the maintenance of a clinical response and remission, in patients with active Crohn's disease who have not responded adequately to conventional treatment.
Cimzia is also undergoing active review by the European authorities for the treatment of RA.
For further information
Antje Witte, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, UCB
T +32.2.559.9414,antje.witte@ucb.com
Eric Miller, U.S. Corporate Communications, UCB
T +1.770.970.8569, eric.miller@ucb.com
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA is a progressive autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. It is estimated that five million people suffer from RA globally with 0.3 % to 1 % of the population in industrialized countries suffering from the disease. Women are three times more likely to be affected than men. Although it can affect people of all ages, the onset of RA usually occurs between the ages of 35-55.
Traditional treatments for RA include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), with biological therapies a more recent addition.
About Cimzia
Cimzia is the only PEGylated anti-TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor). Cimzia has a high affinity for human TNF-alpha, selectively neutralizing the pathophysiological effects of TNF-alpha. Over the past decade, TNF-alpha has emerged as a major target of basic research and clinical investigation. This cytokine plays a key role in mediating pathological inflammation, and excess TNF-alpha production has been directly implicated in a wide variety of diseases. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Cimzia for reducing signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease and maintaining clinical response in adult patients with moderate to severe active disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. Cimzia was approved in Switzerland for induction of a clinical response and for the maintenance of a clinical response and remission in patients with active Crohn's disease who have not responded adequately to conventional treatment in September 2007. UCB is also developing Cimzia in other autoimmune disease indications. Cimzia is a registered trademark of UCB PHARMA S.A.
About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative medicines with a focus in the fields of central nervous system and immunology disorders. Employing more than 10 000 people in over 40 countries, UCB aims to achieve revenues of at least EUR 3.3 billion in 2008. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).
Forward looking statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those that may be implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, effects of future judicial decisions, changes in regulation, exchange rate fluctuations and hiring and retention of its employees.
Posted: February 2009
Related articles
- FDA Approves Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) for the Treatment for Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis - March 29, 2019
- UCB Announces the Approval of Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) for Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis - May 28, 2018
- Cimzia Approved by FDA for Treatment of Adults with Active Ankylosing Spondylitis - October 18, 2013
- FDA Approves Cimzia for Treatment of Adult Patients with Active Psoriatic Arthritis - September 30, 2013
- U.S. FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee Votes On Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) For Treatment of Adults with Active Axial Spondyloarthritis, Including Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis - July 24, 2013
- UCB's Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) Approved by the U.S. FDA for Adult Patients Suffering From Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis - May 13, 2009
- UCB Receives Complete Response Letter from U.S. FDA for Use of Cimzia in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients - January 5, 2009
- Cimzia Approved in the US for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Crohn's Disease - April 22, 2008
- FDA Agrees to Review Cimzia File for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis - February 6, 2008
- UCB Provides Update on Cimzia for Crohn's Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis in the US - March 23, 2007
- UCB Submits Biologics License Application to FDA for New Treatment in Crohn's Disease - March 2, 2006
Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) FDA Approval History
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.