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FDA Approves Simponi Aria (golimumab) for the Treatment of Adults With Active Psoriatic Arthritis or Active Ankylosing Spondylitis

Horsham, Pa., October 20, 2017 ― Janssen Biotech, Inc., announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Simponi Aria (golimumab), the only fully-human anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha therapy administered via a 30-minute infusion, for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Today’s approvals follow the first FDA approval of Simponi Aria in 2013 for the treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The PsA and AS approvals are supported by comprehensive clinical development programs that demonstrated the significant efficacy of Simponi Aria over placebo, while offering a consistent safety profile across all indications. In the study for the treatment of active PsA, patients experienced improvement in joint symptoms and inhibition of structural damage. In the study for treatment of active AS, results showed improvement in measures of disease activity.

“There is a need for new treatment options for patients with psoriatic arthritis. The results of the Phase 3 study of intravenous (IV) golimumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis demonstrated significant and clinically important efficacy across various domains including the inhibition of structural damage,” said Arthur Kavanaugh, M.D., Professor of Medicine, University of California San Diego, and Chair of the GO-VIBRANT steering committee. “The approval of IV golimumab for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis brings an important new treatment option to patients, especially those who prefer IV administration, and offers one with a 30-minute infusion time.”

The approvals of Simponi Aria for PsA and AS are based on two large-scale, pivotal Phase 3 studies involving more than 600 patients. In both studies, the primary endpoints were met, with a higher proportion of patients demonstrating significant improvement in the signs and symptoms of PsA and AS in the groups receiving treatment with Simponi Aria compared with those receiving placebo. In the GO-VIBRANT (PsA) study, 75 percent of patients receiving Simponi Aria, compared with 22 percent of patients receiving placebo (P < 0.001), achieved at least a 20 percent improvement in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR20) response at week 14. Treatment with Simponi Aria resulted in the inhibition of the progression of structural joint damage and improvement in physical function associated with PsA at week 24. In the GO-ALIVE (AS) study, 73 percent of patients receiving Simponi Aria, compared with 26 percent of patients receiving placebo (P < 0.001), achieved at least a 20 percent improvement in the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society criteria (ASAS20) at week 16. ACR20 and ASAS20 are standard measures used to assess clinical improvement in PsA and AS, respectively.

“Ankylosing spondylitis is a disease that adversely affects quality of life and the choices for treating this disabling condition are limited; The approval of IV golimumab for the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis provides a welcomed new option,” said Atul Deodhar, M.D., Professor of Medicine at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, and Chair of the GO-ALIVE steering committee. “The GO-ALIVE Phase 3 study demonstrated the efficacy of IV golimumab in reducing the signs and symptoms of disease, as well as improving physical function and quality of life in patients.”

“Over the past 20+ years, Janssen has been pioneers in addressing the unmet needs of patients living with rheumatologic diseases like psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis,” said Andrew Greenspan, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs at Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC. “Simponi Aria has been helping patients with rheumatoid arthritis since its approval in 2013. With today’s FDA approvals, we are pleased to extend the benefits of Simponi Aria to adult patients living with active psoriatic arthritis or active ankylosing spondylitis. We know having all three indications is valuable to rheumatologists and for patients who prefer to have their treatment administered by their healthcare provider.”

Janssen will work with payers, providers and pharmacy benefit managers to ensure Simponi Aria is broadly accessible for patients and that the cost for payers is competitive with currently available biologic therapies for PsA and AS. The Janssen CarePath Savings Program offers an affordability option for Simponi Aria, where eligible commercial patients pay just $5 for each infusion for Simponi Aria medication costs. See full details and eligibility requirements here.

About GO-VIBRANT

The Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled GO-VIBRANT study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Simponi Aria in biologic-naïve adult patients with active PsA. Patients (n=480) were randomized one-to-one to receive Simponi Aria 2 mg/kg at weeks 0 and 4, and then every 8 weeks thereafter or placebo at weeks 0, 4, 12 and 20 with crossover to Simponi Aria at week 24. Patients who were on stable doses of methotrexate (MTX) were allowed to enroll in the study and remained on MTX during the double-blind phase. The primary endpoint was ACR20 response at week 14. Multiplicity-controlled endpoints at week 14 or 24 included ACR50, ACR70, at least a 75 percent improvement in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI 75) and change from baseline in Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), enthesitis, dactylitis, van der Heijde Sharps (vdH-S) and Short Form (SF)-36 Physical Component (PC)/Mental Component (MC) scores. The study continued through 60 weeks.

About GO-ALIVE

The Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled GO-ALIVE study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Simponi Aria in adult patients with active AS. Patients (n=208) were randomized one-to-one to receive Simponi Aria 2 mg/kg at weeks 0 and 4, and then every 8 weeks thereafter or placebo at weeks 0, 4 and 12, with crossover to Simponi Aria at week 16. The primary endpoint was ASAS20 response at week 16. Multiplicity-controlled endpoints at week 16 included ASAS40, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI50), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), ASAS partial remission, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL), and SF-36 PC/MC scores. The study continued through 60 weeks.

About Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by both joint inflammation and the skin lesions associated with psoriasis.[1],[2] It is estimated that at least one million Americans are living with PsA, and up to 30 percent of patients living with psoriasis can develop PsA.[3] The disease causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints and commonly appears between the ages of 30 and 50, but can develop at any time.[1] Though the exact cause of PsA is unknown, genes, the immune system and environmental factors are all believed to play a role in the onset of the disease.[1]

About Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease of the axial skeleton, affecting the sacroiliac joints and the spine. AS frequently also causes enthesitis, which is inflammation where ligaments and muscles attach to bones, most commonly those within the spine. It is the primary disease in a group of arthritis-related diseases known as spondyloarthritis.[4] It is estimated that 700,000 people in the U.S. are living with AS.[5] Peripheral joint involvement (in particular, hips and shoulders) can occur. Other organs can also be involved, including the eyes (uveitis), heart and aorta, and lungs. The disease affects men more often than women and typically manifests in early adulthood.[6] In contrast to mechanical low back pain, low back pain and stiffness with AS worsen after a period of rest or upon waking up in the morning and improve after exercise, a hot bath or a shower.[6]

About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies

At the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, we are working to create a world without disease. Transforming lives by finding new and better ways to prevent, intercept, treat and cure disease inspires us. We bring together the best minds and pursue the most promising science. We are Janssen. We collaborate with the world for the health of everyone in it. Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/JanssenUS or https://twitter.com/JanssenGlobal.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Biotech, Inc. and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success for new products or new indications; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2017, including under “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” its most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including in the section captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither Janssen Biotech, Inc. nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

References

Source: Janssen Biotech, Inc.

Posted: October 2017

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• Simponi Aria (golimumab) Approved by the FDA for Active Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Extension of Its Active Psoriatic Arthritis Indication in Patients 2 Years of Age and Older - September 30, 2020
• Simponi Aria (golimumab) for Infusion Receives FDA Approval for Treatment of Moderately to Severely Active Rheumatoid Arthritis - July 19, 2013

Simponi Aria (golimumab) FDA Approval History

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