UCB's Cimzia meets in Phase III for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

UCB S.A. (Euronext:UCB) reported in May that Cimzia certolizumab pegol met the primary endpoint in the Phase III C-AXSPAND trial to treat non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. Cimzia significantly improved the proportion of patients achieving an Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score major improvement (ASDAS-MI), defined as a 2-point improvement on the scale, at week 52 vs. placebo (47.2% vs. 7%). Cimzia also met the secondary endpoint of a greater proportion of patients achieving an Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society 40 (ASAS40) response at week 12 vs. placebo.

The double-blind, international trial enrolled 317 adults with active axial spondyloarthritis without X-ray evidence of ankylosing spondylitis. Patients also had evidence of inflammatory disease, defined as sacroiliitis on MRI and/or elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and an inadequate response, contraindication or intolerance to at least two NSAIDs...