CHMP recommends Cimzia for Axial Spondyloarthritis

UCB announced that the European Medicines Agency�s (EMA�s) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has on 20 September 2013 adopted a positive opinion recommending extending the European Union marketing authorization for the use of Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) in the treatment of adult patients with severe active Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA). AxSpA is a form of spondyloarthritis that affects mainly the spine and sacroiliac joints, and comprises both ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and axSpA without X ray evidence of AS (non-radiographic axSpA [nr-axSpA]) sub-groups. An approval for adult patients living with severe active axial spondyloarthritis would represent the second indication for Cimzia in countries of the European Union. In general, the European Commission follows the recommendations of the CHMP and usually delivers its final decision within two months of the CHMP recommendation.