CHMP recommends Cimzia (UCB) for Psoriatic Arthritis

UCB announced that the European Medicines Agency�s (EMA�s) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has 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 active Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA).

PsA is a chronic, inflammatory condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in and around the joints and tendons and usually occurs in combination with psoriasis. In most people with PsA, psoriasis develops before joint problems. When hands and feet are affected in PsA, nail changes can occur as well as swelling in the fingers and toes (dactylitis). PsA affects an estimated 24 in 10,000 people and affects up to 30% of psoriasis patients. It usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. The long-term burden of PsA is substantial with over half of patients developing progressive, erosive disease with functional impairment.

The positive opinion follows the EMA�s review of data from the RAPID-PsA study, an on-going, Phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of certolizumab pegol in patients with adult onset active and progressive PsA.