Cimzia plus MTX inhibits joint damage in RA

Belgian drugmaker UCB reported positive new Phase III data from the RAPID 1 and 2 studies at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting, held in Boston, on Cimzia (certolizumab pegol). This first and only PEGylated Fc-free anti-tumor necrosis factor, when given with methotrexate, is significantly more effective than MTX alone for the inhibition of progression of structural joint damage in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, it said. Also, Cimzia combined with methotrexate was shown to significantly reduce the signs and symptoms of active RA compared with methotrexate alone for up to one year.

The RAPID 1 data show that Cimzia, given every two weeks with methotrexate, is significantly more effective for the inhibition of the progression of structural joint damage compared with placebo plus MTC at both six and 12 months, as measured in change from modified Total Sharp Score at baseline. Data from RAPID 2 confirm these results, showing that Cimzia in combination with MTX is significantly more effective in inhibiting the progression of structural joint damage compared with placebo plus MTX at six months, the firm noted.