FDA Accepts Supplemental Biologics License Applications for BIMZELX® (bimekizumab-bkzx) for Moderate-to-Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Additional 2mL Device Presentations
- Positive results from Phase 3 studies for moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa treatment.
- FDA acceptance of sBLA for BIMZELX and 2mL device presentations.
- Expansion of treatment options for patients with IL-17–mediated diseases.
- Approval of 2mL device presentations would provide a more convenient one-injection regimen option for patients.
- Consistent safety profile of BIMZELX observed in previous studies.
- None.
- Application in moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa based on results from two Phase 3 studies where BIMZELX® (bimekizumab-bkzx) showed clinically meaningful improvements vs. placebo at Week 16 which were sustained to Week 48
- Application for the additional BIMZELX 2mL device presentations aims to provide more options to optimize the individual patient experience
"We are excited to share progress on our FDA applications. The most recent sBLA seeks approval for BIMZELX in moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa, and is aligned to our goal of expanding the reach of BIMZELX to more patients living with IL-17–mediated diseases," said Emmanuel Caeymaex, Executive Vice President, Immunology Solutions, and Head of
These new regulatory milestones represent two of five sBLAs accepted by the FDA for BIMZELX this year, following the previously announced applications in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). BIMZELX was approved in the
The sBLA in moderate-to-severe HS is supported by data from the Phase 3 BE HEARD I and BE HEARD II studies where BIMZELX demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in HiSCR50 vs. placebo at Week 16, the primary endpoint.2 A greater proportion of patients treated with BIMZELX vs. placebo also achieved HiSCR75 at Week 16, a key secondary endpoint.2 In addition, over 48 weeks, improvements increased for patients in these studies.2 The safety profile of BIMZELX was consistent with previous studies with no new safety signals observed.2
The sBLA for the additional device presentations seeks approval of BIMZELX 2mL safety syringe and 2mL autoinjector with the aim of providing a second option to the currently approved 1mL presentations.
Notes to editors:
About Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurring, painful, and debilitating inflammatory skin disease.3,4 The main symptoms are nodules, abscesses, and pus-discharging tunnels (channels leading out of the skin), which typically occur in the armpits, groin, and buttocks.3,4 People with HS experience flare-ups of the disease as well as severe pain, which can have a major impact on quality of life.3,4
HS most commonly develops in early adulthood and affects approximately one percent of the population in most studied countries.3,4 Approximately one-third of people with HS have a family history of HS, and lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity can also play a crucial role in the clinical course of HS.3,4
The symptoms of pain, discharge, and scarring are not only a physical burden. People with HS also experience stigma: worrying about or directly experiencing negative attitudes and reactions from society in response to their symptoms.5 These feelings can lead to embarrassment, social isolation, low self-esteem, and sexual life impairment, and impact all areas of life, including interpersonal relationships, education, and work.6
About BE HEARD I and BE HEARD II
BE HEARD I and BE HEARD II are randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, multicenter, Phase 3 studies designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bimekizumab in adults with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).7,8 The two studies had a combined enrollment of 1,014 participants with a diagnosis of moderate-to-severe HS. 7,8 The primary endpoint in both trials was HiSCR50 at Week 16. 7,8 A key secondary endpoint was HiSCR75 at Week 16. HiSCR50 and HiSCR75 are defined as at least either a 50 or 75 percent reduction from baseline in the total abscess and inflammatory nodule count, with no increase from baseline in abscess or draining tunnel count. 7,8
About BIMZELX (bimekizumab-bkzx)
Bimekizumab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-17AF cytokines, blocking their interaction with the IL-17RA/IL-17RC receptor complex.1
In the
BIMZELX is not approved in HS by any regulatory authority worldwide.
Please see Important Safety Information below and full
BIMZELX
Suicidal Ideation and Behavior
BIMZELX® (bimekizumab-bkzx) may increase the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior (SI/B). A causal association between treatment with BIMZELX and increased risk of SI/B has not been established. Prescribers should weigh the potential risks and benefits before using BIMZELX in patients with a history of severe depression or SI/B. Advise monitoring for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal ideation, or other mood changes. If such changes occur, advise to promptly seek medical attention, refer to a mental health professional as appropriate, and re-evaluate the risks and benefits of continuing treatment.
Infections
BIMZELX may increase the risk of infections. Do not initiate treatment with BIMZELX in patients with any clinically important active infection until the infection resolves or is adequately treated. In patients with a chronic infection or a history of recurrent infection, consider the risks and benefits prior to prescribing BIMZELX. Instruct patients to seek medical advice if signs or symptoms suggestive of clinically important infection occur. If a patient develops such an infection or is not responding to standard therapy, monitor the patient closely and do not administer BIMZELX until the infection resolves.
Tuberculosis
Evaluate patients for tuberculosis (TB) infection prior to initiating treatment with BIMZELX. Avoid the use of BIMZELX in patients with active TB infection. Initiate treatment of latent TB prior to administering BIMZELX. Consider anti-TB therapy prior to initiation of BIMZELX in patients with a past history of latent or active TB in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed. Closely monitor patients for signs and symptoms of active TB during and after treatment.
Liver Biochemical Abnormalities
Elevated serum transaminases were reported in clinical trials with BIMZELX. Test liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin at baseline, periodically during treatment with BIMZELX and according to routine patient management. If treatment-related increases in liver enzymes occur and drug-induced liver injury is suspected, interrupt BIMZELX until a diagnosis of liver injury is excluded. Permanently discontinue use of BIMZELX in patients with causally associated combined elevations of transaminases and bilirubin. Avoid use of BIMZELX in patients with acute liver disease or cirrhosis.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been reported in patients treated with IL-17 inhibitors, including BIMZELX. Avoid use of BIMZELX in patients with active IBD. During BIMZELX treatment, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of IBD and discontinue treatment if new onset or worsening of signs and symptoms occurs.
Immunizations
Prior to initiating therapy with BIMZELX, complete all age-appropriate vaccinations according to current immunization guidelines. Avoid the use of live vaccines in patients treated with BIMZELX.
Most Common Adverse Reactions
Most common adverse reactions (≥1 percent) are upper respiratory infections, oral candidiasis, headache, injection site reactions, tinea infections, gastroenteritis, Herpes Simplex Infections, acne, folliculitis, other Candida infections, and fatigue.
For further information, contact UCB:
Investor Relations
Antje Witte
T +32.2.559.94.14
email antje.witte@ucb.com
Erica Puntel
T +1.770.970.8465
email erica.puntel@ucb.com
About UCB
UCB,
Forward looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "seeks", "estimates", "may", "will", "continue" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial information, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions which might cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of UCB, or industry results, to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms or within expected timing, costs associated with research and development, changes in the prospects for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations, safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for products or product candidates, competition from other products including biosimilars, changes in laws or regulations, exchange rate fluctuations, changes or uncertainties in tax laws or the administration of such laws, and hiring and retention of its employees. There is no guarantee that new product candidates will be discovered or identified in the pipeline, will progress to product approval or that new indications for existing products will be developed and approved. Movement from concept to commercial product is uncertain; preclinical results do not guarantee safety and efficacy of product candidates in humans. So far, the complexity of the human body cannot be reproduced in computer models, cell culture systems or animal models. The length of the timing to complete clinical trials and to get regulatory approval for product marketing has varied in the past and UCB expects similar unpredictability going forward. Products or potential products, which are the subject of partnerships, joint ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to differences disputes between the partners or may prove to be not as safe, effective or commercially successful as UCB may have believed at the start of such partnership. UCB's efforts to acquire other products or companies and to integrate the operations of such acquired companies may not be as successful as UCB may have believed at the moment of acquisition. Also, UCB or others could discover safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products and/or devices after they are marketed. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of UCB's products that implicate an entire class of products may have a material adverse effect on sales of the entire class of affected products. Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic trends toward managed care and health care cost containment, including pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, and the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement activities and outcomes. Finally, a breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UCB's data and systems.
Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on any of such forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labelling in any market, or at any particular time, nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be or will continue to be commercially successful in the future.
UCB is providing this information, including forward-looking statements, only as of the date of this press release. UCB expressly disclaims any duty to update any information contained in this press release, either to confirm the actual results or to report or reflect any change in its forward-looking statements with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless such statement is required pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.
Additionally, information contained in this document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
References
1 BIMZELX® (bimekizumab-bkzx)
2. Zouboulis C. 2023, EADV 2023, Oral Presentation # 3262.
3. Jemec GBE. Clinical practice. Hidradenitis suppurativa. N Engl J Med. 2012;366(2):158-64.
4 Sabat R, Jemec GBE, Matusiak L, et al. Hidradenitis suppurativa. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020;6(18):1-20.
5. Koumaki D, Efthymiou O, Bozi E, et al. Perspectives on Perceived Stigma And Self-Stigma In Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:785–90.
6. Kokolakis G, Wolk K, Schneider-Burrus S, et al. Delayed Diagnosis of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Its Effect on Patients and Healthcare System. Dermatology. 2020;236:421–430.
7. ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Bimekizumab in Study Participants With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa (BE HEARD I). Accessed date: April 2024.
8. ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Bimekizumab in Study Participants With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa (BE HEARD II). https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04242498. Accessed date: April 2024.
US-BK-2400301
BIMZELX® is a registered trademark of the UCB Group of Companies. ©2024 UCB, Inc.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-accepts-supplemental-biologics-license-applications-for-bimzelx-bimekizumab-bkzx-for-moderate-to-severe-hidradenitis-suppurativa-and-additional-2ml-device-presentations-302107800.html
SOURCE UCB
FAQ
What positive results were shown in the Phase 3 studies for UCB's BIMZELX?
What regulatory milestone has the FDA accepted for UCB's BIMZELX?
What is the aim of the sBLA for the additional BIMZELX 2mL device presentations?
What other indications has BIMZELX been approved for in the U.S.?
What safety syringe and autoinjector options are being sought for approval in the sBLA for BIMZELX?
