UCB Announces FDA Acceptance of BLA Resubmission for Bimekizumab

Brussels (Belgium), 23 December 2022 – 07:00 (CET) – UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the Biologics License Application (BLA) resubmission for bimekizumab for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The FDA designated the resubmission as ‘Class 2’ with a six-month review period. The FDA action is expected in the second quarter of 2023. 

“The FDA acceptance of our resubmitted application for bimekizumab is positive news that moves us one step closer to providing the first dual IL-17A and IL-17F inhibitor to address the unmet needs of people with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in the U.S. We will continue to work with the FDA through the review process with the goal of bringing bimekizumab to the dermatology community in the U.S. as soon as possible,” said Emmanuel Caeymaex, Executive Vice President, Immunology Solutions and Head of U.S., UCB.

In November 2022, UCB announced resubmission of the BLA for bimekizumab, for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, following receipt of a complete response letter in May 2022. 

Notes to editors:

About bimekizumab

Bimekizumab is a humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody that is designed to selectively inhibit both interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 17F (IL-17F), two key cytokines driving inflammatory processes.¹

In the U.S., the efficacy and safety of bimekizumab have not been established for any indication and it is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In August 2021, bimekizumab was approved in the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) and in Great Britain, for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy.^2,3 In January 2022, bimekizumab received marketing authorization in Japan for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, generalized pustular psoriasis and psoriatic erythroderma in patients who are not sufficiently responding to existing treatments.⁴

In February and March 2022, bimekizumab received marketing authorization in Canada and Australia respectively, for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.^5,6  In July and October 2022, bimekizumab received marketing authorization in Saudi Arabia and Switzerland respectively, for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy.^7,8

BIMZELX^® ▼ (bimekizumab) EU/EEA Important Safety Information in Psoriasis²

The most frequently reported adverse reactions with bimekizumab were upper respiratory tract infections (14.5%) (most frequently nasopharyngitis) and oral candidiasis (7.3%). Common adverse reactions (≥1/100 to <1/10) were oral candidiasis, tinea infections, ear infections, herpes simplex infections, oropharyngeal candidiasis, gastroenteritis, folliculitis, headache, dermatitis and eczema, acne, injection site reactions and fatigue. Elderly may be more likely to experience certain adverse reactions such as oral candidiasis, dermatitis and eczema when using bimekizumab.

Bimekizumab is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients and in patients with clinically important active infections (e.g. active tuberculosis). 

Bimekizumab may increase the risk of infections. Treatment with bimekizumab must not be administered in patients with any clinically important active infection. Patients treated with bimekizumab should be instructed to seek medical advice if signs or symptoms suggestive of an infection occur. Prior to initiating treatment with bimekizumab, patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis (TB) infection. Bimekizumab should not be given in patients with active TB and patients receiving bimekizumab should be monitored for signs and symptoms of active TB. 

Cases of new or exacerbations of inflammatory bowel disease have been reported with bimekizumab. Bimekizumab is not recommended in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. If a patient develops signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease or experiences an exacerbation of pre-existing inflammatory bowel disease, bimekizumab should be discontinued and appropriate medical management should be initiated. Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions have been observed with IL-17 inhibitors. If a serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, administration of bimekizumab should be discontinued immediately and appropriate therapy initiated. 

Live vaccines should not be given in patients treated with bimekizumab.

Please consult the summary of product characteristics in relation to other side effects, full safety and prescribing information. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/bimzelx-epar-product-information_en.pdf

EU summary of product characteristics date of revision: December 2022.

Last accessed: December 2022.

▼ This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions. 

For further information, contact UCB: 

Investor Relations
Antje Witte
T +32.2.559.94.14 
email antje.witte@ucb.com 

Corporate Communications
Laurent Schots 
T +32.2.559.92.64 
email laurent.schots@ucb.com

Brand Communications
Eimear O’Brien
T +32.2.559.92.71
email eimear.obrien@ucb.com 

About UCB 
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With approximately 8,600 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of €5.8 billion in 2021. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCB_news.

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UCB is providing this information, including forward-looking statements, only as of the date of this press release and it does not reflect any potential impact from the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, unless indicated otherwise. UCB is following the worldwide developments diligently to assess the financial significance of this pandemic to UCB. 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. Glatt S, Helmer E, Haier B, et al. First-in-human randomized study of bimekizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody and selective dual inhibitor of IL-17A and IL-17F, in mild psoriasis. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2017;83(5):991–1001.                 
2. BIMZELX^® (bimekizumab) EU Summary of Product Characteristics, December 2022. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/bimzelx-epar-product-information_en.pdf. Last Accessed: December 2022.
3. BIMZELX^® (bimekizumab) GB Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/12834/smpc#gref Last Accessed: December 2022.
4. Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency. New Drugs Approved in FY 2021. https://www.pmda.go.jp/files/000246734.pdf. Last Accessed: December 2022.
5. BIMZELX^® (bimekizumab) Canada Product Monograph. Available at: https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00064702.PDF  Last Accessed: December 2022.   
6. Therapeutics Drug Administration Available at: https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/auspmd/bimzelx Last Accessed: December 2022
7. Saudi Food & Drug Authority https://www.sfda.gov.sa/en Last Accessed: December 2022.
8. Swissmedic Available at: https://www.swissmedic.ch/swissmedic/de/home/humanarzneimittel/authorisations/new-medicines/bimzelx-injlsg-fertigspritze-bimekizumabum.html Last Accessed: December 2022.