UCB Group Release: Significant Phase III Results With CIMZIA(TM) In Rheumatoid Arthritis
ATLANTA, Feb. 23 -- UCB today announced key results of a Phase III study (RAPID 1) involving nearly 1,000 patients on CIMZIA(TM) (certolizumab pegol), the first PEGylated, Fc-free anti-TNF, intended for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RAPID 1's radiographic data showed that CIMZIA(TM) in combination with methotrexate prevented structural damage of the joints to a significantly greater degree than placebo plus methotrexate after one year of treatment.
RAPID 1 achieved its co-primary endpoint, the inhibition of progression of structural damage, with a statistically significantly smaller change from baseline in modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS)(a) observed at week 52 in both CIMZIA(TM) treatment arms (400mg at week zero, week two and week four followed by 200mg every two weeks; or 400mg every two weeks) compared with the placebo treated arm (p