Bimekizumab Demonstrated Long-Term Maintenance of Complete or Almost Complete Skin Disease Resolution for Psoriasis Patients in BE ABLE 2 Extension Study

- 80 to 100% of BE ABLE 1 responders maintained a response of at least 90% disease improvement (PASI90) over 60 weeks with bimekizumab

- These positive results mark the longest-term data to date demonstrating durable PASI90/PASI100 outcomes to 60 weeks with investigational molecule bimekizumab, which potently and selectively neutralizes both IL-17A and IL-17F, two key pro-inflammatory cytokines

- UCB is validating these positive Phase 2b results with ongoing Phase 3 comparative studies of bimekizumab in psoriasis, and is studying it in other disease areas, including psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis

BRUSSELS, March 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, presented positive data from the Phase 2b BE ABLE extension study of bimekizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis, which showed nearly all BE ABLE 1 responders completing 60 weeks of bimekizumab treatment maintained complete or almost complete skin clearance. The results are the longest-term data so far investigating bimekizumab and further highlight the potential value of the molecule's unique dual mechanism of action, which potently and selectively neutralizes IL-17F in addition to IL-17A, two key cytokines driving inflammatory processes. Findings were presented at a late breaker session at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting (AAD) in Washington, DC.

"The long-term results observed in the BE ABLE 2 Phase 2b study suggest the meaningful difference that IL-17F inhibition, along with IL-17A inhibition, can make for psoriasis patients who need significant, long-term skin clearance," said Andrew Blauvelt, MD, MBA, an investigator in the trial and President of Oregon Medical Research Center in Portland, Oregon. "The results add to a growing body of evidence supporting the molecule's unique dual neutralization of both IL-17A and IL-17F cytokines across multiple inflammatory diseases, suggesting exciting potential."

"Despite recent advances in therapy, psoriasis patients still have profound unmet needs. Many patients do not experience long-term symptom resolution, and they often have limited confidence in long-term treatments. The positive results and rapid development of bimekizumab in psoriasis reflect UCB's dedication to connecting scientific innovation with greater patient value," said Emmanuel Caeymaex, Head of Immunology and Executive Vice President at UCB.