Bimzelx

Bimzelx can only be obtained with a prescription, and it should be used under the supervision of a doctor experienced in diagnosing and treating psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis.

Bimzelx is available as an injection in pre-filled syringes or pen injectors. It is given as an injection under the skin.

For plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis accompanying plaque psoriasis, the patient has two injections once every four weeks for 16 weeks. After that, injections are usually given every eight weeks. For psoriatic arthritis alone and axial spondyloarthritis, the patient has one injection every four weeks.

The doctor may decide to stop the treatment if these conditions do not improve after 16 weeks.

Patients can inject Bimzelx themselves once they have been trained to do so. For more information about using Bimzelx, see the package leaflet or contact your doctor or pharmacist.

The active substance in Bimzelx, bimekizumab, is a monoclonal antibody, a protein designed to attach to interleukins IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-17AF, which are messenger molecules in the body’s immune system (the body’s natural defences). High levels of these interleukins have been shown to be involved in developing inflammatory diseases caused by the immune system, such as plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis. By attaching to these interleukins, bimekizumab prevents them from interacting with their receptors (targets) within the body, which reduces inflammation and improves the symptoms related to these diseases.

Plaque psoriasis

Three main studies showed that Bimzelx was effective in treating adult patients with moderate‑to‑severe plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis improved to a greater extent in patients treated with Bimzelx than in those treated with placebo (a dummy treatment) or with two other medicines for psoriasis (ustekinumab or adalimumab).

In the three studies involving 1,480 patients in total, around 85 to 91% of those receiving Bimzelx every four weeks achieved a reduction of about 90% in PASI scores (a measure of psoriasis severity and affected skin area) after 16 weeks. This compares with 1 to 5% of patients receiving placebo (in two of the studies), 50% of those receiving ustekinumab (in one of the studies), and 47% of those receiving adalimumab (in one of the studies).

Also, 84 to 93% of patients receiving Bimzelx had clear or nearly clear skin after 16 weeks, compared with 1 to 5% of patients receiving placebo, 53% of patients receiving ustekinumab and 57% of patients receiving adalimumab.

Psoriatic arthritis

In two main studies of around 1,100 patients with psoriatic arthritis, including patients who were taking methotrexate, Bimzelx was effective at reducing symptoms as measured using a standard metric known as ACR50. Patients achieving an ACR50 response have at least a 50% improvement in symptoms scores for joint pain and swelling.

Taken together, the results from the two studies showed that 44% of patients treated with Bimzelx achieved a ACR50 response after 16 weeks compared with 9% of those treated with placebo (a dummy treatment).

Axial spondyloarthritis

Two main studies in patients with axial spondyloarthritis showed that Bimzelx was effective at reducing symptoms as measured using a standard metric known as ASAS40 after 16 weeks. Patients achieving an ASAS40 response have at least a 40% improvement in scores for symptoms such as pain and inflammation.

In one of the studies, which involved 254 patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, 48% of patients treated with Bimzelx achieved an ASAS40 response compared with 21% of patients treated with placebo (a dummy treatment).

In the second study which involved 332 patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, 45% of patients treated with Bimzelx achieved an ASAS40 response compared with 23% of patients treated with placebo.

The most common side effects with Bimzelx are upper respiratory tract infections (nose and throat infection), which may affect more than 1 in 10 people, and oral candidiasis (thrush, a fungal infection in the mouth or throat), which may affect up to 1 in 10 people.

The medicine must not be given to patients with a significant ongoing infection, such as active tuberculosis. For the full list of side effects and restrictions with Bimzelx, see the package leaflet.

Studies have shown that Bimzelx is an effective treatment for patients with moderate‑to‑severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis. The positive effects of the medicine were maintained with continued use for up to one year. The side effects were in line with other similar medicines, with the most important side effect being nose and throat infections, as well as candidiasis (a yeast [fungal] infection) in the mouth or throat.

The European Medicines Agency therefore decided that Bimzelx’s benefits are greater than its risks, and it can be authorised for use in the EU

Recommendations and precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and patients for the safe and effective use of Bimzelx have been included in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet.

As for all medicines, data on the use of Bimzelx are continuously monitored. Suspected side effects reported with Bimzelx are carefully evaluated and any necessary action taken to protect patients.

Bimzelx received a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU on 20 August 2021.

Further information on Bimzelx can be found on the Agency’s website: ema.europa.eu/medicines/human/EPAR/bimzelx.

This overview was last updated in 06-2023.