Simponi

Simponi is available as pre-filled pens and syringes containing a solution for injection under the skin. The recommended dose depends on the disease Simponi is used to treat and the response of the patient.

Simponi can only be obtained with a prescription and treatment must be initiated and supervised by a qualified doctor who has experience in the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases that Simponi is used to treat. After training, patients may inject themselves with Simponi if their doctor agrees.

For more information about using Simponi, see the package leaflet or contact your doctor or pharmacist.

The active substance in Simponi, golimumab, is a monoclonal antibody. A monoclonal antibody is an antibody (a type of protein) that has been designed to recognise and attach to a specific structure (called an antigen) that is found in the body. Golimumab has been designed to attach to and block a substance in the body called tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a). This substance is involved in causing inflammation and is found at high levels in patients with the diseases that Simponi is used to treat. By blocking TNF-a, golimumab reduces the inflammation and other symptoms of these diseases.

Simponi has been shown to be effective at reducing the number and severity of symptoms in patients with the conditions for which it is authorised.

Rheumatoid arthritis

For rheumatoid arthritis, Simponi was compared with placebo (a dummy treatment) in three studies involving 1,542 patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, including patients who had not received or responded adequately to other treatments.

In the first study, in which patients were also given methotrexate, after 14 weeks, 55% patients who received Simponi (49 out of 89) achieved 20% reductions compared with 33% (44 out of 133) of patients who received placebo. This study also showed that patients who received Simponi had greater improvements in carrying out everyday tasks (such as dressing, eating and walking) after 24 weeks. In the second study, after 14 weeks, 35% of patients who received Simponi alone (54 out of 153) achieved 20% reductions in the number and severity of symptoms compared with 18% of patients who received placebo (28 out of 155). In the third study, in patients who had not been previously treated with either methotrexate or another anti-TNF-a, after 24 weeks, 40% of patients (64 out of 159) who received Simponi with methotrexate achieved 50% reductions compared with 29% of patients (47 out of 160) who received placebo and methotrexate. Data from X-rays taken before and after two years of treatment showed less joint damage in patients receiving Simponi than in those receiving placebo.

Psoriatic arthritis

For psoriatic arthritis, Simponi was compared with placebo over 24 weeks in one main study involving 405 patients who had not responded adequately to other treatments. Of the patients who received Simponi, 51% (74 out of 146) had 20% reductions in the number and severity of symptoms after 14 weeks, compared with 9% of patients who were given placebo (10 out of 113).

Ankylosing spondylitis

For ankylosing spondylitis, Simponi was compared with placebo over 24 weeks in one main study involving 356 patients who had not responded adequately to other treatments. Of the patients who received Simponi, 59% (82 out of 138) had 20% reductions in the number and severity of symptoms after 14 weeks, compared with 22% of patients who were given placebo (17 out of 78).

Axial spondyloarthritis

For non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, Simponi was compared with placebo over 16 weeks in one main study involving 198 patients who had the disease without evidence of ankylosing spondylitis but with signs of inflammation and who had not responded adequately to treatment with NSAIDs. Of the patients who received Simponi, 71% (69 out of 97) had 20% reductions in the number and severity of symptoms after 16 weeks, compared with 40% of patients who were given placebo (40 out of 100).

Ulcerative colitis

For ulcerative colitis, Simponi was compared with placebo in two main studies in patients who had not responded to or could not use other treatments. The first study, involving 1,065 patients, compared different doses of Simponi with placebo as induction treatment. The second study, involving 1,228 patients, compared Simponi 50 or 100 mg with placebo as maintenance treatment. The main measure of effectiveness was the number of patients who responded to treatment, based on the number and severity of symptoms. This was assessed after 6 weeks in the first study and after 54 weeks in the second study. In the first study, around 51% of patients receiving induction treatment with Simponi (starting at 200 mg) responded to treatment after 6 weeks, compared with around 30% of patients given placebo. In the second study, around 50% of patients receiving maintenance treatment with Simponi 100 mg and around 47% of those given Simponi 50 mg responded to treatment after 54 weeks, compared with around 31% of patients given placebo.

Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

For polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, 173 patients between 2 and 18 years old who had not responded adequately to treatment with methotrexate were treated for 12 weeks with Simponi and methotrexate. Of these patients, 87% of (151 out of 173) had 30% reduction in the number and severity of symptoms after 16 weeks. Treatment with Simponi and methotrexate was not compared with placebo or any other treatment. 

The most common side effects with Simponi are upper respiratory tract infections such as infections of the nose, throat or voice box. The most serious side effects include serious infections, such as sepsis (blood infection), pneumonia (lung infection), tuberculosis and infections due to fungi or yeasts, demyelinating disorders (disorders suggesting damage to the protective sheath around nerves, such as changes to vision and weak arms or legs), re-activation of hepatitis B (a disease of the liver due to infection with the hepatitis B virus), congestive heart failure (a heart disease), lupus-like syndrome, blood reactions, severe allergic reactions, vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), and lymphoma and leukaemia (types of cancer of the white blood cells). For the full list of side effects reported with Simponi, see the package leaflet.

Simponi must not be used in patients with tuberculosis, other severe infections, or moderate or severe heart failure (an inability of the heart to pump enough blood around the body). Due to an increased risk of infection, patients taking Simponi must be monitored closely for infections, including tuberculosis, during and for up to 5 months after treatment. For the full list of restrictions with Simponi, see the package leaflet.

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

Patients treated with Simponi must be given a reminder card that summarises the safety information about the medicine and when to seek medical advice. Patients should show this card when seeing a healthcare professional, so that they are aware that the patient is using Simponi.

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

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

Simponi received a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU on 1 October 2009.