UCB presents positive Phase IIb data for dual IL17 blocker bimekizumab

Belgian drugmaker UCB (Euronext Brussels: UCB) has presented striking Phase IIb data for its experimental therapy bimekizumab, an IL17 blocker, at the ongoing European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) congress in Amsterdam.

Data from the trial show that treatment with the antibody, which inhibits both IL17A and IL17F, led to clinically meaningful improvements in disease outcome measures for patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

The primary outcome was to assess the impact according to the commonly-used ASAS40 measure. The results showed a significant dose-response for ASAS40 at different dosing levels, with a greater percentage of patients responding after 12 weeks at 16mg (29.5%), 64mg (42.6%), 160mg (46.7%), and 320mg (45.9%), compared with placebo (13.3%).