The move has clinicians and support groups excited about what this means for patients.
Bimekizumab (Bimzelx, UCB Australia) is now available on the PBS for select patient groups.
Pharmaceutical company UCB Australia has today announced that bimekizumab, a selective interleukin inhibitor, has been added to the PBS for patients living with severe psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis.
Professor Stephen Hall, who was involved in the clinical trial process for bimekizumab, said he was looking forward to getting to use the drug in a broader group of real-world patients with inflammatory arthritic conditions.
“Adults living with PsA and axSpA often experience a range of severe symptoms affecting their quality of life, including swollen and stiff joints, chronic pain and irreversible structural damage and having affordable access to alternative treatment options is key in managing their condition,” the Melbourne-based rheumatologist said in a statement.
“The PBS reimbursement of [bimekizumab] potentially provides a valuable new treatment option for patients.”
Seth Ginsberg, president of CreakyJoints Australia, was thrilled by the decision.
“Timely and equitable access to new treatment options is crucial for patients managing these debilitating conditions. Psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis not only cause chronic pain and mobility issues but also significantly impact quality of life.
“We applaud the inclusion of [bimekizumab] on the PBS and remain dedicated to supporting patients through innovative treatments and comprehensive care. It is a significant step forward in addressing the unmet needs of this community and offering hope for a better future.”
In May the TGA approved bimekizumab, a selective inhibitor of interleukin 17F, 17A and 17AF cytokines, for use in psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis (including non-radiographic axSpA and ankylosing spondylitis) where patients had displayed inadequate response or been intolerant to previous treatments.
PBAC approval was granted on the back of a series of phase III clinical studies (BE OPTIMAL, BE COMPLETE, BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2) that found bimekizumab, which works by targeting cytokines involved in promoting inflammatory responses, was safe and effective in adults with active PsA and axSpA over four months.
The most commonly reported side effects during these studies were upper respiratory tract infections, oral candidiasis, ear infections and oral herpes. The drug should not be used in patients with signs of clinically important active infections.
