UCB to present new data on Cimzia at ACG annual scientific meeting

UCB, a leading biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of immunology treatment and research, will present new data on Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting, taking place in Washington D.C. from October 28 to November 2.  

"Cimzia data presented this year at ACG highlights the role that inflammatory biomarkers may play in increasing the understanding of the progression of Crohn's disease and improving treatment," said William Sandborn, MD, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA.  "This growing body of evidence indicates that we should further examine the role of biomarkers in Crohn's disease and the use of Cimzia as a treatment to manage moderate to severe Crohn's disease."

Cimzia is indicated for reducing the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease and maintaining clinical response in adult patients with moderately to severely active disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.  Individuals with moderate to severe Crohn's disease can experience painful symptoms that interfere with daily life such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, rectal bleeding and high fevers.

Following is a guide to Cimzia research being exhibited during ACG.  Posters will be presented at various times from Sunday, October 30 to Monday, October 31, 2011.

Inflammatory Biomarkers and Clinical Remission in Patients with Active Crohn's Disease: Results from PRECiSE 2

• In Crohn's disease (CD) patients receiving Cimzia (CZP), high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and fecal calprotectin coincide with lower remission rates.  Additionally, high CRP, with or without high fecal calprotectin, may be associated with lower CZP plasma concentrations.  These findings suggest that high CRP or high fecal calprotectin levels at baseline may be useful in predicting long-term remission and indicate that further work on understanding normalization of biomarkers in CD by adjusting anti-TNF therapy is warranted.  
• Poster 712, October 31, 12:45 – 2:15 pm, Prince Georges Exhibit Hall

Baseline C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Plasma Anti-TNF Concentration in Patients with Active Crohn's Disease Treated with Certolizumab Pegol (CZP)

• In patients with active CD, a trend toward lower plasma CZP levels at week six was observed in patients with high baseline CRP levels.  This finding suggests that further studies can help clarify the relationship between CZP and CRP.  
• Poster 280, October 30, 3:30 – 7:00 pm, Prince Georges Exhibit Hall

Antibodies Against Certolizumab Pegol (CZP), Plasma Concentrations of CZP, and Efficacy in Patients with Crohn's Disease Receiving Continuous CZP Therapy With or Without Concomitant Immunosuppressants

• The presence of anti-CZP antibodies was evaluated in patients in the PRECiSE 2 and PRECiSE 3 studies who received continuous CZP therapy over 52 weeks with and without concomitant immunosuppressants.  Concomitant immunosuppressants at baseline were associated with low rates of anti-CZP antibody formation in patients with CD receiving continuous therapy with CZP.
• Poster 713, October 31, 12:45 – 2:15 pm, Prince Georges Exhibit Hall

Formation of Autoantibodies in Patients with Moderate to Severe Crohn's Disease, Receiving Continuous and Interrupted Certolizumab Pegol (CZP) Therapy With or Without Concomitant Immunosuppressants  

• The rate of anti-nuclear antibodies and anti-double stranded DNA antibody formation was low in patients with active CD receiving continuous or interrupted CZP therapy over 52 weeks, regardless of concomitant immunosuppressants use at baseline.  
• Poster 726, October 31, 12:45 – 2:15 pm, Prince Georges Exhibit Hall

Following is a guide to additional Cimzia presentations at ACG:

• Fecal Calprotectin Concentration and Clinical Remission in Patients with Active Crohn's Disease Treated with Certolizumab Pegol: Results from PRECiSE 1
• Poster 282, October 30, 3:30 – 7:00 pm, Prince Georges Exhibit Hall
• Fecal Calprotectin Concentration and Clinical Response to Certolizumab Pegol in Patients with Active Crohn's Disease: Results from PRECiSE 2
• Poster 711, October 31, 12:45 – 2:15 pm, Prince Georges Exhibit Hall
• Use of Certolizumab Pegol in the Management of Acute Extraintestinal Manifestations of Active Crohn's Disease
  • Poster 740, October 31, 12:45 – 2:15 pm, Prince Georges Exhibit Hall