Bimekizumab for psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disease, affecting 1% to 3% of the population in Western countries. Due to advances in the understanding of psoriasis pathogenesis, in particular, the role of the interleukin-23 (IL-23)/T-helper 17 (Th17) immune axis, highly effective, targeted biologic therapies have been developed, shifting the psoriasis treatment paradigm. However, some patients do not respond or lose response to these novel therapies. Bimekizumab is a first-in-class humanized monoclonal immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody that potently and selectively inhibits both IL-17A and IL-17F, functioning as a dual inhibitor. All bimekizumab studies have shown high efficacy in psoriasis patients. Its onset of response was rapid and sustained for periods up to 60 weeks. In active-comparator trials to date, bimekizumab was superior to adalimumab (BE SURE), ustekinumab (BE VIVID) and secukinumab (BE RADIANT). It has demonstrated a consistent safety profile and high tolerability. The most common adverse events were largely restricted to mucosal candidiasis. Dual inhibition of IL-17A and IL-17F with bimekizumab showed to be a highly effective treatment for psoriasis, and the product is already approved for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in Europe, Canada and Japan.

Keywords: Anti-interleukin-17 (IL-17) agents; Autoimmune diseases; Bimekizumab; Dermatological disorders; Monoclonal antibodies; Psoriasis.