UCB gets expanded FDA approval for psoriasis drug Bimzelx

UCB (OTCPK:UCBJY) (OTCPK:UCBJF) said it has received FDA approval for its drug Bimzelx for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis, active ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, or nr-axSpA, with objective signs of inflammation.

The drug, also known as bimekizumab-bkzx, is already approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Bimzelx is designed to selectively inhibit IL-17A and IL-17F, two key cytokines that drive inflammation processes, according to a statement.

Bimzelx will enter an increasingly crowded field of medications to treat psoriatic arthritis. Other drugs used to treat the condition include Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) Remicade, Stelara, Tremfya and Simponi; AbbVie’s (ABBV) Humira, Rinvoq and Skyrizi; Amgen’s (AMGN) Otezla and Enbrel; Novartis’ (NVS) Cosentyx; Bristol Myers’ (BMY) Orencia; Pfizer’s (PFE) Xeljanz; and Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Taltz. Several of the drugs are also used to treat ankylosing spondylitis or nr-AxSpA.

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics (MLTX) is also working on an IL-17 inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis, according to its website.

Acelyrin (SLRN) announced in August that it was suspending additional investment in its drug candidate for psoriatic arthritis in order to focus on its lead drug asset.