UCB Australia's Bimzelx (bimekizumab) is now listed on the PBS for the treatment of patients with severe chronic plaque psoriasis.
The drug is approved by the TGA for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.
Bimekizumab is the first approved psoriasis treatment that is designed to selectively and directly inhibit IL-17A and IL-17F, two key cytokines driving inflammatory processes.
Dr John Frew, Staff Specialist Dermatologist, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, and Senior lecturer, University of NSW, explained, "the pathogenesis of psoriasis involves inflammation driven by cytokines IL-17A and IL-17F".
Current psoriasis therapies only target IL-17A, leaving unopposed activation of IL-17F resulting in suboptimal clinical control, Frew added.
"Bimekizumab is the first dual IL-17A and IL-17F monoclonal antibody with proven efficacy in plaque psoriasis," he added.
"The availability of bimekizumab on the PBS will be a significant benefit for Australians suffering from plaque psoriasis and its comorbidities."
Bimekizumab's approval was based on the efficacy and safety data from the phase three plaque psoriasis clinical trial.
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