Real-World Data and Ongoing Research Into Bimekizumab-bkzx

Jeffrey Stark, MD, vice president, head of medical immunology, UCB, highlighted the additional evidence being generated on bimekizumab-bkzx (Bimzelx; UCB) through ongoing clinical trials, real-world data projects, and pediatric studies.

Stark hinted at exploring bimekizumab-bkzx's potential in other IL-17–driven autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. He also discussed addressing unmet needs through significant research and development investment, underscoring an exciting pipeline of therapies for conditions like lupus and atopic dermatitis.

This transcript has been lightly edited; captions were auto-generated.

Transcript

Is bimekizumab-bkzx (Bimzelx) being investigated for other indications that you can discuss at this time?

That's a great question. We actually have quite a lot going on in terms of additional evidence generation for Bimzelx. Some of that is through the continuation of the clinical trial programs, and so those are continuing. For example, this year we will see 3-year data in the rheumatology indications of psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis, and 5-year data for psoriasis. It is exciting to be able to share the very long-term efficacy and safety profile of the drug, but we recognize that clinical trials don't answer all of the questions of the community.

The other big effort that is underway in the area of evidence generation for Bimzelx is in developing a body of real-world data. We recognize that in a real-world setting, there are complexities that don't happen in a clinical trial, but those complexities reflect more the experience that a real patient in a real clinic has, and so those data are important. We've launched a number of projects, both outside of the US and within the US, that are helping to generate some of that real-world data about Bimzelx.

Now to get to your final question, we are committed to pediatric programs, and some of those are getting underway as we speak. We recognize that these diseases that we've been talking about don't only occur in adults; they occur in pediatric patients as well. Developing a body of data that speaks to that need is important also, and those studies are underway.

Then, perhaps, I'll just hint at the fact that IL-17 is an important driver of inflammation in many autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. Those certainly extend beyond the five indications that Bimzelx has today. While I'm not free to share details just yet, we are very actively exploring a number of those conditions and thinking about if there is potential in those other disease states that are driven by IL-17A and [IL-17]F for a medication like bimekizumab to provide value.

What are some approaches to addressing unmet patient needs, and what can we expect from research and development efforts in the future?

I think just to say that UCB is really committed to unmasking need and meeting that in a way that's novel. For some years now, UCB has invested very heavily in research and development, putting back a very large percentage, actually a unique percentage of revenue, into research and development.

I think it's very exciting to see that investment over many years prior beginning to yield fruit. UCB has an exciting pipeline that extends beyond Bimzelx to medications that are targeting other disease states, like systemic lupus, for example, like atopic dermatitis, areas where we still perceive unmet need, and the opportunity to bring new solutions.

Just another topic on which I would say, stay tuned, because that pipeline and that investment in research and development over years, I am looking forward to it continuing to bear fruit for the patients who need those solutions.