Sustained Efficacy of Bimekizumab in Psoriatic Arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

Oct 05, 2023 4:05 pm

BE OPTIMAL trial tested the benefits of a dual IL-17 A/F inhibitor, bimekizumab (BKZ), in patients with active psoriatic arthritis and showed superior efficacy over placebo, that was sustained beyond the primary endpoint, from week 16 to 52.

Here, we report long-term efficacy and safety to Week 52. 852 were randomised and 90.4% completed Week 52.

ACR50 responses at week 16 (DBRPCT portion of the trial) were:

Placebo 10%
BKX 44%
ADA 46%

ACR 50 clinical efficacy was sustained out to week 52:

BKZ: 54.5%
ADA: 50%

PASI 90 skin responses at week 52 were:

BKZ 71.4%
ADA 60.3%

Safety events at week 52 were similar in all arms, with serious AEs in 6.6% of BKZ. Mucocutaneous Candida infections were seen in 7.7% of BKZ and 0.7% of ADA treated patients.

The efficacy of BKZ in bDMARD-naïve patients with PsA was sustained from Week 16 to Week 52. BKZ was well tolerated with no new safety signals observed.

Bimekizumab treatment in biologic DMARD-naïve patients with active psoriatic arthritis: 52-week efficacy and safety results from the phase III, randomised, placebo-controlled, active reference BE OPTIMAL study