Certolizumab pegol

Certolizumab pegol (CDP870, tradename Cimzia) is a therapeutic monoclonal antibody produced by UCB for the treatment of Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Method of action
Certolizumab pegol is a monoclonal antibody directed against tumor necrosis factor alpha. More precisely, it is a PEGylated Fab' fragment of a humanized TNF inhibitor monoclonal antibody.

Clinical trials
Positive results have been demonstrated in two phase III trials (PRECiSE 1 and 2) of certolizumab pegol versus placebo in moderate to severe active Crohn's disease. In addition, data from both trials suggest it is well-tolerated. As yet its efficacy has not been directly compared to other anti-TNF-α agents.

Preliminary results of the RAPID 1 and 2 phase III studies were also reportedly positive.

Legal status
On April 22, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cimzia for use in the United States for the treatment of Crohn's disease in people who did not respond sufficiently or adequately to standard therapy.

On June 26, 2009, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) issued a positive opinion recommending that the European Commission grant a marketing authorisation for Cimzia for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis only - the CHMP refused approval for the treatment of Crohn's disease. The marketing authorisation was granted to UCB Pharma SA on October 1, 2009.