First Presentations of Phase 3 Data for Bimekizumab Across the Full Spectrum of Axial Spondyloarthritis to be Shared at EULAR 2022

• New data from BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2 show that bimekizumab achieved consistent improvements versus placebo in signs and symptoms across the full spectrum of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), including non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
• Treatment with bimekizumab delivered clinically meaningful efficacy outcomes in nr-axSpA and AS, as measured by the proportion of patients achieving the primary endpoint (ASAS40) and all ranked secondary endpoints versus placebo

Brussels (Belgium), 23 May 2022 – 08:30 am (CEST) – UCB, a global pharmaceutical company, today announced new 24-week data from two Phase 3 studies, BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2, evaluating bimekizumab in the treatment of active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). ^1,2 Both studies met their primary and all ranked secondary endpoints at week 16, with statistical significance, demonstrating improvements versus placebo in the signs and symptoms of disease across the full spectrum of axSpA with consistent outcomes for patients with nr-axSpA and patients with AS.^1,2 The safety profile of bimekizumab in both studies was consistent with safety data seen in previous studies with no new observed safety signals.^1,2  

UCB also announced today new post-hoc analyses from the open-label extension of the Phase 2b BE AGILE study, in which bimekizumab showed maintenance of clinical responses over three years in patients with active AS. ³ Data from all three studies will be presented at the European Congress of Rheumatology, EULAR 2022, in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 1–4. Bimekizumab is not approved for use in nr-axSpA or AS by any regulatory authority worldwide. The safety and efficacy of bimekizumab in nr-axSpA and AS have not been established.

“We are pleased to share the first detailed data from our Phase 3 clinical program of bimekizumab in non-radiographic axSpA and ankylosing spondylitis, which showcase the clinical potential of bimekizumab to improve patient outcomes across the full spectrum of this debilitating disease,” said Emmanuel Caeymaex, Executive Vice President, Immunology Solutions and Head of U.S., UCB. “People with axSpA often live with the condition for many years before diagnosis, with limited options available today to treat non-radiographic axSpA. We are driven to bring differentiated solutions that address unmet needs, and these results are an important step in our mission, setting the foundation for future regulatory discussions.”

BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2: Phase 3 Study Results (24 weeks)^1,2                                                            

In BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2, patients treated with bimekizumab (160 mg every 4 weeks [Q4W]) achieved statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in the signs and symptoms of axSpA, as defined by the primary endpoint measure of Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society 40 (ASAS40) at week 16 compared to placebo.^1,2  Response rates increased to week 24 and a rapid achievement of ASAS40 response was seen for patients switching from placebo to bimekizumab at week 16.^1,2

• BE MOBILE 1 (nr-axSpA): At week 16, 47.7 percent (n=61/128) of bimekizumab-treated patients achieved ASAS40 versus 21.4 percent (n=27/126) with placebo (p<0.001).¹
• BE MOBILE 2 (AS): At week 16, 44.8 percent (n=99/221) of bimekizumab-treated patients achieved ASAS40 versus 22.5 percent (n=25/111) with placebo (p<0.001).²

“Today’s findings from the BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2 studies provide clear evidence supporting the potential of bimekizumab in both nr-axSpA and AS, and highlight the meaningful clinical outcomes that can be achieved by targeting IL-17F in addition to IL-17A. Patients with nr-axSpA and AS have a similar burden of disease and a treatment that could potentially show consistent outcomes across the full spectrum of disease is encouraging,” said Professor Atul Deodhar, MD, MRCP, Professor of Medicine, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, U.S.

In both studies, at week 16, patients treated with bimekizumab achieved statistically significant improvements in all ranked secondary endpoints compared with placebo, including ASAS partial remission (ASAS-PR), disease activity as measured by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), physical function as measured by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and quality of life as measured by Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire.^1,2

BE MOBILE 1 (nr-axSpA):

• At week 16, 25.8 percent (n=33/128) of bimekizumab-treated patients achieved ASAS-PR versus 7.1 percent (n=9/126) of patients with placebo (p<0.001).¹
• At week 16, mean change from baseline in BASDAI (-3.1 bimekizumab versus -1.5 placebo, p<0.001).¹
• At week 16, mean change from baseline in BASFI (-2.5 bimekizumab versus -1.0 placebo, p<0.001).¹
• At week 16, mean change from baseline in ASQoL (-5.2 bimekizumab versus -2.5 placebo, p<0.001).¹

BE MOBILE 2 (AS):

• At week 16, 24.0 percent (n=53/221) of bimekizumab-treated patients achieved ASAS-PR versus 7.2 percent (n=8/111) of patients with placebo (p<0.001).²
• At week 16, mean change from baseline in BASDAI (-2.9 bimekizumab versus -1.9 placebo, p<0.001).²
• At week 16, mean change from baseline in BASFI (-2.2 bimekizumab versus -1.1 placebo, p<0.001).²
• At week 16, mean change from baseline in ASQoL (-4.9 bimekizumab versus -3.2 placebo, p<0.001).²

Other efficacy outcomes in BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2 included changes in Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) states, and changes in inflammation in the sacroiliac joints and spine as measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).^1,2 At the start of both studies, almost all patients (>97 percent) had high or very high disease activity.^1,2 At week 24, in both studies, approximately half of the patients treated with bimekizumab from the start of each study achieved ASDAS low disease activity defined as ASDAS<2.1.^1,2 Treatment with bimekizumab also resulted in substantial reductions in inflammation in the sacroiliac joints and spine for both AS and nr-axSpA patients at week 16.^1,2

Professor Désirée van der Heijde, Professor of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands, said, “Patients with axSpA live with a range of debilitating symptoms including chronic back pain and difficulties performing everyday tasks. These interim results from the BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2 studies are encouraging, showing that treatment with bimekizumab versus placebo improved signs and symptoms, reduced disease activity and inflammation, and improved physical function. We look forward to the 52-week results from these studies expected later this year.”

In BE MOBILE 1, the most common treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) over 16 weeks with bimekizumab were nasopharyngitis (9.4 percent), upper respiratory tract infection (7.0 percent) and oral candidiasis (3.1 percent).¹  In BE MOBILE 2, the most common TEAEs over 16 weeks were nasopharyngitis (7.7 percent), headache (4.1 percent) and oral candidiasis (4.1 percent).² Up to 16 weeks, the incidence of serious adverse events was low with bimekizumab in both studies (0 percent in BE MOBILE 1 and 1.8 percent in BE MOBILE 2).^1,2 In BE MOBILE 1, no cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were reported with patients taking bimekizumab.¹ In BE MOBILE 2, two IBD cases (0.9 percent) occurred in patients treated with bimekizumab.²

BE AGILE Phase 2b Open-Label Extension: 3 Year Study Results³

Post-hoc analyses of the Phase 2b BE AGILE study and its open-label extension showed that treatment with bimekizumab (160 mg Q4W) provided maintenance of clinical responses over three years (156 weeks) in patients with active AS who initially responded at week 12, and irrespective of the initial dosing regimen (160 mg Q4W, [N=60] or 320 mg Q4W, [N=61]).³ At week 12, 40.3 percent of patients had achieved low disease activity (ASDAS<2.1), and 89.2 percent of these patients maintained this low level of disease activity at week 156.³  Efficacy measured by ASAS40 response was also sustained over three years, with 47.1 percent of patients having achieved ASAS40 at week 12, 64.9 percent at week 48 and 71.9 percent at week 156.³