Bimekizumab for active psoriatic arthritis

Bimekizumab is in clinical development for the treatment of adults with psoriatic arthritis which is a type of chronic inflammatory arthritis affecting the joints and connective tissue and is associated with psoriasis of the skin or nails. Although the exact cause of the disease remains unknown, it is thought to occur as a result of the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissues around the joint and bones. Psoriatic arthritis can get progressively worse and may lead to the joints becoming permanently damaged or deformed. There is a need for further treatments for psoriatic arthritis which demonstrate clinically meaningful improvements in both musculoskeletal and skin outcomes.
Bimekizumab works by specifically targeting chemical messengers (cytokines) called interleukin 17A (IL17A) and interleukin 17F (IL17F). IL17A and IL17F amplify inflammatory responses. By neutralising these, bimekizumab reduces inflammation. Bimekizumab is administered by an injection under the skin (subcutaneous) every four weeks. If licenced bimekizumab will offer an additional treatment option for patients with active psoriatic arthritis.