Bimzelx (Bimekizumab) - NICE approves new biologic for psoriasis

Bimzelx (Bimekizumab) has been recommended for the treatment of severe psoriasis in adults in England and Wales.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published its decision to recommend the biologic medicine, Bimzelx (also known by its generic name, Bimekizumab), to treat severe plaque psoriasis in adults in England and Wales.

Bimzelx may be prescribed if:

• The person's psoriasis is severe, as defined by a total Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) of 10 or more and a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) of more than 10 and;
• The person's psoriasis has not responded to other systemic treatments, (including ciclosporin, methotrexate and phototherapy), or they cannot tolerate these treatments.

This decision makes Bimzelx the first medicine to be approved through NICE’s new Expedited Low-Risk Fast Track Appraisal (FTA) process which aims to speed up approvals for innovative new medicines following delays in NICE's guidance production caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bimzelx was also granted marketing authorisation by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in August 2021 as an option for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy.

How does Bimzelx work?

Bimzelx is the first biologic treatment to block the activity of both interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 17F (IL-17F), chemical 'messengers' in the immune system which signal other cells to cause inflammation. In people with psoriasis, the immune system is overactive and creates too much inflammation, which leads to the development of psoriasis symptoms. By blocking IL-17A and IL-17F, Bimzelx aims to prevent some of that inflammation from occurring, leading to an improvement in psoriasis for some people who take it.

How is Bimzelx used?

Bimzelx is taken as an injection under the skin. It is taken once every four weeks, until week 16, after which it is taken every eight weeks. 

People taking Bimzelx will need to have regular blood tests. Depending on your local area these will be arranged either by your dermatology team or by your GP to monitor general health whilst on the treatment.

For more information on Bimzelx, please get in touch with us.

Article first published on 2nd August 2021 and last updated on 1st September 2021.