Bimzelx Demonstrates Sustained Skin Clearance in Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Gennady

After five years of continued treatment with UCB’s Bimzelx (bimekizumab-bkzx), Phase III clinical trial data revealed that a majority of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (PSO) achieved sustained complete skin clearance, as measured by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 100 scores.¹

"A primary treatment goal for people living with psoriasis is durable, high rates of complete skin clearance. These five-year results for bimekizumab-bkzx provide valuable evidence for clinical decision-making," said Andrew Blauvelt, MD, MBA, chair, medical board, National Psoriasis Foundation, in a press release. "The sustained complete skin clearance offers important insights into the potential of bimekizumab-bkzx's dual inhibition to provide long-term management of this chronic inflammatory condition."

Among 153 individuals treated with Bimzelx who completed a five-year open-label extension study, 75.2% achieved PASI100 at one year and 67.7% achieved PASI100 at five years, while 92.8% achieved PASI90 at one year and 84.9% achieved PASI90 at five years.

Among patients with PSO at baseline, 68.7%–71.6% achieved PASI100 at three years, aligning with the broader study population. Among 420 patients weighing more than 198 lbs., 88.5% achieved PASI90 and 67.4% achieved PASI100 at four years, while in 351 patients under 198 lbs., 83% achieved PASI90 and 61.6% achieved PASI100 at four years.

The data also included results from 771 PSO patients with cardiometabolic comorbidities. Among 375 patients with baseline hypertension, 82.8% achieved PASI90 and 59.3% achieved PASI100 at four years. In 344 patients with baseline elevated BMI, 82.5% achieved PASI90 and 60.7% achieved PASI100 at four years, while in 62 patients with baseline hyperglycemia, 80.4% achieved PASI90 and 56.9% achieved PASI100 at four years.

According to UCB, patients who were at risk of progressing to psoriatic arthritis (PsA) achieved high rates of PASI100 after three years of treatment. Similar outcomes were observed in patients who had only psoriasis at baseline.¹

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, around eight million people in the United States are currently living with some form of psoriasis and 125 million people have psoriasis globally. Around 30% of patients with psoriasis will eventually develop PsA. Caucasians have a 3.6% prevalence rate compared to 1.5% for African Americans; however, the condition is highly likely to be underdiagnosed in African American patients as well as other patients of color due to differences in clinical presentation, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.

Onset of psoriasis is most common between 20 and 30 years of age and between 50 and 60 years of age, however, the condition can develop at any age. Annual health costs have been found to be greater than the general health population, possibly accounting for approximately $135 billion annually. Sixty percent of people with psoriasis have reported that it impacts their daily living.²

"Psoriasis is a chronic condition that increases the risk of developing other serious health issues," said Fiona du Monceau, EVP, head, patient evidence, UCB, in the press release. "These five-year results highlight the robust potential of bimekizumab-bkzx in transforming patient outcomes by offering the possibility of lasting, complete skin clearance. Bimekizumab-bkzx is aiming to set a new standard for treatment success, and our belief in its innovative dual inhibition approach is reflected in our dedication to head-to-head trials, including the BE BOLD Phase III trial in psoriatic arthritis."

These findings will be showcased in six posters at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, alongside additional data for hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.¹

References

1. BIMZELX® (bimekizumab-bkzx) Five-Year Data at AAD 2025 Showed Sustained Skin Clearance and Long-Term Efficacy in Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis. PR Newswire. March 7, 2025. Accessed March 7, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bimzelx-bimekizumab-bkzx-five-year-data-at-aad-2025-showed-sustained-skin-clearance-and-long-term-efficacy-in-moderate-to-severe-plaque-psoriasis-302395620.html

2. Psoriasis Statistics. NPS. Accessed March 7, 2025. https://www.psoriasis.org/psoriasis-statistics