Bimekizumab for treating axial spondyloarthritis

Bimekizumab (Bimzelx, UCB Pharma) is indicated for the treatment of:

• 'adults with active non‑radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation as indicated by elevated C‑reactive protein (CRP) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) who have responded inadequately or are intolerant to non-steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)' and

• 'adults with active ankylosing spondylitis who have responded inadequately or are intolerant to conventional therapy'.

The dosage schedule is available in the summary of product characteristics for bimekizumab.

The list price of bimekizumab is £2,443 per 320‑mg (2×160‑mg prefilled syringes) dose (excluding VAT; BNF online accessed August 2023).

The company has a commercial arrangement. This makes bimekizumab available to the NHS with a discount. The size of the discount is commercial in confidence. It is the company's responsibility to let relevant NHS organisations know details of the discount.