Cimzia

Cimzia is the brand name of certolizumab pegol, a biological therapy used to treat several autoimmune inflammatory diseases. It is a pegylated Fab' fragment of a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). By neutralizing TNF-α, it reduces inflammatory activity. The molecule lacks an Fc region, which decreases certain immune effector functions and reduces placental transfer compared with full-length antibodies. Pegylation extends its circulating half-life, allowing less frequent dosing.

Cimzia is indicated for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, and Crohn's disease in adults, with pediatric Crohn's disease approved in some regions. It is administered by subcutaneous injection, usually after loading doses at weeks 0, 2, and 4, followed by maintenance injections every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the condition and response.

As with other TNF inhibitors, Cimzia carries risks of infections, including tuberculosis reactivation, and other serious infections. Common adverse effects include injection-site reactions and upper respiratory tract infections. Patients are screened for latent TB before starting therapy and monitored for signs of infection during treatment. Cautions include heart failure and demyelinating disorders; use in pregnancy should consider fetal exposure, though the absence of an Fc region limits placental transfer.

Cimzia was developed by UCB and received regulatory approvals in the United States and Europe for several inflammatory diseases beginning in the late 2000s and 2010s. It is supplied in prefilled syringes for self-administration or administration by a caregiver.