Bimekizumab well tolerated, efficacious over three years in axial spondyloarthritis

09 Jul 2026, 22:40 · Medical Xpress

by Elana Gotkine

edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

Gaby Clark

Scientific Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process

Andrew Zinin

Chief Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process Editors' notes

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

peer-reviewed publication

reputable news agency

proofread

The GIST Add as preferred source

For patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), bimekizumab, a dual interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F inhibitor, is well tolerated over three years, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Rheumatology.

Xenofon Baraliakos, M.D., from Ruhr University Bochum in Germany, and colleagues reported the long-term safety and efficacy of bimekizumab across the full disease spectrum of axSpA over three years. A total of 574 patients completing week 52 of the BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2 phase 3 studies entered an open-label extension and continued receiving bimekizumab 160 mg every four weeks.

The researchers found that 90.4% of patients had one or more treatment-emergent adverse events. The exposure-adjusted incidence rate (EAIR) per 100 person-years was 9.4 for fungal infection (mostly Candida infections, 5.3), and 0.5 and 1.5 for inflammatory bowel disease and uveitis, respectively. There were no major adverse cardiovascular events or deaths.

In the third year, EAIRs, including those for Candida infections, were generally the lowest. Two-year efficacy with bimekizumab was sustained through three years. Overall, 57.0% achieved Axial Spondyloarthritis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) low disease activity (<2.1) at week 164, including 28.7% who achieved ASDAS inactive disease (<1.3). Sustained improvements in the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores resulted from bimekizumab treatment, and there was sustained control of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) inflammation to week 164.

"Patients across the full disease spectrum of axSpA demonstrated sustained clinical efficacy with dual IL-17A and IL-17F inhibition, including in remission and HRQoL outcomes over three years, underpinned by sustained suppression of MRI inflammation," the authors write.

Publication details

Xenofon Baraliakos et al, Bimekizumab Long-Term Safety and Efficacy Across the Spectrum of Axial Spondyloarthritis Over 3 Years: Results from Two Phase 3 Studies, The Journal of Rheumatology (2026). DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2026-0113

Journal information: Journal of Rheumatology.

Key medical concepts

bimekizumab

Clinical categories

RheumatologyClinical pharmacology Who's behind this story?

Gaby Clark

MA in English, copy editor since 2021 with experience in higher education and health content. Dedicated to trustworthy science news. Full profile →

Andrew Zinin

Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →

Citation: Bimekizumab well tolerated, efficacious over three years in axial spondyloarthritis (2026, July 9) retrieved 9 July 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-bimekizumab-tolerated-efficacious-years-axial.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.