Bimekizumab cost effective treatment option for psoriatic arthritis

In a recent study from the Swedish healthcare system perspective, assessed the cost-effectiveness of Bimekizumab, a novel inhibitor of IL-17F and IL-17A, for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The outcomes of the study were published in The Journal of Medical Economics. This chronic inflammatory disease affects the joints and skin, and finding cost-effective treatments is crucial. 

The study, conducted using a Markov model, simulated the clinical journey of PsA patients who were either new to biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) or had prior experience with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi). The research took a lifetime perspective, considering various factors, including the achievement of specific treatment responses, changes in disability index scores, and drug costs.

Results from this comprehensive analysis indicated that Bimekizumab outperformed several other treatments in terms of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). In bDMARD-naïve patients, Bimekizumab showed greater QALYs compared to most treatments, except for infliximab. It also proved to be cost-effective when compared to various treatments, with the exception of adalimumab biosimilar. In TNFi-experienced patients, Bimekizumab led to higher QALYs compared to all comparators except certolizumab pegol and was cost-effective against numerous other treatments, including IL-17A, IL-23, and JAK inhibitors.

Despite some limitations in the study, such as the use of network meta-analysis for effectiveness estimates, the research provides valuable insights into the cost-effectiveness of Bimekizumab in treating PsA. Notably, Bimekizumab demonstrated its cost-effectiveness in Sweden, making it a promising option for patients, especially those with prior TNFi exposure.

The findings of the study have significant implications for PsA patients and healthcare systems in Sweden, suggesting that Bimekizumab may offer an effective and economically viable treatment option. As Psoriatic Arthritis continues to affect individuals globally, cost-effective and efficient treatment solutions are essential. Bimekizumab's success in this study paves the way for potential changes in PsA treatment strategies, offering newfound hope for patients in Sweden and beyond.

Source:

Sigurdardottir, V., Engstrom, A., Berling, P., Olofsson, T., Oldsberg, L., Sadler, S., Parra-Padilla, D., Melis, L., & Willems, D. (2023). Cost-effectiveness analysis of bimekizumab for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in Sweden. In Journal of Medical Economics (Vol. 26, Issue 1, pp. 1190–1200). Informa UK Limited. https://doi.org/10.1080/13696998.2023.2259609