Bimzelx (Bimekizumab) - New biologic treatment approved for psoriasis in Scotland

Bimzelx (Bimekizumab) has been recommended for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults in Scotland.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has published its decision to recommend the biologic medicine, Bimzelx (also known by its generic name, Bimekizumab), as a treatment for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in Scotland. This brings Scotland in line with England and Wales where the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved Bimzelx for the treatment of psoriasis in September 2021.

Bimzelx may be prescribed to adult patients who have not responded to standard systemic therapies (including ciclosporin, methotrexate and phototherapy), or who cannot tolerate these treatments.

How does Bimzelx work?

Bimzelx is the first biologic treatment to block the activity of both interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 17F (IL-17F), chemical 'messengers' in the immune system which signal other cells to cause inflammation. In people with psoriasis, the immune system is overactive and creates too much inflammation, which leads to the development of psoriasis symptoms. By blocking IL-17A and IL-17F, Bimzelx aims to prevent some of that inflammation from occurring, leading to an improvement in psoriasis for some people who take it.

How is Bimzelx used?

Bimzelx is taken as an injection under the skin. It is taken once every four weeks, until week 16, after which it is taken every eight weeks. 

People taking Bimzelx will need to have regular blood tests. Depending on your local area these will be arranged either by your dermatology team or by your GP to monitor general health whilst on the treatment.

For more information on Bimzelx, please get in touch with us.