UCB has announced positive topline results from its BE BOLD trial, the first head‑to‑head study in active psoriatic arthritis to demonstrate superiority of one licensed biologic therapy over an IL‑23 inhibitor. The phase 2 study compared bimekizumab with risankizumab in adults living with active psoriatic arthritis.
According to UCB, bimekizumab achieved statistically significant superiority in the ACR50 primary efficacy endpoint at Week 16.
The company noted that treatment was generally well tolerated, with no new safety signals observed during the 16‑week period. Bimekizumab is the first approved medicine to selectively inhibit both interleukin 17A and interleukin 17F.
Emmanuel Caeymaex, Executive Vice President, Head of Patient Evidence at UCB, said: “Our landmark BE BOLD study provides the first head-to-head evidence of superiority versus an IL-23 inhibitor in psoriatic arthritis.
“These topline results reinforce bimekizumab’s potential to deliver clinically meaningful improvements using the stringent ACR50 measure of disease activity, indicating more complete control of joint inflammation.”
He added: “BE BOLD represents the fourth head-to-head study demonstrating bimekizumab superiority, supporting physicians to make informed treatment decisions and advancing our ambitions to raise the standard of care for people living with psoriatic disease.”
The company said the findings add to a growing body of evidence for bimekizumab across immune‑mediated inflammatory diseases. UCB plans to submit the full BE BOLD results to an upcoming international congress.
