A phase III study of BCD-055 compared with innovator infliximab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: 54-week results from the LIRA study

Rheumatol Int. 2019 Sep;39(9):1537-1546. doi: 10.1007/s00296-019-04359-9. Epub 2019 Jul 10.

Abstract

BCD-055 is a biosimilar of innovator infliximab (IFX). Here we present the 54-week results from phase 3 clinical study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to demonstrate the equivalent efficacy and safety of BCD-055 and IFX in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. 426 adults with active RA were enrolled. Patients were randomized into 2 study arms in 2:1 ratio to receive BCD-055 or IFX innovator in dose of 3 mg/kg at week 0, 2, 6 and then every 8 weeks up to week 54. Primary efficacy endpoint was the rate of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 response at week 14. The equivalence margin was set as 15%. Immunogenicity and safety were also assessed. Rate of ACR20 at week 14 in PP (Per-Protocol) population was 71.2% in BCD-055 group and 67.9% in IFX group. Difference in ACR20 rates between groups was 3.2% with 95% CI [- 7.0%; 13.5%] (р = 0.587). Throughout 54-week study period, both groups were characterized by similar rates of ACR20/50/70 response at all timepoints without significant differences (p > 0.05). The rates of adverse events (AE) were similar in groups (74.64% in BCD-055 arm vs 66.67% in IFX arm, p = 0.111). Antibodies to infliximab were detected in 28.46% patients for BCD-055 arm and 26.56% for IFX arm (p = 0.786). BCD-055 and IFX were comparable in efficacy (including radiographic progression), safety and immunogenicity throughout the 54-week study.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID, number NCT02762838.

Keywords: BCD-055; Biosimilar; Infliximab; Rheumatoid arthritis.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antirheumatic Agents / immunology
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / adverse effects
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / therapeutic use*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India
  • Infliximab / adverse effects
  • Infliximab / immunology
  • Infliximab / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Remission Induction
  • Republic of Belarus
  • Russia
  • Therapeutic Equivalency
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • BCD-055
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals
  • Infliximab

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02762838