Get your patient on Simponi (Golimumab)

SIMPONI, in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.

SIMPONI, alone or in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.

SIMPONI is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.

SIMPONI is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 15 kg with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis .

Prior to initiating treatment with SIMPONI:

• Evaluate patients for active tuberculosis and test for latent infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
• Test patients for hepatitis B viral infection.
• If possible, complete all age-appropriate vaccinations according to current immunization guidelines [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] .

The recommended SIMPONI dosage in adults is 50 mg administered by subcutaneous injection once a month.

For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), SIMPONI should be given in combination with methotrexate and for patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or ankylosing spondylitis (AS), SIMPONI may be given with or without methotrexate or other nonbiologic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs). For patients with RA, PsA, or AS, corticosteroids, non-biologic DMARDs, and/or NSAIDs may be continued during treatment with SIMPONI.

The recommended dosage is shown in Table 1.

SIMPONI is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of a healthcare provider after proper training in subcutaneous injection technique. Patients may self-inject with SIMPONI if a physician determines that it is appropriate. Instruct patients to follow the directions provided in the Instructions for Use.

SIMPONI Prefilled Syringe

• Adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older may self-inject with SIMPONI prefilled syringe.

SIMPONI SmartJect ^® Autoinjector

• Adult patients may self-inject with SIMPONI SmartJect ^® autoinjector.
• Use of the SmartJect ^® autoinjector for pediatric self-administration has not been evaluated.

• To ensure proper use, allow the prefilled syringe or autoinjector to sit at room temperature outside the carton for at least 30 minutes prior to subcutaneous injection. Do not warm SIMPONI in any other way.

• Prior to administration, visually inspect the solution for particles and discoloration through the viewing window. SIMPONI is clear to slightly opalescent and colorless to light yellow. Do not use SIMPONI, if the solution is discolored, or cloudy, or if foreign particles are present.

• Do not use any leftover product remaining in the prefilled syringe or prefilled autoinjector.

• Instruct patients sensitive to latex not to handle the needle cover on the prefilled syringe or the needle cover of the prefilled syringe within the autoinjector cap because it contains dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex).

• At the time of dosing, if multiple injections are required, administer the injections at different sites on the body.

• Rotate injection sites and never give injections into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard.

• If a dose is missed, administer the dose as soon as possible. Thereafter, resume dosing at the regular scheduled time.

In the Phase 3 trials in RA, PsA, and AS, there were no overall differences in SAEs, serious infections, and AEs in SIMPONI-treated patients ages 65 or older (N=155) compared with younger SIMPONI-treated patients. Clinical studies of SIMPONI in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently than younger adult patients. Because there is a higher incidence of infections in the geriatric population in general, caution should be used in treating geriatric patients with SIMPONI [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.5) ] .

Patients treated with SIMPONI are at increased risk for developing serious infections involving various organ systems and sites that may lead to hospitalization or death.

Opportunistic infections due to bacterial, mycobacterial, invasive fungal, viral, or parasitic organisms including aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, legionellosis, listeriosis, pneumocystosis, and tuberculosis have been reported with TNF blockers. Patients have frequently presented with disseminated rather than localized disease. The concomitant use of a TNF blocker and abatacept or anakinra was associated with a higher risk of serious infections; therefore, the concomitant use of SIMPONI and these biologic products is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6 , 5.7) and Drug Interactions (7.2) ] .

Treatment with SIMPONI should not be initiated in patients with an active infection, including clinically important localized infections. Patients greater than 65 years of age, patients with co-morbid conditions and/or patients taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids or methotrexate may be at greater risk of infection. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment prior to initiating SIMPONI in patients:

• with chronic or recurrent infection;
• who have been exposed to tuberculosis;
• with a history of an opportunistic infection;
• who have resided or traveled in areas of endemic tuberculosis or endemic mycoses, such as histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, or blastomycosis; or
• with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection.

Malignancies, some fatal, have been reported among children, adolescents, and young adults who received treatment with TNF-blocking agents (initiation of therapy ≤ 18 years of age), of which SIMPONI is a member. Approximately half the cases were lymphomas, including Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The other cases represented a variety of malignancies, including rare malignancies that are usually associated with immunosuppression, and malignancies that are not usually observed in children and adolescents. The malignancies occurred after a median of 30 months (range 1 to 84 months) after the first dose of TNF-blocker therapy. Most of the patients were receiving concomitant immunosuppressants. These cases were reported postmarketing and are derived from a variety of sources, including registries and spontaneous postmarketing reports.

The risks and benefits of TNF-blocker treatment, including SIMPONI, should be considered prior to initiating therapy in patients with a known malignancy other than a successfully treated nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) or when considering continuing a TNF-blocker in patients who develop a malignancy.

In the controlled portions of clinical trials of TNF blockers, including SIMPONI, more cases of lymphoma have been observed among patients receiving anti-TNF treatment compared with patients in the control groups. During the controlled portions of the Phase 2 trials in RA, and the Phase 3 trials in RA, PsA and AS, the incidence of lymphoma per 100 patient-years of follow-up was 0.21 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.77) in the combined SIMPONI group compared with an incidence of 0 (95% CI: 0, 0.96) in the placebo group. In the controlled and uncontrolled portions of these clinical trials in 2347 SIMPONI-treated patients with a median follow-up of 1.4 years, the incidence of lymphoma was 3.8-fold higher than expected in the general U.S. population according to the 1964–2004 data from SEER database (adjusted for age, gender, and race). Through Week 60 of the UC trials, there were no cases of lymphoma with SIMPONI. Patients with RA and other chronic inflammatory diseases, particularly patients with highly active disease and/or chronic exposure to immunosuppressant therapies, may be at higher risk (up to several fold) than the general population for the development of lymphoma, even in the absence of TNF-blocking therapy. Cases of acute and chronic leukemia have been reported with TNF-blocker use, including SIMPONI, in rheumatoid arthritis and other indications. Even in the absence of TNF-blocker therapy, patients with rheumatoid arthritis may be at a higher risk (approximately 2-fold) than the general population for the development of leukemia.

Rare postmarketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) have been reported in patients treated with TNF-blocking agents. This rare type of T-cell lymphoma has a very aggressive disease course and is usually fatal. Nearly all of the reported TNF blocker associated cases have occurred in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. The majority were in adolescent and young adult males. Almost all these patients had received treatment with azathioprine (AZA) or 6-mercaptopurine (6–MP) concomitantly with a TNF blocker at or prior to diagnosis. The potential risk with the combination of AZA or 6-MP and SIMPONI should be carefully considered. A risk for the development for hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma in patients treated with TNF blockers cannot be excluded.

During the controlled portions of the Phase 2 trial in RA, and the Phase 3 trials in RA, PsA and AS, the incidence of malignancies other than lymphoma per 100 patient-years of follow-up was not elevated in the combined SIMPONI group compared with the placebo group. In the controlled and uncontrolled portions of these trials, the incidence of malignancies, other than lymphoma, in SIMPONI-treated patients was similar to that expected in the general U.S. population according to the 1969–2004 SEER database (adjusted for age, gender, and race). In the 6-week placebo-controlled portions of the SIMPONI Phase 2/3 clinical trials in UC, the incidence of non-lymphoma malignancies (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) was similar between the SIMPONI and the placebo group. Through Week 60, the incidence of non-lymphoma malignancies (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) was similar to the general U.S. population according to the 1969–2004 SEER database (adjusted for age, gender, and race). Short follow-up periods, such as those of one year or less in the studies above, may not adequately reflect the true incidence of malignancies .

It is not known if SIMPONI treatment influences the risk for developing dysplasia or colon cancer. All patients with ulcerative colitis who are at increased risk for dysplasia or colon carcinoma (for example, patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis), or who had a prior history of dysplasia or colon carcinoma should be screened for dysplasia at regular intervals before therapy and throughout their disease course. This evaluation should include colonoscopy and biopsies per local recommendations. In patients with newly diagnosed dysplasia treated with SIMPONI, the risks and benefits to the individual patient must be carefully reviewed and consideration should be given to whether therapy should be continued.

Melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma have been reported in patients treated with TNF-blocking agents, including SIMPONI. Periodic skin examination is recommended for all patients, particularly those with risk factors for skin cancer.

In controlled trials of other TNF blockers in patients at higher risk for malignancies (e.g., patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], patients with Wegener's granulomatosis treated with concomitant cyclophosphamide) a greater portion of malignancies occurred in the TNF-blocker group compared to the controlled group. In an exploratory 1-year clinical trial evaluating the use of 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg of SIMPONI in 309 patients with severe persistent asthma, 6 patients developed malignancies other than NMSC in the SIMPONI groups compared to none in the control group. Three of the 6 patients were in the 200 mg SIMPONI group.

Cases of worsening congestive heart failure (CHF) and new onset CHF have been reported with TNF blockers, including SIMPONI. Some cases had a fatal outcome. In several exploratory trials of other TNF blockers in the treatment of CHF, there were greater proportions of TNF-blocker-treated patients who had CHF exacerbations requiring hospitalization or increased mortality. SIMPONI has not been studied in patients with a history of CHF and SIMPONI should be used with caution in patients with CHF. If a decision is made to administer SIMPONI to patients with CHF, these patients should be closely monitored during therapy, and SIMPONI should be discontinued if new or worsening symptoms of CHF appear.

Use of TNF blockers, of which SIMPONI is a member, has been associated with rare cases of new onset or exacerbation of central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and peripheral demyelinating disorders, including Guillain-Barré syndrome. Cases of central demyelination, MS, optic neuritis, and peripheral demyelinating polyneuropathy have rarely been reported in patients treated with SIMPONI [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Prescribers should exercise caution in considering the use of TNF blockers, including SIMPONI, in patients with central or peripheral nervous system demyelinating disorders. Discontinuation of SIMPONI should be considered if these disorders develop.

The use of TNF blockers including SIMPONI has been associated with reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients who are chronic hepatitis B carriers (i.e., surface antigen positive). In some instances, HBV reactivation occurring in conjunction with TNF blocker therapy has been fatal. The majority of these reports have occurred in patients who received concomitant immunosuppressants.

All patients should be tested for HBV infection before initiating TNF-blocker therapy. For patients who test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, consultation with a physician with expertise in the treatment of hepatitis B is recommended before initiating TNF-blocker therapy. The risks and benefits of treatment should be considered prior to prescribing TNF blockers, including SIMPONI, to patients who are carriers of HBV. Adequate data are not available on whether antiviral therapy can reduce the risk of HBV reactivation in HBV carriers who are treated with TNF blockers. Patients who are carriers of HBV and require treatment with TNF blockers should be closely monitored for clinical and laboratory signs of active HBV infection throughout therapy and for several months following termination of therapy.

In patients who develop HBV reactivation, TNF blockers should be stopped and antiviral therapy with appropriate supportive treatment should be initiated. The safety of resuming TNF blockers after HBV reactivation has been controlled is not known. Therefore, prescribers should exercise caution when considering resumption of TNF blockers in this situation and monitor patients closely.

Treatment with TNF blockers, including SIMPONI, may result in the formation of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and, rarely, in the development of a lupus-like syndrome [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . If a patient develops symptoms suggestive of a lupus-like syndrome following treatment with SIMPONI, treatment should be discontinued.

In controlled trials, the concurrent administration of another TNF blocker and abatacept was associated with a greater proportion of serious infections than the use of a TNF blocker alone; and the combination therapy, compared to the use of a TNF blocker alone, has not demonstrated improved clinical benefit in the treatment of RA. Therefore, the combination of TNF blockers, including SIMPONI, and abatacept is not recommended [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ] .

Concurrent administration of anakinra (an interleukin-1 antagonist) and another TNF blocker was associated with a greater portion of serious infections and neutropenia and no additional benefits compared with the TNF-blocker alone. Therefore, the combination of anakinra with TNF blockers, including SIMPONI, is not recommended [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ] .

Care should be taken when switching from one biological product to another biological product since overlapping biological activity may further increase the risk of infection.

There have been reports of pancytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and thrombocytopenia in patients receiving golimumab. Caution should be exercised when using TNF blockers, including SIMPONI, in patients who have or have had significant cytopenias.

In postmarketing experience, serious systemic hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylactic reaction) have been reported following SIMPONI administration. Some of these reactions occurred after the first administration of SIMPONI. If an anaphylactic or other serious allergic reaction occurs, administration of SIMPONI should be discontinued immediately and appropriate therapy instituted.

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

The safety data described below are based on:

• Five pooled, randomized, double-blind, controlled Phase 3 trials in patients with RA, PsA, and AS (Trials RA-1, RA-2, RA-3, PsA, and AS) [see Clinical Studies (14.1 , 14.2 , and 14.3) ] . These 5 trials included 639 control-treated patients and 1659 SIMPONI-treated patients including 1089 with RA, 292 with PsA, and 278 with AS.
• Three pooled, randomized, double-blind, controlled Phase 2/3 in 1233 SIMPONI-treated adult patients with UC (Trials UC-1, UC-2, and UC-3 (NCT03596645)) [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] .
• An open-label trial in 69 SIMPONI-treated pediatric patients weighing at least 15 kg with UC (Trial UC-3) (NCT03596645) [see Clinical Studies (14.5) ] .

The proportion of adult patients who discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions in the controlled Phase 3 trials through Week 16 in RA, PsA and AS was 2% for SIMPONI-treated patients and 3% for placebo-treated patients. The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of SIMPONI in the controlled Phase 3 trials in RA, PsA and AS through Week 16 were sepsis (0.2%), alanine aminotransferase increased (0.2%), and aspartate aminotransferase increased (0.2%). The most common adverse drug reactions leading to discontinuation through Week 60 of the UC trials in adult patients who received SIMPONI induction and 100 mg during maintenance compared with patients who received SIMPONI induction and placebo during maintenance were tuberculosis (0.3% vs. 0.6%) and anemia (0.3% vs. 0%), respectively.

Upper respiratory tract infection and nasopharyngitis were the most common adverse reactions reported in the combined Phase 3 RA, PsA and AS trials in adults through Week 16, occurring in 7% and 6% of SIMPONI-treated patients as compared with 6% and 5% of control-treated patients, respectively.

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of golimumab. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to SIMPONI exposure.

Immune system disorders: Serious systemic hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylactic reaction) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] , sarcoidosis

Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified: Melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Interstitial lung disease

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders : Skin exfoliation, lichenoid reactions, rash, bullous skin reactions

For the treatment of RA, SIMPONI should be used with methotrexate (MTX) [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Since the presence or absence of concomitant MTX did not appear to influence the efficacy or safety of SIMPONI in the treatment of PsA or AS, SIMPONI can be used with or without MTX in the treatment of PsA and AS [see Clinical Studies (14.2 , 14.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

An increased risk of serious infections has been seen in clinical RA trials of other TNF blockers used in combination with anakinra or abatacept, with no added benefit; therefore, use of SIMPONI with abatacept or anakinra is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7 , 5.8) ] . A higher rate of serious infections has also been observed in RA patients treated with rituximab who received subsequent treatment with a TNF blocker. The concomitant use of SIMPONI with biologics approved to treat RA, PsA, or AS is not recommended because of the possibility of an increased risk of infection.

Live vaccines should not be given concurrently with SIMPONI [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] .

Therapeutic infectious agents should not be given concurrently with SIMPONI [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] .

Infants born to women treated with SIMPONI during their pregnancy may be at increased risk of infection for up to 6 months. Administration of live vaccines to infants exposed to SIMPONI in utero is not recommended for 6 months following the mother's last SIMPONI injection during pregnancy [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] .

The formation of CYP450 enzymes may be suppressed by increased levels of cytokines (e.g., TNFα) during chronic inflammation. Therefore, it is expected that for a molecule that antagonizes cytokine activity, such as golimumab, the formation of CYP450 enzymes could be normalized. Upon initiation or discontinuation of SIMPONI in patients being treated with CYP450 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index, monitoring of the effect (e.g., warfarin) or drug concentration (e.g., cyclosporine or theophylline) is recommended and the individual dose of the drug product may be adjusted as needed.

Golimumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to both the soluble and transmembrane bioactive forms of human TNFα. This interaction prevents the binding of TNFα to its receptors, thereby inhibiting the biological activity of TNFα (a cytokine protein). There was no evidence of the golimumab antibody binding to other TNF superfamily ligands; in particular, the golimumab antibody did not bind or neutralize human lymphotoxin. Golimumab did not lyse human monocytes expressing transmembrane TNF in the presence of complement or effector cells.

Elevated TNFα levels in the blood, synovium, and joints have been implicated in the pathophysiology of several chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. TNFα is an important mediator of the articular inflammation that is characteristic of these diseases. The exact mechanism by which golimumab treats ulcerative colitis is unknown. Golimumab modulated the in vitro biological effects mediated by TNF in several bioassays, including the expression of adhesion proteins responsible for leukocyte infiltration (E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, G-CSF and GM-CSF).

In clinical trials, decreases in C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were observed following SIMPONI administration in patients with RA, PsA, and AS.

The observed incidence of anti-drug antibodies (ADA) is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Differences in assay methods preclude meaningful comparisons of the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in the studies described below with the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in other studies, including those of golimumab or of other golimumab products.

Long-term animal studies of golimumab have not been conducted to evaluate its carcinogenic potential. Mutagenicity studies have not been conducted with golimumab. A fertility study conducted in mice using an analogous anti-mouse TNFα antibody administered by the intravenous route at doses up to 40 mg/kg once per week showed no impairment of fertility.

The efficacy and safety of SIMPONI were evaluated in 3 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trials (Trials RA-1, RA-2, and RA-3) in 1542 patients ≥ 18 years of age with moderately to severely active RA, diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, for at least 3 months prior to administration of trial agent. Patients were required to have at least 4 swollen and 4 tender joints. SIMPONI was administered subcutaneously at doses of 50 mg or 100 mg every 4 weeks. Double-blinded controlled efficacy data were collected and analyzed through Week 24. Patients were allowed to continue stable doses of concomitant low dose corticosteroids (equivalent to ≤ 10 mg of prednisone a day) and/or NSAIDs and patients may have received oral MTX during the trials.

Trial RA-1 evaluated 445 patients who were previously treated (at least 8 to 12 weeks prior to administration of trial agent) with one or more doses of a biologic TNF blocker without a serious adverse reaction. Patients may have discontinued the biologic TNF blocker for a variety of reasons. Patients were randomized to receive placebo (N=150), SIMPONI 50 mg (N=147), or SIMPONI 100 mg (N=148). Patients were allowed to continue stable doses of concomitant MTX, sulfasalazine (SSZ), and/or hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) during the trial. The use of other DMARDs including cytotoxic agents or other biologics was prohibited.

Trial RA-2 evaluated 444 patients who had active RA despite a stable dose of at least 15 mg/week of MTX and who had not been previously treated with a biologic TNF blocker. Patients were randomized to receive background MTX (N=133), SIMPONI 50 mg + background MTX (N=89), SIMPONI 100 mg + background MTX (N=89), or SIMPONI 100 mg monotherapy (N=133). The use of other DMARDs including SSZ, HCQ, cytotoxic agents, or other biologics was prohibited.

Trial RA-3 evaluated 637 patients with active RA who were MTX naïve and had not previously been treated with a biologic TNF blocker. Patients were randomized to receive MTX (N=160), SIMPONI 50 mg + MTX (N=159), SIMPONI 100 mg + MTX (N=159), or SIMPONI 100 mg monotherapy (N=159). For patients receiving MTX, MTX was administered at a dose of 10 mg/week beginning at Week 0 and increased to 20 mg/week by Week 8. The use of other DMARDs including SSZ, HCQ, cytotoxic agents, or other biologics was prohibited.

The primary endpoint in Trial RA-1 and Trial RA-2 was the percentage of patients achieving an ACR 20 response at Week 14 and the primary endpoint in Trial RA-3 was the percentage of patients achieving an ACR 50 response at Week 24.

In Trials RA-1, RA-2, and RA-3, the median duration of RA disease was 9.4, 5.7, and 1.2 years and 99%, 75%, and 54% of the patients used at least one DMARD in the past, respectively. Approximately 77% and 57% of patients received concomitant NSAIDs and low dose corticosteroids, respectively, in the 3 pooled RA trials.

The safety and efficacy of SIMPONI were evaluated in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 405 adult patients with moderately to severely active PsA (≥ 3 swollen joints and ≥ 3 tender joints) despite NSAID or DMARD therapy (Trial PsA). Patients in this trial had a diagnosis of PsA for at least 6 months with a qualifying psoriatic skin lesion of at least 2 cm in diameter. Previous treatment with a biologic TNF blocker was not allowed. Patients were randomly assigned to placebo (N=113), SIMPONI 50 mg (N=146), or SIMPONI 100 mg (N=146) given subcutaneously every 4 weeks. Patients were allowed to receive stable doses of concomitant MTX (≤ 25 mg/week), low dose oral corticosteroids (equivalent to ≤ 10 mg of prednisone a day), and/or NSAIDs during the trial. The use of other DMARDs including SSZ, HCQ, cytotoxic agents, or other biologics was prohibited. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients achieving ACR 20 response at Week 14. Placebo-controlled efficacy data were collected and analyzed through Week 24.

Patients with each subtype of PsA were enrolled, including polyarticular arthritis with no rheumatoid nodules (43%), asymmetric peripheral arthritis (30%), distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint arthritis (15%), spondylitis with peripheral arthritis (11%), and arthritis mutilans (1%). The median duration of PsA disease was 5.1 years, 78% of patients received at least one DMARD in the past, and approximately 48% of patients received MTX, and 16% received low dose oral steroids.

The safety and efficacy of SIMPONI were evaluated in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 356 adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis according to modified New York criteria for at least 3 months (Trial AS). Patients had symptoms of active disease [defined as a Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) ≥ 4 and VAS for total back pain of ≥ 4, on scales of 0 to 10 cm] despite current or previous NSAID therapy. Patients were excluded if they were previously treated with a biologic TNF blocker or if they had complete ankylosis of the spine. Patients were randomly assigned to placebo (N=78), SIMPONI 50 mg (N=138), or SIMPONI 100 mg (N=140) administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks. Patients were allowed to continue stable doses of concomitant MTX, sulfasalazine (SSZ), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), low dose corticosteroids (equivalent to < 10 mg of prednisone a day), and/or NSAIDs during the trial. The use of other DMARDs including cytotoxic agents or other biologics was prohibited.

The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients achieving an Assessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis (ASAS) 20 response at Week 14. Placebo-controlled efficacy data were collected and analyzed through Week 24.

In Trial AS, the median duration of AS disease was 5.6 years, median duration of inflammatory back pain was 12 years, 83% were HLA-B27 positive, 24% had prior joint surgery or procedure, and 55% received at least one DMARD in the past. During the trial, the use of concomitant DMARDs and/or NSAIDs was as follows: MTX (20%), SSZ (26%), HCQ (1%), low dose oral steroids (16%), and NSAIDs (90%).

The efficacy and safety of SIMPONI was evaluated in 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). Trial UC-1 (NCT00487539) was a 6-week induction trial. Trial UC-2 (NCT00488631) was a randomized-withdrawal maintenance trial that evaluated 456 patients who achieved clinical response with SIMPONI induction and tolerated SIMPONI treatment.

In Trial UC-1 moderately to severely active UC was, defined as a Mayo score of 6 to 12 [the Mayo score ranges from 0 to 12 and has 4 subscales that are each scored from 0 (normal) to 3 (most severe): stool frequency, rectal bleeding, findings on endoscopy, and physician global assessment]. At baseline, subjects also had an endoscopy subscore of 2 or 3 on a 3-point scale (an endoscopy score of 2 is defined by marked erythema, absent vascular pattern, friability, erosions; and a score of 3 is defined by spontaneous bleeding, ulceration). Patients were corticosteroid dependent (i.e., an inability to successfully taper corticosteroids without a return of the symptoms of UC) or had an inadequate response to or had failed to tolerate at least one of the following therapies: oral aminosalicylates, oral corticosteroids, azathioprine, or 6-mercaptopurine.

Trial UC-1 was divided into 2 parts. In Part 1 (dose finding), patients were randomized to one of 4 treatment groups: 400 mg SIMPONI administered subcutaneously (SC) at Week 0 and 200 mg at Week 2 (400/200 mg), 200 mg SIMPONI SC at Week 0 and 100 mg at Week 2 (200/100 mg), 100 mg SIMPONI SC at Week 0 and 50 mg at Week 2 (100/50 mg), or placebo SC at Weeks 0 and 2. In Part 2 (dose confirming), efficacy was evaluated in 761 patients who were randomized to receive either 400 mg SIMPONI SC at Week 0 and 200 mg at Week 2, 200 mg SIMPONI SC at Week 0 and 100 mg at Week 2, or placebo SC at Weeks 0 and 2. SIMPONI 100/50-mg SC was not evaluated in Part 2; its safety and effectiveness has not been established in UC. Concomitant stable doses of oral aminosalicylates (5-ASA), oral corticosteroids (less than 40 mg/day), azathioprine (AZA), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), and/or methotrexate (MTX) were permitted. Patients who received previous TNF inhibitors were excluded. The primary endpoint in UC-1 was the percent of patients in clinical response at Week 6, defined as a decrease from baseline in the Mayo score by ≥ 30% and ≥ 3 points, accompanied by a decrease in the rectal bleeding subscore of ≥ 1 or a rectal bleeding subscore of 0 (no blood seen) or 1 (streaks of blood with stool less than half the time).

Trial UC-2 evaluated 456 patients who achieved clinical response with SIMPONI induction and tolerated SIMPONI treatment. Patients were randomized to receive SIMPONI 50 mg, SIMPONI 100 mg or placebo administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks. Concomitant stable doses of oral aminosalicylates, azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, and/or methotrexate were permitted. Corticosteroids were to be tapered at the start of the maintenance trial. The primary endpoint in UC-2 was the percent of patients maintaining clinical response through Week 54.

The efficacy and safety of SIMPONI was evaluated in a multi-center, open-label pediatric study of 69 patients (NCT03596645). Efficacy was assessed in 66 patients weighing at least 15 kg with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis defined as a Mayo score of 6 to 12 with an endoscopy subscore of ≥2 who had an inadequate response to corticosteroids, 6‑mercaptopurine (6‑MP), or azathioprine (AZA), or who were intolerant to or had medical contraindications for such therapies. Patients with prior exposure to TNF blockers were ineligible. Of the 66 subjects assessed for efficacy, the mean age was 13.4 years (range 4 to 17 years), the median weight was 51 kg, and 53% were female. Twenty-four percent identified as Hispanic or Latino; 71% identified as White, 18% as Asian, 3% as American Indian or Alaskan Native, 3% as Black, and 2% identified as part of multiple racial subgroups.

Patients weighing 15 to less than 45 kg received SIMPONI subcutaneously at 120 mg/m ² at dosages of 120 mg/m ² at Week 0, 60 mg/m ² at Week 2 and 60 mg/m ² every 4 weeks from Week 6 onward.

Patients weighing at least 45 kg received SIMPONI 200 mg at Week 0, 100 mg at Week 2 and 100 mg every 4 weeks from Week 6 onward.

The recommended body-weight tiered dosage for pediatric patients weighing 15 to less than 40 kg and 40 to less than 45 kg differs from the body surface area-based dosage administered in this study. There are no anticipated clinically relevant differences in efficacy between the recommended and studied pediatric dosages of SIMPONI [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

At weeks 6, and 54, efficacy was assessed by the Mayo score.

Storage and Handling

Refrigerate SIMPONI between 36 °F to 46 °F (2 °C to 8 °C) in the original carton to protect from light until the time of use. Do not freeze. Do not shake. Do not use SIMPONI beyond the expiration date (EXP) on the carton or the expiration date on the prefilled syringe (observed through the viewing window) or the prefilled SmartJect ^® autoinjector.

If needed, SIMPONI may be stored at room temperature up to 77 °F (25 °C) for a maximum single period of 30 days in the original carton to protect from light. Once a syringe or autoinjector has been stored at room temperature, do not return the product to the refrigerator. If not used within 30 days at room temperature, discard SIMPONI.