New Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease Launched in UAE

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company FZCO has announced the availability of the monoclonal antibody, Vedolizumab, the first and only gut-selective biologic approved for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) and adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (CD) who have had an inadequate response with, lost response to, or were intolerant to either conventional therapy or a tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) antagonist.[i],[ii]

“More than four million people worldwide are affected by UC or CD,[iii],[iv] In the UAE, there are no exact figures on the prevalence of these two diseases, yet as a practitioner I see more and more cases coming for consultation,” said Dr. Maryam Al Khatry; Head of the Emirates Gastroenterology & Hepatology Society and Head of Gastroenterology Department in Obaidulla Hospital, MOH in Ras Al-Khaima.

Often diagnosed during young adulthood, UC and CD are chronic and debilitating diseases that patients have to manage throughout most of their lives.[v],[vi] The goal of available treatment options is to induce and maintain remission, or achieve extended periods of time when patients do not experience symptoms.5, 6 While treatment options are available, many patients may not achieve or maintain remission of their disease.

"It is of critical importance to support the development of new treatment options. This community of patients face specific challenges on a daily basis.  UC and CD often have a significant impact on their quality of life and social interactions with several consequences on their work, family and self-image,” added Dr. Maryam Al Khatry.

Causing inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract, UC and CD have no cure.5 UC impacts the large intestine only, which includes the colon and the rectum. The most common symptoms of UC include abdominal discomfort and blood or pus in diarrhoea. CD can impact any part of the digestive tract and common symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fever.

There is no known cause for UC or CD, although many researchers believe that the interaction between genes, the body’s immune system, and environmental factors may play a role.  The aim of UC and CD treatments is to induce and maintain remission, or achieve extended periods of time when patients do not experience symptoms.

"Gaining further insight into the complex science of these diseases and continuing the development of new treatment options is of critical importance based on the unmet needs and challenges this community continues to face, especially in managing the disease progression,” said Dr. Saeed Al Shaikh; Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist in Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital, DHCC in Dubai .

“The availability of Vedolizumab as a gut-selective treatment is important for patients struggling with UC or CD in UAE and we strongly believe that this treatment from TAKEDA will change significantly the way these patients manage the disease progression” added Dr. Saeed Al Shaikh.

Vedolizumab is a gut-selective integrin antagonist with no identified systemic immune suppressive activity; it belongs to a group of biological medicines called monoclonal antibodies. 1 This innovative treatment blocks proteins on the surface of white blood cells preventing them from migrating to the inflammatory site in UC and CD which reduces the amount of inflammation. 1 

The safety and efficacy of Vedolizumab supported by the GEMINI™ Studies, a four-study clinical program investigating Vedolizumab in 2,700 patients across nearly 40 countries. It is indeed the largest Phase 3 clinical trial program conducted to date simultaneously evaluating both UC and CD patient populations. 2

"Takeda is pleased to offer Vedolizumab as a new treatment option to help patients with these chronic illnesses receive better treatment, and live fuller lives” said Adrian Dunstan, Managing Director of Takeda Gulf and Lebanon. “The patients we aim to help treat are mostly young, in the 18 to 35 age category, who aspire to better choices in life. We hope Vedolizumab can help some of them in their struggle with these debilitating conditions.”

[i] Entyvio Summary of Product Characteristics. January 2014.

[ii] The Electronic Medicines Compendium. Remicade 100mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion Summary of Product Characteristics. http://www.medicines.org.uk/EMC/medicine/3236/SPC/Remicade+100mg+powder+for+concentrate+for+solution+for+infusion/. Updated January 6, 2013. Accessed February 13, 2013.

[iii] Loftus EV Jr. Clinical epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease: incidence, prevalence, and environmental influences. Gastroenterology. 2004;126(6):1504-1517. http://download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/0016-5085/PIIS0016508504004627.pdf. Accessed March 1, 2013.

[iv] Wilson J, Hair C, Knight R et al. High incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Australia: a prospective population –based Australian incidence study. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2010;16(9):1550-1556.

[v] National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Crohn’s disease. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/index.aspx. Published December 2011. Accessed March 1, 2013.

[vi] National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Ulcerative colitis. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/index.aspx. Published October 2011. Accessed  March 1, 2013.