What is Cimzia (certolizumab pegol)?
Cimzia is a small protein-based drug, which is a part of an antibody molecule, administered by subcutaneous (meaning under the skin) injection, that blocks the activity of soluble tumour necrosis factor (TNF), a major mediator of inflammation and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis. The Cimzia molecule comprises a chemical called PEGOL which is attached to the protein component that blocks TNF. Because the protein component is small in size and weight it would soon be cleared from the body after injection. By undergoing a process known as PEGylation, when the PEGOL is added to the protein that neutralises harmful TNF, the resulting molecule lasts longer in the body and so only needs to be injected once every two weeks. There are several other examples of PEGylated protein drugs that have been in use for a long time, such as PEGylated interferon treatment for Hepatitis C infection.
