Phase 3 Ankylosing Spondylitis Trial, Completed NCT02552212 Sponsor: UCB BIOSCIENCES GmbH Condition: Ankylosing Spondylitis
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Trial results

AI generated results summary. Written by an AI model from the official source data and checked on a sample basis. It can contain mistakes, so confirm anything important against the original source. How we use AI

According to the results reported on ClinicalTrials.gov, this trial looked at certolizumab pegol (CZP), a medication given by injection, in people with ankylosing spondylitis — a type of inflammatory arthritis affecting the spine. In the first part of the trial (weeks 0 to 52), 158 people received a placebo (a dummy treatment with no active ingredient) and 159 received CZP. After week 52, 243 participants moved into an open-label extension phase (meaning everyone knew they were receiving CZP) that ran through to week 156. The trial measured things like disease activity scores, pain, stiffness, and physical function using established rating scales, as well as the levels of CZP in participants' blood at various time points. The reported data shows that at week 52, around 47% of people in the CZP group met what is called a "major improvement" threshold on a disease activity score (meaning their score dropped by at least 2 points out of a possible 10-point range), compared with about 7% in the placebo group. Separately, at week 12, around 48% of people in the CZP group met a different response measure — which required improvements of at least 40% across several areas including pain, function, and global disease assessment — compared with about 11% in the placebo group. Regarding blood levels of CZP, the reported data shows concentrations of roughly 51 µg/mL at week 1, 36 µg/mL at week 2, and around 55 µg/mL (CZP group) and 49 µg/mL (placebo-to-CZP group) at week 4; baseline concentration data was not reported in the submitted results. These are the results as reported to ClinicalTrials.gov. They are not medical advice — always discuss what they mean for you with your doctor.

These are the results as reported to ClinicalTrials.gov, not medical advice. Verify independently with the trial site and discuss what they mean for you with your doctor.

Phase 3 Ankylosing Spondylitis Trial, Completed

NCT02552212
Completed Phase 3 🇦🇺 Australian site

Who may be able to join

AI generated eligibility summary. Written by an AI model from the official source data and checked on a sample basis. It can contain mistakes, so confirm anything important against the original source. How we use AI

Who might be able to join this trial:

  • You are at least 18 years old at the start of the screening process
  • You have been diagnosed with a specific type of back-related arthritis called axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), confirmed using recognised international guidelines
  • You have had back pain for at least 12 months before the screening visit
  • Your X-rays of the joints at the base of your spine (the sacroiliac joints) do not show a specific type of damage called sacroiliitis (confirm with trial site)
  • Your condition is currently active, shown by specific scores on standard disease activity questionnaires — a BASDAI score of 4 or more, and a spinal pain score of at least 4 out of 10
  • You have not responded well to, cannot take, or have had bad reactions to at least 2 anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen)

Who may not be able to join:

  • You have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or any other type of inflammatory arthritis
  • You have previously been treated with any experimental biological medicines for axial spondyloarthritis
  • You have been treated with more than one TNF-blocker medication, or a TNF-blocker did not work for you at all
  • You have a history of long-term or recurring infections
  • You have tuberculosis (TB), are at high risk of getting TB, or have a latent (inactive) TB infection
  • You have recently received a live vaccine (confirm with trial site for timing details)
  • You currently have cancer, or have had cancer in the past
  • You have severe heart failure (classified as Class III or IV)
  • You have a disease affecting the protective coating of the nerves in your brain or spinal cord (such as multiple sclerosis)
  • You are currently breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant during the study or within 3 months after the last dose of the trial medicine
  • You have any other health condition that the trial doctor believes would make participation unsuitable for you

Important: Always verify eligibility with the trial site directly before applying.

Based on publicly available eligibility criteria from ClinicalTrials.gov. Verify directly with the trial site before acting. This is not medical advice.

This is a simplified plain English summary of the eligibility criteria. Full criteria are set by the trial investigators and may include additional requirements not shown here. Never self-exclude from a trial based on this summary. Contact the trial site directly to confirm your eligibility.
Last synced 28 July 2026
Phase 3: approximately ~65% of drugs entering this phase reach regulatory approval, based on published industry-wide historical data. This is not specific to this trial.
Phase success rates shown are historical industry-wide averages based on published data. They are not a prediction for this specific trial or your individual situation.

Contact this trial

Principal Investigator: UCB Cares, 1-844-599-2273 (UCB)

Australian sites

As0006 208, Camperdown,
As0006 210, Coffs Harbour,
As0006 204, Footscray,
As0006 201, Malvern East,
As0006 209, Maroochydore,
As0006 205, South Hobart,
As0006 202, Victoria Park,

Contact details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Verify directly with the trial site before attending.

GP referral letter

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Trial details

Status
Completed
Phase
Phase 3
Sponsor
UCB BIOSCIENCES GmbH
Registry
ClinicalTrials.gov
Start date
1 September 2015
Est. completion
1 May 2018

Where this trial is recruiting

🇦🇺 Australia 🇧🇬 Bulgaria 🇨🇦 Canada 🇨🇿 Czechia 🇭🇺 Hungary 🇵🇱 Poland 🇷🇺 Russia 🇹🇼 Taiwan 🇺🇸 United States

7 site(s) in Australia. Confirm current status and contact details directly with the trial site.

Primary endpoints

Percentage of Subjects With Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score Major Improvement (ASDAS-MI) Response Criteria Response at Week 52; Percentage of Subjects With Axial SpondyloArthritis International Society 40% Response Criteria (ASAS40) Response at Week 12; Certolizumab Pegol Plasma Concentration at Baseline; Certolizumab Pegol Plasma Concentration at Week 1; Certolizumab Pegol Plasma Concentration at Week 2; Certolizumab Pegol Plasma Concentration at Week 4; Certolizumab Pegol Plasma Concentration at Week 12; Certolizumab Pegol Plasma Concentration at Week 24; Certolizumab Pegol Pla...

Can't join this trial?

Expanded access pathways

If this trial is not available to you, other access pathways may exist. In Australia, the TGA Special Access Scheme allows access to unapproved therapeutic goods for individual patients.

TGA Special Access Scheme information

Find other recruiting trials on ClinicalTrials.gov

Data last synced from ClinicalTrials.gov: 28 July 2026. Trial status can change. Always verify current status directly with the trial site before making any decision.

Trial recruitment status can change without notice between our nightly data updates. Always contact the trial site directly to confirm current recruitment status before making any decisions or travel arrangements.

View original record on ClinicalTrials.gov