Abstract
Certolizumab pegol (CZP), a novel biological agent, is a PEGylated Fab' fragment of a humanized anti-human TNFα monoclonal antibody. CZP has shown unique pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles compared to conventional anti-TNF agents. These characteristics are thought to be the results of its unique structural features, including monovalence, lack of Fc, and PEGylation. CZP rapidly ameliorated signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), prevented progression of joint destruction, and improved health-related quality of life in patients with active RA. CZP was approved in Japan for the treatment of RA in December 2012.
