Certolizumab pegol
CimziaRCSB PDB 5WUX · 3D model
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A lab-made antibody fragment, chemically stabilized with a polymer coating, that grabs onto TNF-alpha — a protein that fuels inflammation — and stops it from triggering the immune system.
How it works
This drug is a small, custom-built piece of an antibody — just the hand that grabs its target — rather than a complete antibody. That piece locks onto TNF-alpha and keeps it from switching on inflammation. Normally the missing tail portion of a full antibody can trigger extra immune reactions, but this fragment doesn't have that tail, so it works more selectively. A protective coating is attached to the fragment so it stays in the body longer.
What it’s used for
Approved to treat several inflammatory conditions: rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis and related spinal inflammation, and Crohn's disease.
- Mechanism
- TNF-alpha inhibitor (PEGylated Fab fragment)
- Drug class
- Fab fragment
- Therapeutic area
- Immunology