NICE streamlines a fast-track appraisal process to approve bimekizumab in pilot run

In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE; London, UK) has introduced a fast-track appraisal process to allow the approval of new treatments. The new guidance was introduced to mitigate any changes delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The procedure has had early success, with a pilot trial permitting the approval of bimekizumab, an antibody useful in treating severe plaque psoriasis. As of the second of August, provisional advice was released by NICE indicating that bimekizumab may be used to treat psoriasis due to comparative effectiveness research demonstrating its effectiveness. The trial determined bimekizumab was as...