NICE is the organisation that decides whether treatments should be available on the NHS in England. Wales and Northern Ireland usually follow NICE decisions too.
- Read the full guidance (NICE website)
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) is the organisation that decides for Scotland. The SMC is likely to make a decision on mirikizumab for Crohn's in August.
What is mirikizumab?
Mirikizumab is a biologic medicine. Biologic medicines are made by a biological process rather than a chemical one. They are produced in a lab using living cells.
Mirikizumab works by sticking to a protein called IL-23. Your immune system makes IL-23 to help you fight infections. But it can also cause inflammation. Mirikizumab blocks the effects of IL-23. This reduces gut inflammation.
The brand name for mirikizumab is Omvoh.
Who can have mirikizumab?
Mirikizumab has already been accepted across the UK as a treatment option for some people with Colitis. We have more details in our full information on mirikizumab.
NICE has now recommended mirikizumab as a treatment option for adults with moderately or severely active Crohn’s who:
- Cannot take an anti-TNF medicine such as adalimumab, infliximab or golimumab
- Have not responded well enough to a previous biologic medicine
- Have stopped responding to a previous biologic medicine
- Have had to stop taking a previous biological medicine because of side effects
Crohn’s Disease is a lifelong condition affecting more than 200,000 people in the UK, for which there is no cure. People tell us how painful and debilitating their symptoms can be and many will have waited a long time for a diagnosis. Existing treatments may stop working over time for some people or may not even work at all. People with Crohn’s don't want to be stuck in a hospital, they want to be out enjoying their lives. Expanding the treatment options for eligible people living with Crohn’s, with drugs like mirikizumab, can only be a good thing. We welcome this latest development.
Marianne Radcliffe
CEO, Crohn's & Colitis UK
Taking mirikizumab
You will have your first three doses of mirikizumab through a drip into a vein. You will have one dose every 4 weeks. This aims to get your Crohn’s under control.
After this, you will have mirikizumab as an injection under your skin. Your doctor or nurse will teach you how to use it yourself at home. You will have the injection every 4 weeks. The injections aim to keep your Crohn’s under control.
When will it be available?
Mirikizumab should be available through the NHS in England within 30 days.
How do I get it?
Mirikizumab is not suitable for everyone with Crohn’s. If you think mirikizumab might be suitable for you, talk to your IBD team. Together, you can talk about your treatment options and decide what is right for you.
Increasing access to medicines
Find out how we are working to ensure access to the most effective medicines and treatments for people with Crohn’s or Colitis.
