What is "golimumab"

n. A human monoclonal antibody used as an immunosuppressive drug.

Golimumab (CNTO 148) is a human monoclonal antibody which is used as an immunosuppressive drug and marketed under the brand name Simponi. Golimumab targets tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a pro-inflammatory molecule and hence is a TNF inhibitor.

Golimumab was developed by Janssen Biotech, Inc. (formerly Centocor Biotech, Inc.) which also markets the product in the United States. The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies market Simponi in Canada, Central and South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. In Europe, Russia and Turkey, Simponi distribution rights are held by Schering-Plough (Ireland) Company, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. In Japan, Indonesia and Taiwan, distribution rights are held by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation.

Golimumab is approved in Canada and the United States as a once monthly subcutaneous treatment for adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Golimumab was approved for the treatment by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2013 for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved the use of golimumab as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Golimumab was approved for the treatment by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2013 for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.