Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * 21 years of age or older * Have AxSpA, diagnosed according to the 2009 Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria * Have active disease based on Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score ≥4 on a 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and spinal pain score ≥4 on a 11-point NRS * Has failed 2 sequential NSAIDs (including COX-2 inhibitor) at maximal tolerated doses for ≥ 4 weeks * No biologic therapy (i.e tumour necrosis factor blocker or anti-interleukin 17) within the past three months * Patient who is on current treatment with concomitant methotrexate (MTX) or sulfasalazine (SSZ) at study entry must be on the drug for ≥12 weeks and at stable dose for ≥4 weeks prior to randomisation. Patients who are on non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) other than methotrexate or sulfasalazine must discontinue the DMARD 4 weeks prior to randomisation, except for leflunomide, which has to be discontinued for 8 weeks prior to randomization unless a cholestyramine washout has been performed. Patients taking systemic corticosteroids have to be on stable dose of ≤ 10mg/day prednisolone or equivalent for at least two weeks before randomisation Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * On anti-platelet agents (i.e. aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, etc) and anti-coagulants (i.e. warfarin, enoxaparin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, etc) * Have bleeding disorders * Have blood-borne communicable diseases (e.g. hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus, etc).