Picture this: instead of spending your Saturday morning in an infusion center, watching IV drips slowly deliver your medication over hours, you’re at home administering a quick subcutaneous injection—then getting on with your weekend plans. For those of us managing IBD with infliximab, this scenario might sound too good to be true. But new research suggests this shift isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s becoming a real possibility that could transform how we manage our condition.

The truth is, while infliximab has been life-changing for many in our community, the traditional IV infusions come with their own challenges. The time commitment, the scheduling around work and family life, the anxiety some feel about needles and medical settings—these aren’t trivial concerns when you’re already dealing with a chronic illness. What if there was a way to maintain the same disease control while gaining back hours of your life and reducing treatment burden?

Summary of Celltrion Presents Positive Real-World Data on Switching from IV to SC Infliximab at UEG Week 2025

Celltrion recently shared encouraging real-world data at United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 2025 showing that IBD patients can successfully switch from intravenous (IV) infliximab to subcutaneous (SC) injections while maintaining remission and treatment adherence. The research included the PEREM cohort study, which followed patients who switched from IV to SC infliximab while in remission. Remarkably, over 95% of patients remained in remission for at least one year with no relapse after making the switch.

Another comprehensive analysis reviewed 344 patients with various immune-mediated diseases using SC infliximab. The results showed that only 3.5% of patients discontinued the subcutaneous treatment—primarily due to worsening symptoms or side effects—while 96.5% experienced favorable responses over an average of eight months. The subcutaneous formulation offers several potential advantages: more convenient administration, reduced hospital visits, more stable blood drug levels, and potentially lower risk of developing anti-drug antibodies. Unlike traditional IV infusions given every eight weeks, the SC version is administered every two weeks, providing steadier medication levels.

This post summarizes reporting from Celltrion Presents Positive Real-World Data on Switching from IV to SC Infliximab at UEG Week 2025. Our analysis represents IBD Movement’s perspective and is intended to help patients understand how this news may affect them. Read the original article for complete details.

What This Means for the IBD Community

This research represents more than just another treatment option—it’s potentially a paradigm shift that addresses some of the most challenging aspects of living with IBD while on biologic therapy. Let’s break down what this could mean for different aspects of our daily lives.

Time and Scheduling Freedom: Anyone who’s been on IV infliximab knows the routine: block out 3-4 hours every eight weeks, coordinate with work schedules, arrange childcare, and hope your infusion center appointment doesn’t conflict with important life events. With subcutaneous injections taking just minutes to administer at home, patients could reclaim dozens of hours annually. This is particularly significant for working parents, students, or anyone whose schedule doesn’t easily accommodate lengthy medical appointments.

Reduced Healthcare System Burden: From a practical standpoint, fewer infusion center visits could mean shorter wait times for appointments and reduced exposure to other illnesses—something many of us on immunosuppressants worry about, especially post-COVID. It also potentially reduces travel costs and time off work for both patients and any caregivers who accompany them to appointments.

Psychological Benefits: There’s something empowering about self-administering medication at home. Many patients report feeling more in control of their treatment when they can manage it independently. For those who experience anxiety around medical settings or have developed “white coat syndrome,” home administration could significantly improve the treatment experience.

However, we shouldn’t overlook the flip side. Some patients actually appreciate the structured medical oversight that comes with infusion center visits. The regular check-ins with healthcare providers, the social aspect of seeing familiar faces, and the peace of mind that comes with professional administration are valuable for many people. The key is having options that match individual preferences and circumstances.

Clinical Considerations for Patients: The research showing more stable blood drug levels with the SC formulation is particularly intriguing from a disease management perspective. Many IBD patients struggle with the “wearing off” effect as their next infusion approaches—that gradual return of symptoms in weeks 6-8 of the infusion cycle. More frequent, smaller doses could potentially eliminate these fluctuations, leading to more consistent symptom control.

The lower risk of anti-drug antibody development is another significant consideration. These antibodies can render infliximab less effective over time, forcing patients to switch to different biologics. If SC administration truly reduces this risk, it could mean longer-lasting treatment success for more patients.

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor

If you’re currently on IV infliximab and interested in exploring the subcutaneous option, consider discussing these questions with your healthcare team:

• Based on my current disease control and history, would I be a good candidate for switching to SC infliximab?
• How would the switch be managed? Would there be a transition period or monitoring requirements?
• What are the potential risks or downsides specific to my situation?
• How would my insurance coverage change with the different formulation?
• What support would be available for learning self-injection techniques?
• How would we monitor my disease activity after the switch?

Looking at the Bigger Picture: This development fits into a broader trend we’re seeing in IBD care toward patient-centered treatment approaches. The field is increasingly recognizing that effective treatment isn’t just about achieving clinical remission—it’s about helping patients live full, unrestricted lives while managing their condition. The shift toward more convenient biologic administration methods, along with innovations like home monitoring apps and telemedicine consultations, reflects this holistic approach to IBD care.

It’s worth noting that this research builds on a growing body of evidence supporting subcutaneous biologic administration across various autoimmune conditions. The success seen with other biologics like adalimumab (Humira) and ustekinumab (Stelara) in subcutaneous forms paved the way for exploring similar approaches with infliximab.

Practical Considerations

For patients considering this switch, it’s important to think through the practical aspects. Home storage of medication, proper injection techniques, disposal of medical waste, and having a plan for missed doses all become patient responsibilities rather than being handled by medical staff. Some patients thrive with this level of control, while others prefer the structure of supervised administration.

Insurance coverage is another crucial factor that varies significantly. Some plans may have different co-pay structures for self-administered versus provider-administered medications, and prior authorization requirements may differ.

The research also highlights the importance of proper patient selection and timing for the switch. Not all patients may be appropriate candidates, particularly those who have had recent disease flares or complications. The studies focused on patients who were already in stable remission, which makes sense as a starting point for this transition.

These findings represent hope for increased treatment flexibility and improved quality of life for many IBD patients. While IV infliximab will likely remain an important option—especially for newly diagnosed patients or those requiring close monitoring—having the choice between delivery methods could be transformative for long-term treatment planning.

As with any treatment decision, the key is finding what works best for your unique situation, lifestyle, and preferences. This research provides encouraging evidence that for many patients, maintaining excellent disease control doesn’t have to mean sacrificing convenience and flexibility in daily life.

The fact that over 95% of patients in the study maintained remission after switching is genuinely exciting news. It suggests that for appropriately selected patients, the convenience benefits of subcutaneous administration don’t come at the cost of treatment effectiveness—which is exactly what we hope to see from advances in IBD care.

IBD Movement provides information for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.