Summary of medicine characteristics - Ultomiris
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL concentrate for solution for infusion
Ultomiris 1,100 mg/11 mL concentrate for solution for infusion
Ultomiris 300 mg/30 mL concentrate for solution for infusion
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Ultomiris is a formulation of ravulizumab produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture by recombinant DNA technology.
Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL concentrate for solution for infusion
Each vial of 3 mL contains 300 mg of ravulizumab (100 mg/mL).
After dilution, the final concentration of the solution to be infused is 50 mg/mL.
Excipient(s) with known effect:
Sodium (4.6 mg per 3 mL vial)
Ultomiris 1,100 mg/11 mL concentrate for solution for infusion
Each vial of 11 mL contains 1,100 mg of ravulizumab (100 mg/mL).
After dilution, the final concentration of the solution to be infused is 50 mg/mL.
Excipient(s) with known effect:
Sodium (16.8 mg per 11 mL vial)
Ultomiris 300 mg/30 mL concentrate for solution for infusion
Each vial of 30 mL contains 300 mg of ravulizumab (10 mg/mL).
After dilution, the final concentration of the solution to be infused is 5 mg/mL.
Excipient(s) with known effect:
Sodium (115 mg per 30 mL vial)
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Concentrate for solution for infusion (sterile concentrate).
Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL and 1,100 mg/11 mL concentrates for solution for infusion
Translucent, clear to yellowish colour, pH 7.4 solution.
Ultomiris 300 mg/30 mL concentrate for solution for infusion
Clear to translucent, slight whitish colour, pH 7.0 solution.
4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS4.1 Therapeutic indications
Ultomiris is indicated in the treatment of adult and paediatric patients with a body weight of 10 kg or above with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH):
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– in patients with haemolysis with clinical symptom(s) indicative of high disease activity.
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– in patients who are clinically stable after having been treated with eculizumab for at least the
past 6 months (see section 5.1).
Ultomiris is indicated in the treatment of patients with a body weight of 10 kg or above with atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) who are complement inhibitor treatment-naïve or have received eculizumab for at least 3 months and have evidence of response to eculizumab (see section 5.1).
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Ravulizumab must be administered by a healthcare professional and under the supervision of a physician experienced in the management of patients with haematological or renal disorders.
Posology
Adult patients with PNH and aHUS
The recommended dosing regimen consists of a loading dose followed by maintenance dosing, administered by intravenous infusion. The doses to be administered are based on the patient’s body weight, as shown in Table 1. For adult patients (> 18 years of age), maintenance doses should be administered at a once every 8-week interval, starting 2 weeks after loading dose administration.
Dosing schedule is allowed to occasionally vary by ± 7 days of the scheduled infusion day (except for the first maintenance dose of ravulizumab, but the subsequent dose should be administered according to the original schedule).
For patients switching from eculizumab to ravulizumab, the loading dose of ravulizumab should be administered 2 weeks after the last eculizumab infusion, and then maintenance doses are administered once every 8 weeks, starting 2 weeks after loading dose administration, as shown in Table 1.
Table 1: ______ Ravulizumab weight-based dosing regimen
Body weight range (kg) | Loading dose (mg) | Maintenance dose (mg) | Dosing interval |
> 40 to < 60 | 2,400 | 3,000 | Every 8 weeks |
> 60 to < 100 | 2,700 | 3,300 | Every 8 weeks |
> 100 | 3,000 | 3,600 | Every 8 weeks |
*Maintenance dose is administered 2 weeks after loading dose
There is no experience of concomitant PE/PI (plasmapheresis or plasma exchange, or fresh frozen plasma infusion) use with ravulizumab. Administration of PE/PI may reduce ravulizumab serum levels.
PNH is a chronic disease and treatment with ravulizumab is recommended to continue for the patient’s lifetime, unless the discontinuation of ravulizumab is clinically indicated (see section 4.4).
In aHUS, ravulizumab treatment to resolve thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) manifestations should be for a minimum duration of 6 months, beyond which length of treatment needs to be considered for each patient individually. Patients who are at higher risk for TMA recurrence, as determined by the treating healthcare provider (or clinically indicated), may require chronic therapy (see section 4.4).
Special populations
Elderly
No dose adjustment is required for patients with PNH and aHUS aged 65 years and over. There is no evidence indicating any special precautions are required for treating a geriatric population – although experience with ravulizumab in elderly patients is limited.
Renal impairment
No dose adjustment is required for patients with renal impairment (see section 5.2).
Hepatic impairment
The safety and efficacy of ravulizumab have not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment; however pharmacokinetic data suggest that no dose adjustment is required in patients with hepatic impairment.
Paediatric population
Paediatric patients with PNH and aHUS with body weight > 40 kg are treated in accordance with the adult dosing recommendations. The weight-based doses and dosing intervals for paediatric patients > 10 kg to < 40 kg are shown in Table 2.
For patients switching from eculizumab to ravulizumab, the loading dose of ravulizumab should be administered 2 weeks after the last eculizumab infusion, and then maintenance doses should be administered per weight-based dosing regimen shown in Table 2, starting 2 weeks after loading dose administration.
Table 2: Ravulizumab weight-based dosing regimen for paediatric patient with PNH and
aHUS below 40 kg
Body weight range (kg) | Loading dose (mg) | Maintenance dose (mg) | Dosing interval |
> 10 to < 20 | 600 | 600 | Every 4 weeks |
> 20 to < 30 | 900 | 2,100 | Every 8 weeks |
> 30 to < 40 | 1,200 | 2,700 | Every 8 weeks |
*Maintenance dose is administered 2 weeks after loading dose
Data to support safety and efficacy of ravulizumab for patients with body weight below 10 kg are limited. Currently available data are described in section 4.8 but no recommendation on a posology can be made for patients below 10 kg body weight.
Ravulizumab has not been studied in paediatric patients with PNH who weigh less than 30 kg. The posology of ravulizumab for paediatric patients less than 30 kg is based on the posology used for paediatric patients with aHUS, on the basis of the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) data available in aHUS and PNH patients treated with ravulizumab.
Method of administration
For intravenous infusion only.
This medicinal product must be administered through a 0.2 |am filter and should not be administered as an intravenous push or bolus injection.
In the absence of compatibility studies, Ultomiris 300 mg/30 mL concentrate for solution for infusion must not be mixed with Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL or 1,100 mg/11 mL concentrates for solution for infusion.
Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL and 1,100 mg/11 mL concentrates for solution for infusion
Ultomiris concentrated at 100 mg/mL (3 mL and 11 mL vials) must be diluted to a final concentration of 50 mg/mL.
Ultomiris concentrate for solution for infusion presented as 3 mL and 11 mL vials (100 mg/mL) must be diluted prior to administration by intravenous infusion using a syringe-type pump or an infusion pump over a minimal period of 0.4 to 1.3 hours (25 to 75 minutes) depending on body weight (see Table 3 below).
Table 3: Dose administration rate for Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL and 1,100 mg/11 mL
concentrates for solution for infusion
Body weight range (kg)a | Loading dose (mg) | Minimum infusion duration minutes (hours) | Maintenance dose (mg) | Minimum infusion duration minutes (hours) |
> 10 to < 20 | 600 | 45 (0.8) | 600 | 45 (0.8) |
> 20 to < 30 | 900 | 35 (0.6) | 2,100 | 75 (1.3) |
> 30 to < 40 | 1,200 | 31 (0.5) | 2,700 | 65 (1.1) |
> 40 to < 60 | 2,400 | 45 (0.8) | 3,000 | 55 (0.9) |
> 60 to < 100 | 2,700 | 35 (0.6) | 3,300 | 40 (0.7) |
> 100 | 3,000 | 25 (0.4) | 3,600 | 30 (0.5) |
a Body weight at time of treatment.
Ultomiris 300 mg/30 mL concentrate for solution for infusion
Ultomiris concentrated at 10 mg/mL (30 ml vial) must be diluted to a final concentration of 5 mg/mL.
Ultomiris concentrate for solution for infusion presented as 30 mL vial (10 mg/mL) must be diluted prior to administration by intravenous infusion using a syringe-type pump or an infusion pump over a minimal period of 1.3 to 3.3 hours (77 to 194 minutes) depending on body weight (see Table 4 below).
Table 4: Dose administration rate for Ultomiris 300 mg/30 mL concentrate for solution for
infusion
Body weight range (kg)a | Loading dose (mg) | Minimum infusion duration minutes (hours) | Maintenance dose (mg) | Minimum infusion duration minutes (hours) |
> 10 to < 20 | 600 | 113 (1.9) | 600 | 113 (1.9) |
> 20 to < 30 | 900 | 86 (1.5) | 2,100 | 194 (3.3) |
> 30 to < 40 | 1,200 | 77 (1.3) | 2,700 | 167 (2.8) |
^ 40 to < 60 | 2,400 | 114 (1.9) | 3,000 | 140 (2.4) |
^ 60 to < 100 | 2,700 | 102 (1.7) | 3,300 | 120 (2.0) |
^ 100 | 3,000 | 108 (1.8) | 3,600 | 132 (2.2) |
a Body weight at time of treatment.
For instructions on dilution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 6.6.
4.3 Contraindications
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– Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
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– Patients with unresolved Neisseria meningitidis infection at treatment initiation (see section 4.4).
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– Patients who are not currently vaccinated against Neisseria meningitidis unless they receive prophylactic treatment with appropriate antibiotics until 2 weeks after vaccination (see section 4.4).
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Traceability
In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the name and the batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded.
Serious meningococcal infection
Due to its mechanism of action, the use of ravulizumab increases the patient's susceptibility to meningococcal infection/sepsis (Neisseria meningitidis ). Meningococcal disease due to any serogroup may occur. To reduce this risk of infection, all patients must be vaccinated against meningococcal infections at least two weeks prior to initiating ravulizumab unless the risk of delaying ravulizumab therapy outweighs the risk of developing a meningococcal infection. Patients who initiate ravulizumab treatment less than 2 weeks after receiving a meningococcal vaccine, must receive treatment with appropriate prophylactic antibiotics until 2 weeks after vaccination. Vaccines against serogroups A, C, Y, W135 and B where available, are recommended in preventing the commonly pathogenic meningococcal serogroups. Patients must be vaccinated or revaccinated according to current national guidelines for vaccination use. If the patient is being switched from eculizumab treatment, physicians should verify that meningococcal vaccination is current according to national guidelines for vaccination use.
Vaccination may not be sufficient to prevent meningococcal infection. Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents. Cases of serious meningococcal infections/sepsis have been reported in patients treated with ravulizumab. Cases of serious or fatal meningococcal infections/sepsis have been reported in patients treated with other terminal complement inhibitors. All patients should be monitored for early signs of meningococcal infection and sepsis, evaluated immediately if infection is suspected, and treated with appropriate antibiotics. Patients should be informed of these signs and symptoms and steps should be taken to seek medical care immediately. Physicians should provide patients with a patient information brochure and a Patient card.
Immunization
Prior to initiating ravulizumab therapy, it is recommended that PNH and aHUS patients initiate immunizations according to current immunization guidelines.
Vaccination may further activate complement. As a result, patients with complement-mediated diseases, including PNH and aHUS, may experience increased signs and symptoms of their underlying disease, such as haemolysis. Therefore, patients should be closely monitored for disease symptoms after recommended vaccination.
Patients below the age of 18 years old must be vaccinated against Haemophilus influenzae and pneumococcal infections, and strictly need to adhere to the national vaccination recommendations for each age group.
Other systemic infections
Ravulizumab therapy should be administered with caution to patients with active systemic infections. Ravulizumab blocks terminal complement activation; therefore, patients may have increased susceptibility to infections caused by Neisseria species and encapsulated bacteria. Serious infections with Neisseria species (other than Neisseria meningitidis ), including disseminated gonococcal infections, have been reported.
Patients should be provided with information from the Package Leaflet to increase their awareness of potential serious infections and their signs and symptoms. Physicians should advise patients about gonorrhoea prevention.
Infusion reactions
Administration of ravulizumab may result in infusion reactions and allergic or hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis).
In clinical trials with PNH and aHUS, [(6 out of 487 patients with PNH), and (4 of 89 patients with aHUS)] patients experienced infusion reactions which were mild in severity and transient [e.g., lower back pain, drop in blood pressure, elevation in blood pressure, limb discomfort, drug hypersensitivity (allergic reaction), and dysgeusia (bad taste)]. In case of infusion reaction, infusion of ravulizumab should be interrupted and appropriate supportive measures should be instituted if signs of cardiovascular instability or respiratory compromise occur.
Treatment discontinuation for PNH
If patients with PNH discontinue treatment with ravulizumab, they should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of serious intravascular haemolysis, identified by elevated LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) levels along with sudden decrease in PNH clone size or haemoglobin, or re-appearance of symptoms such as fatigue, haemoglobinuria, abdominal pain, shortness of breath (dyspnoea), major adverse vascular event (including thrombosis), dysphagia, or erectile dysfunction. Any patient who discontinues ravulizumab should be monitored for at least 16 weeks to detect haemolysis and other reactions. If signs and symptoms of haemolysis occur after discontinuation, including elevated LDH, consider restarting treatment with ravulizumab.
Treatment discontinuation for aHUS
There are no specific data on ravulizumab discontinuation. In a long-term prospective observational study, discontinuation of complement C5 inhibitor treatment (eculizumab) resulted in a 13.5-fold higher rate of TMA recurrence and showed a trend toward reduced renal function compared to patients who continued treatment.
If patients must discontinue treatment with ravulizumab, they should be monitored closely for signs and symptoms of TMA on an on-going basis. However, monitoring may be insufficient to predict or prevent severe TMA complications.
TMA complications post-discontinuation can be identified if any of the following is observed:
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– At least two of the following laboratory results observed concurrently: a decrease in platelet count of 25% or more as compared to either baseline or to peak platelet count during ravulizumab treatment; an increase in serum creatinine of 25% or more as compared to baseline or to nadir during ravulizumab treatment; or, an increase in serum LDH of 25% or more as compared to baseline or to nadir during ravulizumab treatment (results should be confirmed by a second measurement)
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– any one of the following symptoms of TMA: a change in mental status or seizures or other extra-renal TMA manifestations including cardiovascular abnormalities, pericarditis, gastrointestinal symptoms/diarrhoea; or thrombosis.
If TMA complications occur after ravulizumab discontinuation, reinitiation of ravulizumab treatment should be considered, beginning with the loading dose and maintenance dose (see section 4.2).
Sodium content
Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL and 1,100 mg/11 mL concentrates for solution for infusion
Once diluted with sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9%) solution for injection, this medicinal product contains 0.18 g sodium per 72 mL at the maximal dose, equivalent to 9.1% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
Ultomiris 300 mg/30 mL concentrate for solution for infusion
Once diluted with sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9%) solution for injection, this medicinal product contains 2.65 g sodium per 720 mL at the maximal dose, equivalent to 133% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
No interaction studies have been performed.
Chronic intravenous human immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment may interfere with the endosomal neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) recycling mechanism of monoclonal antibodies such as ravulizumab and thereby decrease serum ravulizumab concentrations.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Women of childbearing potential
Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception methods during treatment and up to 8 months after treatment.
Pregnancy
There are no clinical data from the use of ravulizumab in pregnant women.
Nonclinical reproductive toxicology studies were not conducted with ravulizumab (see section 5.3). Reproductive toxicology studies were conducted in mice using the murine surrogate molecule BB5.1, which assessed effect of C5 blockade on the reproductive system. No specific test-article related reproductive toxicities were identified in these studies. Human IgG are known to cross the human placental barrier, and thus ravulizumab may potentially cause terminal complement inhibition in the foetal circulation.
Animal studies are insufficient with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3).
In pregnant women the use of ravulizumab may be considered following an assessment of the risks and benefits.
Breast-feeding
It is unknown whether ravulizumab is excreted into human milk. Nonclinical reproductive toxicology studies conducted in mice with the murine surrogate molecule BB5.1 identified no adverse effect to pups resulting from consuming milk from treated dams.
A risk to infants cannot be excluded.
Since many medicinal products and immunoglobulins are secreted into human milk, and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, breast-feeding should be discontinued during treatment with ravulizumab and up to 8 months after treatment.
Fertility
No specific non-clinical study on fertility has been conducted with ravulizumab.
Nonclinical reproductive toxicology studies conducted in mice with a murine surrogate molecule (BB5.1) identified no adverse effect on fertility of the treated females or males.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Ultomiris has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
4.8 Undesirable effects
Summary of the safety profile
The most common adverse drug reactions (very common frequency) are diarrhoea, nausea, nasopharyngitis and headache. The most serious adverse reactions in patients in clinical trials are meningococcal infection and meningococcal sepsis (see section 4.4).
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
Table 5 gives the adverse reactions observed from PNH and aHUS clinical trials and from postmarketing experience.
Adverse reactions are listed by MedDRA System Organ Class (SOC) and frequency, using the following convention: very common (> 1/10); common (> 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (> 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare (> 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000); very rare (< 1/10,000); and not known (cannot be estimated from available data).
Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing frequency.
Table 5: Adverse reactions
MedDRA System Organ Class | Very common (> 1/10) | Common (> 1/100 to < 1/10) | Uncommon (> 1/1,000 to < 1/100) |
Infections and infestations | Upper respiratory tract infection, Nasopharyngitis | Meningococcal infection a | |
Nervous system disorders | Headache | Dizziness | |
Gastrointestinal disorders | Diarrhoea, Nausea | Abdominal pain, Vomiting, Dyspepsia | |
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Rash, Pruritus | ||
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | Arthralgia, Back pain, Myalgia, Muscle spasms | ||
General disorders and administration site conditions | Pyrexia, Fatigue | Influenza like illness, Asthenia | Chills |
Immune system disorders | Anaphylactic reaction, b hypersensitivity b | ||
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | Infusion related reaction |
a Meningococcal infection includes preferred terms of meningococcal infection and meningococcal sepsis b Estimated from post-marketing experience
Description of selected adverse reactions
Meningococcal infection/sepsis
Vaccination reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of meningococcal infections. In clinical trials, 3 out of 261 adult PNH patients developed serious meningococcal infections/sepsis while receiving treatment with ravulizumab; all 3 had been vaccinated. All 3 recovered while continuing treatment with ravulizumab. In the study in paediatric patients with PNH, no meningococcal infections occurred among 13 patients receiving treatment with ravulizumab. In aHUS studies, no meningococcal infections occurred among 89 patients receiving treatment with ravulizumab. Please refer to section 4.4 for information on prevention and treatment of suspected meningococcal infection. In patients treated with ravulizumab, meningococcal infections presented as meningococcal sepsis. Patients should be informed of the signs and symptoms of meningococcal septicaemia and advised to seek medical care immediately.
Immunogenicity
Treatment with any therapeutic protein may induce an immune response. In adult PNH patient studies (N = 261), paediatric PNH study (N = 13), and aHUS studies (N = 89), only 2 (0.55%) cases of development of treatment-emergent anti-drug antibody have been reported with ravulizumab (1 adult patient with PNH and 1 adult patient with aHUS). These anti-drug antibodies were transient in nature with low titre and did not correlate with clinical response or adverse events.
Paediatric population
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH)
In paediatric PNH patients (aged 9 to 17 years old) enrolled in the paediatric PNH Study (ALXN1210-PNH-304), the safety profile appeared similar to that observed in adult PNH patients. The most common adverse reactions reported in paediatric PNH patients were abdominal pain and nasopharyngitis, which occurred in 2 patients (15.4%).
Atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS)
In paediatric patients with evidence of aHUS (aged 10 months to less than 18 years) included in ALXN1210-aHUS-312 study, the safety profile of ravulizumab appeared similar to that observed in adult patients with evidence of aHUS. The safety profiles in the different paediatric subsets of age appear similar. The safety data for patient below 2 years of age is limited to four patients. The most common adverse reaction reported in paediatric patients was pyrexia (32.3%).
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system listed in
4.9 Overdose
No case of overdose has been reported to date.
Patients who experience overdose should have immediate interruption of their infusion and be closely monitored.
5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Immunosuppressants, selective immunosuppressants, ATC code: L04AA43
Mechanism of action
Ravulizumab is a monoclonal antibody IgG2/4K that specifically binds to the complement protein C5, thereby inhibiting its cleavage to C5a (the proinflammatory anaphylatoxin) and C5b (the initiating subunit of the terminal complement complex [C5b-9]) and preventing the generation of the C5b-9. Ravulizumab preserves the early components of complement activation that are essential for opsonisation of microorganisms and clearance of immune complexes.
Pharmacodynamic effects
Following ravulizumab treatment in both adult and paediatric complement inhibitor-naive patients and eculizumab-experienced patients with PNH in Phase 3 studies, immediate, complete and sustained inhibition of serum free C5 (concentration of < 0.5 ^g/mL) was observed by the end of the first infusion and sustained throughout the entire 26-week treatment period in all patients. Immediate and complete inhibition of serum free C5 was also observed in adult and paediatric patients with aHUS by the end of the first infusion and throughout the 26-week treatment period.
The extent and duration of the pharmacodynamic response in patients with PNH and aHUS were exposure dependent for ravulizumab. Free C5 levels less than 0.5 ^g/mL were correlated with maximal intravascular haemolysis control and complete terminal complement inhibition.
Clinical efficacy and safety
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
The safety and efficacy of ravulizumab in adult patients with PNH were assessed in two open-label, randomised, active-controlled Phase 3 trials:
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– a complement inhibitor-naïve study in adult patients with PNH who were naïve to complement inhibitor treatment,
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– an eculizumab-experienced study in adult patients with PNH who were clinically stable after
having been treated with eculizumab for at least the previous 6 months.
Ravulizumab was dosed in accordance with the recommended dosing described in section 4.2 (4 infusions of ravulizumab over 26 weeks) while eculizumab was administered according to the approved dosing regimen of eculizumab of 600 mg every week for the first 4 weeks and 900 mg every 2 weeks (15 infusions over 26 weeks).
Patients were vaccinated against meningococcal infection prior to or at the time of initiating treatment with ravulizumab or eculizumab, or received prophylactic treatment with appropriate antibiotics until 2 weeks after vaccination.
There were no noteworthy differences in the demographic or baseline characteristics between the ravulizumab and eculizumab treatment groups in either of the Phase 3 studies. The 12-month transfusion history was similar between ravulizumab and eculizumab treatment groups within each of the Phase 3 studies.
Study in complement inhibitor-naïve adult patients with PNH
The complement inhibitor-naïve study was a 26-week, multicentre, open-label, randomised, active-controlled, Phase 3 study conducted in 246 patients who were naïve to complement inhibitor treatment prior to study entry. Eligible patients to enter this trial had to demonstrate high disease activity, defined as LDH level > 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) at screening along with the presence of 1 or more of the following PNH-related signs or symptoms within 3 months of screening: fatigue, haemoglobinuria, abdominal pain, shortness of breath (dyspnoea), anaemia (haemoglobin < 10 g/dL), history of a major adverse vascular event (including thrombosis), dysphagia, or erectile dysfunction; or history of packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion due to PNH.
More than 80 % of patients in both treatment groups had a history of transfusion within 12 months of study entry. The majority of the complement inhibitor-naïve study population was highly haemolytic at baseline; 86.2 % of enrolled patients presented with elevated LDH > 3 x ULN, which is a direct measurement of intravascular haemolysis, in the setting of PNH.
Table 6 presents the baseline characteristics of the PNH patients enrolled in the complement inhibitornaive study, with no apparent clinically meaningful differences observed between the treatment arms.
Table 6: _______ Baseline characteristics in the complement inhibitor-naive study
Parameter | Statistics | Ravulizumab (N = 125) | Eculizumab (N = 121) |
Age (years) at PNH diagnosis | Mean (SD) Median Min, max | 37.9 (14.90) 34.0 15, 81 | 39.6 (16.65) 36.5 13, 82 |
Age (years) at first infusion in study | Mean (SD) Median | 44.8 (15.16) 43.0 | 46.2 (16.24) 45.0 |
Parameter | Statistics | Ravulizumab (N = 125) | Eculizumab (N = 121) |
Min, max | 18, 83 | 18, 86 | |
Sex (n, %) | Male Female | 65 (52.0) 60 (48.0) | 69 (57.0) 52 (43.0) |
Pre-treatment LDH levels | Mean (SD) Median | 1633.5 (778.75) 1513.5 | 1578.3 (727.06) 1445.0 |
Number of patients with packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions within 12 months prior to first dose | n (%) | 103 (82.4) | 100 (82.6) |
Units of pRBC transfused within 12 months prior to first dose | Total Mean (SD) Median | 925 9.0 (7.74) 6.0 | 861 8.6 (7.90) 6.0 |
Total PNH RBC clone size | Median | 33.6 | 34.2 |
Total PNH granulocyte clone size | Median | 93.8 | 92.4 |
Patients with any PNH conditionsa prior to informed consent Anaemia Haematuria or haemoglobinuria Aplastic anaemia Renal failure Myelodysplastic syndrome Pregnancy complication Otherb | n (%) | 121 (96.8) 103 (82.4) 81 (64.8) 41 (32.8) 19 (15.2) 7 (5.6) 3 (2.4) 27 (21.6) | 120 (99.2) 105 (86.8) 75 (62.0) 38 (31.4) 11 (9.1) 6 (5.0) 4 (3.3) 13 (10.7) |
a Based on medical history.
b “Other” as specified on case report form included thrombocytopenia, chronic kidney disease, and pancytopenia, as well as a number of other conditions.
The coprimary endpoints were transfusion avoidance, and haemolysis as directly measured by normalisation of LDH levels (LDH levels < 1 x ULN; the ULN for LDH is 246 U/L). Key secondary endpoints included the percent change from baseline in LDH levels, change in quality of life (FACIT-Fatigue), the proportion of patients with breakthrough haemolysis and proportion of patients with stabilized haemoglobin.
Ravulizumab was non-inferior compared to eculizumab for both coprimary endpoints, avoidance of pRBC transfusion per protocol-specified guidelines and LDH normalisation from day 29 to day 183, and for all 4 key secondary endpoints (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Analysis of coprimary and secondary endpoints – full analysis set (complement
inhibitor-naive study)
Note: The black triangle indicates the non-inferiority margins, and grey dots indicates point estimates.
Note: LDH = lactate dehydrogenase; CI = confidence interval; FACIT = Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy.
Study in adult PNHpatients previously treated with eculizumab
The eculizumab-experienced study was a 26-week, multicentre, open-label, randomised, active-controlled Phase 3 study conducted in 195 patients with PNH who were clinically stable (LDH < 1.5 x ULN) after having been treated with eculizumab for at least the past 6 months.
PNH medical history was similar between ravulizumab and eculizumab treatment groups. The 12-month transfusion history was similar between ravulizumab and eculizumab treatment groups and more than 87 % of patients in both treatment groups had not received a transfusion within 12 months of study entry. The mean total PNH RBC clone size was 60.05 %, mean total PNH granulocyte clone size was 83.30 %, and the mean total PNH monocyte clone size was 85.86 %.
Table 7 presents the baseline characteristics of the PNH patients enrolled in the eculizumab-experienced study, with no apparent clinically meaningful differences observed between the treatment arms.
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Table 7: Baseline characteristics in the eculizumab-experienced study
Parameter | Statistics | Ravulizumab (N = 97) | Eculizumab (N = 98) |
Age (years) at PNH diagnosis | Mean (SD) Median Min, max | 34.1 (14.41) 32.0 6, 73 | 36.8 (14.14) 35.0 11, 74 |
Age (years) at first infusion in study | Mean (SD) Median Min, max | 46.6 (14.41) 45.0 18, 79 | 48.8 (13.97) 49.0 23, 77 |
Sex (n, %) | Male Female | 50 (51.5) 47 (48.5) | 48 (49.0) 50 (51.0) |
Pre-treatment LDH levels | Mean (SD) Median | 228.0 (48.71) 224.0 | 235.2 (49.71) 234.0 |
Number of patients with pRBC/whole blood transfusions within 12 months prior to first dose | n (%) | 13 (13.4) | 12 (12.2) |
Units of pRBC/whole blood transfused within 12 months prior to first dose | Total Mean (SD) Median | 103 7.9 (8.78) 4.0 | 50 4.2 (3.83) 2.5 |
Patients with any PNH conditions3 prior to informed consent Anaemia Haematuria or haemoglobinuria Aplastic anaemia Renal failure Myelodysplastic syndrome Pregnancy complication Otherb | n (%) | 90 (92.8) 64 (66.0) 47 (48.5) 34 (35.1) 11 (11.3) 3 (3.1) 4 (4.1) 14 (14.4) | 96 (98.0) 67 (68.4) 48 (49.0) 39 (39.8) 7 (7.1) 6 (6.1) 9 (9.2) 14 (14.3) |
a Based on medical history.
b “Other” category included neutropenia, renal dysfunction, and thrombopenia, as well as a number of other conditions.
The primary endpoint was haemolysis as measured by LDH percent change from baseline. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients with breakthrough haemolysis, quality-of-life (FACIT-Fatigue), transfusion avoidance (TA), and proportion of patients with stabilised haemoglobin.
Ravulizumab was non-inferior compared to eculizumab for the primary endpoint, percent change in LDH from baseline to day 183, and for all 4 key secondary endpoints (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Analysis of primary and secondary endpoints – full analysis set
Note: The black triangle indicates the non-inferiority margins, and grey dot indicates point estimates.
Note: LDH = lactate dehydrogenase; CI = confidence interval.
Atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS)
Study in adult patients with aHUS
The adult study was a multicentre, single arm, Phase 3 study conducted in patients with documented aHUS who were naive to complement inhibitor treatment prior to study entry and had evidence of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). The study consisted of a 26-week initial evaluation period and patients were allowed to enter an extension period for up to 4.5 years.
A total of 58 patients with documented aHUS were enrolled. Enrolment criteria excluded patients presenting with TMA due to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or Shiga toxin Escherichia coli related haemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS). Two patients were excluded from the full analysis set due to a confirmed diagnosis of STEC-HUS. Ninety-three percent of patients had extra renal signs (cardiovascular, pulmonary, central nervous system, gastrointestinal, skin, skeletal muscle) or symptoms of aHUS at baseline.
-
Table 8 presents the demographics and baseline characteristics of the 56 adult patients enrolled in Study ALXN1210-aHUS-311 that constituted the full analysis set.
Table 8: _______ Baseline characteristics in the adult study
Parameter | Statistics | Ravulizumab (N = 56) |
Age at time of first infusion (years) | Mean (SD) Min, max | 42.2 (14.98) 19.5, 76.6 |
Sex Male | n (%) | 19 (33.9) |
Race a Asian White Other | n (%) | 15 (26.8) 29 (51.8) 12 (21.4) |
History of transplant | n (%) | 8 (14.3) |
Platelets (109/L) blood | n Median (min,max) | 56 95.25 (18, 473) |
Haemoglobin (g/L) blood | n Median (min,max) | 56 85.00 (60.5, 140) |
LDH (U/L) serum | n Median (min,max) | 56 508.00 (229.5, 3249) |
Parameter | Statistics | Ravulizumab (N = 56) |
eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m2) | n (%) Median (min,max) | 55 10.00 (4, 80) |
Patients on dialysis | N (%) | 29 ( 51.8) |
Patients post partum | N (%) | 8 (14.3) |
Note: Percentages are based on the total number of patients.
Abbreviations: aHUS = atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate;
LDH = lactate dehydrogenase; max = maximum; min = minimum.
The primary endpoint was Complete TMA Response during the 26-week Initial Evaluation Period, as evidenced by normalisation of haematological parameters (platelet count > 150 × 109/L and LDH < 246 U/L) and > 25% improvement in serum creatinine from baseline. Patients had to meet each Complete TMA Response criteria at 2 separate assessments obtained at least 4 weeks (28 days) apart, and any measurement in between.
Complete TMA Response was observed in 30 of the 56 patients (53.6%) during the 26-week initial evaluation period as shown in Table 9.
Table 9: Complete TMA response and complete TMA response components analysis
during the 26-week initial evaluation period (ALXN1210-aHUS-311)
Total | Responder | ||
n | Proportion (95% CI)a | ||
Complete TMA Response | 56 | 30 | 0.536 (0.396, 0.675) |
Components of Complete TMA Response Platelet count normalisation | 56 | 47 | 0.839 (0.734, 0.944) |
LDH normalisation | 56 | 43 | 0.768 (0.648, 0.887) |
>25% improvement in serum creatinine from baseline | 56 | 33 | 0.589 (0.452, 0.727) |
Haematologic normalisation | 56 | 41 | 0.732 (0.607, 0.857) |
a 95 % CIs for the proportion were based on the asymptotic Gaussian approximation method with a continuity correction.
Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval; LDH = lactate dehydrogenase; TMA = thrombotic microangiopathy.
Four additional patients had a Complete TMA Response that was confirmed after the 26-week initial evaluation period (with a Complete TMA Response occurring at Days 169, 302, 401 and 407). resulting in an overall Complete TMA Response in 34 of 56 patients (60.7%; 95% CI: 47.0%, 74.4%). Individual component response increased to 48 (85.7%; 95% CI: 75.7%, 95.8%) patients for platelet count normalisation, 47 (83.9%; 95% CI: 73.4%, 94.4%) patients for LDH normalisation, and 35 (62.5%; 95% CI: 48.9%, 76.1%) patients for renal function improvement.
Complete TMA Response was achieved at a median time of 86 days (7 to 169 days). An increase in mean platelet count was observed rapidly after commencement of ravulizumab, increasing from 118.52 × 109/L at baseline to 240.34 × 109/L at Day 8 and remaining above 227 × 109/L at all subsequent visits in the initial evaluation period (26 weeks). Similarly, mean LDH value decreased from baseline over the first 2 months of treatment and was sustained over the duration of the initial evaluation period (26 weeks).
Of the patients who presented at CKD Stage 5, 67.6% (23/34) showed an improvement of 1 or more CKD Stages. Chronic kidney disease stage continued to improve for many patients (19/30) after achieving Complete TMA Response during the 26-week initial evaluation period. 17 of the 29 patients who required dialysis at study entry were able to discontinue dialysis by the end of the available follow-up while 6 of 27 patients who were off dialysis at baseline were on dialysis at last available follow-up. Table 10 summarises the secondary efficacy outcomes for Study ALXN1210-aHUS-311.
Table 10: _____ Secondary efficacy outcome for study ALXN1210-aHUS-311
Parameters | Study ALXN1210-aHUS-311 (N = 56) | |
Haematologic TMA parameters, Day 183 Platelets (109/L) blood Mean (SD) Median LDH (U/L) serum Mean (SD) Median | Observed value (n=48) 237.96 (73.528) 232.00 194.46 (58.099) 176.50 | Change from baseline (n=48) 114.79 (105.568) 125.00 –519.83 (572.467) –310.75 |
Increase in haemoglobin of > 20 g/L from baseline with a confirmatory result through Initial Evaluation Period m/n proportion (95% CI) | 40/56 0.714 (0.587, 0.842) | |
CKD stage shift from baseline, Day 183 Improved3 m/n Proportion (95% CI) Worsenedb m/n Proportion (95% CI) | 32/47 0.681 (0.529, 0.809) 2/13 0.154 (0.019, 0.454) | |
eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m2), Day 183 Mean (SD) Median | Observed value (n=48) 51.83 (39.162) 40.00 | Change from baseline (n=47) 34.80 (35.454) 29.00 |
Note: n: number of patients with available data for specific assessment at Day 183 visit. m: number of patients meeting specific criterion. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage is classified based on the National Kidney Foundation Chronic Kidney Disease Stage. Stage 5 is considered the worst category, while Stage 1 is considered the best category. Baseline is derived based on the last available eGFR before starting treatment.
Improved/Worsened: compared to CKD stage at baseline. 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) are based on exact confidence limits using the Clopper-Pearson method. aExcludes those with CKD Stage 1 at baseline as they cannot improve. bExcludes patients with Stage 5 at baseline as they cannot worsen.
Abbreviations: eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; LDH = lactate dehydrogenase; TMA = thrombotic microangiopathy.
Paediatric population
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH)
Study in paediatric patients with PNH
The paediatric study (ALXN1210-PNH-304) is a multicentre, open-label, Phase 3 study conducted in eculizumab-experienced and complement inhibitor-naive paediatric patients with PNH.
From interim results, a total of 13 PNH paediatric patients completed ravulizumab treatment during the primary evaluation period (26 weeks) of Study ALXN1210-PNH-304. Five of the 13 patients had never been treated with a complement inhibitor and 8 patients received treatment with eculizumab prior to study entry.
Most of the patients were between 12 years and 17 years of age at first infusion (mean: 14.4 years), with 2 patients under 12 years old (11 years and 9 years old). Eight of the 13 patients were female.
Mean weight at baseline was 56 kg, ranging from 37 to 72 kg. Table 11 presents the baseline disease history and characteristics of the paediatric patients enrolled in Study ALXN1210-PNH-304.
Table 11: _____ Disease History and Characteristics at Baseline (Full Analysis Set)
Variable | Complement Inhibitor-naïve Patients (N = 5) | Eculizumab-experienced Patients (N = 8) |
Total PNH RBC clone size (%) Median (min, max) | (N = 4) 40.05 (6.9, 68.1) | (N = 6) 71.15 (21.2, 85.4) |
Total PNH granulocyte clone size (%) Median (Min, max) | 78.30 (36.8, 99.0) | 91.60 (20.3, 97.6) |
Number of patients with pRBC/whole blood transfusions within 12 months prior to first dose, n (%) | 2 (40.0) | 2 (25.0) |
Number of pRBC/whole blood transfusions within 12 months prior to first dose Total Median (min, max) | 10 5.0 (4, 6) | 2 1.0 (1, 1) |
Units of pRBC/whole blood transfused within 12 months prior to first dose Total Median (min, max) | 14 7.0 (3, 11) | 2 2.0 (2, 2) |
Patients with any PNH-associated conditions prior to informed consent, n (%) Anemia Hematuria or hemoglobinuria Aplastic anemia Renal failure Othera | 5 (100) 2 (40.0) 2 (40.0) 3 (60.0) 2 (40.0) 0 | 8(100) 5 (62.5) 5 (62.5) 1 (12.5) 2 (25.0) 1 (12.5) |
Pre-treatment LDH levels (U/L) Median (min, max) | 588.50 (444, 2269.7) | 251.50 (140.5, 487) |
a Other PNH-associated conditions were reported as “renal and splenic infarcts” and “multiple lesions concerning for embolic process”.
Note: Percentages were based on the total number of patients in each cohort.
Abbreviations: LDH = lactate dehydrogenase; max = maximum; min = minimum; PNH = paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria; pRBC = packed red blood cell; RBC = red blood cell.
Based on body weight, patients received a loading dose of ravulizumab on Day 1, followed by maintenance treatment on Day 15 and once every 8 weeks (q8w) thereafter for patients weighing > 20 kg, or once every 4 weeks (q4w) for patients weighing < 20 kg. For patients who entered the study on eculizumab therapy, Day 1 of study treatment was planned to occur 2 weeks from the patient’s last dose of eculizumab.
The weight-based dose regimen of ravulizumab provided immediate, complete, and sustained inhibition of terminal complement throughout the 26-week primary evaluation period regardless of prior experience with eculizumab. Following initiation of ravulizumab treatment, steady-state therapeutic serum concentrations of ravulizumab were achieved immediately after the first dose and maintained throughout the 26-week primary evaluation period in both cohorts. There were no breakthrough haemolysis events in the study and no patients had post-baseline free C5 levels above 0.5 pg/mL. Mean percent change from baseline in LDH was –47.91% on Day 183 in the complement inhibitor-naive cohort and remained stable in the eculizumab-experienced cohort during the 26-week primary evaluation period. Sixty percent (3/5) of complement inhibitor-naive patients and 75% (6/8) of eculizumab-experienced patients achieved haemoglobin stabilisation by Week 26 respectively. Transfusion-avoidance was reached by 84.6% (11/13) of patients during the 26-week primary evaluation period.
These interim efficacy results are presented in table 12 below.
Table 12: Interim efficacy outcomes from the Paediatric study in PNH patients (ALXN1210-PNH-
304) – 26-week primary evaluation period
End Point | Ravulizumab (Naive, N = 5) | Ravulizumab (Switch, N = 8) |
LDH- Percent change from Baseline Mean (SD) | –47.91 (52.716) | 4.65 (44.702) |
Transfusion Avoidance Percentage (95% CI) | 60.0 (14.66, 94.73) | 100.0 (63.06, 100.00) |
Haemoglobin Stabilisation Percentage (95% CI) | 60.0 (14.66, 94.73) | 75 (34.91, 96.81) |
Breakthrough Haemolysis (%) | 0 | 0 |
Abbreviations: LDH = lactate dehydrogenase
Based on data from these interim results, the efficacy of ravulizumab in paediatric PNH patients appears to be similar to that observed in adult PNH patients.
Atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS)
Use of Ultomiris in paediatric patients for treatment of aHUS is supported by evidence from one paediatric clinical study (a total of 31 patients with documented aHUS were enrolled; 28 patients aged 10 months to 17 years were included in the full analysis set).
Study in paediatric patients with aHUS
The paediatric study is a 26-week ongoing, multicentre, single arm, Phase 3 study conducted in paediatric patients.
A total of 21 eculizumab-naive patients with documented diagnosis of aHUS and evidence of TMA were enrolled, of which 18 were included in the Full Analysis set. Enrolment criteria excluded patients presenting with TMA due to TTP and STEC-HUS. Two patients were given a single dose, and one patient received 2 doses, but then discontinued and were excluded from the full analysis set because aHUS was not confirmed. The overall mean weight at baseline was 22.2 kg; majority of the patients were in the baseline weight category > 10 to < 20 kg. The majority of patients (72.2%) had pretreatment extra renal signs (cardiovascular, pulmonary, central nervous system, gastrointestinal, skin, skeletal muscle) or symptoms of aHUS at baseline. At baseline, 33.3% (n = 6) of patients had CKD Stage 5.
A total of 10 patients, who switched from eculizumab to ravulizumab, had documented diagnosis of aHUS and evidence of TMA were enrolled. Patients had to have clinical response to eculizumab prior to enrolment (i.e LDH < 1.5 X ULN and platelet count > 150,000/^L, and eGFR > 30 mL/min/1.73m2). Consequently, there is no information on the use of ravulizumab in patient refractory to eculizumab.
Table 13 presents the baseline characteristics of the paediatric patients enrolled in Study ALXN1210-aHUS-312.
Table 13: Demographics and base | line characteristics in study ALXN1210-aHUS-312 | ||
Parameter | Statistics | Ravulizumab (Naive, N = 18) | Ravulizumab (Switch, N = 10) |
Age at time of first infusion (years) category Birth to < 2 years 2 to < 6 years 6 to < 12 years 12 to < 18 years | n (%) | 2 (11.1) 9 (50.0) 5 (27.8) 2 (11.1) | 1 (10.0) 1 (10.0) 1 (10.0) 7 (70.0) |
Sex Male | n (%) | 8 (44.4) | 9 (90.0) |
Racea American Indian or Alaskan Native Asian Black or African American White Unknown | n (%) | 1 (5.6) 5 (27.8) 3 (16.7) 9 (50.0) 1 (5.6) | 0 (0.0) 4 (40.0) 1 (10.0) 5 (50.0) 0 (0.0) |
History of transplant | n (%) | 1 (5.6) | 1 (10.0) |
Platelets (109/L) blood | Median (min, max) | 51.25 (14, 125) | 281.75 (207, 415.5) |
Haemoglobin (g/L) | Median (min, max) | 74.25 (32, 106) | 132.0 (114.5, 148) |
LDH (U/L) | Median (min, max) | 1963.0 (772, 4985) | 206.5 (138.5, 356) |
eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m2) | Median (min, max) | 22.0 (10, 84) | 99.75 (54, 136.5) |
Required dialysis at baseline | n (%) | 6 (33.3) | 0 (0.0) |
Note: Percentages are based on the total number of patients.
a Patients can have multiple races selected.
Abbreviations: aHUS = atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate;
LDH = lactate dehydrogenase; max = maximum; min = minimum.
The primary endpoint was Complete TMA Response during the 26-week Initial Evaluation Period, as evidenced by normalisation of haematological parameters (platelet > 150 × 109/L and LDH < 246 U/L) and > 25% improvement in serum creatinine from baseline. Patients had to meet all Complete TMA Response criteria at 2 separate assessments obtained at least 4 weeks (28 days) apart, and any measurement in between.
Complete TMA Response was observed in 14 of the 18 naïve patients (77.8%) during the 26-week initial evaluation period as shown in Table 14.
Table 14: Complete TMA response and complete TMA response components analysis during the
26-week initial evaluation period (ALXN1210 -aHUS-312)
Total | Responder | ||
n | Proportion (95% CI)a | ||
Complete TMA Response | 18 | 14 | 0.778 (0.524, 0.936) |
Components of Complete TMA Response Platelet count normalisation | 18 | 17 | 0.944 (0.727, 0.999) |
LDH normalisation | 18 | 16 | 0.889 (0.653, 0.986) |
> 25% improvement in serum creatinine from baseline | 18 | 15 | 0.833 (0.586, 0.964) |
Haematologic normalisation | 18 | 16 | 0.889 (0.653, 0.986) |
Note: 1 patient withdrew from study after receiving 2 doses of ravulizumab.
a 95% CIs for the proportion were based on the asymptotic Gaussian approximation method with a continuity correction.
Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval; LDH = lactate dehydrogenase; TMA = thrombotic microangiopathy.
Complete TMA Response during the initial evaluation period was achieved at a median time of 30 days (15 to 97 days). All patients with Complete TMA Response maintained it through the initial evaluation period with continuous improvements seen in renal function. An increase in mean platelet count was observed rapidly after commencement of ravulizumab, increasing from 60.50 × 109/L at baseline to 296.67 × 109/L at Day 8 and remained above 296 × 109/L at all subsequent visits in the initial evaluation period (26 weeks).
Three additional patients had a Complete TMA Response that was confirmed after the 26-week initial evaluation period (with a Complete TMA Response occurring at Days 291, 297 and 353).; thus, 17 of 18 (94.4%) paediatric patients (95% CI: 72.7%, 99.9%) had a Complete TMA Response. Individual component response increased to 17 of 18 (94.4%; 95% CI: 72.7%, 99.9%) patients for platelet count normalisation, 17 of 18 (94.4%; 95% CI: 72.7%, 99.9%) patients for LDH normalisation, and 17 of 18 (94.4%; 95% CI: 72.7%, 99.9%) patients for renal function improvement.
All 6 of the patients who required dialysis at study entry were able to discontinue dialysis; 5 of which had already done so by Day 43. No patient started dialysis during the study. The majority of the patient population (15/17), improved by 1 or more CKD stages by Day 183; 14 patients improved by 2 or more stages. Table 15 summarises the secondary efficacy results for Study ALXN1210-aHUS-312.
Table 15: Secondary efficacy outcome for study ALXN1210-aHUS-312
Parameters | Study ALXN1210-aHUS-312 (N = 18) | |
Haematologic TMA parameters, Day 183 Platelets (109/L) blood Mean (SD) Median LDH (U/L) serum Mean (SD) Median | Observed value (n = 17) 304.94 (75.711) 318.00 262.41 (59.995) 247.00 | Change from baseline (n = 17) 245.59 (91.827) 247.00 –2044.13 (1328.059) –1851.50 |
Increase in haemoglobin of > 20 g/L from baseline with a confirmatory result through Initial Evaluation Period m/N proportion (95% CI) | 16/18 0.889 (0.653, 0.986) | |
CKD stage shift from baseline, Day 183 Improved3 m/n Proportion (95% CI) Worsenedb m/n Proportion (95% CI)* | 15/17 0.882 (0.636, 0.985) 0/11 0.000 (0.000, 0.285) | |
eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m2), Day 183 Mean (SD) Median | Observed value (n = 17) 108.5 (56.87) 108.0 | Change from baseline (n = 17) 85.4 (54.33) 80.0 |
Note: n: number of patients with available data for specific assessment at Day 183 visit. m: number of patients meeting specific criterion. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage is classified based on the National Kidney Foundation Chronic Kidney Disease Stage. Stage 1 is considered the best category, while Stage 5 is considered the worst category. Baseline is derived based on the last available eGFR before starting treatment. Improved/Worsened: Compared to CKD stage at baseline.
-
*95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) are based on exact confidence limits using the Clopper Pearson method. a Improved excludes patients with Stage 1 at baseline, as they cannot improve; bworsened excludes patients with Stage 5 at baseline as they cannot worsen.
Abbreviations: eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; LDH = lactate dehydrogenase; TMA = thrombotic microangiopathy.
In eculizumab-experienced patients, switching to ravulizumab maintained disease control as evidenced by stable hematologic and renal parameters, with no apparent impact on safety.
The efficacy of ravulizumab for the treatment of aHUS appears similar in paediatric and adult patients.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Absorption
Because the route of ravulizumab administration is an intravenous infusion and the dosage form is a solution, 100 % of the administered dose is considered bioavailable. The time to maximum observed concentration (tmax) is expected at the end of infusion (EOI) or soon after EOI. Therapeutic steady-state drug concentrations are reached after the first dose.
Distribution
The mean (standard deviation [SD]) volume of distribution at steady state for adult patients with PNH and adult and paediatric patients with aHUS on the studied weight-based dose regimen was 5.35 (0.92) L and 5.22 (1.85) L respectively.
Biotransformation and elimination
As an immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) monoclonal antibody, ravulizumab is expected to be metabolized in the same manner as any endogenous IgG (degraded into small peptides and amino acids via catabolic pathways), and is subject to similar elimination. Ravulizumab contains only natural occurring amino acids and has no known active metabolites. The mean (SD) values for terminal elimination half-life and clearance of ravulizumab in adult patients with PNH and adult and paediatric patients with aHUS are 49.7 (8.9) days and 0.08 (0.022) L/day and 51.8 (16.2) days and 0.08 (0.04) L/day, respectively.
Linearity/non-linearity
Over the studied dose and regimen range, ravulizumab exhibited dose proportional and time linear pharmacokinetics (PK).
Special populations
Weight
Body weight is a significant covariate in patients with PNH and aHUS, resulting in lower exposures in heavier patients. Weight-based dosing is proposed in section 4.2, Table 1 and Table 2.
No formal trial of the effect of sex, race, age (geriatric), hepatic or renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of ravulizumab was conducted. However, based on population-PK assessment no impact of sex, age, race and hepatic or renal function on ravulizumab PK was identified in the studied healthy volunteers, subjects and patients with PNH or aHUS, and as a result, no dosing adjustment is considered necessary.
The pharmacokinetics of ravulizumab have been studied in aHUS patients with a range of renal impairment including patients receiving dialysis. There have been no observed differences in pharmacokinetic parameters noted in these subpopulations of patients including patients with proteinuria.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
Animal reproductive toxicology studies have not been conducted with ravulizumab, but were conducted in mice with a murine surrogate complement inhibitory antibody, BB5.1. No clear treatment-related effects or adverse effects were observed in the murine surrogate reproductive toxicology studies in mice. When maternal exposure to the antibody occurred during organogenesis, two cases of retinal dysplasia and one case of umbilical hernia were observed among 230 offspring born to mothers exposed to the higher antibody dose (approximately 4 times the maximum recommended human ravulizumab dose, based on a body weight comparison); however, the exposure did not increase foetal loss or neonatal death.
No animal studies have been conducted to evaluate the genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of ravulizumab.
Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on nonclinical studies using a murine surrogate molecule, BB5.1, in mice.
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL and 1,100 mg/11 mL concentrates for solution for infusion
Sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate
Sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate
Polysorbate 80
Arginine
Sucrose
Water for injections
Ultomiris 300 mg/30 mL concentrate for solution for infUsion
Sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate
Sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate
Sodium chloride
Polysorbate 80
Water for injections
6.2 Incompatibilities
In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.
Dilution should only use sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9 %) solution for injection as diluent.
6.3 Shelf life
Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL and 1,100 mg/11 mL concentrates for solution for infUsion
18 months.
After dilution, the medicinal product should be used immediately. However, chemical and physical stability of the diluted product have been demonstrated for up to 24 hours at 2 °C-8 °C and up to 4 hours at room temperature.
Ultomiris 300 mg/30 mL concentrate for solution for infusion
-
30 months.
After dilution, the medicinal product should be used immediately. However, chemical and physical stability of the diluted product have been demonstrated for up to 24 hours at 2 °C-8 °C and up to 6 hours at room temperature.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store in a refrigerator (2 °C-8 °C)
Do not freeze.
Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
For storage conditions after dilution of the medicinal product, see section 6.3.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Pack size of one vial.
Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL concentrate for solution for infUsion
-
3 mL of sterile concentrate in a vial (Type I glass) with a stopper and a seal.
Ultomiris 1,100 mg/11 mL concentrate for solution for infUsion
11 mL of sterile concentrate in a vial (Type I glass) with a stopper and a seal.
Ultomiris 300 mg/30 mL concentrate for solution for infusion
-
30 mL of sterile concentrate in a vial (Type I glass) with a stopper and a seal.
6. 6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
Each vial is intended for single use only.
Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL and 1,100 mg/11 mL concentrates for solution for infusion
This medicinal product requires dilution to a final concentration of 50 mg/mL.
Aseptic technique must be used.
Prepare Ultomiris concentrate for solution for infusion as follows:
-
1. The number of vials to be diluted is determined based on the individual patient’s weight and the
prescribed dose, see section 4.2.
-
2. Prior to dilution, the solution in the vials should be visually inspected; the solution should be free of any particulate matter or precipitation. Do not use if there is evidence of particulate matter or precipitation.
-
3. The calculated volume of medicinal product is withdrawn from the appropriate number of vials and diluted in an infusion bag using sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9 %) solution for injection as diluent. Refer to the administration reference tables below. The product should be mixed gently. It should not be shaken.
-
4. After dilution, the final concentration of the solution to be infused is 50 mg/mL.
-
5. The prepared solution should be administered immediately following preparation unless it is stored at 2 °C-8 °C. If stored at 2 °C-8 °C, allow the diluted solution to warm to room temperature prior to administration. Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus injection. Refer to the Table 3 for minimum infusion duration. Infusion must be administered through a 0.2 |am filter.
-
6. If the medicinal product is not used immediately after dilution, storage times must not exceed 24 hours at 2 °C – 8 °C or 4 hours at room temperature taking into account the expected infusion time.
Table 16: Loading dose administration reference table for Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL and
1,100 mg/11 mL concentrates for solution for infusion
Body weight range (kg)a | Loading dose (mg) | Ultomiris volume (mL) | Volume of NaCl diluentb (mL) | Total volume (mL) |
> 10 to < 20 | 600 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
> 20 to < 30 | 900 | 9 | 9 | 18 |
> 30 to < 40 | 1,200 | 12 | 12 | 24 |
> 40 to < 60 | 2,400 | 24 | 24 | 48 |
>60 to<100 | 2,700 | 27 | 27 | 54 |
> 100 | 3,000 | 30 | 30 | 60 |
a Body weight at time of treatment.
b Ultomiris should only be diluted using sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9 %) solution for injection.
Table 17: Maintenance dose administration reference table for Ultomiris 300 mg/3 mL and
1,100 mg/11 mL concentrates for solution for infusion
Body weight range (kg)a | Maintenance dose (mg) | Ultomiris volume (mL) | Volume of NaCl diluentb (mL) | Total volume (mL) |
> 10 to < 20 | 600 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
> 20 to < 30 | 2,100 | 21 | 21 | 42 |
> 30 to < 40 | 2,700 | 27 | 27 | 54 |
> 40 to < 60 | 3,000 | 30 | 30 | 60 |
>60 to <100 | 3,300 | 33 | 33 | 66 |
> 100 | 3,600 | 36 | 36 | 72 |
a Body weight at time of treatment.
b Ultomiris should only be diluted using sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9 %) solution for injection.
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
Ultomiris 300 mg/30 mL concentrate for solution for infusion
This medicinal product requires dilution to a final concentration of 5 mg/mL.
Aseptic technique must be used.
Prepare Ultomiris concentrate for solution for infusion as follows:
-
1. The number of vials to be diluted is determined based on the individual patient’s weight and the prescribed dose, see section 4.2.
-
2. Prior to dilution, the solution in the vials should be visually inspected; the solution should be free of any particulate matter or precipitation. Do not use if there is evidence of particulate matter or precipitation.
-
3. The calculated volume of medicinal product is withdrawn from the appropriate number of vials and diluted in an infusion bag using sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9 %) solution for injection as diluent. Refer to the administration reference tables below. The product should be mixed gently. It should not be shaken.
-
4. After dilution, the final concentration of the solution to be infused is 5 mg/mL.
-
5. The prepared solution should be administered immediately following preparation unless it is stored at 2 °C-8 °C. If stored at 2 °C-8 °C, allow the diluted solution to warm to room temperature prior to administration. Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus injection. Refer to the Table 4 for minimum infusion duration. Infusion must be administered through a 0.2 |am filter.
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6. If the medicinal product is not used immediately after dilution, storage times must not exceed 24 hours at 2 °C – 8 °C or 6 hours at room temperature taking into account the expected infusion time.
7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Alexion Europe SAS
103–105 rue Anatole France
92300 Levallois-Perret
FRANCE
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
EU/1/19/1371/001
EU/1/19/1371/002
EU/1/19/1371/003
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
Date of first authorisation: 02 July 2019