Waylivra - summary of medicine characteristics

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Waylivra 285 mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each ml contains 200 mg volanesorsen sodium, equivalent to 190 mg volanesorsen.

Each single-dose pre-filled syringe contains 285 mg of volanesorsen in 1.5 ml solution.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Solution for injection (injection).

Clear, colourless to slightly yellow solution with a pH of approximately 8 and osmolarity of 363485 mOsm/kg.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS4.1 Therapeutic indications

Waylivra is indicated as an adjunct to diet in adult patients with genetically confirmed familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) and at high risk for pancreatitis, in whom response to diet and triglyceride lowering therapy has been inadequate.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

Treatment should be initiated by and remain under the supervision of a physician experienced in the treatment of patients with FCS. Prior to initiating Waylivra, secondary causes of hypertriglyce­ridemia (e.g. uncontrolled diabetes, hypothyroidism) should be excluded or appropriately addressed.

The recommended starting dose is 285 mg in 1.5 ml injected subcutaneously once weekly for 3 months. Following 3 months, dose frequency should be reduced to 285 mg every 2 weeks.

However, treatment should be discontinued in patients with a reduction in serum triglycerides <25% or who fail to achieve serum triglycerides below 22.6 mmol/L after 3 months on volanesorsen 285 mg weekly.

After 6 months of treatment with volanesorsen, increase of dose frequency to 285 mg weekly should be considered if response has been inadequate in terms of serum triglyceride reduction as evaluated by the supervising experienced specialist and in the condition that platelet counts are in the normal range. Patients should be re-downtitrated to 285 mg every 2 weeks if the higher 285 mg once weekly dose does not provide significant additional triglyceride reduction after 9 months.

Patients should be instructed to give the injection on the same day of the week, according to medically determined frequency of administration.

Platelet monitoring and dose adjustments

Before initiation of treatment, platelet count should be measured. If the platelet count is below 140 × 109/L another measurement should be taken approximately a week later to reassess. If platelet count remains below 140 × 109/L upon a second measurement, Waylivra should not be initiated (see section 4.3).

After commencing treatment, patients should have platelet levels monitored at least every two weeks, depending on the platelet levels.

Treatment and monitoring should be adjusted according to laboratory values in line with Table 1.

For any patient dose paused or discontinued due to severe thrombocytopenia, the benefits and risks of returning to treatment once platelet count >100 × 109/L should be carefully considered. For discontinued patients, a haematologist should be consulted prior to resuming treatment.

Table 1. Waylivra monitoring and treatment recommendations

Platelet count (x10 9 /L)	Dose (285 mg prefilled syringe)	Monitoring frequency
Normal (>140)	Starting dose: Weekly After 3 months: Every 2 weeks	Every 2 weeks
100 to 139	Every 2 weeks	Weekly
75 to 99	Pause treatment for > 4 weeks and resume treatment after platelet levels > 100 × 109/L	Weekly
50 to 74a	Pause treatment for > 4 weeks and resume treatment after platelet levels > 100 × 109/L	Every 2–3 days
Less than 50 a b	Discontinue treatment Glucocorticoids recommended	Daily

a See section 4.4 for recommendations regarding use of antiplatelet agents/non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)/anti­coagulants

b Consultation of a haematologist is needed to reconsider the benefit/risk for possible further treatment with volanesorsen.

Special populations

Elderly population

No starting dose adjustment is necessary for elderly patients. There is limited clinical data for patients aged 65 and over (see sections 5.1 and 5.2).

Renal impairment

No starting dose adjustment is necessary in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. The safety and efficacy in patients with severe renal impairment has not been established and these patients should be closely observed.

Hepatic impairment

This medicinal product has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment. The medicinal product is not metabolised via the cytochrome P450 enzyme system in the liver, therefore dose adjustment is unlikely to be required in patients with hepatic impairment.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of this medicinal product in children and adolescents below 18 years of age have not yet been established. No data are available.

Method of administration

This medicinal product is intended for subcutaneous use only. It should not be administered intramuscularly or intravenously.

Each pre-filled syringe is for single use only.

Waylivra should be inspected visually prior to administration. The solution should be clear and colourless to slightly yellow. If the solution is cloudy or contains visible particulate matter, the contents must not be injected and the medicinal product should be returned to the pharmacy.

The first injection administered by the patient or caregiver should be performed under the guidance of an appropriately qualified health care professional. Patients and/or caregivers should be trained in the administration of this medicinal product in accordance with the patient information leaflet.

The pre-filled syringe should be allowed to reach room temperature prior to injection. It should be removed from refrigerated storage (2 ° to 8 °C) at least 30 minutes before use. Other warming methods should not be used. It is normal to see a large air bubble. It should not be attempted to remove the air bubble.

It is important to rotate sites for injection. Sites for injection include the abdomen, upper thigh region, or outer area of the upper arm. If injected in the upper arm, the injection should be administered by another person. Injection should be avoided at the waistline and other sites where pressure or rubbing may occur from clothing. This medicinal product should not be injected into tattoos, moles, birthmarks, bruises, rashes, or areas where the skin is tender, red, hard, bruised, damaged, burned, or inflamed.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Chronic or unexplained thrombocytopenia. Treatment should not be initiated in patients with thrombocytopenia (platelet count <140 × 109/L).

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Thrombocytopenia

Waylivra is very commonly associated with reductions in platelet count in patients with FCS, which may result in thrombocytopenia (see section 4.8). Patients with lower body weight (less than 70 kg) may be more prone to thrombocytopenia during treatment with this medicinal product. Careful monitoring for thrombocytopenia is important during treatment with this medicinal product in patients with FCS (see section 4.2). Recommendations for adjustments to monitoring frequency and dosing are specified in Table 1 (see section 4.2).

Patients should be instructed to report to their physician immediately if they experience any signs of bleeding, which can include petechiae, spontaneous bruising, subconjunctival bleeding, or other unusual bleeding (including nosebleeds, bleeding from gums, stools, or unusually heavy menstrual bleeding), neck stiffness, atypical severe headache, or any prolonged bleeding.

LDL-C levels

With treatment with Waylivra, LDL-C levels may rise but will usually remain within the normal range.

Renal toxicity

Renal toxicity has been observed after administration of volanesorsen and other subcutaneously and intravenously administered antisense oligonucleotides. Monitoring for evidence of nephrotoxicity by routine urine dipstick is recommended on a quarterly basis. In the case of a positive assessment, a broader assessment of renal function, including serum creatinine and a 24-hour collection to quantify the proteinuria and assess creatinine clearance, should be performed. Treatment should be discontinued if: proteinuria of > 500 mg/24 hour is recorded, or an increase in serum creatinine > 0.3 mg/dL (26.5 ^mol/L) that is >ULN is recorded, or creatinine clearance estimated by the CKD-EPI equation is < 30 mL/min/1.73m2. Treatment should also be discontinued for any clinical symptoms or signs of renal impairment pending the previous confirmatory assessments.

Hepatotoxicity

Elevations of liver enzymes have been observed after administration of other subcutaneously and intravenously administered antisense oligonucleotides. Monitoring for hepatotoxicity through serum liver enzymes and bilirubin should be assessed on a quarterly basis. Treatment should be discontinued if there is a single increase in ALT or AST > 8 x ULN, or an increase > 5 x ULN, which persists for > 2 weeks, or lesser increases in ALT or AST that are associated with total bilirubin > 2 x ULN or INR > 1.5. Treatment should also be discontinued for any clinical symptoms or signs of hepatic impairment or hepatitis.

Immunogenicity and inflammation

No evidence of altered safety profile or clinical response was associated with presence of anti-drug antibodies. If formation of anti-drug antibodies with a clinically significant effect is suspected, contact the marketing authorisation holder to discuss antibody testing.

Monitoring of inflammation should be assessed through quarterly assessment of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

Sodium content

This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose of 285 mg, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

No clinical drug interaction studies have been conducted.

Clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interactions are not expected between volanesorsen and substrates, inducers or inhibitors of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, and drug transporters. It is unknown whether triglyceride lowering by volanesorsen and the potentially ensuing decrease in inflammation leads to normalisation of CYP enzyme expression.

In clinical studies, this medicinal product has been used in combination with fibrates and fish oils with no impact on the medicinal product pharmacodynamics or pharmacokinetics. There were no adverse

events related to drug-drug interactions reported during the clinical program, however this is based on limited data.

The effect of concomitant administration of this medicinal product with alcohol or medicinal products known to have potential for hepatotoxicity (e.g., paracetamol) is unknown. If signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity develop, use of the hepatotoxic medicinal product should be discontinued.

Antithrombotic agents and medicinal products that may lower platelet count

It is not known whether the risk of bleeding is increased by concomitant use of volanesorsen and antithrombotic agents or medicinal products that may lower platelet count or affect platelet function. Discontinuation of antiplatelet medicinal products/NSAID­s/anticoagulan­ts should be considered for platelet levels <75 × 109/L and treatment with these medicinal products should be stopped at platelet levels < 50 × 109/L (see section 4.4).

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are no data on the use of volanesorsen in pregnant women.

Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3).

As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of this medicinal product during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

In non-clinical studies, levels of volanesorsen in milk were very low in lactating mice. Available pharmacodynamic/to­xicological data in animals have shown excretion of very low amounts of volanesorsen in milk (see section 5.3). Due to the poor oral bioavailability of this medicinal product, it is considered unlikely that these low milk concentrations would result in systemic exposure from nursing.

It is unknown whether volanesorsen or metabolites are excreted in human milk.

A risk to the newborn infant cannot be excluded.

A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from therapy taking into account the benefit of breast feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.

Fertility

No clinical data on the effect of this medicinal product on human fertility are available. Volanesorsen had no effect on fertility in mice.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Volanesorsen has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

In clinical studies in patients with FCS, the most commonly reported adverse reactions during treatment were platelet count decreased (see section 4.4), occurring in 40% of patients during the pivotal studies, and injection site reactions, occurring in 82% of patients.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Table 2 presents the adverse reactions from the Phase 3 studies in patients with FCS in receiving volanesorsen subcutaneously.

The frequency of adverse reactions is defined 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 2:   Summary of adverse reactions in clinical studies in patients with FCS (N=86)

System organ class	Very common (N, %)	Common (N, %)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders	Thrombocytopenia (10, 12%)	Leukopenia (2, 2%) Eosinophilia (1, 1%) Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (1, 1%) Spontaneous haematoma (1, 1%)
Immune system disorders		Immunisation reaction (3, 3%) Hypersensitivity (1, 1%) Serum sickness-like reaction (1, 1%)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders		Diabetes mellitus (1, 1%)
Psychiatric disorders		Insomnia (1, 1%)
Nervous system disorders		Headache (8, 9%) Hypoaesthesia (1, 1%) Presyncope (1, 1%) Retinal migraine (1, 1%) Syncope (2, 2%) Dizziness (1, 1%) Tremor (1, 1%)
Eye disorders		Conjunctival haemorrhage (1, 1%) Vision blurred (1, 1%)
Vascular disorders		Haematoma (3, 3%) Hypertension (1, 1%) Haemorrhage (1, 1%) Hot flush (1, 1%)
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders		Epistaxis (3, 3%) Cough (1, 1%) Dyspnoea (2, 2%) Nasal congestion (1, 1%) Pharyngeal oedema (1, 1%) Wheezing (1, 1%)
Gastrointestinal disorders		Nausea (8, 9%) Diarrhoea (4, 5%) Dry mouth (1,1 %) Gingival bleeding (1, 1%) Mouth haemorrhage (1, 1%)

System organ class	Very common (N, %)	Common (N, %)
		Parotid gland enlargement (1, 1%) Vomiting (4, 5%) Abdominal pain (4, 5%) Abdominal distension (1, 1%) Dyspepsia (1, 1%) Gingival swelling (1, 1%)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders		Erythema (4, 5%) Pruritus (4,5 %) Urticaria (3, 3%) Hyperhidrosis (2, 2%) Rash (3, 3%) Petechiae (1, 1%) Ecchymosis (1, 1%) Night sweats (1, 1%) Papule (1, 1%) Skin hypertrophy (1, 1%) Swelling face (1, 1%)
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders		Myalgia (8, 9%) Arthralgia (6, 7%) Pain in extremity (5, 6%) Arthritis (2, 2%) Back pain (2, 2%) Musculoskeletal pain (2, 2%) Neck pain (2, 2%) Muscle spasms (1, 1%) Joint stiffness (1, 1%) Myositis (1, 1%) Pain in jaw (1, 1%) Polymyalgia rheumatica (1, 1%)
Renal and urinary disorders		Haematuria (1, 1%) Proteinuria (1, 1%)
General disorders and administration site conditions	Injection site erythema (67, 78%) Injection site pain (38, 44%) Injection site pallor (37, 43%) Injection site swelling (25, 29%) Injection site pruritus (22, 26%) Injection site discolouration (19, 22%) Injection site induration (17, 20%) Injection site bruising (10, 12%) Injection site oedema (10, 12%)	Asthenia (8, 9%) Fatigue (8, 9%) Injection site haematoma (7, 8%) Injection site reaction (6, 7%) Injection site urticaria (5, 6%) Injection site warmth (5, 6%) Chills (5, 6%) Pyrexia (4, 5%) Injection site dryness (4, 5%) Injection site haemorrhage (4, 5%)

System organ class	Very common (N, %)	Common (N, %)
		Injection site hypoaesthesia (4, 5%) Injection site vesicles (3, 3%) Malaise (2, 2%) Feeling hot (2, 2%) Influenza-like illness (2, 2%) Injection site discomfort (2, 2%) Injection site inflammation (2, 2%) Injection site mass (2, 2%) Pain (2, 2%) Injection site paraesthesia (1, 1%) Injection site scab (1, 1%) Injection site papule (1, 1%) Oedema (1, 1%) Non-cardiac chest pain (1, 1%) Vessel puncture site haemorrhage (1, 1%)
Investigations	Platelet count decreased (34, 40%)	Blood creatinine increased (1, 1%) Blood urea increased (1, 1%) Creatinine renal clearance decreased (1, 1%) Transaminases increased (1, 1%) White blood cell count decreased (1, 1%) Haemoglobin decreased (1, 1%) Hepatic enzyme increased (1, 1%) International normalised ratio increased (1, 1%)
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications		Contusion (3, 3%)

Description of selected adverse reactions

Thrombocytopenia

In the pivotal Phase 3 study in patients with FCS (the APPROACH study), confirmed reductions in platelet counts to below normal (140 × 109/L) were observed in 75% of FCS patients treated with volanesorsen and 24% of placebo patients; confirmed reductions to below 100 × 109/L were observed in 47% of patients treated with volanesorsen compared with no placebo patients. In APPROACH and its open-label extension (CS7), patients discontinuing therapy due to platelet levels included 3 patients with platelet counts <25 × 109/L, 2 with platelet counts between 25 × 109/L and 50 × 109/L, and 5 with platelet counts between 50 × 109/L and 75 × 109/L. None of these patients had any major bleeding events and all recovered to normal platelet count following drug discontinuation and administration of glucocorticos­teroids where medically indicated.

Immunogenicity

In the Phase 3 clinical studies (CS16 and APPROACH), 16% and 30% of volanesorsen-treated patients tested positive for anti-drug antibodies during 6-month and 12-month treatment, respectively. No evidence of altered safety profile or clinical response was associated with presence of anti-drug antibodies; however this is based on the limited long-term data (see section 4.4).

Injection site reactions

Injection site reactions defined as any local cutaneous reaction at the injection site persisting more than 2 days occurred in 82% of volanesorsen-treated patients in the APPROACH study and its openlabel extension (CS7). These local reactions were mostly mild and typically consisted of 1 or more of the following: erythema, pain, pruritus, or local swelling. Injection site reactions did not occur with all injections and resulted in discontinuation for 1 patient in the APPROACH study.

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

There is no clinical experience with overdose of this medicinal product. In the case of overdose, patients should be carefully observed and supportive care administered, as appropriate. Symptoms of overdose are expected to be limited to constitutional symptoms and injection site reactions.

Haemodialysis is unlikely to be beneficial given that volanesorsen is rapidly distributed into cells.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: lipid modifying agents, other lipid modifying agents, ATC code: C10AX18

Mechanism of action

Volanesorsen is an antisense oligonucleotide designed to inhibit the formation of apoC-III, a protein that is recognised to regulate both triglyceride metabolism and hepatic clearance of chylomicrons and other triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. The selective binding of volanesorsen to the apoC-III messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) within the 3‘ untranslated region at base position 489–508 causes the degradation of the mRNA. This binding prevents translation of the protein apoC-III, thus removing an inhibitor of triglyceride clearance and enabling metabolism through an LPL-independent pathway.

Pharmacodynamic effects

Effects of Waylivra on lipid parameters

In APPROACH, the Phase 3 clinical study in patients with FCS, Waylivra reduced fasting triglycerides, total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, apoC-III, apoB-48, and chylomicron triglyceride levels and increased LDL-C, HDL-C, and apoB (see Table 3).

Table 3:    Mean baseline and percent change in lipid parameters from baseline to month 3

Lipid parameter (g/L for apoC-III, apoB, apoB-48; mmol/L for cholesterol, triglycerides)	Placebo (N=33)		Volanesorsen 285 mg (N=33)
	Baseline	% Change	Baseline	% Change

Triglycerides	24.3	+24%	25.6	–72%
Total cholesterol	7.3	+13%	7.6	–39%
LDL-C	0.72	+7%	0.73	+139%
HDL-C	0.43	+5%	0.44	+45%
Non-HDL-C	6.9	+14%	7.1	–45%
ApoC-III	0.29	+6%	0.31	–84%
ApoB	0.69	+2%	0.65	+20%
ApoB-48	0.09	+16%	0.11	–75%
Chylomicron triglycerides	20	+38%	22	–77%

Cardiac electrophysiology

At a drug concentration 4.1 times the peak drug plasma concentrations (Cmax) of the maximum recommended dose (285 mg subcutaneous injection), volanesorsen did not prolong the heart-rate corrected QT (QTc) interval.

Clinical efficacy and safety

APPROACH study in patients with FCS

The APPROACH study is a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled 52-week multicentre clinical study in 66 patients with FCS, evaluating volanesorsen 285 mg administered as a subcutaneous injection (33 treated with volanesorsen, 33 with placebo). Main inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of FCS (Type 1 hyperlipopro­teinemia) in combination with a history of chylomicronemia evidenced by documentation of lactescent serum or documentation of fasting TG measurement > 880 mg/dl.

Diagnosis of FCS required documentation of at least one of the following:

• a) Confirmed homozygote, compound heterozygote, or double heterozygote for known loss-of-function mutations in Type 1-causing genes (such as LPL, APOC2, GPIHBP1, or LMF1)

• b) Post heparin plasma LPL activity of < 20% of normal.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption

Following subcutaneous injection, peak plasma concentrations of volanesorsen are typically reached in 2 to 4 hours. The absolute bioavailability of volanesorsen following a single subcutaneous administration is approximately 80% (most likely higher because an AUC of 0 to 24 hours was used and volanesorsen has a half-life of >2 weeks).

Following a dose of 285 mg once weekly in patients with FCS, the estimated geometric mean (coefficient of variation % of geometric mean) steady-state Cmax is 8.92 ^g/ml (35%), AUCo-i68his 136 |jg*h/ml (38%), and Ctrough is 127 ng/ml (58%) in patients who remain negative for anti-drug antibody. An alternative dosing regimen of 285 mg volanesorsen every two weeks results in a Ctrough,ss of approximately 58.0 ng/ml with Cmax and AUC similar compared to the once weekly dosing regimen.

Distribution

Volanesorsen was rapidly and widely distributed to tissues following subcutaneous or intravenous administration in all species evaluated. The estimated steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) in patients with FCS is 330 L. Volanesorsen is highly bound to human plasma proteins (>98%) and the binding is concentration independent.

In vitro studies show that volanesorsen is not a substrate or inhibitor of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP1B1, OATP1B3), bile salt export pump (BSEP), organic cation transporters (OCT1, OCT2), or organic anion transporters (OAT1, OAT3).

Biotransformation

Volanesorsen is not a substrate for CYP metabolism, and is metabolised in tissues by endonucleases to form shorter oligonucleotides that are then substrates for additional metabolism by exonucleases. Unchanged volanesorsen is the predominant circulating component.

In vitro studies indicate that volanesorsen is not an inhibitor of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, or CYP3A4 or inducer of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, or CYP3A4.

Elimination

Elimination involves both metabolism in tissues and excretion in urine. Urinary recovery of the parent drug was limited in humans with < 3% of administered subcutaneous dose recovered within 24 hours post dose. The parent drug and 5– to 7-mer chain-shortened metabolites accounted for approximately 26% and 55% of oligonucleotides recovered in urine, respectively. Following subcutaneous administration, terminal elimination half-life is approximately 2 to 5 weeks.

In animals, elimination of volanesorsen was slow and occurred mainly via urinary excretion, reflecting rapid plasma clearance principally to tissues. Both volanesorsen and shorter oligonucleotide metabolites (predominantly 7-mer metabolites (generated either from 3‘-deletions or 5‘-deletions)) were identified in human urine.

Linearity/non-linearity

Single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of volanesorsen in healthy volunteers and patients with hypertriglyce­ridemia have shown that the Cmax of volanesorsen is dose-proportional over a dose range of 100 to 400 mg and the AUC is slightly more than dose-proportional over the same dose range. Steady-state was reached approximately 3 months after starting volanesorsen. Accumulation in Ctrough was observed (7– to 14-fold) and little or no increase in Cmax or AUC was observed following weekly SC administration over a dose of 200 to 400 mg. Some accumulation in AUC and Cmax was observed for the 50 to 100 mg dose. Since the administered dose will be 285 mg every two weeks, or 142.5 mg weekly, little increase in Cmax or AUC is expected upon multiple dosing in the clinical setting.

Special populations

Renal impairment

A population pharmacokinetic analysis suggests that mild and moderate renal impairment has no clinically relevant effect on the systemic exposure of volanesorsen. No data are available in patients with severe renal impairment.

Hepatic impairment

The pharmacokinetics of volanesorsen in patients with hepatic impairment is unknown.

Age, sex, weight, and race

Based on the population pharmacokinetic analysis, age, body weight, sex, or race has no clinically relevant effect on volanesorsen exposure. There are limited data available in subjects >75 years of age.

Anti-volanesorsen antibody formation affecting pharmacokinetics

The formation of binding antibodies to volanesorsen appeared to increase total Ctrough by 2– to 19-fold.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity or toxicity to reproduction and development.

Dose and time-dependent reductions in platelet counts were observed in Cynomolgus monkey repeated dose studies. The decrease was gradual, self-sustaining and did not decrease to adverse levels. In individual monkeys, severe thrombocytopenia was noted in the 9 month study of drug treated groups at clinically relevant exposures and has also been observed in clinical studies. The decrease in platelet counts was not acute and decreased to below 50,000 cells/gl. Platelet counts recovered after cessation of treatment, but decreased again below 50,000 cells/gl after treatment was resumed in some monkeys. Decreased platelet counts were also observed in rodent repeated dose studies. A mode of action for the observed thrombocytopenia is currently not known.

In nonclinical studies, levels of volanesorsen in milk were very low in lactating mice. The concentrations in breast milk of mice were >800 fold lower than effective tissue concentrations in maternal liver. Due to the poor oral bioavailability of volanesorsen, it is considered unlikely that these low milk concentrations would result in systemic exposure from nursing (see section 4.6).

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS6.1 List of excipients

Sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) Hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment) Water for injections.

6.2 Incompatibilities

In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.

6.3 Shelf life

5 years

This medicinal product can be removed from refrigeration and stored, in the original carton, at room temperature (below 30 °C) for up to 6 weeks. In this 6-week period, it can be kept as needed between refrigerated and room temperature (up to 30 °C). This medicinal product must be discarded immediately if not used within the 6 weeks after the first time it is removed from refrigerated storage.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Store in a refrigerator (2 ° – 8 °C).

Do not freeze.

Store in the original carton in order to protect from light.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Single-dose, type I glass pre-filled syringe with a siliconised chlorobutyl rubber stopper and staked needle with shield, filled to deliver 1.5 ml of solution.

Pack sizes of one pre-filled syringe or multipacks containing 4 (4 packs of 1) pre-filled syringes.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

This medicinal product should be inspected visually prior to administration. The solution should be clear and colourless to slightly yellow. If the solution is cloudy or contains visible particulate matter, the contents must not be injected and the medicinal product should be returned to the pharmacy. Use each pre-filled syringe only once and then place in a sharps disposal container for disposal according to community guidelines.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Akcea Therapeutics Ireland Ltd.

Regus House, Harcourt Centre,

Harcourt Road,

Dublin 2

Ireland

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/19/1360/001

EU/1/19/1360/002

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 03 May 2019

Date of latest renewal: 04 February 2021