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DRUG APPROVALS BY DR ANTHONY MELVIN CRASTO
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Bayer seeks EMA approval for marketing of regorafenib to treat GIST
Bayer seeks EMA approval for marketing of regorafenib to treat GIST
Bayer HealthCare has submitted an application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for marketing authorisation regarding the oral multi-kinase inhibitor, regorafenib.
read all at
Soliris Gets Thumbs Up From EMA’s COMP
eculizumab
CAS number 219685-50-4
Alexion’s Soliris® (eculizumab) Receives Positive Opinion from the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products for Treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXN) today announced that Soliris® (eculizumab), the company’s first-in-class terminal complement inhibitor, has received a positive opinion for orphan medicinal product designation from the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a life-threatening, ultra-rare neurological disorder. The positive opinion of the COMP has now been forwarded to the European Commission for final approval and publication in the community register. Soliris is not approved in any country for the treatment of patients with NMO
http://www.pharmalive.com/soliris-gets-thumbs-up-from-emas-comp
Soliris is a formulation of eculizumab which is a recombinant humanized monoclonal IgG2/4;κ antibody produced by murine myeloma cell culture and purified by standard bioprocess technology. Eculizumab contains human constant regions from human IgG2 sequences and human IgG4 sequences and murine complementarity-determining regions grafted onto the human framework light- and heavy-chain variable regions. Eculizumab is composed of two 448 amino acid heavy chains and two 214 amino acid light chains and has a molecular weight of approximately 148 kDa.
Eculizumab (INN and USAN; trade name Soliris®) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that is a first-in-class terminal complement inhibitor and the first therapy approved for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare, progressive, and sometimes life-threatening disease characterized by excessive destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis).[1] It costs £400,000 ($US 600,000) per year per patient.[1]
Eculizumab also is the first agent approved for the treatment of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), an ultra-rare genetic disease that causes abnormal blood clots to form in small blood vessels throughout the body, leading to kidney failure, damage to other vital organs and premature death.[2][3]
In clinical trials in patients with PNH, eculizumab was associated with reductions in chronic hemolysis, thromboembolic events, and transfusion requirements, as well as improvements in PNH symptoms, quality of life, and survival.[1][4][5][6] Clinical trials in patients with aHUS demonstrated inhibition of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA),[7] the formation of blood clots in small blood vessels throughout the body,[1][3][4] including normalization of platelets and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as maintenance or improvement in renal function.[7]
Eculizumab was discovered and developed by Alexion Pharmaceuticals and is manufactured by Alexion. It was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 16, 2007 for the treatment of PNH, and on September 23, 2011 for the treatment of aHUS. It was approved by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of PNH on June 20, 2007, and on November 24, 2011 for the treatment of aHUS. Eculizumab is currently being investigated as a potential treatment for other severe, ultra-rare disorders
- Hillmen, Young, Schubert, P, N, J, et al (2006). “The complement inhibitor eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria”.N Engl J Med 355 (12): 1233–1243. doi:10.1056/NEJMMoa061648. PMID 16990386.
- Noris, Caprioli, Bresin, M, J, E, et al. (2010). “Relative role of genetic complement abnormalities in sporadic and familial aHUS and their impact on clinical phenotype”. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 5: 1844–1859.
- Caprioli, Noris, Brioschi, J, M, S, et al (2006). “Genetics of HUS: the impact of MPC, CFH, and IF mutations on clinical presentation, response to treatment, and outcome”. Blood 108: 1267–1279.
- Hillman, Hall, Marsh, P, C, JC, et al (2004). “Effect of eculizumab on hemolysis and transfusion requirements in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria”. N Eng J Med 350: 552–559.
- Ray, Burrows, Ginsberg, Burrows, JG, RF, JS, EA (2000). “Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and the risk of venous thrombosis: review and recommendations for management of the pregnant and nonpregnant patient”. Haemostasis 30: 103–107.
- Kelly, Hill, Arnold, RJ, A, LM, et al (2011). “Long-term treatment with eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: sustained efficacy and improved survival”. Blood 117: 6786–6792.
- .Soliris® (eculizumab) prescribing information (2011). Cheshire, CT: Alexion Pharmaceuticals.http://www.soliris.net/sites/default/files/assets/soliris)pi.pdf.
European Medicines Agency recommends approval of first treatment for pseudobulbar affect
26/04/2013
Dextromethorphan
Quinidine
European Medicines Agency recommends approval of first treatment for pseudobulbar affect
Medicine to help curb bouts of uncontrolled emotional expression in patients with certain neurological disorders
The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended the granting of a marketing authorisation for Nuedexta, a medicine for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect in adults.
Pseudobulbar affect is a medical condition in which patients experience sudden and uncontrollable bouts of laughing or crying unrelated or disproportionate to their emotional state. It occurs when certain neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or a stroke, damage areas of the brain that are involved in the control of normal expression of emotion. This damage can disrupt brain signalling, resulting in the alteration or loss of control of emotional expression.
Although pseudobulbar affect is a non-life-threatening condition, it can have a significant impact on an individual’s ability to interact normally in society and on their relationships with others. There is currently no treatment approved for pseudobulbar affect in the European Union.
Nuedexta is a combination of two known active substances, dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulphate. In studies, treatment with these medicines significantly decreased episodes of involuntary, uncontrollable laughing or crying.
Pseudobulbar affect is observed in a number of neurological conditions. Nuedexta has currently only been studied in patients with MS and ALS. Nuedexta is not suitable for treating episodes of laughing or crying brought on by mood swings and not due to pseudobulbar affect.
The CHMP’s opinion on Nuedexta will now be sent to the European Commission for the adoption of a marketing authorisation.
Note
- The marketing authorisation holder for Nuedexta is Jenson Pharmaceutical Services Ltd.
Dextromethorphan/quinidine (trade name Nuedexta) is a combination drug containing the active ingredients dextromethorphan and quinidine. It was the first FDA-approved drug for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA).
In a 12 week randomized, double-blind trial, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis patients with significant PBA were given either Nudexta 30/10 mg or placebo. In 326 randomized patients, the PBA-episode daily rate was 46.9% (p < 0.0001) lower for Nudexta than for placebo.
Nuedexta was approved in February 2011 and is marketed in the United States by Avanir Pharmaceuticals.
Takeda Submits Marketing Authorisation Application for Vedolizumab in Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease in the European Union
March 7, 2013
Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) today announced that a Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) has been submitted to The European Medicines Agency (EMA) for vedolizumab, an investigational, gut-selective humanized monoclonal antibody for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), the two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). If approved, vedolizumab would be the first and only gut-selective biologic agent for UC and CD on the market.
“Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are chronic debilitating diseases with important unmet medical needs, often affecting young people in the prime of their lives,” said Asit Parikh, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, general medicine, Takeda. “We are encouraged by the findings of GEMINI, the vedolizumab Phase 3 clinical development program, which studied approximately 3,000 patients in nearly 40 countries, making it the largest IBD clinical trial program conducted to date.”
Nearly four million people worldwide are affected by IBD, with UC affecting more than 500,000 people and CD affecting approximately 230,000 people in the EU. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic diseases that cause inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. Inflammation caused by CD can involve varying areas of the digestive tract, while UC impacts the colon only. CD and UC can be both painful and debilitating, which may sometimes lead to serious complications and can significantly impact the quality of life for patients.
The MAA submission was supported by Phase 3 clinical studies, GEMINI I, GEMINI II, GEMINI III and GEMINI LTS (Long-term Safety), which are part of the GEMINI Studies™, a four-study clinical research program to investigate the efficacy and safety of vedolizumab on clinical response and remission in moderately to severely active CD and UC patients, who had failed at least one conventional or anti-TNFα therapy.
“With a targeted mechanism of action, vedolizumab has clinical promise as a potential treatment option for people with moderate to severely active CD and UC,” said Paul Rutgeerts, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P., professor of medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. “While there is no known cure, there is a need for new CD and UC treatment options, in an effort to provide patients with additional choices for managing their disease, reducing symptoms and achieving remission.”
About Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is marked by inflammation in the lining of the GI tract. CD can impact any part of the digestive tract, and common symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and/or fever. UC impacts the large intestine only, which includes the colon and the rectum. The most common symptoms of UC include abdominal discomfort and blood or pus in diarrhea. There is no known cause for CD or UC, although many researchers believe that the interaction of an outside agent, such as a virus or bacteria, with the body’s immune system may trigger them. No cure exists for CD or UC; the aim of IBD treatments is to induce and maintain remission, or achieve extended periods of time when patients do not experience symptoms.
About vedolizumab
Vedolizumab was developed for the treatment of CD and UC, as a gut-selective, humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically antagonizes the alpha4beta7 (α4β7) integrin, which is expressed on a subset of circulating white blood cells. These cells have been shown to play a role in mediating the inflammatory process in CD and UC. α4β7 binds with a specific adhesion molecule primarily expressed in the intestinal tract. Therefore, vedolizumab, by preventing this interaction, has a gut selective effect.
About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Located in Osaka, Japan, Takeda is a research-based global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals. As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and one of the global leaders of the industry, Takeda is committed to strive towards better health for patients worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Additional information about Takeda is available through its corporate website, http://www.takeda.com.
Vedolizumab is a monoclonal antibody being developed by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.It binds to integrin α4β7(LPAM-1, lymphocyte Peyer’s patch adhesion molecule 1).[1][2]
The molecule was first identified by Dr. Andrew Lazarovits [1][2] as the murine MLN0002 homologue. His discovery of the mouse equivalent of this antibody—originally applied to anti-rejection strategies in kidney transplantation—was published in the journal Nature in 1996. The drug was then licensed to Millennium Pharmaceuticals of Boston for further development.
As of October 2009, vedolizumab is undergoing Phase III trials.[3] Clinical trials indicate that Vedolizumab was found safe and highly effective for inducing and maintaining clinical remission in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis [3]. Dr. Brian Faegan, head researcher, reported an absence of any instances of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), which is a particularly important finding [4]. It looks like it will be an effective abiologic agent without some of the toxicity issues previously seen with anti-TNF drugs .
It is widely believed now that “vedolizumab can be used either as a first-line treatment or in case of anti-TNF failure”
- Statement On A Nonproprietary Name Adopted By The USAN Council – Vedolizumab, American Medical Association.
- Soler, D; Chapman, T; Yang, LL; Wyant, T; Egan, R; Fedyk, ER (2009). “The binding specificity and selective antagonism of vedolizumab, an anti-alpha4beta7 integrin therapeutic antibody in development for inflammatory bowel diseases”. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 330 (3): 864–75. doi:10.1124/jpet.109.153973. PMID 19509315.
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00790933 Study of Vedolizumab (MLN0002) in Patients With Moderate to Severe Crohn’s Disease (GEMINI II)
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