Study Meets Primary and All Secondary Endpoints
THOUSAND OAKS, CA, USA I March 13, 2017 I Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study evaluating Repatha® (evolocumab) in patients who were receiving apheresis to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that treatment with Repatha significantly reduced the need for LDL-C apheresis in adult patients, as measured at the end of the randomized period. The study also met its secondary endpoints of percent change from baseline to week 4 in LDL-C, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and total cholesterol:HDL-C ratio.
“Patients who require apheresis to help control their LDL-C have limited treatment options and face the daunting challenge of frequent, invasive and costly procedures,” said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. “These positive data suggest patients may have an alternative option to help them manage their cholesterol.”
The overall incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was comparable among both groups. No new safety concerns were identified in this study.
Detailed results will be submitted to a future medical conference and for publication.
Apheresis is an invasive procedure similar to dialysis, in which a special machine removes LDL-C from a patient’s plasma.1 The process can be time consuming and burdensome for patients, as the weekly or bi-weekly treatments can take between one to three hours. Many patients also travel long distances for treatment as there are only approximately 60 apheresis centers in the United States (U.S.).2
In the U.S., there are approximately 11 million people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and/or familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) who have uncontrolled levels of LDL-C over 70 mg/dL, despite treatment with statins or other cholesterol-lowering therapies.3,4
Study Design
Thirty-nine adult patients with LDL-C levels between ≥100 mg/dL and ≤190 mg/dL despite regular weekly or biweekly apheresis plus statin therapy (if tolerated) were randomized to receive either Repatha subcutaneously every two weeks or continue LDL-C apheresis (every one or two weeks, according to their schedule before entering the study) for the first six weeks. Beginning at week six, all patients were given Repatha. The primary endpoint evaluated the efficacy of subcutaneous Repatha, compared to regularly scheduled LDL-C apheresis, on reducing the need for continued apheresis at the end of the randomized period. Secondary endpoints measured the effects of Repatha compared with apheresis at week four on levels of LDL-C, non-HDL-C and total cholesterol:HDL-C ratio.
About Repatha® (evolocumab)
Repatha® (evolocumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Repatha binds to PCSK9 and inhibits circulating PCSK9 from binding to the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR), preventing PCSK9-mediated LDLR degradation and permitting LDLR to recycle back to the liver cell surface. By inhibiting the binding of PCSK9 to LDLR, Repatha increases the number of LDLRs available to clear LDL from the blood, thereby lowering LDL-C levels.5
Repatha is approved in more than 40 countries, including the U.S., Japan, Canada and in all 28 countries that are members of the European Union. Applications in other countries are pending.
Important U.S. Product Information
Repatha® is indicated as an adjunct to diet and:
- Maximally tolerated statin therapy for treatment of adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) or clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), who require additional lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)
- Other LDL-lowering therapies (e.g., statins, ezetimibe, LDL apheresis) in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) who require additional lowering of LDL-C
The effect of Repatha® on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been determined.
The safety and effectiveness of Repatha® have not been established in pediatric patients with HoFH who are younger than 13 years old.
The safety and effectiveness of Repatha® have not been established in pediatric patients with primary hyperlipidemia or HeFH.
About Amgen in the Cardiovascular Therapeutic Area
Building on more than three decades of experience in developing biotechnology medicines for patients with serious illnesses, Amgen is dedicated to addressing important scientific questions to advance care and improve the lives of patients with cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.6 Amgen’s research into cardiovascular disease, and potential treatment options, is part of a growing competency at Amgen that utilizes human genetics to identify and validate certain drug targets. Through its own research and development efforts, as well as partnerships, Amgen is building a robust cardiovascular portfolio consisting of several approved and investigational molecules in an effort to address a number of today’s important unmet patient needs, such as high cholesterol and heart failure.
About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people’s lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world’s leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
SOURCE: Amgen
Post Views: 28
Study Meets Primary and All Secondary Endpoints
THOUSAND OAKS, CA, USA I March 13, 2017 I Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study evaluating Repatha® (evolocumab) in patients who were receiving apheresis to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that treatment with Repatha significantly reduced the need for LDL-C apheresis in adult patients, as measured at the end of the randomized period. The study also met its secondary endpoints of percent change from baseline to week 4 in LDL-C, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and total cholesterol:HDL-C ratio.
“Patients who require apheresis to help control their LDL-C have limited treatment options and face the daunting challenge of frequent, invasive and costly procedures,” said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. “These positive data suggest patients may have an alternative option to help them manage their cholesterol.”
The overall incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was comparable among both groups. No new safety concerns were identified in this study.
Detailed results will be submitted to a future medical conference and for publication.
Apheresis is an invasive procedure similar to dialysis, in which a special machine removes LDL-C from a patient’s plasma.1 The process can be time consuming and burdensome for patients, as the weekly or bi-weekly treatments can take between one to three hours. Many patients also travel long distances for treatment as there are only approximately 60 apheresis centers in the United States (U.S.).2
In the U.S., there are approximately 11 million people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and/or familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) who have uncontrolled levels of LDL-C over 70 mg/dL, despite treatment with statins or other cholesterol-lowering therapies.3,4
Study Design
Thirty-nine adult patients with LDL-C levels between ≥100 mg/dL and ≤190 mg/dL despite regular weekly or biweekly apheresis plus statin therapy (if tolerated) were randomized to receive either Repatha subcutaneously every two weeks or continue LDL-C apheresis (every one or two weeks, according to their schedule before entering the study) for the first six weeks. Beginning at week six, all patients were given Repatha. The primary endpoint evaluated the efficacy of subcutaneous Repatha, compared to regularly scheduled LDL-C apheresis, on reducing the need for continued apheresis at the end of the randomized period. Secondary endpoints measured the effects of Repatha compared with apheresis at week four on levels of LDL-C, non-HDL-C and total cholesterol:HDL-C ratio.
About Repatha® (evolocumab)
Repatha® (evolocumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Repatha binds to PCSK9 and inhibits circulating PCSK9 from binding to the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR), preventing PCSK9-mediated LDLR degradation and permitting LDLR to recycle back to the liver cell surface. By inhibiting the binding of PCSK9 to LDLR, Repatha increases the number of LDLRs available to clear LDL from the blood, thereby lowering LDL-C levels.5
Repatha is approved in more than 40 countries, including the U.S., Japan, Canada and in all 28 countries that are members of the European Union. Applications in other countries are pending.
Important U.S. Product Information
Repatha® is indicated as an adjunct to diet and:
- Maximally tolerated statin therapy for treatment of adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) or clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), who require additional lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)
- Other LDL-lowering therapies (e.g., statins, ezetimibe, LDL apheresis) in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) who require additional lowering of LDL-C
The effect of Repatha® on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been determined.
The safety and effectiveness of Repatha® have not been established in pediatric patients with HoFH who are younger than 13 years old.
The safety and effectiveness of Repatha® have not been established in pediatric patients with primary hyperlipidemia or HeFH.
About Amgen in the Cardiovascular Therapeutic Area
Building on more than three decades of experience in developing biotechnology medicines for patients with serious illnesses, Amgen is dedicated to addressing important scientific questions to advance care and improve the lives of patients with cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.6 Amgen’s research into cardiovascular disease, and potential treatment options, is part of a growing competency at Amgen that utilizes human genetics to identify and validate certain drug targets. Through its own research and development efforts, as well as partnerships, Amgen is building a robust cardiovascular portfolio consisting of several approved and investigational molecules in an effort to address a number of today’s important unmet patient needs, such as high cholesterol and heart failure.
About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people’s lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world’s leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
SOURCE: Amgen
Post Views: 28
