Evkeeza® (evinacumab) Phase 3 Trial Demonstrates 48% LDL-C Reduction in Children with Ultra-rare Form of High Cholesterol
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: REGN) announced promising results from a Phase 3 trial of Evkeeza® (evinacumab) in children aged 5-11 with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). The trial showed a significant average LDL-C reduction of 48% after 24 weeks, with 79% of participants achieving at least a 50% decrease. The FDA submission is scheduled for late 2022. Evkeeza, previously approved for older patients, has displayed potential as a breakthrough therapy for managing HoFH in younger patients.
- 48% average LDL-C reduction after 24 weeks.
- 79% of trial participants achieved at least a 50% decrease in LDL-C.
- Plans for FDA submission by end of 2022.
- Well-tolerated treatment with all patients completing the trial.
- None.
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., May 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
Children already on other lipid-lowering therapies entered the trial with dangerously high LDL-C (264 mg/dL on average), and
FDA submission planned by end of 2022
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced positive results from a Phase 3 trial evaluating Evkeeza® (evinacumab) in children aged 5 to 11 with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). The trial met its primary endpoint, showing children who added investigational Evkeeza to other lipid-lowering therapies reduced their low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) by
"Children living with HoFH have an incredibly rare and severe disease that causes dangerously high LDL-C levels. On current treatment options alone, many patients don't reach their treatment goals, leaving them with an uncertain future," said M. Doortje Reijman, M.D., Research Associate in Pediatric Metabolic Diseases and Nephrology at the Amsterdam University Medical Center, and a trial investigator. "Evinacumab has already demonstrated significant LDL-C reductions in adolescents and adults with HoFH. This latest Phase 3 trial illustrates the potential of this medicine to be a breakthrough HoFH therapy for children as young as 5-years old, helping them control their LDL-C early in the course of their disease."
Despite treatment with other lipid-lowering therapies, children (n=14) entered the trial with an average LDL-C level of 264 mg/dL, more than twice the target (<130 mg/dL) for pediatric patients with HoFH. After 24 weeks of Evkeeza treatment (15 mg/kg every 4 weeks delivered intravenously [IV]), the Phase 3 trial met its primary endpoint with additional results showing:
79% of patients reduced their LDL-C by at least half- An absolute 132 mg/dL reduction in LDL-C from baseline, on average
- Reductions in levels of all lipid endpoint parameters assessed, which were generally observed within the first 8 weeks of treatment. These lipid parameters were apolipoprotein B, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) and total cholesterol.
Evkeeza was generally well-tolerated with all patients completing the trial. The most common adverse events (AEs) were throat pain (oropharyngeal pain,
Evkeeza is the first ANGPTL3-targeted (angiopoietin-like 3-targeted) therapy approved by the FDA (as evinacumab-dgnb) and European Commission as an adjunct therapy for certain patients aged 12 years and older with HoFH.
The potential use of Evkeeza in HoFH patients aged 5 to 11 years is currently under clinical development, and its safety and efficacy have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About HoFH
HoFH is an ultra-rare inherited condition, and the most severe form of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The disease affects 1 in 160,000 to 300,000 people worldwide and approximately 1,300 in the U.S. HoFH occurs when two copies of the FH-causing genes are inherited, one from each parent, resulting in dangerously high levels (>400 mg/dL) of LDL-C, or bad cholesterol. Those living with HoFH are at risk for premature atherosclerotic disease and life-threatening cardiac events as early as their teen years.
About the trial
The Phase 3 data are the Part B portion of a three-part, single-arm, open-label trial evaluating Evkeeza in pediatric patients with HoFH aged 5 to 11 years. In Part B, 14 patients were enrolled with an average age of 9 years. Among them,
During the 24-week treatment period, patients received Evkeeza 15 mg/kg every four weeks via IV alongside their lipid-lowering treatment regimen. The primary endpoint was change in LDL-C at week 24. Secondary endpoints included the effect of Evkeeza on other lipid parameters, efficacy by mutation status, safety and tolerability, immunogenicity and pharmacokinetics (PK).
Part A was a Phase 1b trial designed to assess the PK, safety and tolerability of Evkeeza. Patients who completed Part A or B were allowed to continue treatment in Part C, an ongoing Phase 3 extension trial. Parts A, B and C were not designed to evaluate the effect of Evkeeza on cardiovascular events.
About Evkeeza® (evinacumab)
Evkeeza was invented using Regeneron's VelocImmune® technology and is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to and blocks the function of ANGPTL3, a protein that inhibits lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and endothelial lipase (EL) and regulates circulating lipids, including LDL-C.
Regeneron scientists discovered the angiopoietin gene family more than two decades ago (see publications from 1996, 1997 and 1999). Human genetics research published in New England Journal of Medicine in 2017 by scientists from the Regeneron Genetics Center® found that patients whose ANGPTL3 gene did not function properly (called a "loss-of function mutation") have significantly lower levels of key blood lipids, including LDL-C, and that this is associated with a significantly lower risk of coronary artery disease.
The generic name for Evkeeza in its approved U.S. indications is evinacumab-dgnb, with dgnb the suffix designated in accordance with Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products Guidance for Industry issued by the U.S. FDA. The safety and effectiveness of Evkeeza have not been established in patients with other causes of hypercholesterolemia, including those with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). The effect of Evkeeza on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been determined.
Regeneron is responsible for the development and distribution of Evkeeza in the U.S. and is collaborating with Ultragenyx to clinically develop, commercialize and distribute Evkeeza outside of the U.S.
About Regeneron's VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron's VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron's President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create approximately one in five of all original, FDA-approved fully human monoclonal antibodies currently available. This includes Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb), REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Dupixent® (dupilumab), Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc), Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab) and Inmazeb™ (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR EVKEEZA® (evinacumab-dgnb) INJECTION
Who should not use EVKEEZA?
Do not use EVKEEZA if you are allergic to evinacumab-dgnb or to any of the ingredients in EVKEEZA.
Before receiving EVKEEZA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. EVKEEZA may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while using EVKEEZA. People who are able to become pregnant:
- Your healthcare provider may do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with EVKEEZA
- You should use an effective method of birth control during treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose of EVKEEZA. Talk with your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this time.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if EVKEEZA passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will receive EVKEEZA or breastfeed.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What are the possible side effects of EVKEEZA?
EVKEEZA can cause serious side effects, including:
Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity), including a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms: swelling (mainly of the lips, tongue or throat which makes it difficult to swallow or breathe), breathing problems or wheezing, feeling dizzy or fainting, rash, hives, and itching.
The most common side effects of EVKEEZA include symptoms of the common cold, flu-like symptoms, dizziness, pain in legs or arms, nausea, and decreased energy.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of EVKEEZA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.
About Regeneron
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for over 30 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite technologies, such as VelocImmune, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For additional information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
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FAQ
What were the results of the Evkeeza trial for children with HoFH?
When is the FDA submission for Evkeeza expected?
What is homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)?
What age group was involved in the Evkeeza clinical trial?
How was Evkeeza administered during the trial?
