Novartis Ilaris Approved for SJIA in Europe

Novartis Ilaris Approved for SJIA in Europe
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The EC cleared Ilaris for the treatment of active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) in patients aged 2 years and above in the EU, who did not respond adequately to previous therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and …http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/108513/novartis-ilaris-approved-for-sjia-in-europe

Canakinumab (INN, trade name Ilaris, previously ACZ885)^[1] is a human monoclonal antibody targeted at interleukin-1 beta. It has no cross-reactivity with other members of the interleukin-1 family, including interleukin-1 alpha.^[2]

Canakinumab was approved for the treatment of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 2009^[3] and by the European Medicines Agency in October 2009.^[4] CAPS is a spectrum of autoinflammatory syndromes including familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome, Muckle–Wells syndrome, and neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease.

Canakinumab was being developed by Novartis for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but this trial has been discontinued.^[5] Canakinumab is also in phase I clinical trials as a possible treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,^[6] gout and coronary artery disease.

Ilaris neutralises IL-1 beta for a sustained period of time, and reduces inflammation. Image courtesy of Novartis.

1.  Dhimolea, Eugen (2010). “Canakinumab”. MAbs 2 (1): 3–13. doi:10.4161/mabs.2.1.10328. PMC 2828573. PMID 20065636.
2.  Lachmann, HJ; Kone-Paut I, Kuemmerle-Deschner JB et al. (4 June 2009). “Use of canakinumab in the cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome”. New Engl J Med 360 (23): 2416–25. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0810787. PMID 19494217.
3.  “New biological therapy Ilaris approved in US to treat children and adults with CAPS, a serious life-long auto-inflammatory disease” (Press release). Novartis. 18 June 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
4.  Wan, Yuet (29 October 2009). “Canakinumab (Ilaris) and rilonacept (Arcalyst) approved in EU for treatment of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome”. National electronic Library for Medicines. Retrieved 14 April 2010.
5.  “clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier NCT00784628: Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of ACZ885 (Canakinumab) in Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis”. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
6.  Yasothan U, Kar S (2008). “Therapies for COPD”. Nat Rev Drug Discov 7 (4): 285. doi:10.1038/nrd2533.

DETAILS OF FDA APPROVAL

Ilaris Approved by FDA to Treat Active Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

May 16, 2013

Basel, May 10, 2013 – Novartis announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ilaris (canakinumab) for the treatment of active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) in patients aged 2 years and older. Ilaris is the first interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) inhibitor approved for SJIA and the only treatment approved specifically for SJIA that is given as a once-monthly subcutaneous injection[1]. SJIA is a rare and disabling form of childhood arthritis characterized by spiking fever, rash and arthritis that can affect children as young as 2 years old and can continue into adulthood[2],[3].

This approval was based on two Phase III trials in SJIA patients, aged 2-19, showing significant improvement in the majority of Ilaris-treated patients[1]. Study 1 showed that 84% of patients treated with one subcutaneous dose of Ilaris achieved the primary endpoint of the adapted pediatric American College of Rheumatology 30 (ACR30), compared to 10% achievement of ACR30 for placebo at Day 15[1]. In the open-label part of Study 2, 92 of 128 patients attempted “corticosteroid tapering”. Of those 92 patients, 62% were able to substantially reduce their use of corticosteroids, and 46% completely discontinued corticosteroids[1]. In the controlled portion of Study 2, there was a 64% relative reduction in the risk of flare for patients in the Ilaris group as compared to those in the placebo group (hazard ratio of 0.36; 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.75).

 

About Ilaris

Ilaris is a selective, fully human, monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-1 beta, which is an important part of the body’s immune system defenses[1]. Excessive production of IL-1 beta plays a prominent role in certain inflammatory diseases[8]. Ilaris works by neutralizing IL-1 beta for a sustained period of time, therefore inhibiting inflammation[1].

In addition to its approval for SJIA in the US, Ilaris is approved in the EU for the treatment of refractory gouty arthritis, and in more than 60 countries, including in the EU, US, Switzerland and Japan for the treatment of Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS), a rare, lifelong, genetic disorder with debilitating symptoms[1]. The approved indication may vary depending upon the individual country

1 Ilaris [prescribing information]. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; 2013.
2. Woo P. Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: diagnosis, management, and outcome. Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol 2006; 2(1):28-34.
3. Ramanan AV, Grom AA. Does systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis belong under juvenile idiopathic arthritis? Rheumatology (Oxford) 2005; 44(11):1350-3.