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EMA Marketing Authorization of New Drugs in December 2024

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EMA Marketing Authorization of New Drugs in December 2024

Shots:   

  • The EMA’s CHMP has granted positive opinions to 5 Biologics and 4 New Chemical Entities in December 2024, leading to treatments for patients and advances in the healthcare industry  

  • The major highlighted drugs were Galderma’s Nemluvio to treat Prurigo Nodularis and Atopic Dermatitis   

  • PharmaShots has compiled a list of 9 drugs that have been granted positive opinions and approvals by the EMA’s CHMP & EC, respectively 

 

1. BridgeBio & Bayer Report the CHMP’s Positive Opinion of Beyonttra (Acoramidis) to Treat Transthyretin Amyloidosis Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) 

Product Name: Beyonttra  

Active ingredient: Acoramidis 

Company: BridgeBio & Bayer 

Date: Dec 12, 2024   

Disease: Transthyretin Amyloidosis Cardiomyopathy  

Shots:   

  • The CHMP has recommended Beyonttra to treat wild-type or variant transthyretin amyloidosis cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) in adults, expected to launch in H1’25 

  • Opinion was based on a P-III (ATTRibute-CM) study of Beyonttra (BID, oral) vs PBO in ATTR-CM patients. It achieved its 1EP, showing a 42% reduced composite ACM & recurrent CVH events & a 50% reduced cumulative frequency of CVH events at 30mos.  

  • Acoramidis (TTR stabilizer) was developed by BridgeBio & Bayer. BridgeBio has US marketing rights for the drug, while Bayer holds them in the EU  

 

2. Gilead Receives CHMP's Positive Opinion of Seladelpar to Treat Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)  

Product Name: Seladelpar 

Active ingredient: Seladelpar 

Company: Gilead  

Date: Dec 12, 2024   

Disease: Primary Biliary Cholangitis   

Shots:   

  • The CHMP has recommended Seladelpar + ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) to treat PBC in those with inadequate response or as monotx. in those intolerants to UDCA. The EC’s decision is expected in Q1’25  

  • Opinion was based on a P-III (RESPONSE) study assessing seladelpar (10mg, QD, oral) vs PBO in PBC patients (n=193). It showed composite biochemical response in 62% vs 20% & ALP normalization of 25% at 12mos. (1EP) plus pruritus reduction of 3.2 vs 1.7 points at 6mos. (2EP)   

  • Gilead is also pursuing regulatory approval for seladelpar in regions beyond the EU & under review by the UK MHRA. It is a PPAR- δ agonist that blocks bile acid synthesis to treat PBC   

 

3. Geron Receives Positive CHMP Opinion for Rytelo (Imetelstat) to Treat Transfusion-Dependent Anemia due to Lower-Risk MDS 

Product Name: Rytelo 

Active ingredient: Imetelstat 

Company: Geron 

Date: Dec 12, 2024   

Disease: Transfusion-Dependent Anemia due to Lower-Risk MDS 

Shots:   

  • The CHMP has recommended Rytelo to treat TD anemia in adults with very low, low, or intermediate risk non-del(5q) MDS, unresponsive or ineligible for erythropoietin-based therapy, with the EC’s decision expected in the coming months 

  • Opinion was based on P-III (IMerge) study of Rytelo vs PBO that showed reduced need for RBC transfusions within the first 24wks., with common side effects of thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, elevated liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP), asthenia & headache 

  • Rytelo is an oligonucleotide that inhibits uncontrolled cell division caused by over-expression of telomerase enzyme in LR-MDS; available as 47/188mg, IV infusion post approval 

 

4. Galderma’s Nemluvio (Nemolizumab) Receives Positive CHMP Opinion to Treat Prurigo Nodularis (PN) and Atopic Dermatitis 

Product Name: Nemluvio 

Active ingredient: Nemolizumab 

Company: Galderma 

Date: Dec 12, 2024   

Disease: Prurigo Nodularis and Atopic Dermatitis 

Shots:   

  • The CHMP's recommendation of Nemluvio (SC) for mod. to sev. atopic dermatitis (≥12yrs.) & prurigo nodularis in eligible ones for systemic therapy was based on P-III ARCADIA & OLYMPIA studies, respectively. Reviews are ongoing in Australia, Singapore, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil & South Korea, with more filings underway  

  • ARCADIA 1 & 2 studies assessed Nemluvio (Q4W) + TCS ± TCI vs PBO in atopic dermatitis patients (n=1,728) for 16 & 48wks., respectively. It showed improved co-1EPs & 2EPs as well as itch relief at wk.1   

  • OLYMPIA1 & 2 trials assessed Nemluvio (Q4W) vs PBO in PN patients (n=560) for 16 & 24wks., respectively. It achieved its 1 & 2EPs, depicting improved itch & skin nodules at wk.16, with fast itch reductions at wk.4 

 

5. CSL Behring’s Andembry (Garadacimab) Receives Positive CHMP Opinion to Treat Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) 

Product Name: Andembry 

Active ingredient: Garadacimab 

Company: CSL Behring 

Date: Dec 12, 2024   

Disease: Hereditary Angioedema   

Shots:    

  • The CHMP has recommended Andembry as a prophylactic treatment of HAE in patients (≥12 yrs.), with the EC’s decision anticipated in Q1’25, based on P-III (VANGUARD) trial & ongoing OLE study 

  • The P-III study (full results published in The Lancet) of Andembry vs PBO met its 1EP, showing attack-free status in 62% while reducing the median HAE attacks to 0 & mean HAE attacks/month by 86.5%. OLE study depicted sustained attack reduction & favorable long-term safety (primary results published in Allergy

  • Garadacimab (QM) targets activated factor XII, responsible for attacks of swelling in HAE patients, to inhibit the HAE cascade thereby preventing attacks  

 

6. Arcturus and Meiji Seika Pharma Report the EMA’s Positive Opinion of Kostaive for COVID-19 

Product Name: Kostaive  

Active ingredient: Zepomeran 

Company: Arcturus Therapeutics and Meiji Pharma 

Date: Dec 12, 2024   

Disease: COVID-19 

Shots:    

  • The EMA’s CHMP has granted positive opinion to Kostaive (zepomeran) for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 in subjects of age ≥18yrs. 

  • The EC’s decision on marketing authorization will follow subsequently 

  • Kostaive is a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine that codes for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to provide active immunization against COVID-19 

 

7. AstraZeneca and RQ Biotechnology Reports the CHMP’s Positive Opinion of Kavigale (Sipavibart) to Prevent COVID-19 in Immunocompromised Individuals 

Product Name: Kavigale  

Active ingredient: Sipavibart 

Company: AstraZeneca & RQ Biotechnology 

Date: Dec 12, 2024   

Disease: COVID-19 

Shots:    

  • The EMA’s CHMP has granted positive opinion to Kavigale for the prevention of COVID-19 in immunocompromised individuals (≥12yrs.). It was reviewed under the EMA’s accelerated pathway 

  • Kavigale consists of an antiviral human IgG1 mAb, sipavibart, as its API that offers passive protection against SARS-CoV-2 by targeting the spike protein's receptor-binding domain 

  • Sipavibart was discovered by RQ Bio and The University of Oxford. It was licensed to AstraZeneca as per an agreement signed in May 2022 

 

8. Merck Reports the CHMP’s Positive Opinion of Welireg (Belzutifan) for Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) Disease-Associated Tumors and Previously Treated Renal Cell Carcinoma 

Product Name: Welireg  

Active ingredient: Belzutifan 

Company: Merck 

Date: Dec 14, 2024   

Disease: Von Hippel-Lindau & Renal Cell Carcinoma 

Shots:    

  • The CHMP has recommended conditional approval of Welireg for VHL-related localized RCC, CNS hemangioblastomas or pNET unsuitable for localized procedures and advanced ccRCC post PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors or VEGF therapies progression. EC’s decision is anticipated in Q1’25 

  • Opinion for VHL-related tumors was based on LITESPARK-004 study (n=61), showing ORR of 49% (all PRs), with 56% maintaining response (RCC); 63% (CR: 4%, PR: 58%), with 73% maintaining response (CNS hemangioblastomas) & 83% (CR: 17%, PR: 67%), with 50% maintaining response for ≥12mos. (pNET); mDoR not reached 

  • Opinion for ccRCC was based on P-III (LITESPARK-005) study (n=746), depicting reduced disease progression or death risk by 25% vs everolimus, with mPFS of 5.6mos., ORR of 22% (CR: 3%, PR: 19%) vs 4% (PR: 4%) 

 

9. Johnson & Johnson Reports the EC’s Approval of Rybrevant (Amivantamab) Plus Lazcluze (Lazertinib) as a 1L Treatment of EGFRm NSCLC 

Product Name: Rybrevant + Lazcluze 

Active ingredient: Amivantamab + Lazertinib 

Company: Johnson & Johnson 

Date: Dec 30, 2024    

Disease: EGFR-Mutated NSCLC  

Shots:     

  • The EC has approved Rybrevant + Lazcluze as a 1L treatment of advanced NSCLC harboring EGFR exon 19 deletions (ex19del) or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations. The EC’s decision of lazertinib for the corresponding combination regimen is pending (was granted CHMP’s recommendation last month) 

  • Approval was based on P-III (MARIPOSA) trial assessing Rybrevant + Lazcluze vs osimertinib or Lazcluze alone as a 1L treatment of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients (n=1,074) with EGFR ex19del or L858R substitution mutations 

  • Study achieved its 1EP of PFS, showing reduced risk of disease progression or death by 30% vs osimertinib, with mPFS of 23.7 vs 16.6mos. (at 22mos. median follow-up) & mDoR of 25.8 vs 16.8mos. (9mos. improvement) 

 

Related Post:  Insights+: EMA Marketing Authorization of New Drugs in November 2024  


Dipanshu Dixit

A passionate content writer with expertise in delivering high-quality and engaging content, Dipanshu is a keen reader and a versatile writer. Dipanshu dedicatedly covers news ranging from biopharma, life sciences, biotech, and MedTech to diagnostics and animal health companies, FDA, EMA, and biosimilar approvals. He can be contacted at connect@pharmashots.com

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