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CUROSURF
(poractant alfa) for Intratracheal Use

DESCRIPTION

CUROSURF (poractant alfa) is a sterile, non-pyrogenic pulmonary surfactant intended for intratracheal use only. CUROSURF is an extract of natural porcine lung surfactant consisting of 99% polar lipids (mainly phospholipids) and 1% hydrophobic low molecular weight proteins (surfactant associated proteins SP-B and SP-C).

CUROSURF is a white to creamy white suspension of poractant alfa. Each milliliter of suspension contains 80 mg of poractant alfa (surfactant extract) that includes 76 mg of phospholipids and 1 mg of protein of which 0.45 mg is SP-B and 0.59 mg is SP-C. The amount of phospholipids is calculated from the content of phosphorus and contains 55 mg of phosphatidylcholine of which 30 mg is dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine. It is suspended in 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The pH is adjusted with sodium bicarbonate to a pH of 6.2 (5.5 to 6.5).

CUROSURF contains no preservatives.

INDICATIONS

CUROSURF® (poractant alfa) Intratracheal Suspension is indicated for the rescue treatment of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. CUROSURF reduces mortality and pneumothoraces associated with RDS.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Important Administration Instructions

For intratracheal administration only.

CUROSURF should be administered by, or under the supervision of clinicians experienced in intubation, ventilator management, and general care of premature infants. Before administering CUROSURF, assure proper placement and patency of the endotracheal tube. At the discretion of the clinician, the endotracheal tube may be suctioned before administering CUROSURF. Allow the infant to stabilize before proceeding with dosing.

Administer CUROSURF either:

• Intratracheally by instillation in two divided aliquots through a 5 French end-hole catheter or
• Intratracheally in a single bolus through the secondary lumen of a dual lumen endotracheal tube without interrupting mechanical ventilation.

Recommended Dosage

The initial recommended dose is 2.5 mL/kg birth weight, administered as one or two aliquots depending upon the instillation procedure [see Preparation Of The CUROSURF Suspension].

Up to two repeat doses of 1.25 mL/kg birth weight each may be administered at approximately 12-hour intervals in infants in whom RDS is considered responsible for their persisting or deteriorating respiratory status. The maximum recommended total dosage (sum of the initial and up to two repeat doses) is 5 mL/kg.

Preparation Of The CUROSURF Suspension

1. Remove the vial of CUROSURF suspension from a refrigerator at +2 to +8°C (36 to 46°F) and slowly warm the vial to room temperature before use.
2. Visually inspect the CUROSURF suspension for discoloration prior to administration. The color of the CUROSURF suspension should be white to creamy white. Discard the CUROSURF vial if the suspension is discolored.
3. Gently turn the vial upside-down, in order to obtain a uniform suspension. DO NOT SHAKE.
4. Locate the notch (FLIP UP) on the colored plastic cap and lift the notch and pull upwards.
5. Pull the plastic cap with the aluminum portion downwards.
6. Remove the whole ring by pulling off the aluminum wrapper.
7. Remove the rubber cap to extract content.
8. Unopened, unused vials of CUROSURF suspension that have warmed to room temperature can be returned to refrigerated storage within 24 hours for future use. Do not warm to room temperature and return to refrigerated storage more than once. Protect from light.

Administration

For endotracheal tube instillation using a 5 French end-hole catheter

1. Slowly withdraw the entire contents of the vial of CUROSURF suspension into a 3 or 5 mL plastic syringe through a large-gauge needle (e.g., at least 20 gauge). Enter each single-use vial only once.
2. Attach the 5 French end-hole catheter of appropriate length to position the catheter tip proximal to the distal portion of the endotracheal tube, to the syringe. Fill the catheter with CUROSURF suspension. Discard excess CUROSURF through the catheter so that only the dose to be given remains in the syringe.
   • For the first dose: 1.25 mL/kg (birth weight) per aliquot
   • For each repeated dose: 0.625 mL/kg (birth weight) per aliquot
3. First aliquot of CUROSURF suspension:
   1. Position the infant in a neutral position (head and body in alignment without inclination), with either the right or left side dependent.
   2. Immediately before CUROSURF administration, ventilate the infant with supplemental oxygen sufficient to maintain SaO2 > 92%.
   3. Insert the catheter into the endotracheal tube and instill the first aliquot of CUROSURF suspension.
   4. After the first aliquot is instilled, remove the catheter from the endotracheal tube and manually ventilate with supplemental oxygen until clinically stable.
4. Second aliquot of CUROSURF suspension:
   1. When the infant is stable, reposition the infant such that the other side is dependent.
   2. Administer the remaining aliquot using the same procedures as the first aliquot.
5. After completion of the dosing procedure, do not suction airways for 1 hour after surfactant instillation unless signs of significant airway obstruction occur [see Clinical Studies].

For Endotracheal Instillation Using The Secondary Lumen Of A Dual Lumen Endotracheal Tube

• Slowly withdraw the entire contents of the vial of CUROSURF suspension into a 3 or 5 mL plastic syringe through a large-gauge needle (e.g., at least 20 gauge). Do not attach 5 French end-hole catheter. Remove the needle and discard excess CUROSURF so that only the dose to be given remains in the syringe.
• Keep the infant in a neutral position (head and body in alignment without inclination).
• Administer CUROSURF suspension through the proximal end of the secondary lumen of the endotracheal tube as a single dose, given over 1 minute, and without interrupting mechanical ventilation.
• After completion of this dosing procedure, ventilator management may require transient increases in FiO2 , ventilator rate, or PIP. Do not suction airways for 1 hour after surfactant instillation unless signs of significant airway obstruction occur.

HOW SUPPLIED

Dosage Forms And Strengths

CUROSURF (poractant alfa) is an intratracheal suspension available in vials:

• 1.5 mL [120 mg poractant alfa (surfactant extract)], or
• 3 mL [240 mg poractant alfa (surfactant extract)].

CUROSURF is a white to creamy white suspension. Each mL of suspension contains 80 mg poractant alfa (surfactant extract) that includes 76 mg of phospholipids and 1 mg of protein of which 0.45 mg is SP-B and 0.59 mg is SP-C.

Storage And Handling

CUROSURF (poractant alfa) intratracheal suspension is available in sterile, rubber-stoppered clear glass vials containing (one vial per carton):

• 1.5 mL [120 mg poractant alfa (surfactant extract)] of suspension: NDC Number: 10122-510-01
• 3 mL [240 mg poractant alfa (surfactant extract)] of suspension. NDC Number: 10122-510-03

Store CUROSURF intratracheal suspension in a refrigerator at +2 to +8°C (36 to 46°F). PROTECT FROM LIGHT. Do not shake. Vials are for single use only. After opening the vial discard the unused portion [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Manufactured by: Chiesi Farmaceutici, S.p.A. Parma, Italy 43100 Revised: Dec 2019

SIDE EFFECTS

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Adverse Reactions In Studies In Premature Infants With Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The safety data described below reflect exposure to CUROSURF at a single dose of 2.5 mL/kg (200 mg/kg), in 78 infants of 700-2000 grams birth weight with RDS requiring mechanical ventilation and a FiO2 ≥ 0.60 (Study 1) [see Clinical Studies]. A total of 144 infants were studied after RDS developed and before 15 hours of age; 78 infants received CUROSURF 2.5 mL/kg single dose (200 mg/kg), and 66 infants received control treatment (disconnection from the ventilator and manual ventilation for 2 minutes).

Transient adverse effects seen with the administration of CUROSURF included bradycardia, hypotension, endotracheal tube blockage, and oxygen desaturation. The rates of the most common serious complications associated with prematurity and RDS observed in Study 1 are shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Most Common Serious Complications Associated with Prematurity and RDS in Study 1

Seventy-six infants (45 treated with CUROSURF) from study 1 were evaluated at 1 year of age and 73 infants (44 treated with CUROSURF) were evaluated at 2 years of age to assess for potential long-term adverse reactions. Data from follow-up evaluations for weight and length, persistent respiratory symptoms, incidence of cerebral palsy, visual impairment, or auditory impairment was similar between treatment groups. In 16 patients (10 treated with CUROSURF and 6 controls) evaluated at 5.5 years of age, the developmental quotient, derived using the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales, was similar between groups.

Immunogenicity

Immunological studies have not demonstrated differences in levels of surfactant-anti-surfactant immune complexes and anti-CUROSURF antibodies between patients treated with CUROSURF and patients who received control treatment.

Postmarketing Experience

Pulmonary hemorrhage, a known complication of premature birth and very low birth-weight, has been reported both in clinical trials with CUROSURF and in postmarketing adverse event reports in infants who had received CUROSURF.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

No Information Provided

WARNINGS

Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section

PRECAUTIONS

Acute Changes In Oxygenation And Lung Compliance

The administration of exogenous surfactants, including CUROSURF, can rapidly affect oxygenation and lung compliance. Therefore, infants receiving CUROSURF should receive frequent clinical and laboratory assessments so that oxygen and ventilatory support can be modified to respond to respiratory changes. CUROSURF should only be administered by those trained and experienced in the care, resuscitation, and stabilization of pre-term infants.

Administration-Related Adverse Reactions

Transient adverse reactions associated with administration of CUROSURF include bradycardia, hypotension, endotracheal tube blockage, and oxygen desaturation. These events require stopping CUROSURF administration and taking appropriate measures to alleviate the condition. After the patient is stable, dosing may proceed with appropriate monitoring.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

Studies to assess potential carcinogenic effects of CUROSURF have not been conducted.

Poractant alfa was negative for genotoxicity in the following assays: bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test), gene mutation assay in Chinese hamster V79 cells, chromosomal aberration assay in Chinese hamster ovary cells, unscheduled DNA synthesis in HELA S3 cells, and in vivo mouse micronucleus assay.

No studies to assess reproductive effects of CUROSURF have been performed.

Use In Specific Populations

Pediatric Use

CUROSURF is indicated for the rescue treatment, including the reduction of mortality and pneumothoraces, of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in premature infants [see INDICATIONS and DOSAGE ADMINISTRATION].

The safety and efficacy of CUROSURF in the treatment of full term infants or older pediatric patients with respiratory failure has not been established.

OVERDOSE

There have been no reports of overdosage following the administration of CUROSURF.

In the event of accidental overdosage, and if there are clear clinical effects on the infant's respiration, ventilation, or oxygenation, aspirate as much of the suspension as possible and provide the infant with supportive treatment, with particular attention to fluid and electrolyte balance.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

None.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Mechanism Of Action

Endogenous pulmonary surfactant reduces surface tension at the air-liquid interface of the alveoli during ventilation and stabilizes the alveoli against collapse at resting transpulmonary pressures. A deficiency of pulmonary surfactant in preterm infants results in Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) characterized by poor lung expansion, inadequate gas exchange, and a gradual collapse of the lungs (atelectasis).

CUROSURF compensates for the deficiency of surfactant and restores surface activity to the lungs of these infants.

Pharmacodynamics

In vitro -CUROSURF lowers minimum surface tension to ≤ 4mN/m as measured by the Wilhelmy Balance System.

Pharmacokinetics

CUROSURF is administered directly to the lung, where biophysical effects occur at the alveolar surface. No human pharmacokinetic studies have been performed to characterize the absorption, biotransformation, or elimination of CUROSURF.

Clinical Studies

Rescue Treatment Of Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The clinical efficacy of CUROSURF in the treatment of established Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in premature infants was demonstrated in one single-dose study (Study 1) and one multiple-dose study (Study 2) involving approximately 500 infants. Each study was randomized, multicenter, and controlled.

In study 1, premature infants 700 to 2000 grams birth weight with RDS requiring mechanical ventilation and a FiO2 ≥ 0.60 were enrolled. CUROSURF 2.5 mL/kg single dose (200 mg/kg) or control (disconnection from the ventilator and manual ventilation for 2 minutes) was administered after RDS developed and before 15 hours of age. The results from Study 1 are shown below in Table 2.

Table 2: Study 1 Results in Premature Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome

In Study 2, premature infants 700 to 2000 g birth weight with RDS requiring mechanical ventilation and a FiO2 ≥ 0.60 were enrolled. In this two-arm trial, CUROSURF was administered after RDS developed and before 15 hours of age, as a single-dose or as multiple doses. In the single-dose arm, infants received CUROSURF 2.5 mL/kg (200 mg/kg). In the multiple-dose arm, the initial dose of CUROSURF was 2.5 mL/kg followed by up to two 1.25 mL/kg (100 mg/kg) doses of CUROSURF. The results from Study 2 are shown below in Table 3.

Table 3: Study 2 Results in Premature Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome

There is no controlled experience on the effects of administering initial doses of CUROSURF other than 2.5 mL/kg (200 mg/kg), subsequent doses other than 1.25 mL/kg (100 mg/kg), administration of more than three total doses, dosing more frequently than every 12 hours, or initiating therapy with CUROSURF more than 15 hours after diagnosing RDS. Adequate data are not available on the use of CUROSURF in conjunction with experimental therapies of RDS, e.g., high-frequency ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

PATIENT INFORMATION

No information provided. Please refer to the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section.