Clinical Pharmacology for Vyvgart Hytrulo
Mechanism of Action
VYVGART HYTRULO is a coformulation of efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase.
Efgartigimod alfa is a human IgG1 antibody fragment that binds to the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), resulting in the reduction of circulating IgG.
Hyaluronidase increases permeability of the subcutaneous tissue by depolymerizing hyaluronan. This effect is transient, and permeability of the subcutaneous tissue is restored within 24 to 48 hours.
Pharmacodynamics
In Study 1 [see Clinical Studies (14)], the pharmacological effect of efgartigimod alfa-fcab was assessed by measuring the decrease in serum IgG levels and AChR autoantibody levels. In patients testing positive for AChR antibodies and who were treated with efgartigimod alfa-fcab intravenous, there was a reduction in total IgG levels relative to baseline. Decrease in AChR autoantibody levels followed a similar pattern. A decrease in AChR-Ab was associated with a clinical response in AChR-Ab positive patients, as measured by the change from baseline in MG-ADL total score.
In Study 2, the pharmacological effect of VYVGART HYTRULO administered subcutaneously (SC) at 1,008 mg / 11,200 Units was compared to efgartigimod alfa-fcab administered intravenously at 10 mg/kg (EFG IV) in gMG patients. The maximum mean reduction in AChR-Ab level was observed at week 4, with a mean reduction of 62.2% and 59.7% in the VYVGART HYTRULO SC and efgartigimod alfa-fcab IV arm, respectively. The decrease in total IgG levels followed a similar pattern. The 90% confidence intervals for the geometric mean ratios of AChR-Ab reduction at day 29 and AUEC0-4w (area under the effect-time curve from time 0 to 4 weeks post dose) were within the range of 80% to 125%, indicating no clinically significant difference between the two formulations.
Pharmacokinetics
Efgartigimod alfa exposures were approximately dose-proportional up to the highest subcutaneously tested dose of VYVGART HYTRULO (1750 mg, 1.75 times the recommended dosage).
Absorption
The rate and extent of absorption from a single-dose prefilled syringe and single-dose vial are similar.
Distribution
The volume of distribution is 15 to 20L.
Metabolism and Elimination
Efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase are expected to be degraded by proteolytic enzymes into small peptides and amino acids.
The terminal half-life is 80 to 120 hours (3 to 5 days).
After a single intravenous dose of 10 mg/kg efgartigimod alfa-fcab in healthy subjects, less than 0.1% of the administered dose was recovered in urine.
Specific Populations
Age, Sex and Race
A population pharmacokinetics analysis assessing the effects of age, body weight, sex, and race did not suggest any clinically significant impact of these covariates on efgartigimod alfa exposures.
Body Weight
A population pharmacokinetics analysis suggests that the influence of body weight on efgartigimod alfa exposure after administration of VYVGART HYTRULO SC 1008 mg was limited and not clinically relevant.
Patients with Renal Impairment
No dedicated pharmacokinetic study has been performed in patients with renal impairment.
Population PK analyses of data from the VYVGART HYTRULO clinical studies indicated that patients with mild renal impairment (eGFR 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m²) had 11 to 20% increase in exposure relative to the exposure in patients with normal renal function [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].
Patients with Hepatic Impairment
No dedicated pharmacokinetic study has been performed in patients with hepatic impairment. Hepatic impairment is not expected to affect the pharmacokinetics of efgartigimod alfa.
Drug Interaction Studies
Clinical drug interactions studies have not been performed with efgartigimod alfa.
P450 Enzymes
Efgartigimod alfa is not metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes; therefore, interactions with concomitant medications that are substrates, inducers, or inhibitors of cytochrome P450 enzymes are unlikely.
Drug Interactions with Other Drugs or Biological Products
Efgartigimod alfa may decrease concentrations of compounds that bind to the human FcRn [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Immunogenicity
The observed incidence of anti-drug antibodies is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Differences in assay methods preclude meaningful comparisons of the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in the studies described below with the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in other studies, including those of VYVGART HYTRULO or of other efgartigimod products.
In Study 2, in up to 10 weeks following the initiation of a treatment period with 4 weekly administrations, the incidence of anti-efgartigimod alfa antibodies was 35% (19/55) following treatment with VYVGART HYTRULO and 20% (11/55) in patients receiving intravenous efgartigimod alfa-fcab. For both IV and SC arms, neutralizing anti-efgartigimod alfa antibodies were detected in 4% (2/55) of patients.
In Study 3, in up to 12 weeks of treatment in stage A and 48 weeks in stage B, the incidence of antiefgartigimod alfa antibodies was 6% (20/317) in stage A and 2% (2/111) in stage B, following treatment with VYVGART HYTRULO. Neutralizing anti-efgartigimod alfa antibodies were detected in 0.3% (1/317) of patients in stage A and in no patient in stage B.
Some neutralizing antibodies may not be detected by the assay. The available data are too limited to make definitive conclusions regarding immunogenicity and the effect on pharmacokinetics, safety, or efficacy of VYVGART HYTRULO.
CLINICAL STUDIES
Generalized Myasthenia Gravis
Study 1 (described below) which established the effectiveness of efgartigimod alfa-fcab for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults who are AChR antibody positive was conducted with efgartigimod alfa-fcab intravenous formulation. In Study 2, VYVGART HYTRULO demonstrated a comparable pharmacodynamic effect on AChR antibody reduction as compared to the efgartigimod alfa-fcab intravenous formulation, which established the efficacy of VYVGART HYTRULO [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].
Study 1 (Efgartigimod Alfa-fcab Intravenous)
The efficacy of efgartigimod alfa-fcab intravenous (EFG IV) for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults who are AChR antibody positive was established in a 26-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Study 1; NCT03669588).
Study 1 enrolled patients who met the following criteria at screening:
- Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) clinical classification class II to IV
- MG-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) total score of ≥ 5
- On stable dose of MG therapy prior to screening, that included acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, steroids, or non-steroidal immunosuppressive therapies (NSISTs), either in combination or alone
- IgG levels of at least 6 g/L
A total of 167 patients were enrolled in Study 1 and were randomized to receive either EFG IV 10mg/kg (1200 mg for those weighing 120 kg or more) (n=84) or placebo (n=83). Baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups. Patients had a median age of 46 years at screening (range: 19 to 81 years) and a median time since diagnosis of 7 years. Seventy-one percent were female, and 84% were White. Median MG-ADL total score was 9, and median Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) total score was 16. The majority of patients (n=65 for EFG IV; n=64 for placebo) were positive for AChR antibodies.
At baseline, over 80% of patients in each group received AChE inhibitors, over 70% in each treatment group received steroids, and approximately 60% in each treatment group received NSISTs, at stable doses.
Patients were treated with 10 mg/kg EFG IV administered as an intravenous infusion over one hour once weekly for 4 weeks. In patients weighing 120 kg or more, EFG IV was administered as 1200 mg per infusion. Subsequent treatment cycles were administered based on clinical evaluation, but no sooner than 28 days from the last administration of the previous treatment cycle.
The efficacy of EFG IV was measured using the Myasthenia Gravis-Specific Activities of Daily Living scale (MG-ADL) which assesses the impact of gMG on daily functions of 8 signs or symptoms that are typically affected in gMG. Each item is assessed on a 4-point scale where a score of 0 represents normal function and a score of 3 represents loss of ability to perform that function. A total score ranges from 0 to 24, with the higher scores indicating more impairment. In this study, an MG-ADL responder was defined as a patient with a 2-point or greater reduction in the total MG-ADL score compared to the treatment cycle baseline for at least 4 consecutive weeks, with the first reduction occurring no later than 1 week after the last infusion of the cycle.
The primary efficacy endpoint was the comparison of the percentage of MG-ADL responders during the first treatment cycle between treatment groups in the AChR-Ab positive population. A statistically significant difference favoring EFG IV was observed in the MG-ADL responder rate during the first treatment cycle [67.7% in the EFG IV-treated group vs 29.7% in the placebo- treated group (p <0.0001)].
The efficacy of EFG IV was also measured using the Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) total score which is a 13-item categorical grading system that assesses muscle weakness. Each item is assessed on a 4-point scale where a score of 0 represents no weakness and a score of 3 represents severe weakness. A total possible score ranges from 0 to 39, where higher scores indicate more severe impairment. In this study, a QMG responder was defined as a patient who had a 3-point or greater reduction in the total QMG score compared to the treatment cycle baseline for at least 4 consecutive weeks, with the first reduction occurring no later than 1 week after last infusion of the cycle.
The secondary endpoint was the comparison of the percentage of QMG responders during the first treatment cycle between both treatment groups in the AChR-Ab positive patients. A statistically significant difference favoring EFG IV was observed in the QMG responder rate during the first treatment cycle [63.1% in the EFG IV-treated group vs 14.1% in the placebo-treated group (p <0.0001)].
The results are presented in Table 2.
Table 2: MG-ADL and QMG Responders During Cycle 1 in AChR-Ab Positive Patients (mITT Analysis Set)
| |
EFG IV n=65 % |
Placebo n=64 % |
P-value |
Odds Ratio (95% CI) |
| MG-ADL Responders |
67.7 |
29.7 |
< 0.0001 |
4.951 (2.213, 11.528) |
| QMG Responders |
63.1 |
14.1 |
< 0.0001 |
10.842 (4.179, 31.200) |
| EFG IV= Efgartigimod alfa-fcab intravenous; MG-ADL=Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living; QMG =Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis; mITT=modified intent-to-treat; n=number of patients for whom the observation was reported; CI = confidence interval; Logistic regression stratified for AChR-Ab status (if applicable), Japanese/Non-Japanese and standard of care, with baseline MG-ADL as covariate / QMG as covariates Two-sided exact p-value |
Figure 1 shows the mean change from baseline on the MG-ADL during cycle 1.
Figure 1: Mean Change in Total MG-ADL From Cycle 1 Baseline Over Time in AChR-Ab Positive Patients (mITT Analysis Set)
Figure 2 shows the distribution of response on the MG-ADL and QMG during cycle 1, four weeks after the first infusion with EFG IV.
Figure 2: Percentage of Patients with MG-ADL and QMG Total Score Change 4 Weeks Post Initial Infusion of the First Cycle in AChR-Ab Positive Patients
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
The efficacy of VYVGART HYTRULO for the treatment of adults with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) was established in a two stage, multicenter study (Study 3; NCT04281472). Study 3 included an open-label period to identify VYVGART HYTRULO responders (stage A) who then entered a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, withdrawal period (stage B).
Study 3 enrolled male and female patients age 18 years and older, who at the time of screening, had a documented diagnosis of definite or probable CIDP using the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society (EFNS/PNS; 2010) criteria for progressing or relapsing forms.
The Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment disability score (INCAT) is a scale used to assess the impact of CIDP on daily upper and lower limb function, and is composed of the arm score and leg score (0 to 5 points for each). A total score on the INCAT ranges from 0 to 10 points with a higher number representing more disability. The adjusted INCAT (aINCAT) disability score, identical to the INCAT disability score but with changes in the upper limb function from 0 (normal) to 1 (minor symptoms) excluded, was used to assess efficacy for VYVGART HYTRULO for the treatment of CIDP.
Stage A
In stage A, a total of 322 patients received up to 12 once weekly subcutaneous injections of VYVGART HYTRULO 1008 mg / 11,200 units until evidence of improvement occurred at two consecutive study visits. Improvement was defined as aINCAT improvement ≥1 point, I-RODS improvement ≥4 points, or mean grip strength improvement ≥ 8 kPa. Stage A included 228 patients currently receiving standard-of-care therapy and 94 patients who had either not received prior treatment for CIDP or were not treated with standard-of-care therapy for at least 6 months before study entry. Sixty-nine percent of patients (n=221) who had documented improvement at two consecutive visits during Stage A then entered Stage B.
Stage B
In stage B, a total of 221 patients were randomized to receive once weekly subcutaneous injections of VYVGART HYTRULO 1008 mg / 11,200 units (n=111) or placebo (n=110).
Baseline characteristics of patients in stage B were similar between treatment groups. Patients had a median age of 55 years (range: 20 to 82 years), a median time since CIDP diagnosis of 2.2 years, and median INCAT score of 3.0. Sixty-four percent were male and 65% were White, 30% Asian, and 1% African American.
Stage B included 146 patients currently receiving standard-of-care therapy and 75 patients who had either not received prior treatment for CIDP or were not treated with standard-of-care therapy for at least 6 months before study entry.
The primary endpoint was the time to clinical deterioration defined as a 1-point increase in aINCAT at two consecutive visits or a >1-point increase in aINCAT at one visit. Patients who had clinical deterioration or completed week 48 in Stage B without clinical deterioration were withdrawn from the placebo-controlled portion of the study. The study stopped when 88 events of clinical deterioration occurred for the primary endpoint analysis.
Patients who received VYVGART HYTRULO experienced a longer time to clinical deterioration (i.e., increase of ≥1 point in aINCAT score) compared to patients who received placebo, which was statistically significant, as demonstrated by a hazard ratio of 0.394 [95% CI (0.253; 0.614) p<0.0001]. The results are presented in Table 3 and Figure 3.
Table 3: Time to First Increase of ≥1 Point in aINCAT Score In Patients With CIDP In Study 3 Stage B
| |
Stage B |
| |
VYVGART HYTRULO (N=111) |
Placebo (N=110) |
| Time to 1st aINCAT increase (clinical deterioration) in days |
| Hazard ratio (95% CI) |
0.394 (0.253; 0.614)p-value <0.0001 |
| N=number of patients in the analysis set; %: percentage; aINCAT: adjusted Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment |
Figure 3: Time To The First aINCAT Increase (Kaplan-Meier Curve) In Patients With CIDP In Study 3 Stage B
Note: The time to clinical deterioration is defined as the time in days from the first VYVGART HYTRULO or placebo administration in Stage B to the first occurrence of either: an increase in aINCAT score of 1 point compared with Stage B baseline if confirmed at the next visit or an increase in aINCAT score of >1 point compared with Stage B baseline.