- If the diluted solution is refrigerated prior to administration, allow to warm to room temperature. Do not use external heat sources to warm IMAAVY.
- Administer the diluted solution by intravenous infusion only using an infusion set with an in-line or add-on, sterile, non-pyrogenic, low protein-binding filter made of polyethersulfone or polysulfone (pore size 0.2 micrometer or less). Administration sets must be made of either polybutadiene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, or polyvinylchloride.
- Do not infuse IMAAVY concomitantly in the same intravenous line with other agents.
- Administer IMAAVY infusion intravenously over at least 30 minutes for the initial dose (30 mg/kg) and at least 15 minutes for subsequent doses (15 mg/kg).
- If an adverse reaction occurs during administration of IMAAVY, the infusion may be slowed or stopped at the discretion of the healthcare professional.
- Monitor the patient for 30 minutes after each infusion for signs or symptoms of an infusion-related or hypersensitivity reaction
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.2,
5.3)].
Latent Viral Infections
Patients treated with IMAAVY may be at an increased risk of activation of latent viral infections, such as herpes zoster
[see
Adverse Reactions (6.1)]
. In the extension period of Study 1, there were 2 patients with serious adverse reactions related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and 1 of these patients had fatal complications. Patients who screened positive for hepatitis were excluded from Study 1. Follow standard vaccination guidelines
[see
Dosage and Administration (2.1)].
Immunization
The safety of immunization with live vaccines and the immune response to vaccination during treatment with IMAAVY are unknown. Because IMAAVY causes a reduction in IgG levels, vaccination with live vaccines is not recommended during treatment with IMAAVY.
Evaluate the need to administer age-appropriate vaccines according to immunization guidelines before initiation of treatment with IMAAVY.
Adults
In Study 1 and its extension study the safety of IMAAVY was evaluated in 186 patients with gMG who received at least one dose of IMAAVY. Of those patients, 168 patients were exposed to IMAAVY every 2 weeks for at least 6 months, and 140 patients were exposed for at least 12 months.
In Study 1, 98 adult patients with gMG received IMAAVY 15 mg/kg every two weeks (after 30 mg/kg initial dose)
[see
Clinical Studies (14)].
Of these 98 patients, approximately 67% were female, 67% were White, 29% were Asian, and 10% were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. The mean age at study entry was 53 years (range 20 to 81).
Adverse reactions reported in at least 5% of patients treated with IMAAVY and more frequently than placebo, are summarized in Table 1. The most common adverse reactions (reported in at least 10% of patients treated with IMAAVY) were respiratory tract infection, peripheral edema, and muscle spasms.
Table 1: Adverse Reactions (≥ 5%) of Patients Treated with IMAAVY and More Frequently than in Placebo in Study 1| Adverse Reaction | IMAAVY
N=98
%
| Placebo
N=98
%
|
|---|
| Includes the following reported in patients treated with IMAAVY: |
| Infection | | |
| Respiratory tract infection
COVID-19 (and other related terms), pneumonia, bronchitis, pneumonia bacteria | 18 | 13 |
| Urinary tract infection
other related terms | 6 | 3 |
| Herpes zoster and Herpes simplex | 6 | 2 |
| Oral infection
glossitis, oral candidiasis, pericoronitis, pulpitis dental, tooth abscess, tooth infection | 5 | 3 |
| Peripheral edema | 12 | 2 |
| Muscle spasm | 12 | 3 |
| Hypersensitivity reaction
angioedema, dermatitis atopic, eczema, gingival swelling, rash (and other related terms), urticaria | 8 | 7 |
| Abdominal pain | 8 | 3 |
| Back pain | 8 | 5 |
| Pyrexia | 7 | 1 |
| Diarrhea | 7 | 3 |
| Cough | 7 | 3 |
| Anemia
| 6 | 4 |
| Dizziness | 5 | 1 |
| Nausea | 5 | 2 |
| Hypertension | 5 | 2 |
| Insomnia | 5 | 2 |
Infections
In Study 1 and its extension study, infections that occurred in patients treated with IMAAVY (n=186) included upper respiratory tract infection (46%), respiratory tract infection (28%; including pneumonia, bronchitis, COVID-19), urinary tract infection (15%), herpes (8%; including herpes simplex, herpes zoster, herpes zoster oticus), influenza (8%), oral infection (8%; including candidiasis and dental infections), and skin infection (7%; including cellulitis). Two (1%) cases of infections (cellulitis and urinary tract infection) led to discontinuation of IMAAVY
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
.
Hypersensitivity Reactions
In Study 1 and its extension study, out of 186 patients treated with IMAAVY, 30 (16%) patients experienced hypersensitivity reactions, which occurred within one hour to two weeks of administration. One patient experienced hypersensitivity reaction (urticaria) that required discontinuation of IMAAVY
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
.
Infusion-Related Reactions
In Study 1 and its extension study, out of 186 patients treated with IMAAVY, 20 (11%) patients experienced infusion-related reactions, which occurred within one hour to 2 days of administration. No patients experienced infusion-related reaction that required discontinuation of IMAAVY
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
.
Laboratory Findings
Lipids
In Study 1 (N=98), patients treated with IMAAVY had elevations from normal to high of fasting total cholesterol (
≥240 mg/dL) and LDL cholesterol (
≥160 mg/dL) (24% and 11% of patients, respectively). In Study 1, these changes from baseline peaked at Week 4, then decreased and plateaued by Week 24 to mean increases of 14 mg/dL and 7 mg/dL, respectively. Five percent of patients treated with IMAAVY had decreases from normal to low (<40 mg/dL of fasting HDL cholesterol).
Pediatric Patients 12 Years of Age and Older
In a 24-week, single arm study evaluating the safety of IMAAVY in 7 pediatric patients age 12 to 16 years with gMG who were AChR positive, adverse reactions were consistent with those observed in adult patients with gMG
[see
Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]
.
Risk Summary
There are limited data on the use of IMAAVY in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.
There was no evidence of direct adverse effects on fetal development following administration of nipocalimab-aahu to pregnant monkeys; however, adverse effects on the placenta were associated with fetal loss at both doses tested
(see
Data)
.
The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background rate of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
There is a pregnancy safety study for IMAAVY. If IMAAVY is administered during pregnancy, or if a patient becomes pregnant while receiving IMAAVY, healthcare providers should report IMAAVY exposure by contacting Janssen at 1-800-526-7736 or www.IMAAVY.com
Clinical Considerations
Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions
Monoclonal antibodies are increasingly transported across the placenta as pregnancy progresses, with the largest amount transferred during the third trimester. Because IMAAVY reduces maternal serum IgG concentration and impedes placental IgG transfer to the fetus, passive immunity in the infant may be reduced for 6 months or more; therefore:
- Monitor for the development of serious infection.
- Effectiveness of vaccines may be reduced.
- Consider the risks and benefits prior to administering live vaccines to infants exposed to IMAAVY
in utero.
Animal Data
Intravenous administration of nipocalimab-aahu (0, 100, or 300 mg/kg) to pregnant monkeys weekly from the end of organogenesis (gestation day 45) through parturition resulted in placental ischemia, associated with fetal loss and decreased levels of IgG in the offspring at both doses tested. IgG levels in offspring returned to normal levels and no adverse effects on immune function were evident by 6 months after birth. The doses tested are 6 and 20 times the recommended human maintenance dose (15 mg/kg) on a mg/kg basis.
Risk Summary
Nipocalimab-aahu is excreted in human colostrum and breastmilk based on limited data from an investigational study of 13 pregnant women administered nipocalimab-aahu during pregnancy where colostrum and breastmilk was assessed in the first 8 days after birth. There are insufficient data on the effect of IMAAVY in the breastfed infant. There are no data on the effect of nipocalimab on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for IMAAVY, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from IMAAVY, or from the underlying maternal condition.
Distribution
Mean volume of distribution of nipocalimab is 2.67 L.
Metabolism
Nipocalimab is expected to be degraded by proteolytic enzymes into small peptides and amino acids.
Elimination
Nipocalimab exhibits concentration-dependent pharmacokinetics. After a single intravenous administration of 15 mg/kg nipocalimab-aahu, the mean clearance is 0.0627 L/h and half-life is 29.3 hours.
Specific Populations
Age, Sex, and Race
The pharmacokinetics of nipocalimab were not affected by age, sex, or race based on a population pharmacokinetics analysis.
Pediatric Patients
Following the recommended intravenous doses of IMAAVY in adolescent patients 12 to 16 years of age with gMG (N=7), the observed steady-state serum nipocalimab-aahu concentrations were within the range of those observed for adult patients with gMG
[see
Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]
.
Patients with Renal Impairment
No dedicated pharmacokinetic study has been conducted in patients with renal impairment. Renal impairment is not expected to affect the pharmacokinetics of nipocalimab. Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis, which included healthy volunteers and patients with gMG with mild to moderate renal impairment, renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 30–89 mL/min/1.73 m
2) had no clinically significant effect on nipocalimab-aahu clearance. No dose adjustment is required in patients with renal impairment.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment
No dedicated pharmacokinetic study has been performed in patients with hepatic impairment. Nipocalimab is not metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, and hepatic impairment is not expected to affect the pharmacokinetics of nipocalimab. Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis, which included healthy volunteers and patients with gMG with mild to moderate hepatic impairment, there was no clinically significant effect on nipocalimab-aahu clearance. No dose adjustment is required in patients with hepatic impairment.
Drug Interactions with Other Drugs or Biological Products
IgG-Based Monoclonal Antibodies
Nipocalimab decreases concentrations of compounds that bind to the human FcRn, including IgG based monoclonal antibodies.
Cytochrome P450 Enzymes
Nipocalimab is not metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes; therefore, interactions with concomitant medications that are substrates, inducers, or inhibitors of cytochrome P450 enzymes are unlikely.
Carcinogenesis
Studies to assess the carcinogenic potential of nipocalimab-aahu have not been conducted.
Mutagenesis
Studies to assess the genotoxic potential of nipocalimab-aahu have not been conducted. As an antibody, nipocalimab-aahu is not expected to interact directly with DNA.
Impairment of Fertility
Once or twice weekly intravenous administration of nipocalimab-aahu (0, 20, 50, 100, or 300 mg/kg) to male and female monkeys for 26 weeks resulted in no adverse effects on reproductive organs upon histopathological examination. The highest dose tested was 20 times the recommended human maintenance dose (15 mg/kg) on a mg/kg basis.
How Supplied
IMAAVY™ (nipocalimab-aahu) injection is a sterile, preservative-free, colorless to slightly brownish, clear to slightly opalescent solution for intravenous use after dilution.
IMAAVY is supplied in cartons containing a single-dose vial per carton as:
- 300 mg/1.62 mL (185 mg/mL)
| NDC 57894-800-01 |
- 1,200 mg/6.5 mL (185 mg/mL)
| NDC 57894-801-01 |
Unopened Vials
Store vials refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in the original carton to protect from light until the time of use. Do not freeze. Do not shake.
Diluted Solution
For storage of the diluted IMAAVY solution,
see
Dosage and Administration (2.3).
Infections
Instruct patients to communicate any history of infections to the healthcare provider and to contact their healthcare provider if they develop any symptoms of an infection
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
.
Administration of Vaccines
Advise patients to complete all age-appropriate vaccines according to immunization guidelines prior to initiation of treatment with IMAAVY. Administration of live vaccines is not recommended during treatment with IMAAVY. Instruct patients to inform the healthcare provider that they are being treated with IMAAVY prior to a potential vaccination
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
.
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Inform patients that hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, urticaria, and eczema have occurred in patients treated with IMAAVY. Inform patients about the signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions. Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately if these occur
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
.
Infusion-Related Reactions
Advise patients that administration of IMAAVY may result in infusion-related reactions
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
.
Pregnancy
Advise patients that there is a pregnancy safety study that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to IMAAVY during pregnancy, and they can be enrolled by calling 1-800-526-7736 or www.IMAAVY.com
[see
Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].
Manufactured by:
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
Horsham, PA 19044, USA
U.S. License No. 1864
For patent information: www.janssenpatents.com
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