In a prospective clinical study with ALPHANATE, 23 subjects were exposed to 1217 infusions (median=42, range 2-160). The total number of exposure days was 1133, and the total number of months on study across all subjects was 234 (19.5 subject years). No ADRs or inhibitors to FVIII were reported during the study.
In the prospective clinical study of ALPHANATE[using both ALPHANATE Solvent Detergent (A-SD, a previous generation product) and ALPHANATE Solvent Detergent/Heat Treated (A-SD/HT, the current generation product)] in subjects with von Willebrand Disease, ADRs occurred in 5 of 36 subjects (13.9%) treated with ALPHANATE.
Sixty-one total ADRs were reported in 204 infusions. The majority of ADRs were rated as mild (55 of 61 [90.2%]). Six ADRs (9.8%) were rated as moderate. No reactions rated as serious were reported. The adverse drug reaction grading scale is defined as follows:
- Mild: the event was noted but the administration of the compound was not interrupted; the event resolved spontaneously or no treatment was required beyond administration of nonprescription analgesics.
- Moderate: the administration of the compound was not necessarily interrupted; the event required momentary treatment with prescription drugs and produced no sequelae.
Overall, the proportion of infusions associated with ADRs was 14 of 204 infusions (6.9%).
The most common ADRs reported (> 1% of infusions) were pruritus, headache, backpain, paresthesia, respiratory distress, facial edema, pain, rash, and chills.
One incident of pulmonary embolism was reported that was considered to have a possible relationship to the product. This subject received a dose of 60 IU VWF:RCo/kg body weight and the FVIII:C level achieved was 290%.
In the retrospective study conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of ALPHANATE (A-SD/HT) in a surgical or invasive procedure setting as perioperative prophylaxis against excessive bleeding, [see Clinical Studies (14)], 3 out of 39 subjects (7.7%) experienced 6 adverse drug reactions. Four were considered mild and 2 were considered moderate. No subject discontinued their treatment due to an adverse drug reaction. The adverse drug reactions were pruritus, paresthesia (2 events) and hemorrhage (all considered mild), and one event each of moderate hematocrit decrease and orthostatic hypotension.
One adverse drug reaction (pain) related to the treatment with heat-treated ALPHANATE (A-SD/HT) was reported in the four pediatric subjects with von Willebrand Disease during the course of the prospective study and in none of the five pediatric subjects in the retrospective clinical study.
Viral Reduction Capacity
The results of virus validation studies performed to determine virus reduction factors associated with several steps in the manufacturing process of ALPHANATE are summarized in Table 3.
In vitro inactivation studies to evaluate the solvent detergent treatment (0.3% Tri-n-butyl Phosphate and 1.0% Polysorbate 80) step in the manufacture of ALPHANATE were conducted to assess the capability of the step to inactivate enveloped viruses, such as Human Immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), as well as marker viruses such as Sindbis virus (SIN, a model for Hepatitis C virus), Vesicular Stomatitis virus (VSV, a model for large, enveloped RNA virus), Bovine Herpes virus (BHV, a model for Hepatitis B virus) and Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVD, a model for Hepatitis C virus). In vitro inactivation studies to evaluate the dry heat treatment (80 °C, 72 hours) step in the manufacture of ALPHANATE were conducted to assess the capability of the step to inactivate both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, such as Hepatitis A virus (HAV), human Poliovirus Sabin type 2 (POL, a model for HAV), Canine Parvovirus (CPV, a model for Parvovirus B19), BHV and BVD. Other steps in the manufacturing process of ALPHANATE (precipitation with 3.5% polyethylene glycol (PEG), heparin affinity chromatography and lyophilization) were also evaluated for virus elimination capability using several enveloped and non-enveloped viruses as shown in Table 3.
Table 3: Virus Log Reduction Virus (Model Virus for) | 3.5% PEG Precipitation | Solvent- Detergent | Column Chromatography | Lyophilization | Dry Heat Cycle (80 °C, 72 h) | Total Log Removal |
BHV (HBV) | < 1.0 | ≥ 8.0 | 7.6 | 1.3 | 2.1 | ≥ 19.0 |
BVD (HCV) | < 1.0 | ≥ 4.5 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | ≥ 4.9 | ≥ 9.4 |
POL (HAV) | 3.3 | – | < 1.0 | 3.4 | ≥ 2.5 | ≥ 9.2 |
CPV (B19) | 1.2 | – | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| VSV | – | ≥ 4.1 | – | – | – | ≥ 4.1 |
SIN (HCV) | – | ≥ 4.7 | – | – | – | ≥ 4.7 |
| HIV–1 | < 1.0 | ≥ 11.1 | ≥ 2.0 | – | – | ≥ 13.1 |
| HIV–2 | – | ≥ 6.1 | – | – | – | ≥ 6.1 |
| HAV | – | – | – | 2.1 | ≥ 5.8 | ≥ 7.9 |
Additionally, the manufacturing process was investigated for its capacity to decrease infectivity of an experimental agent of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), considered as a model for the vCJD and CJD agents.
Several of the individual production steps in ALPHANATE manufacturing process have been shown to decrease TSE infectivity of an experimental model agent.11 TSE reduction steps include: 3.5% polyethylene glycol precipitation (3.23 log10), affinity chromatography (3.50 log10) and saline precipitation (1.36 log10). These studies provide reasonable assurance that low levels of CJD/vCJD agent infectivity, if present in the starting material, would be removed.
Pharmacokinetics in Hemophilia A
Following the administration of ALPHANATE during clinical trials, the mean in vivo half-life of FVIII observed in 12 adult subjects with severe hemophilia A was 17.9 ± 9.6 hours. In this same study, the in vivo recovery was 96.7 ± 14.5% at 10 minutes postinfusion. Recovery at 10 minutes post-infusion was also determined as 2.4 ± 0.4 IU FVIII rise/dL plasma per IU FVIII infused/kg body weight.
Pharmacokinetics in von Willebrand Disease (VWD)
A pharmacokinetic crossover study was conducted in 14 non-bleeding subjects with VWD (1 type 1, 2 type 2A, and 11 type 3) comparing the pharmacokinetics of ALPHANATE (A-SD/HT) and an earlier formulation, ALPHANATE (A-SD). Subjects received, in random order at least seven days apart, a single intravenous dose of each product, 60 IU VWF:RCo/kg (75 IU VWF:RCo/kg in subjects younger than 18 years of age). Pharmacokinetic parameters were similar for the two products and indicated that they were biochemically equivalent. Pharmacokinetic analysis of ALPHANATE (A-SD/HT) in the 14 subjects revealed the following results: the median plasma levels (% normal) of VWF:RCo rose from 10 IU/dL (range: 10 to 27 IU/dL) at baseline to 206 IU/dL (range: 87 to 440 IU/dL) 15 minutes post-infusion; median plasma levels of FVIII:C rose from 5 IU/dL (range: 2 to 114 IU/dL) to 206 IU/dL (range: 110 to 421 IU/dL). The median bleeding time (BT) prior to infusion was 30 minutes (mean, 28.8 ± 4.41 minutes; range: 13.5 to 30 minutes), which shortened to 10.38 minutes (mean, 10.4 ± 3.2 minutes; range: 6 to 16 minutes) 1 hour post-infusion.
Following infusion of ALPHANATE (A-SD/HT), the median half-lives for VWF:RCo, FVIII:C and VWF:Ag were 6.91 hours (range: 3.8 to 16.22 hours), 20.92 hours (range: 7.19 to 32.2 hours), and 12.8 hours (range: 10.34 to 17.45 hours), respectively. The median incremental in vivo recoveries of VWF:RCo and FVIII:C were 3.12 (IU/dL)/(IU/kg) [range: 1.28 to 5.73 (IU/dL)/(IU/kg)] for VWF:RCo and 1.95 (IU/dL)/(IU/kg) [range: 1.33 to 3.32 (IU/dL)/(IU/kg)] for FVIII:C.
The pharmacokinetic data in VWD are summarized in Table 4.
Table 4: Pharmacokinetic data in VWDParameter
| Plasma VWF:RCo (Mean ± SD) | Plasma FVIII:C (Mean ± SD) | Plasma VWF:Ag (Mean ± SD) |
| Number of subjects | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Mean plasma levels (IU/dL) |
| Baseline | 11.86 ± 4.97 | 21.00 ± 33.83 | – |
| 15 minutes post infusion | 215.50 ± 101.70 | 215.29 ± 94.26 | – |
| T½ (Half-life in hours) | 7.67 ± 3.32 | 21.58 ± 7.79 | 13.06 ± 2.20 |
| Incremental in vivo recovery in (IU/dL)/(IU/kg) | 3.29 ± 1.46 | 2.13 ± 0.58 | – |
Following infusion of both ALPHANATE (A-SD) and ALPHANATE (A-SD/HT), an increase in the size of VWF multimers was seen and persisted for at least 24 hours. The shortening of the BT was transient, lasting less than 6 hours following treatment and did not correlate with the presence of large and intermediate size VWF multimers.14
In a prospective, multi-center clinical study, 37 subjects with VWD (6 Type 1, 19 Type 2, 12 Type 3) underwent 59 surgical procedures for which ALPHANATE (A-SD) or ALPHANATE (A-SD/HT) was administered [21 subjects received ALPHANATE (A-SD), 18 received ALPHANATE (A-SD/HT), and 2 received both products] for bleeding prophylaxis (see Table 5). An initial pre-operative infusion of 60 IU VWF:RCo/kg (75 IU VWF:RCo/kg for subjects less than 18 years of age), was administered one hour before surgery. A blood sample was obtained 15 minutes after the initial infusion for the determination of the plasma FVIII:C level. The level had to equal or exceed 100% of normal for an operation to proceed. No cryoprecipitate or alternative FVIII product was administered during these surgical procedures. Platelets were required in two subjects. The protocol permitted intra-operative infusions of ALPHANATE (A-SD) and ALPHANATE (A-SD/HT) at 60 IU VWF:RCo/kg (75 IU VWF:RCo/kg for subjects less than 18 years of age) to be administered as required according to the judgment of the investigator.
Table 5: Number of and Types of Surgical Procedures^ Two subjects received both preparations; the total number of subjects is therefore less than the sum of the columns. |
| Parameter | Treatment with Alphanate | Total |
| Type of Surgical Procedure | A-SD | A-SD/HT |
| Number of Subjects | 21 | 18 | 37^ |
| Dental | 14 | 6 | 20 |
| Dermatologic | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Gastrointestinal | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Gastrointestinal (diagnostic) | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Genitourinary | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Gynecologic | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Head and neck | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Orthopedic | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Vascular | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Total number of procedures | 35 | 24 | 59 |
Post-operative infusions at doses of 40 to 60 IU VWF:RCo/kg (50 to 75 IU VWF:RCo/kg for pediatric subjects) were administered at 8 to 12-hour intervals until healing had occurred. For maintenance of secondary hemostasis (after primary hemostasis was achieved), the dose was reduced after the third post-operative day [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
Overall, in the surgical procedures using either product, the BT at 30 minutes post-infusion was fully corrected in 18 (32.7%) cases, partially corrected in 24 (43.6%) cases, not corrected in 12 (21.8%) cases, and was not done in one case (1.8%). Overall, the mean blood loss was lower than predicted prospectively.
Surgical infusion summary data are included in Table 6.
Table 6: Prophylaxis with ALPHANATE (A-SD) and/or ALPHANATE (A-SD/HT) in Surgery* Two subjects received both products |
| Parameter | A-SD | A-SD/HT | Total |
| Number of subjects | 21 | 18 | 37* |
| Number of surgical procedures | 35 | 24 | 59 |
| Median number of infusions per surgical procedure (range) | 3 (1-13) | 4 (1 – 18) | 4 (1-18) |
| Median dosage IU VWF:RCo/kg |
| Infusion #1 (range) | 59.8 (19.8-75.1) | 59.9 (40.6 – 75.0) | 59.9 (19.8-75.1) |
| Infusion ≥ #2 combined (range) | 40.0 (4.5-75.1) | 40.0 (10.0 – 63.1) | 40.0 (4.5-75.1) |
Additionally, surgical procedures using ALPHANATE SD/HT only were categorized as major, minor or invasive procedures according to definitions used in the study. The outcome of each surgery was evaluated according to a clinical rating scale (excellent, good, poor or none) and was considered successful if the outcome was excellent or good.
Study results also were evaluated independently by two referees with clinical experience in this field in the same way (surgery categorization and outcome of each surgery according to a clinical rating scale). There was a high level of agreement between the referee evaluations and the analyzed outcome data, with a decrease of only a single success in achieving hemostasis (21/24 [referees evaluation] vs. 22/24 [investigators evaluation]).
A retrospective, multi-center study was performed to assess the efficacy of ALPHANATE (A-SD/HT) as replacement therapy in preventing excessive bleeding in subjects with congenital VWD undergoing surgical or invasive procedures, for whom DDAVP was ineffective or inadequate. A total of 61 surgeries/procedures in 39 subjects were evaluated.15
Of the 39 subjects, 18 had Type 1 VWD (46.2%); 12 subjects (30.8%) had Type 2 VWD, and 9 subjects (23.1%) had Type 3 VWD. Median age was 40 years; approximately one-half of the subjects were male.
The primary efficacy variable was the overall treatment outcome for each surgical or invasive procedure, as rated by the investigator using a 4-point verbal rating scale (VRS): “excellent,” “good,” “poor,” or “none (no indication of efficacy).” The categorization of the replacement treatment outcome was based upon the investigator’s clinical experience and defined in Table 7.
Table 7: Rating Scale and Clinical Efficacy of ALPHANATE Therapy* The efficacy assessment period included the entire perioperative period. |
| Rating | Clinical Efficacy* |
| Hemostasis | Dosing |
| Excellent | Hemostasis not different from that expected for subjects without known bleeding disorders. | No upward dosage adjustment for ALPHANATE replacement therapy. |
| Good | Hemostasis slightly inferior from that expected for subjects without known bleeding disorders but judged as not clinically relevant. | Minor upward dosage adjustment for ALPHANATE replacement therapy. |
| Poor | Less hemostasis than expected for subjects without known bleeding disorders attributed to vWD despite ALPHANATE replacement therapy. | Relevant upward dosage adjustment for ALPHANATE replacement therapy. No need for alternative therapy.
No need for alternative therapy.
|
| None | Severe bleeding attributed to vWD despite ALPHANATE replacement therapy. | Relevant upward dosage adjustment for ALPHANATE replacement therapy and/or need for alternative unexpected therapy. |
In addition, an independent referee committee was convened to evaluate the efficacy outcomes. More than 90% of the surgical outcomes received an investigator and referee’s overall and daily rating of “effective” (“excellent” or “good”) in achieving hemostasis/preventing bleeding.
The majority of ratings were considered “excellent” (³ 81.3% in each VWD type). Nine Type 3 subjects underwent 1 major and 15 minor procedures. Two procedures (1 major and 1 minor) in 1 subject with Type 3 VWD received an overall efficacy rating of “none,” and one minor procedure in a subject with Type 2 VWD received an overall efficacy rating of “poor.”