Dupixent® (dupilumab) Approved in the U.S. as the First Biologic Medicine for Young Children with Uncontrolled Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU)
Approval for children aged 2 to 11 years with CSU who remain symptomatic despite H1 antihistamine treatment based primarily on data from the LIBERTY-CUPID clinical trial program
CSU is a chronic skin disease that causes itch and hives that can be debilitating for young children, especially for those whose disease remains uncontrolled
CSU marks the fifth disease driven in part by type 2 inflammation for which Dupixent is approved in children younger than 12 years of age
“With this approval, Dupixent has become the first biologic medicine in the
The approval is based primarily on data from the LIBERTY-CUPID clinical trial program. This includes extrapolation of efficacy and safety data from two Phase 3 trials (Study A and Study C) in certain adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with CSU complemented with pharmacokinetics data from the single-arm, CUPIDKids Phase 3 trial in children aged 2 to 11 years with CSU. In Study A and Study C, Dupixent significantly reduced itch severity and urticaria activity (a composite of itch and hives) compared to placebo at week 24. In adults and adolescents, Dupixent also increased the likelihood of well-controlled disease or complete response compared to placebo at week 24. Study B provided additional safety data and evaluated Dupixent in patients aged 12 years and older who were inadequate responders or intolerant to anti-IgE therapy and symptomatic despite antihistamine use. Safety in children aged 2 to 11 years with CSU was supported by data from pediatric patients in other indications.
The safety results from all four CSU trials were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in its approved dermatological indications. In Study A, Study B and Study C, the most common adverse reaction (≥2%) in the
“Children with uncontrolled chronic spontaneous urticaria continue to experience the unpredictable appearance of debilitating itch and hives,” said Alyssa Johnsen, M.D., Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Immunology Development at Sanofi. “Until now, these patients had to rely on limited treatment options that didn’t address potential critical mediators of chronic spontaneous urticaria. Dupixent is the first biologic approved for patients as young as 2 years of age, offering a targeted approach that inhibits IL-4 and IL-13 signaling, two key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that contributes to this disease. Today’s approval underscores our ongoing commitment to advancing therapies for young patients with significant unmet needs.”
In addition to the
About CSU
CSU is a chronic inflammatory skin disease driven in part by type 2 inflammation, which causes sudden and debilitating hives and recurring itch. CSU is typically treated with H1AH, medicines that target H1 receptors on cells to control symptoms of itch and urticaria. However, the disease remains uncontrolled despite H1AH treatment in more than 14,000 children in the
About the Dupixent CSU Phase 3 Trial Program
The LIBERTY-CUPID Phase 3 program evaluating Dupixent for CSU in children aged 2 to 11 years consists of CUPIDKids, Study A, Study B and Study C. CUPIDKids was a single arm clinical trial that assessed the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of Dupixent in children aged 2 to 11 years with CSU who remained symptomatic despite the use of antihistamines. During the 24-week treatment period, Dupixent was administered at 200 mg every two or four weeks or 300 mg every four weeks, with or without an initial loading dose, based on age and weight. The primary endpoint measured the serum concentration of Dupixent over time, including Ctrough (lowest concentration before the next dose) at week 12 and week 24.
Study A and Study C were replicate, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials that assessed Dupixent as an add-on therapy to standard-of-care antihistamines compared to antihistamines alone in patients aged 6 years and older who remained symptomatic despite the use of antihistamines and were naïve to anti-IgE therapy. Study B was conducted in patients aged 12 years and older who were symptomatic despite use of antihistamines and were inadequate responders or intolerant to anti-IgE therapy. During the 24-week treatment period in all three trials, all patients received an initial loading dose followed by either 300 mg Dupixent every two weeks or, for pediatric patients weighing 30 kg to <60 kg, 200 mg every two weeks. In both trials, endpoints assessed at week 24 included:
- Change from baseline in itch (measured by the weekly itch severity score [ISS7], 0-21 scale), the primary endpoint.
- Change from baseline in itch and hives (weekly urticaria activity score [UAS7], 0-42 scale), the key secondary endpoint.
- Proportion of patients achieving well-controlled disease status (UAS7 ≤6).
- Proportion of patients with complete response (UAS7=0).
About Dupixent
Dupixent is an injection administered under the skin (subcutaneous injection) at different injection sites. In children aged 2 to 11 years with CSU who remain symptomatic despite H1 antihistamine treatment, Dupixent is administered based on age and weight. In children aged 2 to 5 years, Dupixent is administered at 200 mg every four weeks for patients weighing ≥5 kg to <15 kg and 300 mg every four weeks for ≥15 kg to <30 kg, without an initial loading dose. In children aged 6 to 17 years, Dupixent is administered at 300 mg every four weeks for ≥15 kg to <30 kg, 200 mg every two weeks for ≥30 kg to <60 kg and 300 mg every two weeks for ≥60 kg, after an initial loading dose. Dupixent is intended for use under the guidance of a healthcare professional and can be given in a clinic or at home after training by a healthcare professional. In children aged 2 to 11 years, Dupixent should be administered by a caregiver if given at home.
Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron’s proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown significant clinical benefit and a decrease in type 2 inflammation in Phase 3 trials, establishing that IL-4 and IL-13 are two of the key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases.
Regeneron and Sanofi are committed to helping patients in the U.S. who are prescribed Dupixent gain access to the medicine and receive the support they may need with the DUPIXENT MyWay® program. For more information, please call 1-844-DUPIXENT (1-844-387-4936) or visit www.DUPIXENT.com.
Dupixent has received regulatory approvals in more than 60 countries in one or more indications including certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), prurigo nodularis, CSU, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bullous pemphigoid (BP) and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) in different age populations. More than 1,400,000 patients are being treated with Dupixent globally.1
About
Dupilumab Development Program
Dupilumab is being jointly developed by
In addition to the currently approved indications,
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with AD under 6 months of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in adults and children 12 years of age and older whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with CRSwNP under 12 years of age.
- to treat adults and children 1 year of age and older with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), who weigh at least 33 pounds (15 kg). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with EoE under 1 year of age, or who weigh less than 33 pounds (15 kg).
- to treat adults with prurigo nodularis (PN). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with PN under 18 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of adults with inadequately controlled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a high number of blood eosinophils (a type of white blood cell that may contribute to your COPD). DUPIXENT is used to reduce the number of flare-ups (the worsening of your COPD symptoms for several days) and can improve your breathing. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with COPD under 18 years of age.
- to treat adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) who continue to have hives that are not controlled with H1 antihistamine treatment. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with CSU under 2 years of age, or who weigh less than 11 pounds (5 kg).
- to treat adults with bullous pemphigoid (BP). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with BP under 18 years of age.
- to treat adults and children 6 years of age and older with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS), who have had surgery on their nose or sinuses in the past. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with AFRS under 6 years of age.
DUPIXENT is not used to relieve sudden breathing problems and will not replace an inhaled rescue medicine or to treat any other forms of hives (urticaria).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT®.
Before using DUPIXENT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- have eye problems.
- have a parasitic (helminth) infection.
- are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a “live vaccine” right before and during treatment with DUPIXENT.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether DUPIXENT will harm your unborn baby.
- A pregnancy registry for women who take DUPIXENT during pregnancy collects information about the health of you and your baby.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether DUPIXENT passes into your breast milk.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you are taking oral, topical, or inhaled corticosteroid medicines; have asthma and use an asthma medicine; or have AD, CRSwNP, EoE, PN, COPD, CSU, BP, or AFRS and also have asthma. Do not change or stop your other medicines, including corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine, without talking to your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by those medicines to come back.
DUPIXENT can cause serious side effects, including:
- Allergic reactions. DUPIXENT can cause allergic reactions, including skin reactions, that can sometimes be severe. Stop using DUPIXENT and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms: breathing problems or wheezing, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, fast pulse, fever, hives, skin rash, including rash that looks like a bullseye, painful red or blue bumps under the skin, or red pus-filled spots on the skin, general ill feeling, itching, swollen lymph nodes, nausea or vomiting, joint pain, or cramps in your stomach area.
- Eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision, such as blurred vision. Your healthcare provider may send you to an ophthalmologist for an exam if needed.
- Inflammation of your blood vessels. Rarely, this can happen in people with asthma who receive DUPIXENT. This may happen in people who also take a steroid medicine by mouth that is being stopped or the dose is being lowered. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get: rash, chest pain, worsening shortness of breath, brown or dark colored urine, persistent fever, or a feeling of pins and needles or numbness of your arms or legs.
- Psoriasis. This can happen in people with atopic dermatitis and asthma who receive DUPIXENT. Tell your healthcare provider about any new skin symptoms. Your healthcare provider may send you to a dermatologist for an examination if needed.
- Joint aches and pain. Some people who use DUPIXENT have had trouble walking or moving due to their joint symptoms, and in some cases needed to be hospitalized. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or worsening joint symptoms. Your healthcare provider may stop DUPIXENT if you develop joint symptoms.
The most common side effects:
- Eczema: injection site reactions; eye problems, including eye and eyelid inflammation, redness, swelling, itching, eye infection, dry eye, and blurred vision; cold sores in your mouth or on your lips; and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia).
- Asthma: injection site reactions; high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia); pain in the throat (oropharyngeal pain); and parasitic (helminth) infections.
- Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps: injection site reactions; eye problems, including eye and eyelid inflammation, redness, swelling, itching, eye infection, and blurred vision; high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia), stomach problems (gastritis); joint pain (arthralgia); trouble sleeping (insomnia); and toothache.
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis: injection site reactions; upper respiratory tract infections; cold sores in your mouth or on your lips; and joint pain (arthralgia).
- Prurigo Nodularis: eye problems, including eye and eyelid inflammation, redness, swelling, itching, and blurred vision; herpes virus infections; common cold symptoms (nasopharyngitis); dizziness; muscle pain; and diarrhea.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: injection site reactions; common cold symptoms (nasopharyngitis); high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia); viral infection; back pain; inflammation inside the nose (rhinitis); diarrhea; stomach problems (gastritis); joint pain (arthralgia); toothache; headache; and urinary tract infection.
- Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: injection site reactions.
- Bullous Pemphigoid: joint pain (arthralgia); eye problems, including eye and eyelid inflammation, redness, swelling, itching, and blurred vision; and herpes virus infections.
- Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis: injection site reactions; eye problems, including eye and eyelid inflammation, redness, swelling, itching, eye infection, and blurred vision; high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia); stomach problems (gastritis); joint pain (arthralgia); trouble sleeping (insomnia); and toothache.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of DUPIXENT. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It’s an injection given under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Your healthcare provider will decide if you or your caregiver can inject DUPIXENT. Do not try to prepare and inject DUPIXENT until you or your caregiver have been trained by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, it’s recommended DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult. In children 6 months to less than 12 years of age, DUPIXENT should be given by a caregiver.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
About
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to numerous approved treatments and product candidates in development, most of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases, and rare diseases.
Regeneron pushes the boundaries of scientific discovery and accelerates drug development using our proprietary technologies, such as VelociSuite, which produces optimized fully human antibodies and new classes of bispecific antibodies. We are shaping the next frontier of medicine with data-powered insights from the Regeneron Genetics Center® and pioneering genetic medicine platforms, enabling us to identify innovative targets and complementary approaches to potentially treat or cure diseases.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow
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