Full Press Release Details
| Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ||||
| Christine Regan Lindenboom (Investors and Media) 617-682-4340 Josh Brodsky (Investors) 617-551-8276 |
Alnylam Announces First-Ever FDA Approval of an RNAi Therapeutic,
ONPATTRO (patisiran) for the Treatment of the Polyneuropathy of Hereditary
Transthyretin-Mediated Amyloidosis in Adults
First and Only FDA-approved Treatment Available in the United States for this Indication
ONPATTRO Shown to Improve Polyneuropathy Relative to Placebo, with Reversal of
Neuropathy Impairment Compared to Baseline in Majority of Patients
Improvement in Specified Measures of Quality of Life and Disease Burden
Demonstrated Across Diverse, Global Patient Population
Alnylam to Host Conference Call Today at 3:00 p.m. ET.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., August 10, 2018 Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY), the leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today
that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ONPATTRO (patisiran) lipid complex injection, a first-of-its-kind RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic, for the treatment of the polyneuropathy of hereditary
transthyretin-mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis in adults. ONPATTRO is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for this indication. hATTR amyloidosis is a rare, inherited, rapidly progressive and life-threatening disease with a constellation of
manifestations. In addition to polyneuropathy, hATTR amyloidosis can lead to other significant disabilities including decreased ambulation with the loss of the ability to walk unaided, a reduced quality of life, and a decline in cardiac functioning.
In the largest controlled study of hATTR amyloidosis, ONPATTRO was shown to improve polyneuropathy with reversal of neuropathy impairment in a majority of patients and to improve a composite quality of life measure, reduce autonomic
symptoms, and improve activities of daily living.
Alnylam was founded on the vision of harnessing the potential of RNAi therapeutics to treat human
disease, and this approval heralds the arrival of an entirely new class of medicines. We believe today draws us ever-closer to achieving our Alnylam 2020 goals of becoming a fully integrated, multi-product biopharmaceutical company with a
sustainable pipeline, said John Maraganore, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alnylam. With the potential for the sequential launches of several new medicines in the coming years, we believe we have the opportunity to meaningfully impact
the lives of people around the world in need of new approaches to address serious diseases with significant unmet medical needs.
Today s historic approval marks the arrival of a first-of-its kind treatment option for a rare
and devastating condition with limited treatment options, said Akshay Vaishnaw, M.D., Ph.D., President of R&D at Alnylam. We extend our deepest gratitude to the patients who participated in the ONPATTRO clinical trials and their
families and caregivers who supported them. We are also grateful for the tireless efforts of the investigators and study staff, without whom this important milestone would not have been possible. We also look forward to working with the FDA to
potentially expand the ONPATTRO indication in the future.
The FDA approval of ONPATTRO was based on positive results from the randomized,
double-blind, placebo-controlled, global Phase 3 APOLLO study, the largest-ever study in hATTR amyloidosis patients with polyneuropathy. Results from the APOLLO study were published in the July 5, 2018, issue of The New England Journal of
In APOLLO, the safety and efficacy of ONPATTRO were evaluated in a diverse, global population of hATTR amyloidosis patients in 19
countries, with a total of 39 TTR mutations. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive intravenous ONPATTRO (0.3 mg per kg of body weight) or placebo once every 3 weeks for 18 months. The study showed that ONPATTRO improved measures of
polyneuropathy, quality of life, activities of daily living, ambulation, nutritional status and autonomic symptoms relative to placebo in adult patients with hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. The primary endpoint of the APOLLO study was the
modified Neuropathy Impairment Score +7 (mNIS+7), which assesses motor strength, reflexes, sensation, nerve conduction and postural blood pressure.
FDA approval of ONPATTRO represents an entirely new approach to treating patients with polyneuropathy
in hATTR amyloidosis and shows promise as a new era in patient care, said John Berk, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and assistant director of the Amyloidosis Center at Boston University School of
Medicine. Given the strength of the APOLLO data, including data showing the possibility of halting or improving disease progression in many patients, ONPATTRO holds tremendous promise for people living with this disease.
For years I have witnessed the tragic impact of hATTR amyloidosis on generations of families. Today, we celebrate the FDA approval of ONPATTRO,
said Muriel Finkel, President of Amyloidosis Support Groups. It s extremely gratifying to see promising science translate into a treatment option that will allow patients to potentially experience an improvement in their disease and an
improvement in their overall quality of life.
Today s approval is significant in so many respects. It means the hATTR amyloidosis
community of patients, families, caregivers and healthcare professionals in the United States now has a treatment option that offers renewed hope, said Isabelle Lousada, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Amyloidosis Research
Consortium. With an FDA-approved treatment now available, I am more optimistic than ever that we can increase awareness of this rare disease and encourage more people to get tested and receive the proper diagnosis.
ONPATTRO is expected to be available for shipment to healthcare providers in the U.S. within 48 hours.
Alnylam is committed to helping people access the medicines they are prescribed and will be offering comprehensive support services for people prescribed
ONPATTRO through Alnylam Assist . Visit AlnylamAssist.com for more information or call 1-833-256-2748.
ONPATTRO was reviewed by the FDA under
Priority Review and had previously been granted Breakthrough Therapy and Orphan Drug Designations. On July 27, patisiran received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for the treatment of hereditary
transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis in adults with stage 1 or stage 2 polyneuropathy under accelerated assessment by the European Medicines Agency. The recommended Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for the European Union (EU) includes data on
secondary and exploratory endpoints. Expected in September, the European Commission will review the CHMP recommendation to make a final decision on marketing authorization, applicable to all 28 EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and
Norway. Regulatory filings in other markets, including Japan, are planned beginning in mid-2018.
Visit ONPATTRO.com for more information,
including full Prescribing Information.
Conference Call Details
Alnylam management will discuss the FDA approval via conference call today, August 10, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. ET. A webcast presentation will also be
available on the Investors page of the Company s website, www.alnylam.com. To access the call, please dial (800) 682-0995 (domestic) or (334) 323-0509 (international) five minutes prior to the start time and refer to conference ID
7371935. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 6:00 ET on August 10, 2018. To access the replay, please dial (888) 203-1112 (domestic) or (719) 457-0820 (international) and refer to conference ID 7371935.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Infusion-related reactions (IRRs) have been observed in patients treated with ONPATTRO. In a controlled clinical study, 19% of
ONPATTRO-treated patients experienced IRRs, compared to 9% of placebo-treated patients. The most common symptoms of IRRs with ONPATTRO were flushing, back pain, nausea, abdominal pain, dyspnea, and headache.
To reduce the risk of IRRs, patients should receive premedication with a corticosteroid, acetaminophen, and antihistamines (H1 and H2 blockers) at least 60
minutes prior to ONPATTRO infusion. Monitor patients during the infusion for signs and symptoms of IRRs. If an IRR occurs, consider slowing or interrupting the infusion and instituting medical management as clinically indicated. If the infusion is
interrupted, consider resuming at a slower infusion rate only if symptoms have resolved. In the case of a serious or life-threatening IRR, the infusion should be discontinued and not resumed.
Reduced Serum Vitamin A Levels and Recommended Supplementation
ONPATTRO treatment leads to a decrease in serum vitamin A levels. Supplementation at the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin A is advised for patients
taking ONPATTRO. Higher doses than the RDA should not be given to try to achieve normal serum vitamin A levels during treatment with ONPATTRO, as serum levels do not reflect the total vitamin A in the body.
Patients should be referred to an ophthalmologist if they develop ocular symptoms suggestive of vitamin A deficiency (e.g. night blindness).
The most common adverse reactions that
occurred in patients treated with ONPATTRO were upper respiratory tract infections (29%) and infusion related reactions (19%).
information about ONPATTRO, please see the full Prescribing Information.
About ONPATTRO (patisiran) lipid complex injection
ONPATTRO was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated (hATTR)
amyloidosis in adults. ONPATTRO is the first and only RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic approved by the FDA for this indication. ONPATTRO utilizes a novel approach to target and reduce production of the TTR protein in the liver via the RNAi
pathway. Reducing the TTR protein leads to a reduction in the amyloid deposits that accumulate in tissues. ONPATTRO is administered through intravenous
(IV) infusion once every 3 weeks following required premedication and the dose is based on actual body weight. Home infusion may be an option for some patients after an evaluation and
recommendation by the treating physician, and may not be covered by all insurance plans. Regardless of the setting, ONPATTRO infusions should be performed by a healthcare professional. For more information about ONPATTRO, visit ONPATTRO.com.
About hATTR Amyloidosis
Hereditary transthyretin
(TTR)-mediated amyloidosis (hATTR) is an inherited, progressively debilitating, and often fatal disease caused by mutations in the TTR gene. TTR protein is primarily produced in the liver and is normally a carrier of vitamin A. Mutations in the TTR
gene cause abnormal amyloid proteins to accumulate and damage body organs and tissue, such as the peripheral nerves and heart, resulting in intractable peripheral sensory neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, and/or cardiomyopathy, as well as other
disease manifestations. hATTR amyloidosis represents a major unmet medical need with significant morbidity and mortality. The median survival is 4.7 years following diagnosis. Until now, people living with hATTR amyloidosis in the U.S. had no
FDA-approved treatment options.
As part of Alnylam s commitment to making therapies available to those who may benefit from them, Alnylam Assist will offer a wide range of services to
guide patients through treatment with ONPATTRO, including financial assistance options for eligible patients, benefit verification and claims support, and ordering assistance and facilitation of delivery via specialty distributor or specialty
pharmacy. Patients will have access to dedicated Case Managers who can provide personalized support throughout the treatment process and Patient Education Liaisons to help patients gain a better understanding of the disease. Visit
AlnylamAssist.com for more information.
RNAi (RNA interference) is a natural cellular process of gene silencing that represents one of the most promising and rapidly advancing frontiers in biology
and drug development today. Its discovery has been heralded as a major scientific breakthrough that happens once every decade or so, and was recognized with the award of the 2006 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. RNAi therapeutics
are a new class of medicines that harness the natural biological process of RNAi. Small interfering RNA (siRNA), the molecules that mediate RNAi and comprise Alnylam s RNAi therapeutic platform, function upstream of today s medicines by
potently silencing messenger RNA (mRNA) the genetic precursors that encode for disease-causing proteins, thus preventing them from being made. This is a revolutionary approach in developing medicines to improve the care of patients
with genetic and other diseases.
Alnylam (Nasdaq: ALNY) is leading the translation of RNA interference (RNAi) into a whole new class of innovative medicines with the potential to improve the
lives of people afflicted with rare genetic, cardio-metabolic, and hepatic infectious diseases. Based on Nobel Prize-winning science, RNAi therapeutics represent a powerful, clinically validated approach for the treatment of a wide range of severe
and debilitating diseases. Founded in 2002, Alnylam is delivering on a bold vision to turn scientific possibility into reality, with a robust discovery platform. ONPATTRO, available in the U.S. for the treatment of the polyneuropathy of hereditary
transthyretin-mediated (hATTR)
amyloidosis in adults, is Alnylam s first U.S. FDA-approved RNAi therapeutic. Alnylam has a deep pipeline of investigational medicines, including three product candidates that are in
late-stage development. Looking forward, Alnylam will continue to execute on its Alnylam 2020 strategy of building a multi-product, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company with a sustainable pipeline of RNAi-based medicines to address
the needs of patients who have limited or inadequate treatment options. Alnylam employs over 800 people worldwide and is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For more information about our people, science and pipeline, please visit www.alnylam.com
and engage with us on Twitter at @Alnylam or on LinkedIn.
Alnylam Forward Looking Statements
Various statements in this release concerning Alnylam s future expectations, plans and prospects, including, without limitation, Alnylam s views with
respect to the approval of ONPATTRO (patisiran) lipid complex injection, including the approved indication, and the implications of such approval for patients, the results from its APOLLO Phase 3 clinical trial for patisiran, its expectations
concerning when ONPATTRO will be available for shipment to healthcare providers in the U.S., its plan to offer comprehensive support services for people prescribed ONPATTRO through Alnylam Assist , the expected timing for additional regulatory
filings for approval in global markets, its expectations regarding the potential for patisiran to improve the lives of hATTR amyloidosis patients with polyneuropathy and their families, its plans to work with the FDA to expand the indication for