Crovalimab
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Piasky
- Brand Names
- Piasky
- Drug Class
- Complement C5 Inhibitor [EPC]
- Route
- SUBCUTANEOUS
- Dosage Form
- INJECTION, SOLUTION
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
⚠ Boxed Warning (Black Box)
WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS PIASKY, a complement inhibitor, increases the risk of serious infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Life-threatening and fatal meningococcal infections have occurred in patients treated with complement inhibitors. These infections may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early. Complete or update vaccination for meningococcal bacteria (for serogroups A, C, W, Y, and B) at least 2 weeks prior to the first dose of PIASKY, unless the risks of delaying therapy with PIASKY outweigh the risk of developing a serious infection. Comply with the most current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for meningococcal vaccination in patients receiving a complement inhibitor. See Warnings and Precautions (5.1) for additional guidance on the management of the risk of serious infections caused by meningococcal bacteria. Patients receiving PIASKY are at increased risk for invasive disease caused by N. meningitidis , even if they develop antibodies following vaccination. Monitor patients for early signs of serious meningococcal infections and evaluate immediately if infection is suspected. Because of the risk of serious meningococcal infections, PIASKY is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called PIASKY REMS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. PIASKY increases the risk of serious and life-threatening infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis . Complete or update meningococcal vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to the first dose of PIASKY, unless the risks of delaying PIASKY outweigh the risks of developing a serious infection. Comply with the most current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for meningococcal vaccination in patients receiving a complement inhibitor ( 5.1 ). Patients receiving PIASKY are at increased risk for invasive disease caused by N. meningitidis , even if they develop antibodies following vaccination. Monitor patients for early signs of meningococcal infections and evaluate immediately if infection is suspected ( 5.1 ). PIASKY is available only through a restricted program called the PIASKY REMS ( 5.2 )
Description
11 DESCRIPTION Crovalimab-akkz, a complement C5 inhibitor, is a humanized monoclonal antibody based on a human IgG1 framework. The recombinant antibody is produced in Chinese hamster ovary CHO cells and consists of two heavy chains (451 amino acid residues each) and two light chains (217 amino acid residues each). The approximate molecular weight is 145 kDa. PIASKY (crovalimab-akkz) injection is a preservative-free, sterile, clear to opalescent, almost colorless to brownish-yellow, solution supplied in a single-dose vial for intravenous use or subcutaneous use. Intravenous use requires dilution prior to administration. Each single-dose vial contains a 2 mL solution of crovalimab-akkz (340 mg), arginine hydrochloride (42.2 mg), histidine (9.4 mg), poloxamer 188 (1 mg), and Water for Injection USP. The pH is 5.8. Aspartic acid may be added to adjust the pH.
What Is Crovalimab Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE PIASKY is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 13 years and older with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and body weight of at least 40 kg. PIASKY is a complement C5 inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 13 years and older with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and body weight of at least 40 kg ( 1 )
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION See Full Prescribing Information for instructions on preparation, dosage, and administration. ( 2.2 , 2.3 , 2.4 , 2.5 ) Start with one loading dose administered by intravenous infusion, followed by 4 additional loading doses administered by subcutaneous injection. Then administer a maintenance dose every 4 weeks by subcutaneous injection. For patients switching from another complement inhibitor, the first loading dose of PIASKY should be administered no sooner than the time of the next scheduled complement inhibitor administration. See Full Prescribing Information for considerations when switching from another C5 inhibitor. Administer doses based on the patient's actual body weight ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Vaccination and Prophylaxis for Meningococcal Infection Vaccinate patients for meningococcal infection (serogroups A, C, W, Y and B) according to current ACIP recommendations at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of PIASKY [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . If urgent PIASKY therapy is indicated in a patient who is not up to date with meningococcal vaccines according to ACIP recommendations, provide the patient with antibacterial drug prophylaxis and administer these vaccines as soon as possible. Healthcare providers who prescribe PIASKY must enroll in the PIASKY REMS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. 2.2 Recommended Dosage Regimen The recommended dosage regimen consists of one loading dose administered by intravenous (IV) infusion (on Day 1), followed by four additional weekly loading doses administered by subcutaneous (SUBQ) injection (on Days 2, 8, 15, and 22). The maintenance dose starts on Day 29 and is then administered every 4 weeks by subcutaneous injection. Administer doses based on the patient's actual body weight, as shown in Table 1 . Table 1 PIASKY Dosage Regimen Based on Body Weight Body Weight ≥ 40 kg to < 100 kg ≥ 100 kg IV = intravenous, SUBQ = subcutaneous Loading Dose Day 1 Day 2, 8, 15, 22 1,000 mg (IV) 340 mg (SUBQ) 1,500 mg (IV) 340 mg (SUBQ) Maintenance Dose Day 29 and Q4W Q4W=every 4 weeks thereafter 680 mg (SUBQ) 1,020 mg (SUBQ) The dosing schedule is allowed to occasionally vary within 2 days of the scheduled administration day (except at Day 1 and Day 2). If this occurs, the subsequent dose should be administered according to the regular schedule. Modification of the maintenance dose is required if the patient's body weight changes to become consistently greater than or lower than 100 kg during the course of therapy. 2.3 Recommended Timing for Switching to PIASKY from Another C5 Inhibitor Healthcare providers should consider the benefits of the timing of switching C5 inhibitors vs. the risks of Type III hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . For patients switching from another C5 inhibitor (e.g., eculizumab or ravulizumab), the first intravenous loading dose of PIASKY should be administered no sooner than the time of the next scheduled complement...
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: Serious Meningococcal Infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Type III Hypersensitivity Reactions Related to Drug-Target-Drug Complexes [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Other Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Infusion- and Injection-Related Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] The most common adverse drug reactions (incidence ≥10%) were infusion-related reaction, respiratory tract infection, viral infection, and Type III hypersensitivity reactions. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Genentech at 1-888-835-2555 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Patients Who are Complement Inhibitor-Naïve The data described below reflect exposure of 204 patients with PNH who were complement inhibitor-naïve and who were randomized in COMMODORE 2 to receive PIASKY (n = 135) or eculizumab (n = 69) at the recommended dosing regimen for 24 weeks [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Serious adverse reactions occurred in 6% of patients receiving PIASKY in the COMMODORE 2 study, including epistaxis and pneumonia, which occurred in 2 patients each, and infusion related reaction, pyelonephritis, COVID-19, and hypovolemic shock which were reported in 1 patient each. Table 4 lists adverse reactions that occurred at a rate of 5% or more among patients randomized to PIASKY treatment for 24 weeks in the COMMODORE 2 study. The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) in patients treated with PIASKY were infusion related reaction, respiratory tract infection, and viral infection. Table 4 Adverse Reactions Reported In 5% or More of Complement-Inhibitor Naïve Patients with PNH Randomized to PIASKY in COMMODORE 2 Adverse reactions PIASKY (N = 135) % ECULIZUMAB (N = 69) % Infusion-related reaction 16 13 Respiratory tract infection Grouped terms. Diarrhea includes diarrhea and diarrhea infectious. Headache includes headache and migraine. Injection-related reaction includes injection related reaction and injection site reaction. Respiratory tract infection includes nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, rhinitis allergic, upper respiratory tract infection and pneumonia. Viral infection includes viral infection, COVID-19, influenza, herpes virus infection and oral herpes. 13 20 Viral infection 11 7 Hyperuricemia 8 9 Headache 8 6 Diarrhea 7 1 Injection-related reaction Injection-related reactions are only expected to occur in the PIASKY arm as eculizumab is not given by subcutaneous injection 6 0 Patients Previously Treated with a Complement C5 Inhibitor The data described below reflect exposure of 86 patients with PNH who received PIASKY (n=44) or eculizumab (n=42) at the recommended dosing regimen for 24 weeks in COMMODORE 1, an open-label, active-controlled, multicenter study conducted in patients switching from eculizumab. The median age was 47 years (range: 21 to 85); 52% were female, and race included White (73%), Asian (19%), unknown (5%), and Black/African-American (3%). The population ethnicities were 17% Hispanic or Latino and 76% not Hispanic or Latino. Serious adverse reactions in COMMODORE 1 were reported in 3 patients (7%) with PNH receiving PIASKY. Serious adverse reactions included pneumonia, nasopharyngitis, and urinary tract infection, which occurred in 1 patient each. Table 5 lists adverse reactions that occurred at a rate of 5% or more among patients randomized to PIASKY treatment for 24 weeks in the COMMODORE 1 study. The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) in patients treated with PIASKY were viral infections, respiratory tract infection, Type III...
Drug Interactions
7. DRUG INTERACTIONS PIASKY binds different epitopes on C5 compared to eculizumab and ravulizumab, which can lead to the formation of DTDCs when patients switch between PIASKY and either eculizumab or ravulizumab. These DTDCs comprise one or more units of C5 bound to both PIASKY and to eculizumab or ravulizumab. These DTDCs are expected to be cleared within approximately 8 weeks (in the case of eculizumab) or longer (in the case of ravulizumab) and can result in Type III hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) , Adverse Reactions (6.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS PIASKY is contraindicated: For initiation in patients with an unresolved serious Neisseria meningitidis infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. In patients with a known serious hypersensitivity reaction to crovalimab or any of the excipients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . Initiation during unresolved serious Neisseria meningitidis infection ( 4 ) Serious hypersensitivity to crovalimab or any of the excipients ( 4 )
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data on PIASKY use in pregnant women are insufficient to evaluate for a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Human IgG antibody is known to cross the placenta and its transport increases as pregnancy progresses and peaks during the third trimester; therefore, PIASKY may be transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with untreated PNH in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations ). In an enhanced pre- and postnatal development study, no adverse developmental outcomes were observed when monkeys were exposed to crovalimab-akkz during the period of organogenesis through parturition at doses that produced maternal exposures 14-times the exposures at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD), (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 risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies are 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or fetal/neonatal risk PNH in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes, including worsening cytopenias, thrombosis, infections, bleeding, miscarriages, and increased maternal mortality, and adverse fetal outcomes, including fetal death and premature delivery. Data Animal data In an enhanced pre- and post-natal development study, pregnant cynomolgus monkeys were given an intravenous loading dose of crovalimab-akkz 100 mg/kg on gestation day (GD) 20 followed by weekly subcutaneous injections of up to 100 mg/kg up to parturition. The dams and infants were then observed untreated for 6 months. There were no adverse effects of crovalimab-akkz on pregnancy or on the viability, growth, and...
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1 How Supplied PIASKY (crovalimab-akkz) injection is a sterile, preservative-free, clear to opalescent, and almost colorless to brownish-yellow solution. Each PIASKY carton contains one 340 mg/2 mL (170 mg/mL) single-dose vial (NDC 50242-115-01). 16.2 Storage and Handling Store refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in the outer carton to protect from light. Do not freeze. Do not shake. Once removed from the refrigerator, the unopened vial can be kept at room temperature up to 30°C (86°F) in its outer carton for no longer than 7 days. Prior to administration, unopened vials of PIASKY may be stored out of the refrigerator at room temperature if needed and then returned to refrigeration. The total combined time out of refrigeration should not exceed 7 days and the temperature should not exceed 30°C (86°F). Discard if stored out of the refrigerator at room temperature for longer than 7 days.
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.