Eculizumab

Novartis’ Fabhalta improved hemoglobin levels in patients with a rare blood disorder who switched from anti-C5 therapies, bolstering the drug’s case against AstraZeneca’s competing treatments. Fabhalta has been approved for exactly one year in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, a disorder that causes red blood cells to break down and can lead to anemia or blood clots. Some patients require transfusions. AstraZeneca’s C5 inhibitors Soliris and Ultomiris have long been the standard of care, each generating roughly $3 billion in 2023 sales. But on Friday, Novartis said patients in the single-arm Phase 3b APPULSE-PNH study saw their average hemoglobin levels improve from baseline over 24 weeks after switching from Soliris or Ultomiris, meeting the primary endpoint. “These data reinforce our confidence in Fabhalta, the first and only oral monotherapy currently available for the treatment of adults with PNH, to provide meaningful hemoglobin improvement, regardless of previous treatment experience,” David Soergel, global head of Novartis’ cardiovascular, renal and metabolism development unit, said in a news release . The company declined to provide specifics, though a spokesperson told Endpoints News that the data will be presented at a medical meeting in 2025. The results build on data from Novartis’ APPLY-PNH study. At last year’s American Society of Hematology conference, Novartis said that 94% of patients who switched from C5-inhibitors to Fabhalta in the study’s extension period achieved transfusion avoidance, and “mean hemoglobin levels increased to near-normal.” In that group, Novartis said mean hemoglobin levels were 9.1 g/dL at the start of the extension period, which is lower than patients’ average levels at the start of the APPULSE-PNH study. Soliris and Ultomiris are infusions, while Fabhalta is approved as a twice-daily oral pill. Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan said in January that the company saw “very positive early launch signals” for Fabhalta, but added that he expected a “modest ramp for this brand given the dynamics within the PNH market,” according to an AlphaSense transcript. Fabhalta generated $44 million in third-quarter 2024 sales. In August, it was granted an accelerated approval in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), a rare autoimmune disease that affects the kidneys.

In the Phase IIIB APPULSE-PNH study, oral Fabhalta® (iptacopan) improved the average hemoglobin (Hb) level versus baseline in adult patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) who were switched from anti-C5 therapies (Hb ≥10g/dL following treatment with eculizumab or ravulizumab)1,2PNH is a rare, chronic and serious complement-mediated blood disorder, characterized by hemolysis, anemia, thrombosis and other symptoms, and patients are often treated with anti-C5 therapies3-5Findings from APPULSE-PNH build on the Phase III program showing the efficacy and safety of Fabhalta in adults with PNH1, which is approved in the US, EU, Japan and China6-9 Basel, December 6, 2024 – Novartis today announced positive topline results from APPULSE-PNH, a Phase IIIB study evaluating the efficacy and safety of twice-daily oral monotherapy Fabhalta® (iptacopan) in adult patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) who were switched from anti-C5 therapies (Hb ≥10g/dL following treatment with eculizumab or ravulizumab)1. After 24 weeks of treatment with Fabhalta, the average Hb level improved versus baseline1. “These new results add to the body of evidence reinforcing that Fabhalta can benefit both patients previously treated with anti-C5 therapies studied in the APPULSE-PNH and APPLY-PNH trials and complement-inhibitor naïve patients studied in the APPOINT-PNH trial,” said Antonio Risitano, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the International PNH Interest Group and Head of the Hematology and Hematopoietic Transplant Unit, Reference Center for Aplastic Anemia and Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria at the AORN San Giuseppe Moscati, Avellino, Italy, and APPULSE-PNH trial lead investigator. “Treatment goals for patients with PNH have greatly evolved, and we can now aim to resolve signs and symptoms of disease in most patients. It is promising to see this evolution, and we will continue to make progress to best support these patients.” In the study, the safety profile of Fabhalta monotherapy was consistent with previously reported data1,10. “Across multiple clinical trials, Fabhalta has consistently shown clinically meaningful benefits for patients with PNH, and the APPULSE-PNH trial is a compelling addition to this body of evidence," said David Soergel, M.D., Global Head, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism Development Unit, Novartis. “These data reinforce our confidence in Fabhalta, the first and only oral monotherapy currently available for the treatment of adults with PNH, to provide meaningful hemoglobin improvement, regardless of previous treatment experience.” Data will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting in 2025. Fabhalta was recently granted accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the reduction of proteinuria in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) at risk of rapid disease progression, and development is ongoing in multiple complement-mediated diseases6,11. About APPULSE-PNH APPULSE-PNH (NCT05630001) is a Phase IIIB multicenter, single-arm, open-label study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of twice-daily oral Fabhalta® (iptacopan) monotherapy (200mg) in adults with PNH who were switched from anti-C5 therapies (eculizumab or ravulizumab)2. The trial enrolled 52 participants who received Fabhalta for 24 weeks2. Participants enrolled were required to be on a stable regimen with anti-C5 therapies (eculizumab or ravulizumab) for at least 6 months prior to screening with average hemoglobin (Hb) ≥10g/dL and no red blood cell transfusions in this period2,12. The primary endpoint is change from baseline Hb levels after 24 weeks of treatment with Fabhalta2,12. About paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)PNH is a rare, chronic and serious complement-mediated blood disorder13. People with PNH have an acquired mutation in some of their hematopoietic stem cells (which are located in the bone marrow and can grow and develop into red blood cells [RBCs], white blood cells and platelets) that causes them to produce RBCs that are susceptible to premature destruction by the complement system4,13. This leads to intravascular hemolysis (destruction of RBCs within blood vessels) and extravascular hemolysis (destruction of RBCs mostly in the spleen and liver), which cause anemia (low levels of circulating RBCs), thrombosis (formation of blood clots), fatigue and other debilitating symptoms4,13.   It is estimated that approximately 10-20 people per million worldwide live with PNH13. Although PNH can develop at any age, it is often diagnosed in people between 30-40 years old14,15. PNH has a significant unmet need not addressed by anti-C5 therapies (eculizumab or ravulizumab). Anti-C5 therapies (eculizumab or ravulizumab) are commonly administered every 2-8 weeks as intravenous infusions, and treatment visits (including journey, waiting, infusion and recovery time) can take approximately 4 to 5 hours5. Despite treatment with anti-C5 therapies, a large proportion of people with PNH remain anemic, and some dependent on blood transfusions3,4,16-20. About Fabhalta® (iptacopan)  Fabhalta (iptacopan) is an oral, Factor B inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway12.  Fabhalta, discovered at Novartis, received approval by the FDA in December 2023 for the treatment of adults with PNH and by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in May 2024 for the treatment of adults with PNH with hemolytic anemia6,7. In August 2024, Fabhalta was granted accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the reduction of proteinuria in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) at risk of rapid disease progression, and development is ongoing in multiple complement-mediated diseases6,11. Fabhalta is being studied in a broad range of rare kidney diseases, including C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) and lupus nephritis (LN). Studies are ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy profiles in these investigational indications and support potential regulatory submissions. DisclaimerThis media update contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as “potential,” “can,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “look forward,” “believe,” “committed,” “investigational,” “pipeline,” “launch,” or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this media update, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. 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In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this media update as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this media update as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram. References Novartis. Data on file.Clinicaltrials.gov. NCT05630001. Single Arm, Open Label Trial With Iptacopan Treatment for 24 Weeks, in Patients on Stable Regimen of Anti-C5 Who Switch to Iptacopan. (APPULSE). Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05630001 Accessed October, 2024.McKinley CE, Richards SJ, Munir T, et al. Extravascular Hemolysis Due to C3-Loading in Patients with PNH Treated with Eculizumab: Defining the Clinical Syndrome. Blood. 2017;130(Supplement 1):3471. Dingli D, Matos JE, Lehrhaupt K, et al. The burden of illness in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria receiving treatment with the C5-inhibitors eculizumab or ravulizumab: results from a US patient survey. Ann Hematol. 2022;101(2):251-263.Levy AR, Dysart L, Patel Y, et al. Comparison of Lost Productivity Due to Eculizumab and Ravulizumab Treatments for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria in France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Blood. 2019;134(Supplement_1):4803.Fabhalta®. US FDA Prescribing information. East Hanover, NJ:Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; 2024. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/218276s001lbl.pdf Accessed November 2024.Fabhalta®. EMA Summary of Product Characteristics. Novartis Europharm Limited; 2024. Available from: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/fabhalta-epar-product-information_en.pdf Accessed November 2024.Fabhalta®. PMDA Drug Information Sheet. Novartis Pharma KK; 2024. Available from: https://www.pmda.go.jp/files/000271929.pdf Accessed November 2024.Fabhalta®. NMPA drug insert. Novartis Pharma Schweiz AG; 2024. Available from: https://www.ccfdie.org/en/gzdt/webinfo/2024/05/1716632195327630.html Accessed November 2024.Dighriri IM, Al-Qahtani RM, Almutairi AO, et al. Iptacopan Efficacy and Safety to Treat Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2024;16(8):e67830. Novartis. Press release. Novartis receives FDA accelerated approval for Fabhalta® (iptacopan), the first and only complement inhibitor for the reduction of proteinuria in primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Available from: https://www.novartis.com/news/media-releases/novartis-receives-fda-accelerated-approval-fabhalta-iptacopan-first-and-only-complement-inhibitor-reduction-proteinuria-primary-iga-nephropathy-igan Accessed October, 2024.Risitano AM, Araten DJ, Kuter D, et al. Pb2063: APPULSE-PNH: A phase IIIB trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of switching to iptacopan in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) on anti-c5 therapy with hemoglobin >10g/dl. Hemasphere. 2023;7(Suppl):e08587b7.Cançado RD, Araújo ADS, Sandes AF, et al. Consensus statement for diagnosis and treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther. 2021;43(3):341-348.Hill A, DeZern AE, Kinoshita T, Brodsky RA. Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17028.Röth A, Maciejewski J, Nishimura JI, Jain D, Weitz JI. Screening and diagnostic clinical algorithm for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: Expert consensus. Eur J Haematol. 2018;101(1):3-11.Risitano AM, Marotta S, Ricci P, et al. Anti-complement Treatment for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria: Time for Proximal Complement Inhibition? A Position Paper From the SAAWP of the EBMT. Front Immunol. 2019;10:1157.Shammo et al. HemaSphere 2023 Shammo J, Kim J, Georget M, et al. P796: Hospitalization in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: a retrospective analysis of observational study data from the United States. Hemasphere. 2023;7(Suppl):e22585a2.Debureaux PE, Kulasekararaj AG, Cacace F, et al. Categorizing hematological response to eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: a multicenter real-life study. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2021;56(10):2600-2602.Schrezenmeier H, Kulasekararaj A, Mitchell L, et al. One-year efficacy and safety of ravulizumab in adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria naïve to complement inhibitor therapy: open-label extension of a randomized study. Ther Adv Hematol. 2020;11:2040620720966137.Young NS, Meyers G, Schrezenmeier H, Hillmen P, Hill A. The management of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: recent advances in diagnosis and treatment and new hope for patients. Semin Hematol. 2009;46(1 Suppl 1):S1-S16. # # # Novartis Media RelationsE-mail: media.relations@novartis.com Central North America Anja von Treskow +41 79 392 9697 Michael Meo +1 862 274 5414 Anna Schäfers +41 79 801 7267 SwitzerlandSatoshi Sugimoto +41 79 619 2035 Novartis Investor RelationsCentral investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com Central North America Isabella Zinck +41 61 324 7188 Sloan Simpson +1 862 345 4440 Nicole Zinsli-Somm +41 61 324 3809 Jonathan Graham +1 201 602 9921 Imke Kappes +41 61 324 8269 Parag Mahanti +1 973 876 4912