- If approved, ENSPRYNG will be the first and only treatment available to both adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-IgG) seropositive NMOSD in the EU
- ENSPRYNG is the only subcutaneous treatment option for NMOSD that can be administered at home every four weeks
- Recommendation is based on results from the two pivotal Phase III SAkuraStar and SAkuraSky studies, in which ENSPRYNG demonstrated robust and sustained efficacy in reducing the risk of relapse and a favourable safety profile
- NMOSD is a rare, lifelong and debilitating autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system that can cause blindness, muscle weakness and paralysis
NMOSD is a rare, lifelong and debilitating autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system, often misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis, that primarily damages the optic nerve(s) and spinal cord, causing permanent blindness, muscle weakness and paralysis. The disease is characterised by unpredictable relapses and severe disability often occurs following the first NMOSD attack, accumulating with each subsequent relapse. Preventing these relapses is the primary goal for disease management. ENSPRYNG has been recommended for use in people
“Today’s positive CHMP opinion is an important step toward bringing ENSPRYNG to people in the EU living with NMOSD
ENSPRYNG is a humanised monoclonal antibody designed to target and inhibit interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor activity, believed to play a key role in the inflammation associated with NMOSD. The treatment was designed by Chugai, a member of the
The CHMP recommendation is based on the results of the Phase III SAkuraStar and SAkuraSky studies in which ENSPRYNG showed robust and sustained efficacy results in reducing the risk of relapse and a favourable safety profile in people with AQP4-IgG seropositive NMOSD. A final decision regarding the approval is expected from the
About SAkuraStar and SAkuraSky in NMOSD
SAkuraStar was a pivotal Phase III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of ENSPRYNG monotherapy administered to adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). In the anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-IgG) seropositive subgroup, 83% treated with ENSPRYNG remained relapse free at 48 weeks, compared with 55% of those treated with placebo. At 96 weeks, 77% of those treated with ENSPRYNG remained relapse free, compared with 41% with placebo.
SAkuraSky was a pivotal Phase III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of ENSPRYNG in combination with baseline immunosuppressive therapy in adults and adolescents with NMOSD. Overall, 92% of AQP4-seropositive participants receiving ENSPRYNG in combination with immunosuppressants remained relapse free at 48 and 96 weeks, compared with 60% and 53% with placebo at 48 and 96 weeks.
The primary endpoint of both the SAkuraStar and SAkuraSky studies was time to first protocol-defined relapse (PDR) adjudicated by an independent review committee in the double-blind period.
ENSPRYNG demonstrated a favourable safety and tolerability profile in the Phase III studies.
The most common adverse reactions observed in the safety population were: headache, arthralgia, white blood cell count decrease, hyperlipidaemia and injection-related reactions.
About neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)
NMOSD is a rare, lifelong and debilitating autoimmune condition of the central nervous system that primarily damages the optic nerve(s) and spinal cord, causing permanent blindness, muscle weakness and paralysis. People with NMOSD experience unpredictable, severe relapses directly causing cumulative, permanent, neurological damage and disability. In some cases, relapse can result in death. NMOSD affects over 10,000 people in
NMOSD is commonly associated with pathogenic antibodies (AQP4-IgG) that target and damage a specific cell type, called astrocytes, resulting in inflammatory lesions of the optic nerve(s), spinal cord and brain. AQP4-IgG antibodies are detectable in the blood serum of around 70-80% of people with NMOSD.
Although most cases of NMOSD can be confirmed through diagnostic tests, people living with the condition are still frequently misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This is due to overlapping characteristics of the two disorders, including a higher prevalence in women, similar symptoms and the fact that people can experience relapses in both conditions.
About ENSPRYNG® (satralizumab)
ENSPRYNG, which was designed by Chugai, a member of the
Positive Phase III results for ENSPRYNG, as both monotherapy and in combination with baseline immunosuppressive therapy, suggest that IL-6 inhibition is an effective therapeutic approach for NMOSD. The Phase III clinical development programme for ENSPRYNG includes two studies: SAkuraStar and SAkuraSky.
ENSPRYNG is currently approved in 20 countries, including
ENSPRYNG has been designated as an orphan drug in the
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