Eteplirsen Injection

EXONDYS 51 is indicated for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients who have a confirmed mutation of the DMD gene that is amenable to exon 51 skipping. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on an increase in dystrophin in skeletal muscle observed in some patients treated with EXONDYS 51 [see Clinical Studies]. A clinical benefit of EXONDYS 51 has not been established. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification of a clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

Mechanism Of Action

Eteplirsen is designed to bind to exon 51 of dystrophin pre-mRNA, resulting in exclusion of this exon during mRNA processing in patients with genetic mutations that are amenable to exon 51 skipping. Exon skipping is intended to allow for production of an internally truncated dystrophin protein, which was evaluated in Study 2 and Study 3 [see Clinical studies].

Pharmacodynamics

All EXONDYS 51-treated patients evaluated (n=36) were found to produce messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for a truncated dystrophin protein by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

In Study 2, the average dystrophin protein level in muscle tissue after 180 weeks of treatment with EXONDYS 51 was 0.93% of normal (i.e., 0.93% of the dystrophin level in healthy subjects). Because of insufficient information on dystrophin protein levels before treatment with EXONDYS 51 in Study 1, it is not possible to estimate dystrophin production in response to EXONDYS 51 in Study 1.

In Study 3, the average dystrophin protein level was 0.16% of normal before treatment, and 0.44% of normal after 48 weeks of treatment with EXONDYS 51 [see Clinical studies]. The median increase in truncated dystrophin in Study 3 was 0.1% [see Clinical Studies].

Pharmacokinetics

Following single or multiple intravenous infusions of EXONDYS 51 in male pediatric DMD patients, plasma concentration-time profiles of eteplirsen were generally similar and showed multi-phasic decline. The majority of drug elimination occurred within 24 hours. Approximate dose-proportionality and linearity in PK properties were observed following multiple-dose studies (0.5 mg/kg/week [0.017 times the recommended dosage] to 50 mg/kg/week [1.7 times the recommended dosage]). There was no significant drug accumulation following weekly dosing across this dose range. The inter-subject variability for eteplirsen Cmax and AUC range from 20 to 55%.

Following single or multiple intravenous infusions of EXONDYS 51, the peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) of eteplirsen occurred near the end of infusion (i.e., 1.1 to 1.2 hours across a dose range of 0.5 mg/kg/week to 50 mg/kg/week).

In vitro investigation suggested that plasma protein binding of eteplirsen in human ranges between 6 to 17%. The mean apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of eteplirsen was 600 mL/kg following weekly intravenous infusion of EXONDYS 51 at 30 mg/kg.

Twenty-four hours after the end of the infusion, mean concentrations of eteplirsen were 0.07% of Cmax. Accumulation of eteplirsen during once weekly dosing has not been observed.

The total clearance of eteplirsen was 339 mL/hr/kg following 12 weeks of therapy with 30 mg/kg/week.

Eteplirsen did not appear to be metabolized by hepatic microsomes of any species tested, including humans.

Renal clearance of eteplirsen accounts for approximately two-thirds of the administered dose within 24 hours of intravenous administration. Elimination half-life (t½) of eteplirsen was 3 to 4 hours.

Specific Populations

The pharmacokinetics of eteplirsen have been evaluated in male pediatric DMD patients. There is no experience with the use of EXONDYS 51 in patients 65 years of age or older.

Sex effects have not been evaluated; EXONDYS 51 has not been studied in female patients.

Potential impact of race is not known because 89% of the patients in studies were Caucasians.

EXONDYS 51 has not been studied in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.

Drug Interaction Studies

In vitro data showed that eteplirsen did not significantly inhibit CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, or CYP3A4/5. Eteplirsen did not induce CYP2B6 or CYP3A4, and induction of CYP1A2 was substantially less than the prototypical inducer, omeprazole. Eteplirsen was not a substrate nor did it have any major inhibitory potential for any of the key human transporters tested (OAT1, OAT3, OCT1, OCT2, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, P-gp, BCRP, MRP2 and BSEP). Based on in vitro data on plasma protein binding, CYP or drug transporter interactions, and microsomal metabolism, eteplirsen is expected to have a low potential for drug-drug interactions in humans.

Clinical Studies

EXONDYS 51 was evaluated in three clinical studies in patients who have a confirmed mutation of the DMD gene that is amenable to exon 51 skipping.

In Study 1, patients were randomized to receive weekly infusions of EXONDYS 51 (30 mg/kg, n=4); EXONDYS 51 (50 mg/kg, n=4), or placebo (n=4) for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was dystrophin production; a clinical outcome measure, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), was also assessed. The 6MWT measures the distance that a patient can walk on a flat, hard surface in a period of 6 minutes. Patients had a mean age of 9.4 years, a mean 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) at baseline of 363 meters, and were on a stable dose of corticosteroids for at least 6 months. There was no significant difference in change in 6MWD between patients treated with EXONDYS 51 and those treated with placebo.

All 12 patients who participated in Study 1 continued treatment with open-label EXONDYS 51 weekly for an additional 4 years in Study 2. The 4 patients who had been randomized to placebo were re-randomized 1:1 to EXONDYS 30 or 50 mg/kg/week such that there were 6 patients on each dose. Patients who participated in Study 2 were compared to an external control group. The primary clinical efficacy outcome measure was the 6MWT. Eleven patients in Study 2 had a muscle biopsy after 180 weeks of treatment with EXONDYS 51, which was analyzed for dystrophin protein level by Western blot. Study 2 failed to provide evidence of a clinical benefit of EXONDYS 51 compared to the external control group. The average dystrophin protein level after 180 weeks of treatment with EXONDYS 51 was 0.93% of the dystrophin level in healthy subjects. Because of insufficient information on dystrophin protein levels before treatment with EXONDYS 51 in Study 1, it is not possible to estimate dystrophin production in response to EXONDYS 51 in Study 1.

In Study 3, 13 patients were treated with open-label EXONDYS 51 (30 mg/kg) weekly for 48 weeks and had a muscle biopsy at baseline and after 48 weeks of treatment. Patients had a mean age of 8.9 years and were on a stable dose of corticosteroids for at least 6 months. Dystrophin levels in muscle tissue were assessed by Western blot. In the 12 patients with evaluable results, the pre-treatment dystrophin level was 0.16% ± 0.12% (mean ± standard deviation) of the dystrophin level in a healthy subject and 0.44% ± 0.43% after 48 weeks of treatment with EXONDYS 51 (p < 0.05). The median increase after 48 weeks was 0.1%.

Individual patient dystrophin levels from Study 3 are shown in Table 2.

Table 2: Western Blot Results: EXONDYS 51-Treated (Week 48) vs Pre-treatment Baseline (% Normal Dystrophin) (Study 301)