Ciliary vessel inflammation with immune complex deposition in a monkey study (hypersensitivity-type); not reproduced in the 6-month study
“The inflammation was accompanied by increased monocytes and deposition of immune complexes (C3 complement, IgG and/or IgM). These findings were not reproduced in the 6 month study.”
Low Vd (0.07-0.14 L/kg) across species; tissue distribution studies not conducted
“Vd was low in all species (0.07-0.14 L/kg). Tissue distribution and metabolism studies were not requested or conducted.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 5Source ↗
Modality-specific risk
Cardiovascular risk of long-term CGRP antagonism (loss of vasodilation), especially with cardiovascular risk factors
“Because of the potent vasodilatory properties of CGRP, concerns were raised regarding long-term antagonism of the CGRP in humans, particularly in patients with cardiovascular risk factors.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 5Source ↗
Anti-drug antibodies: animals
Monkey 6-month: 5/28 (17.8%) ADA-positive with low titers and no effect on exposure; ADAs affected exposure in shorter studies
“In the six month study in monkeys (SC injections once weekly) 5 out of 28 animals (17.8%) dosed with fremanezumab had treatment-related ADA response with relative low titer values, which apparently did not influence exposure”
0.4% (6/1701) in 3-month placebo-controlled studies; 1 of 6 neutralizing
“In 3-month, placebo-controlled studies in adult patients, treatment-emergent anti-drug antibodies were observed in 0.4% (6 out of 1701) AJOVY-treated patients. One of the 6 patients developed anti-AJOVY neutralizing antibodies at Day 84.”
In vitro whole-blood cytokine release far below alemtuzumab/TGN1412 controls; no effects on monkey TDAR, lymphocyte subsets or serum cytokines; ADA in some monkeys