CarcinogenicityAcceptedBeyond the letter
No carcinogenicity studies for a chronic NMOSD indication; no rodent IL-6R binding and mouse homolog not feasible
Why: No binding to rodent IL-6R; mouse homolog antibody not feasible because of immunogenicity · No relevant species · Other reason
“Carcinogenicity studies of satralizumab were not conducted because satralizumab does not bind to rat or mouse IL-6R, and the use of a mouse homolog antibody was determined not to be feasible because of immunogenicity.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 41Source ↗ “The Division and the Executive Carcinogenicity Assessment Committee agreed (June 14, 2016) with the sponsor’s justification for not conducting carcinogenicity studies of satralizumab.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 14Source ↗ Safety marginVerdict not stated
No safety margin established for reduced T-cell-dependent antibody responses in infants in the monkey ePPND study
“In summary, no safety margin was established for the reductions in TDAR observed in infants in the ePPND study.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 56Source ↗ Juvenile toxAcceptedBeyond the letter
No stand-alone juvenile toxicity study; monkey ePPND study used instead
Why: ePPND study conducted in compliance with the agreed paediatric investigation plan · Other reason
“However, the ePPND study performed was conducted in compliance with the agreed PIP, why no further studies were considered needed.”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 32Source ↗ OtherCriticised but acceptedBeyond the letter
No tissue distribution study and no justification provided for its omission
Why: Limited tissue distribution from volume of distribution; no target organs in monkey toxicity studies · Pharmacology or kinetics · Weight of evidence
“A justification why no standard tissue distribution study, which might have revealed valuable information (e.g. potential for passage over the blood-brain-barrier to CNS), have been performed was not provided.”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 27Source ↗ “Furthermore, the available data and information, i.e. a volume of distribution that indicates limited tissue distribution together with that no toxicological target organs or tissues were identified in the toxicological studies in cynomolgus monkey, did not raise any concerns.”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 27Source ↗