Safety marginAccepted with a conditionBeyond the letter
No NOAEL in the repeat-dose rat study; adverse male reproductive tract toxicity at exposures below clinical exposure
Why: Testicular toxicity consistent with on-target blockade of activin A signalling; potential human risk communicated through labeling · Pharmacology or kinetics
“A no observed adverse effect level was not established in the study due to the adverse testicular effects, with rat testicular findings occurring at exposure below clinical exposures at the recommended clinical doses (by area under the concentration-time curve [AUC] comparison).”
✓ VerifiedFDA integrated review, p. 59Source ↗ “Due to the established role of activin A in testicular development, we concluded that testicular toxicity seen in healthy rats and monkeys was consistent with a mechanistic effect of blocking activin A-mediated signal transduction and identified a potential human risk that will be communicated through labeling.”
✓ VerifiedFDA integrated review, p. 59Source ↗ DARTAccepted with a condition
No dedicated male or female fertility studies; reproductive organs assessed in the 26-week monkey study
Why: Fertility studies generally not practical in monkeys · Within the guideline
“No dedicated standalone male or female fertility studies were conducted and are generally not practical in monkeys; however, garetosmab may potentially reduce fertility.”
✓ VerifiedFDA integrated review, p. 59Source ↗ “The PI should describe the effects on the male reproductive organs and sperm observed in nonclinical studies and should include a statement that garetosmab may impair male fertility.”
✓ VerifiedFDA integrated review, p. 111Source ↗