Ravulizumab
Ravulizumab, sold under the brand name Ultomiris, is a humanized monoclonal antibody complement inhibitor medication designed for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. It is designed to bind to and prevent the activation of Complement component 5 (C5).[5][4]
Monoclonal antibody | |
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Type | Whole antibody |
Source | Humanized (from mouse) |
Target | Complement component 5 |
Clinical data | |
Pronunciation | rav" ue liz' ue mab |
Trade names | Ultomiris |
Other names | ALXN1210, ravulizumab-cwvz |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a619014 |
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Routes of administration | Intravenous |
ATC code | |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Metabolism | various proteases |
Identifiers | |
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Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C6430H9888N1696O2028S48 |
Molar mass | 144938.56 g·mol−1 |
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is characterized by red blood cell destruction, anemia (red blood cells unable to carry enough oxygen to tissues), blood clots, and impaired bone marrow function (not making enough blood cells).[6] In paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, proteins known as the 'complement system', which is part of the immune system, become overactive because of a genetic mutation and start to attack the patients' own red blood cells.[5] Ravulizumab, is a monoclonal antibody (a type of protein) designed to attach to the C5 protein, which is part of the complement system.[5] By attaching to the C5 protein, the medicine blocks its effect and thereby reduces the destruction of red blood cells.[5]
The most common side effects are upper respiratory tract infection (nose and throat infection), nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the nose and throat) and headache.[5][4] The most serious side effect is meningococcal infection, a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis that can cause meningitis and sepsis.[5][4]
Medical uses
In the United States, ravulizumab is indicated for the treatment of adults and children one month of age and older with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and for the treatment of adults and children one month of age and older with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) to inhibit complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA).[4][6]
In the European Union, ravulizumab is indicated in the treatment of adults with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria:
Names
Ravulizumab is the International Nonproprietary Name (INN).[7]
History
Ravulizumab was developed by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.[8] It was engineered from eculizumab to have a longer-lasting effect.[9]
Ravulizumab was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2018.[10] In April 2019, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the granting of a conditional marketing authorization for ravulizumab.[11] Ravulizumab was approved for medical use in the EU in July 2019.[5]
References
- "Ultomiris Product information". Health Canada. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- "Summary Basis of Decision (SBD) for Ultomiris". Health Canada. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- "Ultomiris 300 mg concentrate for solution for infusion - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)". (emc). Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- "Ultomiris- ravulizumab solution, concentrate". DailyMed. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- "Ultomiris EPAR". European Medicines Agency (EMA). 24 April 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2020. Text was copied from this source which is © European Medicines Agency. Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged.
- "FDA approves therapy for serious rare blood disease". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 7 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- World Health Organization (2017). "International Nonproprietary Names for Pharmaceutical Substances (INN). Proposed INN: List 117" (PDF). WHO Drug Information. 31 (2).
- Statement On A Nonproprietary Name Adopted By The USAN Council - Ravulizumab, American Medical Association.
- Röth A, Rottinghaus ST, Hill A, Bachman ES, Kim JS, Schrezenmeier H, et al. (September 2018). "Ravulizumab (ALXN1210) in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: results of 2 phase 1b/2 studies". Blood Advances. 2 (17): 2176–2185. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2018020644. PMC 6134221. PMID 30171081.
- "FDA approves new treatment for adult patients with rare, life-threatening blood disease" (Press release). U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Archived from the original on 6 February 2019.
- "EMA Positive Opinion - Ultomiris / ravulizumab, April 26, 2019" (PDF). ema.europa.eu. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
Further reading
- Stern RM, Connell NT (2019). "Ravulizumab: a novel C5 inhibitor for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria". Ther Adv Hematol. 10: 2040620719874728. doi:10.1177/2040620719874728. PMC 6737867. PMID 31534662.