Faricimab-svoa
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Edzel Lorraine Co, DMD, MD[2]
Disclaimer
WikiDoc MAKES NO GUARANTEE OF VALIDITY. WikiDoc is not a professional health care provider, nor is it a suitable replacement for a licensed healthcare provider. WikiDoc is intended to be an educational tool, not a tool for any form of healthcare delivery. The educational content on WikiDoc drug pages is based upon the FDA package insert, National Library of Medicine content and practice guidelines / consensus statements. WikiDoc does not promote the administration of any medication or device that is not consistent with its labeling. Please read our full disclaimer here.
Overview
Faricimab-svoa is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2) inhibitor that is FDA approved for the treatment of patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Common adverse reactions include cataract (15%) and conjunctival hemorrhage (8%).
Adult Indications and Dosage
FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)
For intravitreal injection.
• Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) o The recommended dose for VABYSMO is 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL solution) administered by intravitreal injection every 4 weeks (approximately every 28 ± 7 days, monthly) for the first 4 doses, followed by optical coherence tomography and visual acuity evaluations 8 and 12 weeks later to inform whether to give a 6 mg dose via intravitreal injection on one of the following three regimens: 1)Weeks 28 and 44; 2) Weeks 24, 36 and 48; or 3) Weeks 20, 28, 36
Although additional efficacy was not demonstrated in most patients when VABYSMO was dosed every 4 weeks compared to every 8 weeks, some patients may need every 4 week (monthly) dosing after the first 4 doses. Patients should be assessed regularly.
• Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) o VABYSMO is recommended to be dosed by following one of these two dose regimens: 1) 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL solution) administered by intravitreal injection every 4 weeks (approximately every 28 days ± 7 days, monthly) for at least doses. If after at least 4 doses, resolution of edema based on the central subfield thickness.
(CST) of the macula as measured by optical coherence tomography is achieved, then the interval of dosing may be modified by extensions of up to 4 week interval increments or reductions of up to 8 week interval increments based on CST and visual acuity evaluations; or 2) 6 mg dose of VABYSMO can be administered every 4 weeks for the first 6 doses, followed by 6 mg dose via intravitreal injection at intervals of every 8 weeks (2 months). Although additional efficacy was not demonstrated in most patients when VABYSMO was dosed every 4 weeks compared to every 8 weeks, some patients may need every 4 week (monthly) dosing after the first 4 doses. Patients should be assessed regularly.
• Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) o The recommended dose for VABYSMO is 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL) administered by intravitreal injection every 4 weeks (approximately every 28 ± 7 days, monthly) for 6 months.
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)
Pediatric Indications and Dosage
FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)
There is limited information regarding Faricimab-svoa FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric) in the drug label.
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)
Contraindications
• Ocular or periocular infection • Active intraocular inflammation • Hypersensitivity
Warnings
• Endophthalmitis and retinal detachments may occur following intravitreal injections. Patients should be instructed to report any symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis or retinal detachment without delay, to permit prompt and appropriate management. • Increases in intraocular pressure have been seen within 60 minutes of an intravitreal injection. • There is a potential risk of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) associated with VEGF inhibition.
Adverse Reactions
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in other clinical trials of the same or another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Less common adverse reactions reported in < 1% of the patients treated with VABYSMO were corneal abrasion, eye pruritus, ocular hyperemia, blurred vision, sensation of foreign body, endophthalmitis, conjunctival hyperaemia, visual acuity reduced, visual acuity reduced transiently, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal tear and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of VABYSMO. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Eye disorders: retinal vasculitis with or without retinal vascular occlusion.
Drug Interactions
There is limited information regarding Faricimab-svoa Drug Interactions in the drug label.
Use in Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category (FDA):
There is no FDA guidance on usage of Faricimab-svoa in women who are pregnant.
Pregnancy Category (AUS):
There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Faricimab-svoa in women who are pregnant.
Labor and Delivery
Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of VABYSMO administration in pregnant women. Administration of VABYSMO to pregnant monkeys throughout the period of organogenesis resulted in an increased incidence of abortions at intravenous (IV) doses 158 times the human exposure (based on Cmax) of the maximum recommended human dose. Based on the mechanism of action of VEGF and Ang-2 inhibitors, there is a potential risk to female reproductive capacity, and to embryo-fetal development. VABYSMO should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit to the patient outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, and other adverse outcomes. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects is 2%-4% and of miscarriage is 15%-20% of clinically recognized pregnancies.
Data Animal Data An embryo fetal developmental toxicity study was performed on pregnant cynomolgus monkeys. Pregnant animals received 5 weekly IV injections of VABYSMO starting on day 20 of gestation at 1 or 3 mg/kg. A non-dose dependent increase in pregnancy loss (abortions) was observed at both doses evaluated. Serum exposure (Cmax) in pregnant monkeys at the low dose of 1 mg/kg was 158 times the human exposure at the maximum recommended intravitreal dose of 6 mg once every 4 weeks. A no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was not identified in this study.
Nursing Mothers
There is no information regarding the presence of faricimab in human milk, the effects of the drug on the breastfed infant, or the effects of the drug on milk production. Many drugs are transferred in human milk with the potential for absorption and adverse reactions in the breastfed child. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for VABYSMO and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from VABYSMO.
Pediatric Use
The safety and efficacy of VABYSMO in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatic Use
In the six clinical studies, approximately 58% (1,496/2,571) of patients randomized to treatment with VABYSMO were ≥ 65 years of age. No significant differences in efficacy or safety of faricimab were seen with increasing age in these studies. No dose adjustment is required in patients 65 years and above.
Gender
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Faricimab-svoa with respect to specific gender populations.
Race
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Faricimab-svoa with respect to specific racial populations.
Renal Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Faricimab-svoa in patients with renal impairment.
Hepatic Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Faricimab-svoa in patients with hepatic impairment.
Females of Reproductive Potential and Males
Contraception
Females of reproductive potential are advised to use effective contraception prior to the initial dose, during treatment and for at least 3 months following the last dose of VABYSMO.
Infertility
No studies on the effects of faricimab on human fertility have been conducted and it is not known whether faricimab can affect reproduction capacity. Based on the mechanism of action, treatment with VABYSMO may pose a risk to reproductive capacity.
Immunocompromised Patients
There is no FDA guidance one the use of Faricimab-svoa in patients who are immunocompromised.
Administration and Monitoring
Administration
The intravitreal injection procedure must be carried out under aseptic conditions, which includes the use of surgical hand disinfection, sterile gloves, a sterile drape and a sterile eyelid speculum (or equivalent), and the availability of sterile paracentesis equipment (if required). Adequate anesthesia and a broad-spectrum microbicide should be administered prior to the injection. Inject slowly until the rubber stopper reaches the end of the syringe to deliver the volume of 0.05 mL. Confirm delivery of the full dose by checking that the rubber stopper has reached the end of the syringe barrel. Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local regulations. Immediately following the intravitreal injection, patients should be monitored for elevation in intraocular pressure. Appropriate monitoring may consist of a check for perfusion of the optic nerve head or tonometry. If required, a sterile paracentesis needle should be available. Following intravitreal injection, patients should be instructed to report any symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis or retinal detachment (e.g., vision loss, eye pain, redness of the eye, photophobia, blurring of vision) without delay. Each syringe should only be used for the treatment of a single eye. If the contralateral eye requires treatment, a new syringe should be used and the sterile field, syringe, gloves, drapes, eyelid speculum, filter, and injection needles should be changed before VABYSMO is administered to the other eye.
Monitoring
There is limited information regarding Faricimab-svoa Monitoring in the drug label.
IV Compatibility
There is limited information regarding the compatibility of Faricimab-svoa and IV administrations.
Overdosage
There is limited information regarding Faricimab-svoa overdosage. If you suspect drug poisoning or overdose, please contact the National Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) immediately.
Pharmacology
There is limited information regarding Faricimab-svoa Pharmacology in the drug label.
Mechanism of Action
Faricimab is a humanized bispecific antibody that acts through inhibition of two pathways by binding to VEGF-A and Ang-2. By inhibiting VEGF-A, faricimab suppresses endothelial cell proliferation, neovascularization and vascular permeability. By inhibiting Ang-2, faricimab is thought to promote vascular stability and desensitize blood vessels to the effects of VEGF-A. Ang-2 levels are increased in some patients with nAMD, DME, and RVO. The contribution of Ang-2 inhibition to the treatment effect and clinical response for nAMD, DME, and RVO has yet to be established.
Structure
Faricimab-svoa is a humanized bispecific immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody that binds both vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2). The fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of faricimab was engineered by selected point mutations to abolish binding interactions with Fc and FcRn receptors. Faricimab-svoa has a total molecular weight of approximately 149 kDa and is produced by recombinant DNA technology using mammalian Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell culture.
VABYSMO (faricimab-svoa) injection is a sterile, clear to opalescent, colorless to brownish-yellow solution in a single-dose glass vial for intravitreal administration. Each single-dose vial is designed to deliver 0.05 mL (50 microliters) of solution containing 6 mg faricimab-svoa, L-histidine (155 mcg), L-methionine (52.2 mcg), polysorbate 20 (20 mcg), sodium chloride (73.1 mcg), D-sucrose (2.74 mg) and Water for Injection, adjusted to pH 5.5 with acetic acid. The product does not contain an anti-microbial preservative.
Pharmacodynamics
Increased retinal thickness, assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT), is associated with nAMD, DME and macular edema following RVO. Leakage of blood and fluid from choroidal neovascularization, assessed by fluorescein angiography, is associated with nAMD. Reductions in CST were observed across all treatment arms throughout the six Phase 3 studies in nAMD, DME, and RVO.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption/Distribution
Maximum faricimab plasma concentrations (Cmax) are estimated to occur approximately 2 days post-dose. Mean (±SD) free faricimab (unbound to VEGF-A and Ang-2) plasma Cmax are estimated to be 0.23 (0.07) mcg/mL and 0.22 (0.07) mcg/mL in nAMD and in DME patients, respectively. After repeated intravitreal administrations, mean plasma free faricimab trough concentrations are predicted to be 0.002-0.003 mcg/mL for every 8 weeks (Q8W) dosing and 0.021-0.029 mcg/mL for every 4 weeks (Q4W) dosing. Although not directly measured in the vitreous, no accumulation of faricimab is expected in the vitreous and no accumulation has been observed in plasma when faricimab has been administered as repeat doses in the vitreous.
Metabolism/Elimination
Metabolism and elimination of faricimab has not been fully characterized. Faricimab is expected to be catabolized in lysosomes to small peptides and amino acids, which may be excreted renally, in a similar manner to the elimination of endogenous IgG. The estimated mean apparent systemic half-life of faricimab is approximately 7.5 days.
Specific Populations
The systemic pharmacokinetics of faricimab were not influenced by gender, race, or mild to severe renal impairment (i.e., estimated normalized creatinine clearance by Cockroft-Gault equation: 15 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m2). The effect of severe renal impairment or any degree of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of VABYSMO is unknown. No special dosage modification is required for any of the populations that have been studied (e.g., elderly, gender, race). Population pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that the pharmacokinetics of faricimab are comparable in nAMD, DME, and RVO patients.
Immunogenicity
The immunogenicity of VABYSMO was evaluated in plasma samples. The immunogenicity data reflect the percentage of patients whose test results were considered positive for antibodies to VABYSMO in immunoassays. The detection of an immune response is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assays used, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to VABYSMO with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading. There is a potential for an immune response in patients treated with VABYSMO. In the nAMD, DME, and RVO studies, the pre-treatment incidence of anti-faricimab antibodies was approximately 0.8 to 1.8%. After initiation of dosing, the incidence of anti-faricimab antibodies was approximately 8% to 10.4% in patients treated with VABYSMO across studies. As with all therapeutic proteins, there is a potential for immunogenicity with VABYSMO.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
No carcinogenicity or mutagenicity data are available for VABYSMO injection in animals or humans. Based on the anti-VEGF and Ang-2 mechanisms of action, treatment with VABYSMO may pose a risk to reproductive capacity.
Clinical Studies
Neovascular (wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD)
The safety and efficacy of VABYSMO were assessed in two randomized, multi-center, double-masked, active comparator-controlled, 2-year studies (TENAYA – NCT03823287 and LUCERNE – NCT03823300) in patients with nAMD.
A total of 1,329 newly diagnosed, treatment-naive patients were enrolled in these studies, and 664 patients received at least one dose of VABYSMO. Patient ages ranged from 50 to 99 with a mean of 75.9 years. The studies were identically designed two year studies. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of two treatment arms: 1) aflibercept 2 mg administered fixed every 8 weeks (Q8W) after three initial monthly doses; 2) VABYSMO 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL solution) administered by intravitreal injection every 4 weeks (approximately every 28 ± 7 days, monthly) for the first 4 doses, followed by optical coherence tomography and visual acuity evaluations 8 and 12 weeks later to determine whether to give a 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL solution) dose via intravitreal injection on one of the following three regimens: 1) Weeks 28 and 44; (also referred to as Q16W dosing); 2) Weeks 24, 36 and 48 (also referred to as Q12W dosing); or 3) Weeks 20, 28, 36 and 44 (also referred to as Q8W dosing). However, the utility ofthese criteria to guide dosing intervals has not been established. At week 48, after 4 initial monthly doses in the VABYSMO arm, 45% of patients received the Weeks 28 and 44 dosing, 33% of patients received the Weeks 24, 36 and 48 dosing, and the remaining 22% of patients received dosing every 8 weeks. These percentages are reflective of what happened within the conduct of these trials and indicate that some patients did well on two (2) doses spaced 16 weeks apart, or three (3) doses spaced 12 weeks apart, but the percentages may not be generalizable to a broader nAMD population for a variety of reasons. The inclusion/exclusion criteria limited enrollment to a select subset of treatment naive, newly diagnosed nAMD patients and there is no empirical data that a similar magnitude would be observed if eligibility criteria allowed for broader enrollment. The disease activity criteria, which was instrumental in determining dose frequency, is unvalidated. Stricter criteria would have changed how patients were treated resulting in different percentages of subjects in each dose interval cohort. There was not a similarly dosed aflibercept arm for comparison, which makes the percentages difficult to interpret. Both studies demonstrated non-inferiority to the comparator control (aflibercept) at the primary endpoint, defined as the mean change from baseline in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) when averaged over the week 40, 44, and 48 visits and measured by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter chart. The primary endpoint analysis was a noninferiority comparison for the mean change in BCVA between the aflibercept and the VABYSMO arm. The lower bound of the 95% confidence interval for the mean change in BCVA could not be lower than minus 4 letters to declare non-inferiority. In both studies, VABYSMO treated patients had a non-inferior mean change from baseline in BCVA compared to patients treated with aflibercept. The clinical efficacy for the second year of the study has not been reviewed.
Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) The safety and efficacy of VABYSMO were assessed in two randomized, multi-center, double-masked, active comparator-controlled 2-year studies (YOSEMITE – NCT03622580 and RHINE – NCT03622593) in patients with DME. A total of 1,891 diabetic patients were enrolled in the two studies with a total of 1,262 patients treated with at least one dose of VABYSMO. Patient ages ranged from 24 to 91 with a mean of 62.2 years. The overall population included both anti-VEGF naive patients (78%) and patients who had been previously treated with a VEGF inhibitor prior to study participation (22%). The studies were identically designed two year studies. Patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three treatment regimens: 1) aflibercept Q8W, patients received fixed aflibercept 2 mg administered every 8 weeks (Q8W) after the first five monthly doses; 2) VABYSMO Q8W, patients received fixed VABYSMO 6 mg administered Q8W after the first six monthly doses; and 3) VABYSMO Variable, patients received VABYSMO 6 mg administered every 4 weeks for at least 4 doses and until the central subfield thickness (CST) of the macula measured by optical coherence tomography was less than approximately 325 microns, then the interval of dosing was modified by up to 4 week interval extensions or reductions of up to 8 week interval increments based on CST and visual acuity disease activity criteria at study drug dosing visits.
After 4 initial monthly doses, the patients in the VABYSMO Variable arm received between a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 21 total injections (median of 7 injections) through Week 96 inclusive. At Week 56, 32% of patients had completed at least one Q12W interval followed by one full Q16W interval. Seventeen percent (17%) of patients were treated on Q8W and/or Q4W dosing intervals through Week 56 (7% only on Q4W). These percentages are reflective of what happened within the conduct of these trials, but the percentages may not be generalizable to a broader DME population. The inclusion/exclusion criteria limited enrollment to a select subset of DME patients and there is no empirical data that a similar magnitude would be observed if eligibility criteria allowed for broader enrollment. The disease activity criteria, which were instrumental in determining dose frequency, are unvalidated. Different criteria would have changed how patients were treated resulting in different percentages of subjects in each dose interval cohort. There was not a similarly dosed aflibercept arm for comparison which makes the percentages difficult to interpret. Both studies demonstrated non-inferiority to the comparator control (aflibercept) at the primary endpoint, defined as the mean change from baseline in BCVA at year 1 (average of the Week 48, 52, and 56 visits), measured by the ETDRS Letter Score. The primary endpoint analysis was a non-inferiority comparison for the mean change in BCVA between the aflibercept and VABYSMO arms. The lower bound of the 97.5% confidence interval for the mean change in BCVA could not be lower than minus 4 letters to declare non-inferiority. In both studies, VABYSMO Q8W and VABYSMO Variable treated patients had a non-inferior mean change from baseline in BCVA to the patients treated with aflibercept Q8W at the year 1 primary endpoint. Treatment effects in the subgroup of patients who were anti-VEGF naive prior to study participation were similar to those observed in the overall population. Treatment effects in evaluable subgroups (e.g., by age, gender, race, baseline HbA1c, baseline visual acuity) in each study were generally consistent with the results in the overall population.
Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
The safety and efficacy of VABYSMO were assessed in two randomized, multicenter, double-masked, studies (BALATON – NCT04740905 in patients with macular edema following branch retinal vein occlusion, and COMINO – NCT04740931 in patients with macular edema following central retinal vein occlusion/hemiretinal vein occlusion). Active comparator-controlled data are available through month 6. A total of 1,282 newly diagnosed, treatment-naive patients were enrolled in these studies, of which 641 patients received at least one dose of VABYSMO through 6 months. Patient ages ranged from 28 to 93 with a mean of 64 years, and 22 to 100 with a mean of 65 years in BALATON and COMINO, respectively. In both studies, patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either 6 mg VABYSMO administered every 4 weeks, or the control arm receiving aflibercept 2 mg injections every 4 weeks for a total of 6 injections. In both studies, the VABYSMO 6 mg Q4W arm demonstrated non-inferiority to the comparator control (aflibercept) arm for the primary endpoint, which was defined as the change from baseline in BCVA at week 24, measured by the ETDRS Letter Score. The primary endpoint analysis was a non-inferiority comparison for the mean change in BCVA between the aflibercept and VABYSMO arms, where the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval for the mean change in BCVA could not be lower than minus 4 letters to declare non-inferiority.
How Supplied
VABYSMO (faricimab-svoa) injection is supplied as a clear to opalescent, colorless to brownish-yellow 120 mg/mL solution in a single-dose glass vial. Each glass vial contains an overfill amount to allow for administration of a single 0.05 mL dose of solution containing 6 mg of VABYSMO. Each VABYSMO carton (NDC 50242-096-01) contains one glass vial and one sterile 5-micron blunt transfer filter needle (18-gauge x 1½ inch, 1.2 mm x 40 mm).
Storage
Store VABYSMO in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze. Do not shake. Keep the vial in the original carton to protect from light. Prior to use, the unopened glass vial of VABYSMO may be kept at room temperature, 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), for up to 24 hours. Ensure that the injection is given immediately after preparation of the dose.
Images
Drug Images
{{#ask: Page Name::Faricimab-svoa |?Pill Name |?Drug Name |?Pill Ingred |?Pill Imprint |?Pill Dosage |?Pill Color |?Pill Shape |?Pill Size (mm) |?Pill Scoring |?NDC |?Drug Author |format=template |template=DrugPageImages |mainlabel=- |sort=Pill Name }}
Package and Label Display Panel
VABYSMO® [faricimab-svoa] Manufactured by: Genentech, Inc. A Member of the Roche Group 1 DNA Way South San Francisco, CA 94080-4990 U.S. License No.: 1048 VABYSMO is a trademark of Genentech, Inc. ©2023 Genentech, Inc. {{#ask: Label Page::Faricimab-svoa |?Label Name |format=template |template=DrugLabelImages |mainlabel=- |sort=Label Page }}
Patient Counseling Information
Advise patients that in the days following VABYSMO administration, patients are at risk of developing endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, intraocular inflammation and retinal vasculitis with or without retinal vascular occlusion. If the eye becomes red, sensitive to light, painful, or develops a change in vision, advise the patient to seek immediate care from an ophthalmologist
Patients may experience temporary visual disturbances after an intravitreal injection with VABYSMO and the associated eye examinations
Advise patients not to drive or use machinery until visual function has recovered sufficiently.
Precautions with Alcohol
Alcohol-Faricimab-svoa interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor regarding the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.
Brand Names
VABYSMO
Look-Alike Drug Names
There is limited information regarding Faricimab-svoa Look-Alike Drug Names in the drug label.
Drug Shortage Status
Price
References
The contents of this FDA label are provided by the National Library of Medicine.