FDA approves Ruconest for treatment of hereditary angioedema

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Ruconest, the first recombinant C1-Esterase Inhibitor product for the treatment of acute attacks in adult and adolescent patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE).

Ruconest
Ru  - Recombinant
C  - C

One - 1
Est - esterase
Inhibitor

  • Ruconest® is the first recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor (rhC1INH) approved for use in patients with HAE.
  • rhC1INH and plasma-derived C1INH have an identical amino acid sequence. 18

The in vitro inhibitory potency of rhC1INH toward target enzymes is comparable with that of plasma-derived C1INH. 1, 6, 19 

Ruconest® is the first recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor (rhC1INH) developed and approved for the treatment of acute angioedema attacks in HAE patients. Use of a well-controlled transgenic platform for the production of Ruconest® ensures that product supply is virtually unlimited and avoids the risk of transmission of human blood-borne infections.

Hereditary angioedema (types I, II and III) (also known as "HAE") is a rare, autosomal dominantly inherited blood disorder that causes episodic attacks of swelling that may affect the face, extremities, genitals, gastrointestinal tract and upper airways.Swellings of the intestinal mucosa may lead to vomiting and painful, colic-like intestinal spasms that may mimic intestinal obstruction. Airway edema may be life-threatening. Episodes may be triggered by trauma, surgery, dental work, menstruation, some medications, viral illness and stress; however, this is not always readily determined.This disorder affects approximately one in 10,000–50,000 people

“Hereditary angioedema is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease,” said Karen Midthun, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “Today’s approval provides an important treatment option for these patients.”

Ruconest is a human recombinant C1-esterase inhibitor purified from the milk of genetically modified (transgenic) rabbits. Ruconest is intended to restore the level of functional C1-esterase inhibitor in a patient’s plasma, thereby treating the acute attack of swelling.  

The safety and efficacy of Ruconest was evaluated in a multicenter controlled clinical trial. Forty-four adult and adolescent patients with acute attacks were treated with Ruconest. The most common adverse reactions reported in patients treated with Ruconest were headache, nausea and diarrhea.

Ruconest received orphan-drug designation for acute attacks by the FDA because it is intended for treatment of a rare disease or condition.

Ruconest is manufactured by Pharming Group NV, Leiden, the Netherlands, and will be distributed in the United States by Santarus Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Salix Pharmaceuticals Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina.

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

Source :

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm405526.htm

http://www.haepatient.com/health-care-practitioner/ruconestr/clinical-safety-and-immunosafety-of-ruconestr/

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