Ascendis Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ASND) today announced that YORVIPATH®
(palopegteriparatide; developed as TransCon PTH) is now
commercially available by prescription in the United States.
YORVIPATH is a prodrug of parathyroid hormone (PTH [1-34]),
administered once-daily, designed to provide continuous exposure to
active PTH over the 24-hour dosing period. It is the first and only
medicine approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
for the treatment of hypoparathyroidism in adults.
“Members of our community have shared so many stories of
positive changes in their lives while participating in clinical
trials of YORVIPATH,” said Patty Keating, Executive Director of the
HypoPARAthyroidism Association. “We are thrilled that YORVIPATH is
now available in the United States, giving patients and physicians
here a new approach to treating the underlying cause of this
often-debilitating hormone deficiency.”
“We are pleased to make YORVIPATH commercially available in the
United States, where it is the first and only FDA-approved
treatment of hypoparathyroidism in adults,” said Jan Mikkelsen,
Ascendis Pharma’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We
recognize the urgent unmet medical needs of the hypoparathyroidism
community and are committed to doing all we can to ensure patients
have affordable and broad access to YORVIPATH.”
Reflecting this commitment, Ascendis has established a dedicated
YORVIPATH team within the U.S. Ascendis Signature Access Program®
to support the patient treatment journey, which is staffed by
specially trained nurses and offers a full suite of programs
designed to help patients, caregivers, and physicians navigate each
step of the treatment process. These include clinical education,
assistance with prior authorization and appeals, training on proper
injection procedures, and co-pay and other related assistance for
eligible patients.
The following information is intended for the U.S.
audience only:
YORVIPATH (palopegteriparatide) Important Safety
Information
INDICATION AND LIMITATIONS OF USEYORVIPATH
(palopegteriparatide) is indicated for the treatment of
hypoparathyroidism in adults.
- YORVIPATH was not studied for acute post-surgical
hypoparathyroidism.
- YORVIPATH’s titration scheme was only evaluated in adults who
first achieved an albumin-corrected serum calcium of at least 7.8
mg/dL using calcium and active vitamin D treatment.
CONTRAINDICATIONSYORVIPATH is contraindicated
in patients with severe hypersensitivity to palopegteriparatide or
to any of its excipients. Hypersensitivity reactions, including
anaphylaxis, angioedema, and urticaria, have been observed with
parathyroid hormone (PTH) analogs.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONSRisk of
Unintended Changes in Serum Calcium Levels Related to Number of
Daily Injections Use only one YORVIPATH injection to
achieve the recommended once daily dosage. Using two YORVIPATH
injections to achieve the recommended once daily dosage increases
the variability of the total delivered dose, which can cause
unintended changes in serum calcium levels, including hypercalcemia
and hypocalcemia.
Serious HypercalcemiaSerious events of
hypercalcemia requiring hospitalization have been reported with
YORVIPATH. The risk is highest when starting or increasing the dose
of YORVIPATH but may occur at any time. Measure serum calcium 7 to
10 days after any dose change or if there are signs or symptoms of
hypercalcemia, and at a minimum of every 4 to 6 weeks once the
maintenance dose is achieved. Treat hypercalcemia if needed. If
albumin-corrected serum calcium is greater than 12 mg/dL, withhold
YORVIPATH for at least 2-3 days. For less serious hypercalcemia,
adjust the dose of YORVIPATH, active vitamin D, and/or calcium
supplements.
Serious HypocalcemiaSerious events of
hypocalcemia have been observed with PTH products, including
YORVIPATH. The risk is highest when YORVIPATH is abruptly
discontinued, but may occur at any time, even in patients who have
been on stable doses of YORVIPATH. Measure serum calcium 7 to 10
days after any dose change or if there are signs or symptoms of
hypocalcemia, and at a minimum of every 4 to 6 weeks once the
maintenance dosage is achieved. Treat hypocalcemia if needed, and
adjust the dose of YORVIPATH, active vitamin D, and/or calcium
supplements if hypocalcemia occurs.
Potential Risk of OsteosarcomaYORVIPATH is a
PTH analog. An increased incidence of osteosarcoma (a malignant
bone tumor) has been reported in male and female rats treated with
PTH analogs, including teriparatide. Osteosarcoma occurrence in
rats is dependent on teriparatide or PTH dose and treatment
duration. Osteosarcoma has been reported in patients treated with
teriparatide in the postmarketing setting; however, an increased
risk of osteosarcoma has not been observed in observational studies
in humans. There are limited data assessing the risk of
osteosarcoma beyond 2 years of teriparatide use.
YORVIPATH is not recommended in patients who are at increased
risk of osteosarcoma, such as patients with:
- Open epiphyses. YORVIPATH is not approved in pediatric
patients.
- Metabolic bone diseases other than hypoparathyroidism,
including Paget’s disease of bone.
- Unexplained elevations of alkaline phosphatase.
- Bone metastases or a history of skeletal malignancies.
- History of external beam or implant radiation therapy involving
the skeleton.
- Hereditary disorders predisposing to osteosarcoma.
Instruct patients to promptly report clinical symptoms (e.g.,
persistent localized pain) and signs (e.g., soft tissue mass tender
to palpation) that could be consistent with osteosarcoma.
Orthostatic HypotensionOrthostatic hypotension
has been reported with YORVIPATH. Associated signs and symptoms may
include decreased blood pressure, dizziness (including postural
dizziness), palpitations, tachycardia, presyncope, or syncope. Such
symptoms can be managed by dosing at bedtime, while reclining.
YORVIPATH should be administered initially when the patient can sit
or lie down due to the potential of orthostatic hypotension.
Risk of Digoxin Toxicity with Concomitant Use of
Digitalis CompoundsYORVIPATH increases serum calcium, and
therefore, concomitant use with digoxin (which has a narrow
therapeutic index) may predispose patients to digitalis toxicity if
hypercalcemia develops. Digoxin efficacy may be reduced if
hypocalcemia is present. When YORVIPATH is used concomitantly with
digoxin, measure serum calcium and digoxin levels routinely, and
monitor for signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity. Refer to the
digoxin prescribing information for dose adjustments, if
needed.
ADVERSE REACTIONSThe most common adverse
reactions (≥ 5%) in patients treated with Yorvipath were injection
site reactions (39%), vasodilatory signs and symptoms (28%),
headache (21%), diarrhea (10%), back pain (8%), hypercalcemia (8%)
and oropharyngeal pain (7%).
DRUG INTERACTIONSDrugs Affected by
Serum CalciumDigoxin: YORVIPATH increases serum calcium,
therefore, concomitant use with digoxin (which has a narrow
therapeutic index) may predispose patients to digitalis toxicity if
hypercalcemia develops. Digoxin efficacy may be reduced if
hypocalcemia is present. When YORVIPATH is used concomitantly with
digoxin, measure serum calcium and digoxin levels, and monitor for
signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity. Adjustment of the digoxin
and/or YORVIPATH dose may be needed.
Drugs Known to Affect Serum Calcium Drugs that
affect serum calcium may alter the therapeutic response to
YORVIPATH. Measure serum calcium more frequently when YORVIPATH is
used concomitantly with these drugs, particularly after these drugs
are initiated, discontinued, or dose adjusted.
USE IN SPECIFIC
POPULATIONSPregnancyAvailable data from
reports of pregnancies in the clinical trials from drug development
are insufficient to identify a drug-associated risk of major birth
defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.
If YORVIPATH is administered during pregnancy, or if a patient
becomes pregnant while receiving YORVIPATH, healthcare providers
should report YORVIPATH exposure by calling 1-844-442-7236.
LactationMonitor infants breastfed by females
treated with YORVIPATH for symptoms of hypercalcemia or
hypocalcemia. Consider monitoring serum calcium in the breastfed
infant.
You are encouraged to report side effects to FDA at (800)
FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects
to Ascendis Pharma at 1-844-442-7236.
Please click here to review full Prescribing Information for
YORVIPATH® in the United States.
About HypoparathyroidismHypoparathyroidism is
an endocrine disease caused by insufficient levels of parathyroid
hormone (PTH), the primary regulator of calcium and phosphate
balance in the body, acting directly on bone, kidney, and
indirectly on the intestine. Individuals with hypoparathyroidism
may experience a range of severe and potentially life-threatening
short-term and long-term complications, including neuromuscular
irritability, renal complications, extra-skeletal calcifications,
and cognitive impairment. Post-surgical hypoparathyroidism accounts
for the majority of cases (70-80%), while other etiologies include
autoimmune and idiopathic causes.
About Ascendis Pharma A/SAscendis Pharma is
applying its innovative TransCon technology platform to build a
leading, fully integrated biopharma company focused on making a
meaningful difference in patients’ lives. Guided by its core values
of Patients, Science, and Passion, Ascendis uses its TransCon
technologies to create new and potentially best-in-class therapies.
Ascendis is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark and has additional
facilities in Europe and the United States. Please visit
ascendispharma.com to learn more.
Forward-Looking Statements This press release
contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks
and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of
historical facts, included in this press release regarding
Ascendis’ future operations, plans and objectives of management are
forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements include,
but are not limited to, statements relating to (i) Ascendis’
ability to ensure patients have affordable and broad access to
YORVIPATH, (ii) Ascendis’ ability to apply its TransCon technology
platform to build a leading, fully integrated biopharma company,
and (iii) Ascendis’ use of its TransCon technologies to create new
and potentially best-in-class therapies. Ascendis may not actually
achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the
expectations or projections disclosed in the forward-looking
statements and you should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ
materially from the plans, intentions, expectations, and
projections disclosed in the forward-looking statements. Various
important factors could cause actual results or events to differ
materially from the forward-looking statements that Ascendis makes,
including the following: dependence on third party manufacturers,
distributors and service providers for Ascendis’ products and
product candidates; unforeseen safety or efficacy results in
Ascendis’ development programs or on-market products; unforeseen
expenses related to commercialization of any approved Ascendis
products; unforeseen expenses related to Ascendis’ development
programs; unforeseen selling, general and administrative expenses,
other research and development expenses and Ascendis’ business
generally; delays in the development of its programs related to
manufacturing, regulatory requirements, speed of patient
recruitment or other unforeseen delays; Ascendis’ ability to obtain
additional funding, if needed, to support its business activities;
the impact of international economic, political, legal, compliance,
social and business factors. For a further description of the risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from
those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as
risks relating to Ascendis’ business in general, see Ascendis’
prospectus supplement filed on September 20, 2024 and Ascendis’
current and future reports filed with, or submitted to, the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on February 7, 2024.
Forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of
any future licensing, collaborations, acquisitions, mergers,
dispositions, joint ventures, or investments that Ascendis may
enter into or make. Ascendis does not assume any obligation to
update any forward-looking statements, except as required by
law.
Ascendis, Ascendis Pharma, the Ascendis Pharma logo, the company
logo, TransCon, Ascendis Signature Access Program® (A.S.A.P), and
YORVIPATH® are trademarks owned by the Ascendis Pharma group.©
December 2024 Ascendis Pharma A/S.
Investor Contacts:Scott SmithAscendis
Pharmair@ascendispharma.com |
Media Contact:Melinda BakerAscendis Pharma+1 (650)
709-8875media@ascendispharma.com |
Patti BankICR Healthcare+1 (415)
513-1284patti.bank@icrhealthcare.com |
|
Ascendis Pharma AS (NASDAQ:ASND)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2024 to Dec 2024
Ascendis Pharma AS (NASDAQ:ASND)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2023 to Dec 2024