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Praxbind

Generic name: idarucizumab
Treatment for: Reversal Agent for Pradaxa

FDA Grants Priority Review to Boehringer Ingelheim’s Biologics License Application for Idarucizumab

Ridgefield, CT, April 23, 2015 – Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Priority Review to the Biologics License Application (BLA) for idarucizumab, which is being investigated to specifically reverse the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran, the active ingredient in Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) in patients needing emergency intervention or experiencing an uncontrolled or life-threatening bleeding event. The idarucizumab BLA will be reviewed under Accelerated Approval and is the first review for a reversal agent in the novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC) class. Currently, no NOACs have an approved reversal agent.

“The FDA’s decision to grant Priority Review to the idarucizumab application is an important milestone and a step toward bringing a new innovative option in anticoagulation care to physicians and patients,” said Sabine Luik, MD, senior vice president, Medicine & Regulatory Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “If approved, idarucizumab has the potential to be a significant evolution in care by providing physicians with an option for PRADAXA patients in rare emergency situations that may require rapid reversal of the anticoagulation effect of dabigatran.”

A Priority Review designation is granted when a drug, if approved, exhibits the potential to offer a significant improvement in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment of serious conditions when compared to standard applications. The FDA instituted its Accelerated Approval program to allow for earlier approval of drugs that both treat a serious condition and fill an unmet medical need based on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. Additionally, the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for idarucizumab in June 2014.

The application includes phase I data showing the potential for idarucizumab to provide immediate reversal of the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran, the active ingredient in PRADAXA. In these studies, no clinically relevant adverse reactions to idarucizumab were observed. Additionally, no procoagulant effect was observed after the administration of idarucizumab when measured by coagulation assay. Interim data from the ongoing RE-VERSE AD™ trial, a phase III global study investigating idarucizumab in actual clinical settings, was also included in the application.

Boehringer Ingelheim has a rich history in contract manufacturing and supporting the development of biopharmaceutical products. The discovery and continued development of idarucizumab by Boehringer Ingelheim scientists is an example of this dedication and experience. Over the past 35 years, Boehringer Ingelheim has brought more than 20 biopharmaceutical products to market for pharmaceutical customers through the company’s world-leading contract development and manufacturing services operation, Boehringer Ingelheim BioXcellence.

About Idarucizumab

Idarucizumab is a humanized antibody fragment, or Fab, being investigated as a specific reversal agent for the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran in patients needing emergency surgery or urgent procedures or for life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding events. The safety and efficacy of idarucizumab has not been established.

Boehringer Ingelheim scientists discovered and are developing idarucizumab. The research program was initiated in 2009, before PRADAXA was launched in the U.S. in 2010. The company has a rich history in supporting the development and manufacturing of biopharmaceutical products, and idarucizumab is an example of this dedication and experience.

The company completed three phase I trials of idarucizumab in human volunteers, and included these data in the idarucizumab Biologics License Application (BLA) submitted to the FDA. Interim data from RE-VERSE AD™ was also included in the idarucizumab BLA.

Boehringer Ingelheim is continuing to evaluate idarucizumab in RE-VERSE AD, a phase III global study that includes patients taking PRADAXA who have uncontrolled or life-threatening bleeding or require emergency procedures. The study is the first of its kind in patients, and has been underway since May 2014 enrolling patients in more than 35 countries.

About the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Programs

For more than 125 years, Boehringer Ingelheim has been focused on improving the lives of patients. In keeping with the company commitment to do the most good for the most people, Boehringer Ingelheim works hard to ensure its medicines are accessible to everyone who needs them, including senior citizens and families on limited incomes. The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Programs (BI-PAP) make Boehringer Ingelheim medicines available free of charge to patients who are without pharmaceutical insurance coverage, and who meet certain household income levels.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation (Ridgefield, CT) and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies.

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 142 affiliates and more than 47,400 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

Social responsibility is a central element of Boehringer Ingelheim's culture. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim’s endeavors.

In 2013, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $18.7 billion (14.1 billion euro). R&D expenditure in the Prescription Medicines business corresponds to 19.5% of its net sales.

For more information please visit www.us.boehringer-ingelheim.com/

Pradaxa® and PRADAXA with associated design® are registered trademarks of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG and used under license.

* Idarucizumab is the proposed International Nonproprietary Name (pINN).

Source: Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH

Posted: April 2015

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