FDA Approves New Treatments Vyndaqel (tafamidis meglumine) and Vyndamax (tafamidis) for Heart Disease Caused by Transthyretin Mediated Amyloidosis
May 06, 2019 -- On May 3, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Vyndaqel (tafamidis meglumine) and Vyndamax (tafamidis) capsules for the treatment of the heart disease (cardiomyopathy) caused by transthyretin mediated amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) in adults. These are the first FDA-approved treatments for ATTR-CM. Vyndaqel and Vyndamax have the same active moiety, tafamidis, but they are not substitutable on a milligram to milligram basis and their recommended doses differ.
“Transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis is a rare, debilitating and often fatal disease,” said Norman Stockbridge, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Division of Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The treatments we’re approving today are an important advancement in the treatment of the cardiomyopathy caused by transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis.”
ATTR is caused by the buildup of abnormal deposits of specific proteins known as amyloid in the body's organs and tissues, interfering with their normal functioning. These protein deposits most frequently occur in the heart and the peripheral nervous system. Heart involvement can result in shortness of breath, fatigue, heart failure, loss of consciousness, abnormal heart rhythms and death. Involvement of the peripheral nervous system can result in a loss of sensation, pain, or immobility in the arms, legs, hands and feet. Amyloid deposits can also affect the kidneys, eyes, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system.
The efficacy of Vyndaqel and Vyndamax in treating ATTR-CM was shown in a clinical trial of 441 patients randomized to receive Vyndaqel or a placebo. After an average of 30 months, the survival rate was higher in the Vyndaqel group than in the placebo group. Vyndaqel was also shown to reduce the number of hospitalizations for cardiovascular problems.
The number of patients in clinical studies was small, but no drug-associated side effects have been identified. Tafamidis may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Women taking Vyndaqel or Vyndamax should discuss pregnancy planning and prevention with their health care professional.
The FDA granted Vyndaqel Fast Track, Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy designations. Vyndaqel and Vyndamax each received Orphan Drug designation, which provides incentives to assist and encourage the development of drugs for rare diseases.
Approval of Vyndaqel and Vyndamax were granted to FoldRx, a subsidiary of Pfizer.
Source: FDA
Posted: May 2019
Related articles
- US FDA Accepts Regulatory Submissions for Review of Tafamidis to Treat Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy - January 14, 2019
- Pfizer Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for Tafamidis for Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy - June 6, 2017
- Pfizer Announces Publication of New Analysis Showing Long-Term Therapy with Vyndaqel (tafamidis) Slowed Progression of Rare Neurodegenerative Disease - August 8, 2016
- FDA Issues Complete Response Letter For Pfizer's Tafamidis Meglumine New Drug Application - June 18, 2012
- FDA Advisory Committee Finds Data Support Effectiveness of Tafamidis Meglumine, Pfizer's Novel Investigational Treatment for Transthyretin Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) - May 25, 2012
- FDA Accepts Pfizer's New Drug Application for Tafamidis Meglumine, a Novel, Investigational Treatment for Transthyretin Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) - February 15, 2012
- Pfizer Receives Refusal To File Letter From U.S. FDA On Tafamidis New Drug Application - April 4, 2011
Vyndaqel (tafamidis meglumine) FDA Approval History
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.