Fabhalta Prescribing Information

2.1 Recommended Vaccination and Prophylaxis for Encapsulated Bacterial Infections

Vaccinate patients against encapsulated bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis (serogroups A, C, W, Y and B), according to current ACIP recommendations at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of FABHALTA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

If urgent FABHALTA therapy is indicated in a patient who is not up to date with vaccines for Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis according to ACIP recommendations, provide the patient with antibacterial drug prophylaxis and administer these vaccines as soon as possible [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Healthcare providers who prescribe FABHALTA must enroll in the FABHALTA REMS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

2.2 Recommended Dosage

The recommended dosage of FABHALTA is 200 mg orally twice daily without regard to food.

Swallow capsules whole. Do not open, break, or chew capsules.

If a dose or doses are missed, advise the patient to take one dose of FABHALTA as soon as possible (even if it is soon before the next scheduled dose) and then to resume the regular dosing schedule.

2.3 Patients Switching from Anti-C5 (eculizumab, ravulizumab) to FABHALTA

To reduce the potential risk of hemolysis with abrupt discontinuation of other PNH therapies:

• For patients switching from eculizumab, initiate FABHALTA no later than 1 week after the last dose of eculizumab.
• For patients switching from ravulizumab, initiate FABHALTA no later than 6 weeks after the last dose of ravulizumab.

There is no available information regarding the timeframe for initiation of FABHALTA after other PNH therapies.

5.1 Serious Infections Caused by Encapsulated Bacteria

FABHALTA, a complement inhibitor, increases a patient’s susceptibility to serious, life-threatening, or fatal infections caused by encapsulated bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis (caused by any serogroup, including non-groupable strains), and Haemophilus influenzae type B. Life-threatening and fatal infections with encapsulated bacteria have occurred in both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients treated with complement inhibitors. The initiation of FABHALTA treatment is contraindicated in patients with unresolved serious infections caused by encapsulated bacteria.

Complete or update vaccination against encapsulated bacteria at least 2 weeks prior to administration of the first dose of FABHALTA, according to the current ACIP recommendations for patients receiving a complement inhibitor. Revaccinate patients in accordance with ACIP recommendations considering the duration of therapy with FABHALTA. Note that ACIP recommends an administration schedule in patients receiving complement inhibitors that differs from the administration schedule in the vaccine prescribing information. If urgent FABHALTA therapy is indicated in a patient who is not up to date with vaccines against encapsulated bacteria according to ACIP recommendations, provide the patient with antibacterial drug prophylaxis and administer these vaccines as soon as possible. Various durations and regimens of antibacterial drug prophylaxis have been considered, but the optimal durations and drug regimens for prophylaxis and their efficacy have not been studied in unvaccinated or vaccinated patients receiving complement inhibitors, including FABHALTA. The benefits and risks of treatment with FABHALTA, as well as the benefits and risks of antibacterial drug prophylaxis in unvaccinated or vaccinated patients, must be considered against the known risks for serious infections caused by encapsulated bacteria.

Vaccination does not eliminate the risk of serious encapsulated bacterial infections, despite development of antibodies following vaccination. Closely monitor patients for early signs and symptoms of serious infection and evaluate patients immediately if an infection is suspected. Inform patients of these signs and symptoms and instruct patients to seek immediate medical care if these signs and symptoms occur. Promptly treat known infections. Serious infection may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early. Consider interruption of FABHALTA in patients who are undergoing treatment for serious infections.

FABHALTA is available only through a restricted program under a REMS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

5.2 FABHALTA REMS

FABHALTA is available only through a restricted program under a REMS called FABHALTA REMS, because of the risk of serious infections caused by encapsulated bacteria [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Notable requirements of the FABHALTA REMS include the following:

• Prescribers must enroll in the REMS.
• Prescribers must counsel patients about the risk of serious infections caused by encapsulated bacteria.
• Prescribers must provide patients with the REMS educational materials.
• Prescribers must assess patient vaccination status for vaccines against encapsulated bacteria and vaccinate if needed according to current ACIP recommendations two weeks prior to the first dose of FABHALTA.
• Prescribers must provide a prescription for antibacterial drug prophylaxis if treatment must be started urgently, and the patient is not up to date with vaccines against encapsulated bacteria according to current ACIP recommendations at least two weeks prior to the first dose of FABHALTA.
• Pharmacies that dispense FABHALTA must be certified in the FABHALTA REMS and must verify prescribers are certified.
• Patients must receive counseling from the prescriber about the need to receive vaccinations against encapsulated bacteria per ACIP recommendations, the need to take antibiotics as directed by the prescriber, and the early signs and symptoms of serious infections.
• Patients must be instructed to carry the Patient Safety Card with them at all times during treatment and for 2 weeks following the last dose of FABHALTA.

Further information is available by telephone: 1-833-99FABHA or online at www.FABHALTA-REMS.com.

5.3 Monitoring of PNH Manifestations After FABHALTA Discontinuation

After discontinuing treatment with FABHALTA, closely monitor patients for at least 2 weeks after the last dose for signs and symptoms of hemolysis. These signs include elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels along with a sudden decrease in hemoglobin or PNH clone size, fatigue, hemoglobinuria, abdominal pain, dyspnea, major adverse vascular events (such as thrombosis, stroke and myocardial infarction), dysphagia, or erectile dysfunction. If discontinuation of FABHALTA is necessary, consider alternative therapy.

If hemolysis occurs after discontinuation of FABHALTA, consider restarting treatment with FABHALTA, if appropriate, or initiating another treatment for PNH.

5.4 Hyperlipidemia

FABHALTA increases total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and serum triglycerides.

Of the 54 FABHALTA-treated patients who had a normal total cholesterol level at baseline in APPLY-PNH, 43% developed Grade 1 hypercholesterolemia during the randomized treatment period. One FABHALTA-treated patient in APPLY-PNH experienced increased total cholesterol that worsened to Grade 2 from Grade 1 at baseline.

Of the 34 FABHALTA-treated patients who had a normal cholesterol level at baseline in APPOINT-PNH, 24% developed Grade 1 hypercholesterolemia during the core treatment period.

Of the 60 FABHALTA-treated patients who had LDL-cholesterol ≤130 mg/dL at baseline in APPLY-PNH, 17% developed LDL-cholesterol >130-160 mg/dL, 8% developed LDL-cholesterol >160-190 mg/dL, and 7% developed LDL-cholesterol >190 mg/dL during the randomized treatment period. Of the 36 FABHALTA-treated patients who had LDL-cholesterol ≤130 mg/dL at baseline in APPOINT-PNH, 11% developed LDL-cholesterol >130-160 mg/dL and 3% developed LDL-cholesterol >160-190 mg/dL.

Of the 52 patients with normal triglyceride levels at baseline in APPLY-PNH, 23% developed Grade 1 elevated triglycerides during the randomized treatment period. Three FABHALTA-treated patients in APPLY-PNH experienced an increase in triglycerides from Grade 1 to Grade 2.

Of the 37 FABHALTA-treated patients who had a normal triglyceride level at baseline in APPOINT-PNH, 27% developed Grade 1 elevated triglycerides in the core treatment period.

Some patients required cholesterol-lowering medications.

Monitor serum lipid parameters periodically during treatment with FABHALTA and initiate cholesterol-lowering medication, if indicated.

6.1 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 the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

The data described below reflects the exposure in adults with PNH who received FABHALTA (n = 62) or anti-C5 treatment (US-approved and non-US-approved eculizumab product or US-approved and non-US-approved ravulizumab product, n = 35) in APPLY-PNH [NCT04558918] and adults who received FABHALTA (n = 40) in APPOINT-PNH [NCT04820530] at the recommended dosing regimen for 24 weeks. In APPLY-PNH, serious adverse reactions were reported in 2 (3%) patients with PNH receiving FABHALTA. Serious adverse reactions included pyelonephritis, urinary tract infection and COVID-19. In APPOINT-PNH, serious adverse reactions were reported in 2 (5%) patients with PNH receiving FABHALTA. Serious adverse reactions included COVID-19 and bacterial pneumonia. The most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) with FABHALTA were headache, nasopharyngitis, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bacterial infection, viral infection, nausea, and rash.

Table 1 describes the adverse reactions that occurred in > 5% of patients treated with FABHALTA in the APPLY-PNH or APPOINT-PNH studies.

Clinically relevant adverse reactions reported in less than or equal to 5% of patients includes urticaria in one patient (3%) in APPOINT-PNH.

Description of Select Adverse Reactions (graded per NCI CTCAE Version 4.03 unless noted otherwise)

Platelet Count Decreased

Of the 37 FABHALTA-treated patients who had normal platelet counts at baseline in APPLY-PNH, 43% experienced any Grade thrombocytopenia during the randomized treatment period. Three FABHALTA-treated patients in APPLY-PNH experienced decreased platelets that worsened to Grade ≥ 3 from baseline (one patient with normal platelets that worsened to Grade 4, one patient with baseline Grade 1 that worsened to Grade 4; and one patient with baseline Grade 3 that worsened to Grade 4).

7.1 CYP2C8 Inducers

Concomitant use of CYP2C8 inducers (e.g., rifampin) may decrease iptacopan exposure, which may result in loss of or reduced efficacy of FABHALTA. Monitor the clinical response and discontinue use of the CYP2C8 inducer if loss of efficacy of FABHALTA is evident.

7.2 Strong CYP2C8 Inhibitors

Concomitant use of strong CYP2C8 inhibitors (e.g., gemfibrozil) may increase iptacopan exposure, which may result in an increased risk for adverse reactions with FABHALTA. Coadministration with a strong CYP2C8 inhibitor is not recommended.

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Available data from clinical trials with FABHALTA use in pregnant women are insufficient to identify a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with untreated PNH in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations). The use of FABHALTA in pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant may be considered following an assessment of the risks and benefits.

In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of iptacopan to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at exposures 4 to 6-times the human exposure (based on AUC) at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 200 mg twice daily did not induce embryo or fetal toxicity (see Data).

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of major birth defects, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriages in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations

Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk

PNH in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes, including worsening cytopenias, thrombosis, infections, bleeding, miscarriages, increased maternal mortality, and adverse fetal outcomes, including fetal death and premature delivery.

Data

Animal Data

In an embryo-fetal development study in rats, oral administration of iptacopan during organogenesis did not cause embryo-fetal toxicity when given up to the highest dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day, which corresponds to 4-times the MRHD based on AUC.

In an embryo-fetal development study in rabbits, oral administration of iptacopan during organogenesis did not cause embryo-fetal toxicity when given up to the highest dose of 450 mg/kg/day, which corresponds to 6-times the MRHD based on AUC.

In a pre- and postnatal development study in rats, oral administration of iptacopan during gestation, parturition, and lactation did not cause adverse effects in offspring when given up to the highest dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day, which corresponds to 4-times the MRHD based on AUC.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of iptacopan or its metabolite in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed child or on milk production. Since many medicinal products are secreted into human milk, and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment and for 5 days after the final dose.

8.4 Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients with PNH have not been established.

8.5 Geriatric Use

There were 29 PNH patients 65 years of age and older in APPLY-PNH and APPOINT-PNH [see Clinical Studies (14)]. Of the total number of FABHALTA-treated patients during the 24-week treatment period in these studies, 21 (20.6%) were 65 years of age and older, while 7 (6.9%) were 75 years of age and older. Clinical studies of FABHALTA did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

8.6 Renal Impairment

The use of FABHALTA is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2) with or without hemodialysis. No dose adjustment is required in patients with mild (eGFR 60 to < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2) or moderate (eGFR 30 to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) renal impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

8.7 Hepatic Impairment

The use of FABHALTA is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C). No dose adjustment is required for patients with mild (Child-Pugh class A) or moderate (Child-Pugh class B) hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Iptacopan binds to Factor B of the alternative complement pathway and regulates the cleavage of C3, generation of downstream effectors, and the amplification of the terminal pathway.

In PNH, intravascular hemolysis (IVH) is mediated by the downstream membrane attack complex (MAC), while extravascular hemolysis (EVH) is facilitated by C3b opsonization. Iptacopan acts proximally in the alternative pathway of the complement cascade to control both C3b-mediated EVH and terminal complement-mediated IVH.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

Inhibition of the alternative complement pathway biomarkers, in vitro alternative pathway assay and plasma Bb (fragment Bb of Factor B), started approximately 2 hours after a single iptacopan dose in healthy volunteers.

In PNH patients receiving concomitant anti-C5 treatment and FABHALTA 200 mg twice daily, the in vitro alternative pathway assay and plasma Bb decreased from baseline by 54.1% and 56.1%, respectively, on the first observation on Day 8. In treatment naïve PNH patients, these same biomarkers decreased from baseline by 78.4% and 58.9%, respectively, on the first observation after 4 weeks of treatment with FABHALTA 200 mg twice daily.

In PNH patients on concomitant anti-C5 treatment and FABHALTA 200 mg twice daily, the mean PNH red blood cell (RBC) clone size was 54.8% at baseline and increased to 89.2% after 13 weeks; the proportion of PNH Type II + III RBCs with C3 deposition was 12.4% at baseline and decreased to 0.2% after 13 weeks. In treatment naïve PNH patients, the mean PNH RBC clone size was 49.1% at baseline and increased to 91.1% after 12 weeks; there were negligible PNH Type II + III RBCs with C3 deposition in this population due to the predominance of IVH.

Iptacopan reduces serum LDH levels. In PNH patients previously treated with eculizumab, all patients treated with FABHALTA 200 mg twice daily achieved a reduction of LDH levels to < 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) at 13 weeks. In treatment naïve PNH patients, FABHALTA 200 mg twice daily reduced LDH by > 60% compared to baseline after 12 weeks and maintained the effect through the end of the study at 2 years.

Cardiac Electrophysiology

In a QTc clinical study in healthy volunteers, single supra-therapeutic iptacopan doses up to 1,200 mg (which provided greater than 4-fold peak concentration of the MRHD) showed no effect on cardiac repolarization or QT interval.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Following oral administration, iptacopan reached peak plasma concentrations approximately 2 hours post dose. At the recommended dosing regimen of 200 mg twice daily, steady state is achieved in approximately 5 days with minor accumulation (1.4-fold).

Effect of Food

Based on a food-effect study in healthy volunteers, a high-fat meal did not affect the exposure of iptacopan to a clinically meaningful degree.

Distribution

Iptacopan showed concentration-dependent plasma protein binding due to binding to the target Factor B in the systemic circulation. Iptacopan was 75% to 93% protein bound in vitro at the relevant clinical plasma concentrations. After administration of iptacopan 200 mg twice daily, the apparent volume of distribution at steady state was approximately 288 L.

Elimination

The half-life (t1/2) of iptacopan at steady state is approximately 25 hours after administration of FABHALTA 200 mg twice daily. The clearance of iptacopan at steady state is 7.96 L/h after administration of FABHALTA 200 mg twice daily.

Metabolism

Metabolism is a predominant elimination pathway for iptacopan with approximately 50% of the dose attributed to oxidative pathways. Metabolism of iptacopan includes N-dealkylation, O-deethylation, oxidation, and dehydrogenation, mostly driven by CYP2C8 (98%) with a small contribution from CYP2D6 (2%). Iptacopan undergoes Phase 2 metabolism through glucuronidation by UGT1A1, UGT1A3, and UGT1A8. In plasma, iptacopan was the major component, accounting for 83% of the drug related species. Two acyl glucuronides were the only metabolites detected in plasma and were minor, accounting for 8% and 5% of the drug related species. Iptacopan metabolites are not pharmacologically active.

Excretion

In a human study, following a single 100 mg oral dose of [14C]-iptacopan, mean total excretion of radioactivity (iptacopan and metabolites) was 71.5% in the feces and 24.8% in the urine, for a total mean excretion of >96% of the dose. Specifically, 17.9% of the dose was excreted as parent iptacopan in the urine, and 16.8% of the dose was excreted as parent iptacopan in feces.

Linearity/Non-linearity

At doses between 25 mg and 200 mg twice daily, iptacopan was overall less than dose proportional. However, oral doses of 100 mg and 200 mg were approximately dose proportional.

Specific Populations

A population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis was conducted on iptacopan data from 234 patients. Age, body weight, race, and gender did not have a clinically significant effect on iptacopan PK.

Patients with Renal Impairment

The effect of renal impairment on the exposure of iptacopan was assessed using a population pharmacokinetic analysis. Renal function was estimated as eGFR using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. There were no clinically relevant differences in the exposure of iptacopan between patients with normal renal function compared to patients with mild (eGFR 60 to < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2) or moderate (eGFR 30 to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) renal impairment. The population pharmacokinetic analysis did not include a sufficient number of patients with severe renal impairment with or without hemodialysis.

Patients with Hepatic Impairment

In a study in subjects with normal hepatic function and patients with mild (Child-Pugh class A), moderate (Child-Pugh class B), or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C), there was a negligible effect of hepatic impairment on the total (bound+unbound) exposure of iptacopan. However, unbound iptacopan AUCinf increased by 1.5, 1.6, and 3.7-fold in patients with mild, moderate, and severe hepatic impairment, respectively, compared to subjects with normal hepatic function.

Drug Interaction Studies

Based on a clinical drug interaction study in healthy volunteers, iptacopan exposure did not change to a clinically relevant degree when coadministered with clopidogrel (a moderate CYP2C8 inhibitor) or cyclosporine (a P-gp, BCRP, and OATP 1B1/1B3 inhibitor). The exposure of digoxin (a P-gp substrate) and rosuvastatin (an OATP substrate) did not change to a clinically relevant degree when coadministered with iptacopan.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Iptacopan was not genotoxic or mutagenic in a battery of in vitro and in vivo assays.

Carcinogenicity studies conducted with oral administration of iptacopan in RasH2 transgenic mice with doses up to 1,000 mg/kg/day for 6 months and in rats with doses up to 750 mg/kg/day for 2 years did not identify any carcinogenic potential. The highest exposure to iptacopan in rats corresponds to ~9-times the MRHD based on AUC.

In a fertility study in male rats, iptacopan did not adversely impact fertility up to the highest tested dose of 750 mg/kg/day, which corresponds to 4-times the MRHD based on AUC. Reversible effects on the male reproductive system (testicular tubular degeneration and cellular debris in epididymis) were observed in repeat-dose toxicity studies with oral administration in dogs at doses ≥ 2-times the MRHD based on AUC, with no clear effects on sperm numbers, morphology or motility. In a fertility and early embryonic developmental study in female rats, oral administration of iptacopan caused increased pre- and post-implantation losses when given at the highest dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day orally, which corresponds to ~11-times the MRHD based on AUC.

14.1 Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

APPLY-PNH: Anti-C5 treatment Experienced Patients With PNH

The efficacy of FABHALTA administered orally in adults with PNH was evaluated in a multi-center, open-label, 24-week, active comparator-controlled trial (APPLY-PNH; NCT04558918).

The study enrolled adults with PNH and residual anemia (hemoglobin < 10 g/dL) despite previous treatment with a stable regimen of anti-C5 treatment (either eculizumab or ravulizumab) for at least 6 months prior to randomization.

Ninety-seven patients were randomized in an 8:5 ratio to switch to FABHALTA 200 mg orally twice daily (n = 62) or to continue anti-C5 treatment (US-approved and non-US-approved eculizumab product n = 23 or US-approved and non-US-approved ravulizumab product n = 12) throughout the duration of the 24-week randomized controlled period. Randomization was stratified based on prior anti-C5 treatment and transfusion history within the last 6 months. Following completion of the 24-week randomized controlled period, all patients were eligible to enroll in a 24-week treatment extension period and receive FABHALTA monotherapy. Subsequently, patients were eligible to enter a separate long-term extension study.

Patients were required to be vaccinated against Neisseria meningitidis and recommended to be vaccinated against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type B. If the patient had not been previously vaccinated or if a booster was required, vaccination was administered at least 2 weeks prior to the first dose of study medication. If FABHALTA treatment was initiated earlier than 2 weeks after vaccination, antibacterial drug prophylaxis was administered.

Demographics and baseline disease characteristics were generally well balanced between treatment groups (see Table 2). The mean time on prior anti-C5 treatment was 3.8 and 4.2 years for the FABHALTA and anti-C5 groups, respectively. The baseline mean PNH RBC clone size (Type II + III) was 64.6% for FABHALTA and 57.4% for the anti-C5 group.

Efficacy was established based on demonstration of superiority of switching to FABHALTA compared to continuing on anti-C5 therapy in achieving hematological response after 24 weeks of treatment, without a need for transfusion, by assessing the proportion of patients demonstrating: 1) sustained increase of ≥ 2 g/dL in hemoglobin levels from baseline (hemoglobin improvement) and 2) sustained hemoglobin levels ≥ 12 g/dL. Additional efficacy endpoints included transfusion avoidance, change from baseline in hemoglobin levels and change from baseline in absolute reticulocyte counts.

The efficacy results from the APPLY-PNH trial are provided in Table 3.

APPOINT-PNH: Complement Inhibitor Naïve Patients with PNH

Study APPOINT-PNH (NCT04820530) is a single arm study in adults with PNH who were not previously treated with a complement inhibitor. This study enrolled a total of 40 adults with PNH (RBC clone size ≥ 10%), hemoglobin < 10 g/dL, and LDH > 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN). All 40 patients received FABHALTA 200 mg orally twice daily during the 24-week open-label core treatment period. Subsequently, patients were eligible to enroll in a 24-week treatment extension period and continue to receive FABHALTA, followed by a separate long-term extension study.

The mean age of the patients was 42.1 years and 42.5% were female. The mean disease duration was 4.7 years. The baseline mean PNH RBC clone size (Type II + III) was 42.7%, mean baseline hemoglobin was 8.2 g/dL, and approximately 70% of patients required a transfusion in the 6 months prior to treatment. The baseline mean LDH level was 1,699 U/L and the mean absolute reticulocyte count was 154 X 109/L. About 13% of patients had a history of MAVEs. No patients discontinued from the core treatment period of the study.

In total, 77.5% (95% CI: 61.5%, 89.2%) of patients (31/40) achieved a sustained increase (between Day 126 and Day 168) in hemoglobin levels from baseline of ≥ 2 g/dL in the absence of RBC transfusions, based on central laboratory hemoglobin values. In a sensitivity analysis, 87.5% (95% CI: 73.2%, 95.8%) of patients (35/40) achieved a sustained increase (between Day 126 and Day 168) in hemoglobin levels from baseline of ≥ 2 g/dL in the absence of RBC transfusions, including local laboratory hemoglobin values when central laboratory hemoglobin values were not available.