Galcanezumab

Last updated

Galcanezumab
Emgality.jpg
Monoclonal antibody
Type Whole antibody
Source Humanized
Target CALCA, CALCB
Clinical data
Trade names Emgality
Other namesLY2951742, galcanezumab-gnlm
AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph
MedlinePlus a618063
License data
Routes of
administration
Subcutaneous
Drug class Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem SID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
  • none
UNII
KEGG
Chemical and physical data
Formula C6392H9854N1686O2018S46
Molar mass 144083.69 g·mol−1

Galcanezumab, [4] [5] sold under the brand name Emgality, is a humanized monoclonal antibody used for the prevention of migraine. [2] It is also used for the treatment of cluster headaches. [6]

Contents

A substance called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been shown to be involved in the development of migraine by widening blood vessels in the brain. [3] Galcanezumab is a monoclonal antibody (a type of protein) designed to attach to and block CGRP, thereby helping blood vessels to return to their normal size. [3] This will stop the symptoms of migraine. [3] Galcanezumab is generally delivered through self-injections. [7] Common side effects include injection site reactions such as pain or redness. [6] [3] Other side effects may include hypersensitivity reactions. [6]

Galcanezumab was developed by Eli Lilly. [8] It was approved for medical use in the United States and in the European Union in 2018, [9] [10] [3] becoming the third calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitor to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). [11]

Medical uses

In the US, galcanezumab is indicated in adults for the preventive treatment of migraine; and for the treatment of episodic cluster headache. [2]

In the EU, galcanezumab is indicated for the prophylaxis of migraine in adults who have at least four migraine days per month. [3]

Side effects

Common side effects include injection site reactions such as pain or redness, rarely hypersensitivity reactions. [6]

Pharmacology

Mechanism of action

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been shown to be involved in the development of migraine by widening blood vessels in the brain. [3] Galcanezumab is a monoclonal antibody which attaches to and blocks CGRP, thereby helping blood vessels to return to their normal size. [3]

History

Clinical trials

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved galcanezumab based on evidence from three clinical trials (Trial 1/NCT02614183, Trial 2/NCT02614196, and Trial 3/NCT02614261) in 2156 adults 18 to 65 years of age with chronic or episodic migraine headaches. [10] Trials were conducted at 318 sites in Asia, Canada, Europe, Israel, Latin America, Puerto Rico, and the United States. [10]

Trials one and two enrolled participants with a history of episodic migraine headaches. [10] Participants were assigned to receive galcanezumab or placebo injections once a month for six months. [10] Neither the participants nor the health care providers knew which treatment was being given until after the trial was completed. [10] The benefit of galcanezumab was assessed based on the change from baseline in the number of migraine days per month during the six-month treatment period, comparing participants in the galcanezumab and placebo groups. [10] In two studies involving 1,784 participants who had migraines between 4 and 14 days a month, those treated with galcanezumab had four or five fewer days with migraines per month, compared with two to three fewer days for participants on a placebo injection. [3]

Trial three enrolled participants with a history of chronic migraine headaches. [10] Participants were assigned to receive galcanezumab or placebo injection once a month for three months. [10] Neither the participants nor the health care providers knew which treatment was being given until after the trial was completed. [10] The benefit of galcanezumab was assessed based on the change from baseline in the number of migraine days per month during the three-month treatment period, comparing the galcanezumab and placebo groups. [10] In a third study of 1,117 participants who had migraines for more than fifteen days a month on average (chronic migraine), those treated with galcanezumab had on average around five fewer days with migraines per month compared with around three fewer days for participants on placebo. [3]

The effectiveness of galcanezumab for the treatment of episodic cluster headache was demonstrated in a clinical trial that compared it to placebo in 106 participants. [6] The trial measured the average number of cluster headaches per week for three weeks and compared the average changes from baseline in the galcanezumab and placebo groups. [6] During the three-week period, participants taking galcanezumab experienced 8.7 fewer weekly cluster headache attacks than they did at baseline, compared to 5.2 fewer attacks for participants on placebo. [6]

Society and culture

Economics

When used for migraines galcanezumab costs about US$7,000 per year in the United States as of 2019. [12]

In September 2018, galcanezumab was approved in the United States for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults. [9] [10] The FDA granted the approval of Emgality to Eli Lilly. [9] [10]

In November 2018, galcanezumab was approved for use in the European Union for the prophylaxis of migraine in adults who have at least four migraine days per month. [3]

In June 2019, galcanezumab was approved in the United States for the treatment of episodic cluster headache in adults. [6] The application for galcanezumab was granted priority review and breakthrough therapy designations. [6]

In January 2021, AffaMed Therapeutics signed an agreement with Lilly to distribute galcenazumab in China. [13] In December 2023, Organon signed an exclusive agreement with Lilly to distribute and commercialize galcanezumab in Europe. [14] In August 2024, the agreement between Organon and Lilly was expanded to include a further 11 worldwide markets. [15]

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References

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  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "FDA approves first treatment for episodic cluster headache that reduces the frequency of attacks" (Press release). U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 4 June 2019. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
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