The first investigational FcRn blocker to demonstrate sustained disease control over 24 weeks in antibody positive adult patients: anti-AChR+, anti-MuSK+, anti-LRP4+
Nipocalimab demonstrated a sustained reduction in autoantibody levels, one of the underlying causes of generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG), by up to 75% over a period of 24 weeks
The investigational therapy was recently granted U.S. FDA Priority Review for the treatment of gMG
BEERSE, BELGIUM , Jan. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Janssen-Cilag International NV, a Johnson & Johnson company, announced The Lancet Neurology has published results from the pivotal Phase 3 study of nipocalimab, an investigational FcRn blocker, evaluated in a broad population of antibody positive (anti-AChR+, anti-MuSK+, and anti-LRP4+) adults with generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG).1 The Vivacity-MG3 study met its primary endpoint demonstrating statistically significanta and clinically meaningful improvement over 24 weeks in the MG-ADLb score.1 Nipocalimab had a tolerable safety profile, with adverse events leading to discontinuation similar to placebo (5.1% with nipocalimab vs. 7.1% with placebo).1
“Nipocalimab has been shown in multiple clinical studies to help reduce IgG, including autoantibodies, among this broad population of antibody positive adults with gMG. The positive results from the Vivacity-MG3 study further supports the potential of nipocalimab to address the underlying cause of this debilitating autoantibody disease,” said Carlo Antozzi, M.D., Neuroimmunology and Muscle Pathology Unit of the Neurological Institute Foundation C. Besta of Milan, Italy.c “It’s promising to see this positive data published in The Lancet Neurology as there is a continued need for additional approved targeted therapies with demonstrated safety profiles that offer sustained disease control for a broad range of antibody positive patients living with gMG.”
gMG is a chronic, life-long, rare, autoantibody disease, for which no cure is currently available.2,3,4 gMG impacts an estimated 700,000 people worldwide and between 56,000 and 123,000 people in Europe.2,5 Nipocalimab, a fully human IgG1 antibody, is an immunoselective investigational therapy that has been shown in clinical trials to lower immunoglobulin G (IgG), including pathogenic IgG, one of the root causes of autoantibody diseases.1 Data from the Phase 3 study showed up to a 75% reduction in the median pre-dose total IgG from baseline.d Additionally, reduction in levels of common pathogenic IgG subclasses including AChR antibody and MuSK antibody, was observed over the 24 weeks of the study.1 No changes were observed in total IgE, IgA, and IgM, highlighting the potential ability to maintain a protective immune system even after reduction of pathogenic IgG autoantibodies is observed.1
“Publication of the Phase 3 Vivacity-MG3 data in The Lancet Neurology underscores the potential nipocalimab has in providing clinical benefit to people living with generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG),” said Ludovic de Beaucoudrey, Ph.D., Senior Director, Therapeutic Area Lead, Immunology, Janssen-Cilag Limited, a company of Johnson & Johnson. “This marks another important step forward for Johnson & Johnson as we lead where medicine is going and continue our efforts to improve outcomes for people living with this devastating disease.”
Nipocalimab plus standard of care (SOC) demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in MG-ADL response (≥2-point improvement from baseline) compared with placebo plus SOC (p=0.0213).1,e For someone living with gMG, a 1- to 2-point change on MG-ADL versus baseline may be the difference between normal eating and frequent choking on food, or shortness of breath at rest and requiring the assistance of a ventilator.6 Safety and tolerability were consistent with other nipocalimab studies.1,f
“The Phase 3 Vivacity-MG3 data demonstrates our steadfast pursuit of researching and developing potential innovative and transformational approaches for autoantibody-driven diseases, such as gMG,” said Sindhu Ramchandren, M.D., Executive Medical Director, Neuroscience, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. “We are delighted by the publication of this robust Phase 3 data in The Lancet Neurology as well as the Priority Review granted by the FDA. People living with gMG require additional effective immunoselective therapeutic options that can potentially preserve the ability to maintain a protective immune response even after reduction of IgG.”
Johnson & Johnson submitted a Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval of nipocalimab in gMG on September 11 and August 29, 2024, respectively.7 Nipocalimab was granted Priority Review by the FDA which was supported by findings from the Phase 3 Vivacity-MG3 study. 8 In addition, nipocalimab recently received U.S. FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe Sjögren’s disease as supported by results from the Phase 2 DAHLIAS study.9
Editor’s notes:
- Patients who received nipocalimab plus current SOC had a mean change of -4.68 [standard error (SE) 0.324] versus baseline. Patients on placebo plus current SOC had a mean change of -3.25 (SE 0.333); difference of least-squares (LS) means -1.39 [0.470]; P=0.003.10
- MG-ADL (Myasthenia Gravis – Activities of Daily Living) provides a rapid clinical assessment of the patient’s recall of symptoms impacting activities of daily living, with a total score range of 0 to 24; a higher score indicates greater symptom severity.6
- Dr. Carlo Antozzi has provided consulting, advisory, and speaking services to Johnson & Johnson. He has not been paid for any media work.1
- Patients who received nipocalimab plus current SOC had a median (IQR) pre-dose (minimal) total IgG reduction from baseline after the loading dose of 74.6% (79.4%, -68.7%) at week 2 and 68.8% at week 24 (75.3%, 62.2%).1
- Patients who received nipocalimab plus current SOC had a greater than 2-point improvement in average MG-ADL total score over weeks 22, 23, and 24 (between-group difference 16.2% [95% CI; 0.9% to 31.5%]; p=0.0213).1
- The overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) were similar to that in the placebo plus SOC group. Specifically, 84% of patients (n=82) treated with nipocalimab plus current SOC experienced AEs, matched by 84% (n=82) in the placebo plus SOC group. Serious AEs were reported by 9% of patients (n=9) in the nipocalimab plus SOC group compared to 14% (n=14) in the placebo plus SOC group.1
ABOUT GENERALISED MYASTHENIA GRAVIS (gMG)
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoantibody disease in which the immune system mistakenly makes antibodies (e.g., anti-acetylcholine receptor [AChR], anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase [MuSK] or anti-low-density lipoprotein-related protein 4 [LRP4]), which target proteins at the neuromuscular junction and can block or disrupt normal signalling from nerves to muscles, thus impairing or preventing muscle contraction.2,11,12 The disease impacts between 56,000 and 123,000 people in Europe and an estimated 700,000 people worldwide.2,13 Approximately 10 to 15% of new cases of MG are diagnosed in adolescents (12 – 17 years of age).14,15,16 Among juvenile MG patients, girls are affected more often than boys with over 65% of paediatric MG cases in the EU diagnosed in girls.17,18,19,20
Initial disease manifestations are usually ocular but in 85% or more cases, the disease generalises (gMG), which is characterised by fluctuating weakness of the skeletal muscles leading to symptoms like limb weakness, drooping eyelids, double vision and difficulties with chewing, swallowing, speech, and breathing.2,21,22,23,24 Vulnerable gMG populations, such as paediatric patients, have more limited therapeutic options.25 Currently, SOC treatments for adolescents with gMG are extrapolated from adult trials.16 Other than symptomatic treatments, there are no approved FcRn blockers that may address the root cause of the disease for adolescents with gMG in Europe.26,27,28,29,30
ABOUT THE PHASE 3 VIVACITY-MG3 STUDY
The Phase 3 Vivacity-MG3 study (NCT04951622) was specifically designed to measure sustained efficacy and safety with consistent dosing in this unpredictable chronic condition where unmet need remains high. Antibody positive or negative adult gMG patients with insufficient response (MG-ADL ≥6) to ongoing standard of care (SOC) therapy were identified and 199 patients, 153 of whom were antibody positive, enrolled in the 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial.31,32 Randomisation was 1:1, nipocalimab plus current SOC (30 mg/kg IV loading dose followed by 15 mg/kg every two weeks) or placebo plus current SOC.31 Baseline demographics were balanced across arms (77 nipocalimab, 76 placebo).31 The primary endpoint of the study was mean change in MG-ADLb score from baseline over Weeks 22, 23 and 24 in antibody positive patients. A key secondary endpoint included change in QMG score. Long-term safety and efficacy were further assessed in an ongoing open-label extension (OLE) phase.32
ABOUT NIPOCALIMAB
Nipocalimab is an investigational monoclonal antibody, designed to bind with high affinity to block FcRn and reduce levels of circulating immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies potentially without impact on other immune functions.33 This includes autoantibodies and alloantibodies that underlie multiple conditions across three key segments in the autoantibody space including Rare Autoantibody diseases, Maternal Foetal diseases mediated by maternal alloantibodies and Rheumatic diseases.32,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41 Blockade of IgG binding to FcRn in the placenta is also believed to limit transplacental transfer of maternal alloantibodies to the foetus.42
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have granted several key designations to nipocalimab including:
- EU EMA Orphan medicinal product designation for HDFN in October 2019
- U.S. FDA Fast Track designation in haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN) and warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (wAIHA) in July 2019, gMG in December 2021 and foetal neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) in March 2024
- U.S. FDA Orphan drug status for wAIHA in December 2019, HDFN in June 2020, gMG in February 2021, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) in October 2021 and FNAIT in December 2023
- U.S. FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for HDFN in February 2024
U.S. FDA granted Priority Review in gMG in Q4 2024
ABOUT JOHNSON & JOHNSON
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.
Learn more at www.innovativemedicine.jnj.com/emea/.
Follow us at www.linkedin.com/jnj-innovative-medicine-emea.
Janssen-Cilag International NV and Janssen-Cilag Limited are both Johnson & Johnson companies.
CAUTIONS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of nipocalimab. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc. Janssen-Cilag International NV, and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behaviour and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, including in the sections captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in Johnson & Johnson’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc. Janssen-Cilag International NV, nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.
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CP-493972
January 2025
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