Chiesi Global Rare Diseases Announces Multiple Presentations at SSIEM Annual Symposium 2023

- Total of six poster presentations analyze the effects of treatment with enzyme replacement therapies in Fabry disease and alpha-mannosidosis -

- Company sponsoring symposium on advances in monitoring and management in Fabry disease -

BOSTON, September 1, 2023 - Chiesi Global Rare Diseases, a business unit of the Chiesi Group established to deliver innovative therapies and solutions for people affected by rare diseases, today announced multiple presentations at the Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism (SSIEM) Annual Symposium 2023 being held August 29 - September 1, 2023, in Jerusalem, Israel.

“There continues to be a general lack of awareness and a limited appreciation of the numerous unique challenges that people living with rare lysosomal storage diseases face every day,” said Giacomo Chiesi, head of Chiesi Global Rare Diseases. “As a family business, and as a certified benefit corporation, we are focused on the long-term support of these patients and will continue to challenge the status quo by building awareness of unmet medical needs and embracing drug development risks. As we continue to significantly invest in innovation and seek opportunities to improve health outcomes, we are pleased to showcase multiple data presentations in Fabry disease and alpha-mannosidosis at the SSIEM symposium.”

Four poster presentations at the SSIEM symposium feature analyses of the safety and efficacy of pegunigalsidase alfa, the company’s PEGylated enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), in the treatment of Fabry disease.

In a poster, titled, “Pooled safety profile of pegunigalsidase alfa: an analysis of data from 142 patients in the pegunigalsidase alfa clinical program,” John Bernat, M.D., Ph.D., University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, USA, is presenting an analysis of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), infusion-related reactions (IRRs) during the infusion or within two hours, and premedication use in four clinical trials and three long-term extension studies. This pooled analysis showed that pegunigalsidase alfa had an overall favorable safety profile with most (95.6%) TEAEs being of mild or moderate severity.

David Warnock, M.D., The University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA, is presenting a poster, titled, “Pooled analysis of the effect of pegunigalsidase alfa on renal function: Data from 113 patients in the pegunigalsidase alfa clinical trial program,” that includes data from patients with more than 18 months of treatment across multiple trials. The results of this pooled analysis suggest that long-term pegunigalsidase alfa treatment provides continued renal function benefits in patients with Fabry disease.

In other Fabry disease posters, Dr. Bernat presents a post hoc analysis that found COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not appear to increase the risk of IRRs or anti-drug antibodies in patients treated with pegunigalsidase alfa, and Ozlem Goker-Alpan, M.D., Lysosomal and Rare Disorders Research and Treatment Center, USA, describes the tolerability and safety of pegunigalsidase alfa in seven patients treated in an Expanded Access Program.

The company is also sponsoring a symposium on August 29 from 12:45-1:45pm IDT, “Creating a new roadmap: Advances in Fabry Disease Monitoring and Management,” that is chaired by Dominique Germain, M.D., Ph.D., University of Versailles, Division of Medical Genetics, France. During the event, Derralynn Hughes, M.A., D.Phil., Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust and University College London, UK, is presenting an update on monitoring modalities, and Dawn Laney, M.S., Emory University School of Medicine, USA, is discussing how to incorporate the patient experience to guide monitoring and management.

In addition, two poster presentations at the SSIEM congress feature analyses of the impact of treatment with velmanase alfa in alpha-mannosidosis.

Benedicte Heron, M.D., Department of Pediatric Neurology, Reference Centre for Lysosomal Diseases, Armand Trousseau-La Roche Guyon University Hospital, France, is presenting a poster, titled, “Long-term efficacy of velmanase alfa treatment in patients with alpha mannosidosis: updated integrated analysis of data from phase I/II, III, and follow-up clinical trials,” which concludes that the effect of the ERT on key efficacy outcomes appeared to be maintained over a long‑term period (up to 12 years) in pediatric and adult patients (N=33 patients, observation time 0.9 to 11.9 years).

Angela Messina, Ph.D., Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Italy, is presenting a poster, titled, “IgG glycosylation in patients with alpha-mannosidosis and the impact of enzyme replacement therapy.” The results of this study suggest that IgG sialylation/galactosylation could offer a potential new pharmacodynamic biomarker for evaluating treatment benefits in patients with alpha-mannosidosis.

Indication and Important Safety Information for Elfabrio® (pegunigalsidase alfa-iwxj)

Indication
Elfabrio® (pegunigalsidase alfa-iwxj) is indicated for the treatment of adults with confirmed Fabry disease.

Important Safety Information

Prior to Elfabrio administration, consider pretreating with antihistamines, antipyretics, and/or corticosteroids. Inform patients and caregivers of the signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and infusion-associated reactions (IARs), and instruct them to seek medical care immediately if such symptoms occur.

• If a severe hypersensitivity reaction (including anaphylaxis) or severe IAR occurs, immediately discontinue Elfabrio administration and initiate appropriate medical treatment.
• If a mild to moderate hypersensitivity reaction or IAR occurs, consider slowing the infusion rate or temporarily withholding the dose.

In clinical trials, 20 (14%) Elfabrio-treated patients experienced hypersensitivity reactions.

Four Elfabrio-treated patients (3%) experienced anaphylaxis reactions that occurred within 5 to 40 minutes of the start of the initial infusion. The signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis included headache, nausea, vomiting, throat tightness, facial and oral edema, truncal rash, tachycardia, hypotension, rigors, urticaria, intense pruritus, moderate upper airway obstructions, macroglossia, and mild lip edema.

In clinical trials, 41 (29%) Elfabrio-treated patients experienced one or more infusion-associated reactions, including hypersensitivity, nausea, chills, pruritus, rash, chest pain, dizziness, vomiting, asthenia, pain, sneezing, dyspnea, nasal congestion, throat irritation, abdominal pain, erythema, diarrhea, burning sensation, neuralgia, headache, paresthesia, tremor, agitation, increased body temperature, flushing, bradycardia, myalgia, hypertension, and hypotension.

A case of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with immune depositions in the kidney was reported during clinical trials. Monitor serum creatinine and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio. If glomerulonephritis is suspected, discontinue treatment until a diagnostic evaluation can be conducted.

When switching to Elfabrio from a prior enzyme replacement therapy, the risk of hypersensitivity reactions and infusion-associated reactions may be increased in certain patients with pre-existing anti-drug antibodies (ADAs). Consider monitoring IgG and IgE ADAs and clinical or pharmacodynamic response (eg, plasma lyso-Gb3 levels).

The most common adverse reactions (≥15%) were infusion-associated reactions, nasopharyngitis, headache, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, back pain, pain in extremity, and sinusitis.

Please see Full Prescribing Information for Elfabrio.

Indication and Important Safety Information for Lamzede® (velmanase alfa-tycv)

Indication
Lamzede® (velmanase alfa-tycv) is indicated for the treatment of non-central nervous system manifestations of alpha-mannosidosis in adult and pediatric patients.

Important Safety Information

Considerations Due to Hypersensitivity Reactions and/or Infusion-Associated Reactions (IARs)

Prior to Lamzede administration, consider pretreating with antihistamines, antipyretics, and/or corticosteroids. Inform patients and caregivers of the signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and IARs and instruct them to seek medical care immediately if such symptoms occur.

• If a severe hypersensitivity reaction (including anaphylaxis) or severe IAR occurs, immediately discontinue Lamzede administration and initiate appropriate medical treatment.
• In the event of a mild to moderate hypersensitivity reaction or a mild to moderate IAR, consider temporarily holding the infusion for 15 to 30 minutes, slowing the infusion rate to 25% to 50% of the recommended rate, and initiating appropriate medical treatment.

Hypersensitivity Reactions Including Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis and severe hypersensitivity signs and symptoms included cyanosis, hypotension, emesis, urticaria, erythema, facial swelling, pyrexia, and tremor.

Infusion-Associated Reactions (IARs)
The most frequent symptoms of IARs that occurred in >10% of the population were pyrexia, chills, erythema, vomiting, cough, urticaria, rash, and conjunctivitis.

Females of Reproductive Potential
Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 14 days after the last dose if Lamzede is discontinued. For females of reproductive potential, verify that the patient is not pregnant prior to initiating treatment with Lamzede.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, Lamzede may cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant female.

Common Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reactions (incidence >20%) are hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, nasopharyngitis, pyrexia, headache, and arthralgia.

Please see Full Prescribing Information for Lamzede.

About Chiesi Global Rare Diseases
Chiesi Global Rare Diseases is a business unit of the Chiesi Group established to deliver innovative therapies and solutions for people affected by rare diseases. As a family business, Chiesi Group strives to create a world where it is common to have a therapy for all diseases and acts as a force for good, for society and the planet. The goal of the Global Rare Diseases unit is to ensure equal access so as many people as possible can experience their most fulfilling life. The unit collaborates with the rare disease community around the globe to bring voice to underserved people in the health care system.
For more information visit www.chiesirarediseases.com.

About Chiesi Group
Chiesi is an international, research-focused biopharmaceuticals group that develops and markets innovative therapeutic solutions in respiratory health, rare diseases, and specialty care. The company’s mission is to improve people’s quality of life and act responsibly towards both the community and the environment.

By changing its legal status to a Benefit Corporation in Italy, the US, and France, Chiesi’s commitment to create shared value for society as a whole is legally binding and central to company-wide decision-making. As a certified B Corp since 2019, we’re part of a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact. The company aims to reach Net-Zero greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions by 2035.

With over 85 years of experience, Chiesi is headquartered in Parma (Italy), operates in 31 countries, and counts more than 6,500 employees. The Group’s research and development centre in Parma works alongside 6 other important R&D hubs in France, the US, Canada, China, the UK, and Sweden.
For further information please visit www.chiesi.com.

Chiesi Group Media Contacts
Chiara Travagin
Rare Communication Manager
Tel: +39 348 8818985
Email: c.travagin@chiesi.com

Alessio Pappagallo
Press Office Manager
Tel: +39 339 5897483
Email: a.pappagallo@chiesi.com  

Adam Daley
Berry & Company Public Relations
Tel: +1 212 253 8881
Email: adaley@berrypr.com

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