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Ravulizumab: First Global Approval

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Abstract

Ravulizumab (ravulizumab-cwvz; ULTOMIRIS™), a humanized monoclonal antibody, is a complement C5 inhibitor developed by Alexion Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS). Like the first-generation C5 inhibitor, eculizumab, ravulizumab binds specifically and with high affinity to the complement protein C5, thereby preventing formation of the terminal complement complex C5b-9, which mediates cell lysis. In December 2018, intravenous ravulizumab received its first global approval in the USA for the treatment of adults with PNH, and is under regulatory review in the European Union and Japan in this indication. Phase 3 development of intravenous ravulizumab for the treatment of aHUS is underway worldwide. The use of ravulizumab in myasthenia gravis and IgA nephropathy is also being evaluated in the USA in early-phase and preclinical studies, respectively. Clinical development of a subcutaneous formulation for PNH and aHUS is also underway. Ravulizumab has been developed using Xencor’s antibody half-life prolongation technology (Xtend™), which utilises antibody Fc variants to prolong half-life. Alexion is also evaluating the coadministration of subcutaneous ravulizumab with Halozyme’s ENHANZE® drug-delivery technology (rHuPH20), which may have the potential to further extend the dosing interval. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of ravulizumab leading to this first approval for PNH.

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    Kate McKeage

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  1. Kate McKeage
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Correspondence to Kate McKeage.

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The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding.

Conflict of interest

During the peer review process the manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on the article. Changes resulting from any comments received were made by the authors on the basis of scientific completeness and accuracy. Kate McKeage is a contracted employee of Adis/Springer, is responsible for the article content and declares no relevant conflicts of interest.

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This profile has been extracted and modified from the AdisInsight database. AdisInsight tracks drug development worldwide through the entire development process, from discovery, through pre-clinical and clinical studies to market launch and beyond.

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McKeage, K. Ravulizumab: First Global Approval. Drugs 79, 347–352 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-019-01068-2

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