Pegcetacoplan

Identification

Summary

Pegcetacoplan is a complement inhibitor indicated in the treatment of adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Brand Names
Empaveli, Syfovre
Generic Name
Pegcetacoplan
DrugBank Accession Number
DB16694
Background

Pegcetacoplan is a complement inhibitor indicated in the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).5,7 Prior to its FDA approval, patients with PNH were typically treated with the C5 inhibiting monoclonal antibody eculizumab.5 Patients given eculizumab experienced less hemolysis caused by the membrane attack complex, but were still somewhat susceptible to hemolysis caused by C3b opsonization.5,6 Pegcetacoplan was developed out of a need for an inhibitor of complement mediated hemolysis further upstream of C5.5,6 Pegcetacoplan is a pegylated C3 inhibitor that can disrupt the processes leading to both forms of hemolysis that threaten patients with PNH.5

Pegcetacoplan for subcutaneous use was granted FDA approval on 14 May 2021.7 In February 2023, pegcetacoplan for intravitreal use was approved by the FDA for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration.10

Type
Biotech
Groups
Approved
Synonyms
  • Pegcetacoplan
External IDs
  • APL-2
  • WHO 10743

Pharmacology

Indication

Pegcetacoplan is indicated to treat adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).7 It is also indicated to treat geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration.10

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Associated Conditions
Indication TypeIndicationCombined Product DetailsApproval LevelAge GroupPatient CharacteristicsDose Form
Treatment ofGeographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration•••••••••••••••••••••
Treatment ofParoxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (pnh)••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •• •• •••••••••••••••••••
Treatment ofParoxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (pnh)••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••• •• •• •••••••••••••••••••
Treatment ofParoxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (pnh)•••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••• ••••••••• •••• • •• ••••••••• ••• •• ••••• ••••• •••••••••••••••
Treatment ofParoxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (pnh)••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
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Pharmacodynamics

Pegcetacoplan is a complement C3 inhibitor that prevents complement-mediated hemolysis of red blood cells in patients with paroxysomal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.7 It has a long duration of action as it is administered twice weekly.7 Patients should be vaccinated against encapsulated bacteria according to the most recent recommendations.7

Mechanism of action

PNH is due to a mutation in the phosphatidylinositol N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase subunit A (PIGA) gene.1,5 The mutation in the PIGA gene prevents an early step in the formation of glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol (GPI).1 Under normal circumstances, GPI connects cell surface proteins to the cell.1,5 In patients with PNH, complement inhibiting cell surface proteins, such as CD55 and CD59, are not anchored to the surface of red blood cells.1,5 In cases with reduced or absent CD55 and CD59, complement is not appropriately inhibited, leading to activation of the complement system and complement-mediated hemolysis.1,5 As a result of complement-mediated hemolysis, patients with PNH may experience anemia, fatigue, asthenia, and dyspnea.5

The alternative complement system pathway is spontaneously activated due to the absence of CD55, leading to activation of a C3 convertase that that cleaves C3 into C3a and C3b.1 C3b binds to factor B, which is cleaved by factor D into the smaller Ba and larger Bb.2 The resulting C3bBb can bind to other C3 proteins, leading to a positive feedback loop of complement activation.2 C3b proteins can also bind directly to a target cell, marking it as a target for phagocytosis.4 CD55, also known as decay-accelerating factor (DAF) disrupts the formation of C3bBb, preventing spontaneous activation of the alternative complement pathway.2

C3b cleaves C5 into C5a and C5b.1 C5b combines with complement proteins C6, C7, C8, and C9 to form the membrane attack complex (MAC).2 The MAC is a pore formed in the cell by 16 C9 proteins associated with C5b, C6, C7, and C8.3 Formation of pores destroys the cell membrane leading to cell death.3 CD59 disrupts the formation of the MAC, preventing hemolysis.1

In patients with PNH, extravascular hemolysis is mediated by C3b marking red blood cells for phagocytosis, and intravascular hemolysis is mediated by the MAC.5,7 Pegcetacoplan binds to C3 and C3b, reducing cleavage and activation of complement pathways, reducing both extravascular and intravascular hemolysis.7

TargetActionsOrganism
AComplement C3
binder
regulator
Humans
Absorption

Pegcetacoplan has a median Tmax of 4.5-6.0 days.7 Patients reach steady state pharmacokinetics after 6-8 weeks.5

Volume of distribution

The volume of distribution in patients with PNH is 3.9 L.7

Protein binding

Not Available

Metabolism

Pegcetacoplan is expected to be metabolized to smaller oligopeptides and amino acids.7

Route of elimination

Studies done in cynomolgus monkeys given radiolabeled pegcetacoplan suggest that the labelled peptide moiety is mainly excreted through urine. The elimination of PEG was not evaluated; however, it is known that it undergoes renal excretion.9

Half-life

The median half life in patients with PNH is 8.0 days.7

Clearance

The mean clearance in patients with PNH is 0.37 L/day.7

Adverse Effects
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Toxicity

Data regarding overdoses in humans are not readily available.7 In the case of an overdose, patients should be treated with symptomatic and supportive measures.

Pathways
Not Available
Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs
Not Available

Interactions

Drug Interactions
This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.
DrugInteraction
AbataceptThe risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Abatacept is combined with Pegcetacoplan.
AdalimumabThe risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Adalimumab is combined with Pegcetacoplan.
Adenovirus type 7 vaccine liveThe risk or severity of infection can be increased when Adenovirus type 7 vaccine live is combined with Pegcetacoplan.
AldesleukinThe risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Aldesleukin is combined with Pegcetacoplan.
AlefaceptThe risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Alefacept is combined with Pegcetacoplan.
Food Interactions
No interactions found.

Products

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International/Other Brands
Empaveli (Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
Brand Name Prescription Products
NameDosageStrengthRouteLabellerMarketing StartMarketing EndRegionImage
AspaveliInjection, solution1080 mgSubcutaneousSWEDISH ORPHAN BIOVITRUM AB (PUBL)2022-01-20Not applicableEU flag
AspaveliInjection, solution1080 mgSubcutaneousSWEDISH ORPHAN BIOVITRUM AB (PUBL)2022-01-20Not applicableEU flag
EmpaveliSolution1080 mg / 20 mLSubcutaneousSWEDISH ORPHAN BIOVITRUM AB (PUBL)2023-02-15Not applicableCanada flag
EmpaveliInjection, solution1080 mg/20mLSubcutaneousApellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.2021-05-14Not applicableUS flag
SyfovreInjection, solution15 mg/0.1mLIntravitrealApellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.2023-02-17Not applicableUS flag

Categories

ATC Codes
L04AA54 — Pegcetacoplan
Drug Categories
Classification
Not classified
Affected organisms
  • Humans

Chemical Identifiers

UNII
TO3JYR3BOU
CAS number
2019171-69-6

References

General References
  1. Fattizzo B, Serpenti F, Giannotta JA, Barcellini W: Difficult Cases of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria: Diagnosis and Therapeutic Novelties. J Clin Med. 2021 Mar 1;10(5). pii: jcm10050948. doi: 10.3390/jcm10050948. [Article]
  2. Dobo J, Kocsis A, Gal P: Be on Target: Strategies of Targeting Alternative and Lectin Pathway Components in Complement-Mediated Diseases. Front Immunol. 2018 Aug 8;9:1851. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01851. eCollection 2018. [Article]
  3. Tomita M: Biochemical background of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1999 Oct 8;1455(2-3):269-86. doi: 10.1016/s0925-4439(99)00068-x. [Article]
  4. Baudino L, Sardini A, Ruseva MM, Fossati-Jimack L, Cook HT, Scott D, Simpson E, Botto M: C3 opsonization regulates endocytic handling of apoptotic cells resulting in enhanced T-cell responses to cargo-derived antigens. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Jan 28;111(4):1503-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1316877111. Epub 2014 Jan 13. [Article]
  5. de Castro C, Grossi F, Weitz IC, Maciejewski J, Sharma V, Roman E, Brodsky RA, Tan L, Di Casoli C, El Mehdi D, Deschatelets P, Francois C: C3 inhibition with pegcetacoplan in subjects with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria treated with eculizumab. Am J Hematol. 2020 Nov;95(11):1334-1343. doi: 10.1002/ajh.25960. Epub 2020 Sep 11. [Article]
  6. Hillmen P, Szer J, Weitz I, Roth A, Hochsmann B, Panse J, Usuki K, Griffin M, Kiladjian JJ, de Castro C, Nishimori H, Tan L, Hamdani M, Deschatelets P, Francois C, Grossi F, Ajayi T, Risitano A, de la Tour RP: Pegcetacoplan versus Eculizumab in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 18;384(11):1028-1037. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2029073. [Article]
  7. FDA Approved Drug Products: Empaveli (Pegcetacoplan) Subcutaneous Injection [Link]
  8. Press Release: pegcetacoplan EMA approval [Link]
  9. Health Canada Approved Drug Products: EMPAVELI (pegcetacoplan) injection solution for subcutaneous infusion use [Link]
  10. FDA Approved Drug Products: SYFOVRE (pegcetacoplan) injection for intravitreal use (February 2023) [Link]
KEGG Drug
D11613
RxNav
2557372
Wikipedia
Pegcetacoplan

Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials

Pharmacoeconomics

Manufacturers
Not Available
Packagers
Not Available
Dosage Forms
FormRouteStrength
Injection, solutionSubcutaneous1080 mg
Injection, solutionSubcutaneous1080 mg/20mL
SolutionSubcutaneous1080 mg / 20 mL
Injection, solutionIntravitreal15 mg/0.1mL
Prices
Not Available
Patents
Patent NumberPediatric ExtensionApprovedExpires (estimated)Region
US10875893No2020-12-292033-11-15US flag
US9169307No2015-10-272027-11-18US flag
US7989589No2011-08-022027-12-04US flag
US10125171No2018-11-132033-08-02US flag
US10035822No2018-07-312033-11-15US flag
US7888323No2011-02-152027-12-04US flag
US11040107No2021-06-222038-04-09US flag
US11292815No2013-11-152033-11-15US flag
US8168584No2012-05-012027-04-07US flag
US9056076No2015-06-162026-10-25US flag
US11661441No2013-01-132033-01-13US flag
US11844841No2018-12-092038-12-09US flag

Properties

State
Liquid
Experimental Properties
Not Available

Targets

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Kind
Protein
Organism
Humans
Pharmacological action
Yes
Actions
Binder
Regulator
General Function
Receptor binding
Specific Function
C3 plays a central role in the activation of the complement system. Its processing by C3 convertase is the central reaction in both classical and alternative complement pathways. After activation C...
Gene Name
C3
Uniprot ID
P01024
Uniprot Name
Complement C3
Molecular Weight
187146.73 Da
References
  1. FDA Approved Drug Products: Empaveli (Pegcetacoplan) Subcutaneous Injection [Link]

Drug created at May 17, 2021 19:14 / Updated at August 09, 2023 00:07