Sanofi Dupixent recommended for EU approval by CHMP for prurigo nodularis treatment
Dupixent is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant.
Paris: Sanofi has announced that the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion, recommending the approval of Dupixent (dupilumab) in the European Union (EU) to treat adults with moderate-to-severe prurigo nodularis who are candidates for systemic therapy. The European Commission is expected to announce a final decision on the Dupixent application in the coming months. In September 2022, Dupixent was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adult patients with prurigo nodularis.
Dupixent is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant.
Prurigo nodularis is a chronic, debilitating skin disease with underlying type 2 inflammation and has one of the highest impacts on a patient's quality of life among inflammatory skin diseases due to the extreme itch it causes. Those with prurigo nodularis experience intense, persistent itch with thick skin lesions (called nodules) that can cover most of the body. The disease is often painful – with burning, stinging, and tingling of the skin – and can negatively affect mental health, activities of daily living, and social interactions. High-potency topical steroids are commonly prescribed but are associated with safety risks if used long-term.
The positive CHMP opinion is supported by data from two Phase 3 trials, PRIME and PRIME2, showing Dupixent significantly reduced itch (the primary endpoint) and skin lesions compared to placebo. Dupixent also significantly improved health-related quality of life while reducing measures of skin pain and symptoms of anxiety/depression. The safety results of the trial were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in its approved dermatology indication.
The use of Dupixent in adults with moderate-to-severe prurigo nodularis is investigational in the EU and is not yet approved.
Read also: FDA approves dupilumab as first and only treatment Indicated for Prurigo Nodularis
