Liposomal Irinotecan: A Review as First-Line Therapy in Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

Liposomal irinotecan (Onivyde), also known as liposomal pegylated irinotecan, has been developed with the intent of maximising anti-tumour efficacy and minimising drug-related toxicities compared with conventional formulations of this topoisomerase 1 inhibitor. In combination with fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin (NALIRIFOX), liposomal irinotecan is approved in the USA and the EU for first-line therapy of eligible patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In a phase III clinical trial, NALIRIFOX significantly improved overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) compared with gemcitabine plus nanoparticle albumin bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC).

Xeligekimab: First Approval.

Xeligekimab (Jinlixi) is a recombinant human interleukin (IL)-17A-neutralizing immunoglobulin (Ig)G4 monoclonal antibody being developed by Genrix (Shanghai) Biopharmaceutical for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, axial spondyloarthritis and lupus nephritis. Xeligekimab binds to IL-17A and blocks its interaction with the IL-17A receptor, thereby inhibiting the release of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 and IL-6. On 27 August 2024, xeligekimab received approval in China for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.

Apremilast: First Pediatric Approval.

Apremilast (Otezla) is an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) being developed by Amgen. It is approved in multiple countries worldwide, including the USA and those of the EU, for the treatment of adults with psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, or oral ulcers associated with Behçet's disease. In April 2024, based on clinical data in patients aged 6-17 years, apremilast received its first pediatric approval in the USA for the treatment of pediatric patients aged ≥ 6 years and weighing ≥ 20 kg with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.

Odronextamab: First Approval.

Odronextamab (Ordspono), a CD20xCD3 bispecific antibody, is being developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. On 26 August 2024, odronextamab received its first approval in the EU as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) or relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after ≥ 2 lines of systemic therapy. Clinical trials in various other B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including mantle cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, are underway in multiple countries.

Efgartigimod: A Review in Generalised Myasthenia Gravis.

Efgartigimod (Vyvgart; Vyvgart Hytrulo) is a neonatal fragment crystallizable receptor (FcRn) antagonist indicated for the treatment of generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults who are acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive (Ab+). Efgartigimod is approved for both intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) use. In a pivotal phase III trial, IV efgartigimod was associated with significant and clinically meaningful improvements in myasthenia gravis symptoms and reductions in disease burden.

Insulin Icodec: First Approval.

Insulin icodec (AWIQLI) is an ultra-long-acting basal insulin analogue that is being developed by Novo Nordisk for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Administered once weekly as a subcutaneous injection, insulin icodec is designed to improve treatment adherence and glycaemic control relative to once-daily insulin analogues. On 7 March 2024, insulin icodec was approved in Switzerland for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in adults.

AVT04: An Ustekinumab Biosimilar.

AVT04 (Uzpruvo) is a biosimilar of the reference anti-interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 monoclonal antibody ustekinumab. It is approved in the EU for plaque psoriasis, paediatric plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and Crohn's disease as per the reference product. AVT04 has similar physicochemical characteristics to those of reference ustekinumab, and the pharmacokinetic similarity of the agents has been shown in healthy volunteers and patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

Zastaprazan: First Approval.

Zastaprazan (JAQBO) is a next-generation potassium-competitive acid blocker being developed by Onconic Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Jeil Pharmaceutical, for the treatment of acid-related diseases. Zastaprazan binds directly to proton pumps in a competitive manner to reduce gastric acid secretion, allowing for a quick onset of action. On 24 April 2024, zastaprazan received approval in South Korea for the treatment of erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Relugolix/Estradiol/Norethisterone Acetate: A Review in Endometriosis-Associated Pain.

An oral fixed-dose combination of relugolix/estradiol/norethisterone (also known as norethindrone) acetate [Myfembree (USA); Ryeqo (EU)] (hereafter referred to as relugolix combination therapy) has been approved in the USA for the management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis in premenopausal women and in the EU for the symptomatic treatment of endometriosis in adult women of reproductive age with a history of previous medical or surgical treatment for their endometriosis. The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist relugolix decreases estradiol and progesterone levels, while the addition of estradiol/norethisterone acetate mitigates hypoestrogenic effects including bone mineral density (BMD) loss and vasomotor symptoms. In two pivotal phase III trials, relugolix combination therapy significantly improved dysmenorrhoea and non-menstrual pelvic pain in premenopausal women with moderate to severe endometriosis.

SER-109 (VOWST): A Review in the Prevention of Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection.

SER-109 (VOWST; fecal microbiota spores, live-brpk) is a live biotherapeutic product indicated to prevent the recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients 18 years of age and older following standard of care (SOC) antibacterial treatment for recurrent CDI. It is a purified bacterial spore suspension sourced from healthy donors. As the first oral faecal microbiota product approved for prevention of recurrent CDI, SER-109 is administered as four capsules once daily for three consecutive days.

Tremelimumab: A Review in Advanced or Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Tremelimumab (tremelimumab-actl; Imjudo) is a monoclonal antibody and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) that blocks cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4). A single, priming dose of intravenous tremelimumab is used in combination with durvalumab, an ICI that blocks programmed cell-death ligand 1, in a regimen known as STRIDE (Single Tremelimumab Regular Interval Durvalumab). STRIDE is approved for the treatment of adults with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the USA and Japan and for the first-line treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable HCC in Europe.

Befotertinib: First Approval.

Befotertinib (Surmana) is an orally administered, highly selective, third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) being developed by Betta Pharmaceuticals and InventisBio for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In May 2023, befotertinib was approved in China for the second-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who have received EGFR TKI therapy and have disease progression with positive EGFR T790M mutation. Befotertinib is under regulatory review for the first-line treatment of NSCLC in China.

Remdesivir: A Review in COVID-19.

Remdesivir (Veklury), a nucleotide analogue prodrug with broad-spectrum antiviral activity, is approved for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Unlike some antivirals, remdesivir has a low potential for drug-drug interactions. In the pivotal ACTT-1 trial in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, daily intravenous infusions of remdesivir significantly reduced time to recovery relative to placebo.