FDA approves Teva’s AJOVY injection for preventive treatment of migraine in adults

Reviewed by James Ives, M.Psych. (Editor)Sep 17 2018

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved AJOVY^TM (fremanezumab-vfrm) injection for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults. AJOVY, a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) ligand and blocks its binding to the receptor, is the first and only anti-CGRP treatment for the prevention of migraine with quarterly (675 mg) and monthly (225 mg) dosing options.

"Migraine is a disabling neurological disease that affects more than 36 million people in the United States," said Stephen Silberstein, MD, Director, Jefferson Headache Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and lead investigator of the Phase III clinical trial program for AJOVY. "About 40 percent of people living with migraine may be appropriate candidates for preventive treatment, yet the majority of them are untreated. I am pleased to have another treatment option that may allow my patients to experience fewer monthly migraine days."

AJOVY was evaluated in two Phase III, placebo-controlled clinical trials that enrolled patients with disabling migraine and was studied as both a stand-alone preventive treatment and in combination with oral preventive treatments. In these trials, patients experienced a reduction in monthly migraine days during a 12-week period. The most common adverse reactions (≥5 percent and greater than placebo) were injection site reactions.

"This is an important day for Teva and complements our long-standing history of helping patients living with diseases of the central nervous system," said Kåre Schultz, President and CEO of Teva. "The approval of AJOVY helps us to continue to provide access to important medicines and to deliver on our commitment to our key stakeholders - patients, employees and shareholders."

"With limited availability of preventive treatment options, AJOVY provides physicians with an important new option for their patients," said Hafrun Fridriksdottir, Executive Vice President, Global R&D at Teva. "This approval furthers our ongoing commitment and experience in neurological conditions like migraine."

The U.S. Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) of AJOVY is $575 per monthly dose and $1,725 per quarterly dose. AJOVY will be available through retail and specialty pharmacies in approximately two weeks. There is a savings offer for AJOVY. Commercially insured patients may pay as little as $0 on prescriptions for AJOVY until the offer expires. Teva Shared Solutions^® is available to provide support services for patients and offices. Visit AJOVY.com to learn more.

"Today's approval is an important step forward for Teva and the migraine community," said Brendan O'Grady, Executive Vice President and Head of North America Commercial at Teva. "Our entire organization is proud to bring this new biologic product forward at a responsible price, and we are eager to work with insurers to encourage coverage that provides full access and availability in this much needed category."