Type Whole antibody Target PCSK9 Routes of
administration Subcutaneous injection | Source Human Trade names Repatha ATC code C10AX13 (WHO) | |
Evolocumab (trade name Repatha) is a monoclonal antibody designed for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
Contents
Evolocumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). PCSK9 is a protein that targets LDL receptors for degradation and thereby reduces the liver's ability to remove LDL-C, or "bad" cholesterol, from the blood.
In 2015 it cost about $14,300 USD per year which makes it not cost effective. It is made by Amgen.
Mechanism
Evolocumab is designed to bind to PCSK9 and inhibit PCSK9 from binding to LDL receptors on the liver surface. In the absence of PCSK9, there are more LDL receptors on the surface of liver cells to remove LDL-C from the blood.
History
Amgen submitted a biologics license application (BLA) for evolocumab to the FDA in August 2014. The FDA approved evolocumab injection on 27 August 2015, for some patients who are unable to get their LDL cholesterol under control with current treatment options. European Commission approved it in July 2015. Evolocumab received approval from Health Canada on September 10, 2015. Amgen reported approval by Health Canada in a press release on September 15, 2015.
Regeneron and Amgen had each filed for patent protection on their monoclonal antibodies against PCSK9 and the companies ended up in patent litigation in the U.S. In March 2016 a district court found that Regeneron's drug alirocumab infringed Amgen's patents; Amgen then requested an injunction barring Regeneron and Sanofi from marketing alirocumab, which was granted in January 2017. The judge gave Regeneron and Sanofi 30 days to appeal before the injunction went into effect.