The FDA recently approved a new Specialty Infusion therapy, Rybrevant (amivantamab-vmjw) from Janssen Pharmaceutical, as the first treatment for adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with specific genetic mutations.
Infused specialty therapies were once relegated only to the medical benefit and traditional buy-and-bill. However, Rybrevant’s approval continues the growing trend that has created an integral role for specialty pharmacies supporting distribution under the medical benefit or direct-to-office using PBM billing (payer specific).
As with many of these next generation therapies, Rybrevant was approved in combination with a companion diagnostic test to identify targeted EGFR exon 20 mutations. This group represents only 2 or 3 percent of NSCLC patients.
Pricing for Rybrevant has not yet been confirmed by Janssen. Additionally, Janssen has not announced its plans for distribution and pharmacy access once the product launches. Analysts have indicated that its expected cost, the very small patient population, and need for genetic testing will push this therapy into limited distribution.
FDA Approves First Targeted Therapy for Subset of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
May 21, 2021 — Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Rybrevant (amivantamab-vmjw) as the first treatment for adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors have specific types of genetic mutations: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutations.
The FDA also approved the Guardant360 CDx (Guardant Health Inc.) as a companion diagnostic for Rybrevant today.
“Advances in precision oncology continue to facilitate drug development, allowing diseases like lung cancer to be subset into biomarker-defined populations appropriate for targeted therapies,” said Julia Beaver, M.D., chief of medical oncology in the FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence and acting deputy director of the Office of Oncologic Diseases in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer type and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer accounting for 80% to 85% of all lung cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Approximately 2% to 3% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer will have EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, which are a group of mutations on a protein that causes rapid cell growth, and consequently, helps cancer spread. EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations are the third most common type of EGFR mutation.
Researchers evaluated Rybrevant’s efficacy in a study of 81 patients with non-small cell lung cancer and EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations whose disease had progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. The main outcome measured was overall response rate (proportion of patients whose tumor is destroyed or reduced by a drug). In the trial population in which all patients received Rybrevant, the overall response rate was 40%. The median duration of response was 11.1 months, with 63% of patients having a duration of response of 6 months or more.
The most common side effects of Rybrevant include rash, infusion-related reactions, skin infections around the fingernails or toenails, muscle and joint pain, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, swelling in the lower legs or hands or face, sores in the mouth, cough, constipation, vomiting and changes in certain blood tests. Rybrevant should be withheld if patients develop symptoms of interstitial lung disease and permanently discontinued if interstitial lung disease is confirmed. Patients taking Rybrevant should limit sun exposure during and for two months after treatment. Rybrevant may cause problems with vision. Rybrevant can also cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman; therefore, the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential should be confirmed before treatment is started.
Rybrevant received Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy designation for this indication. Priority Review directs overall attention and resources to the evaluation of applications for drugs that, if approved, would be significant improvements in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of serious conditions when compared to standard applications. Breakthrough Therapy designation is designed to expedite the development and review of drugs that are intended to treat a serious condition and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapy on a clinically significant endpoint(s).
The FDA granted approval of Rybrevant to Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.
