The injection on top of background therapy significantly improved exercise capacity and multiple secondary outcome measures compared to background therapy alone.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved sotatercept-csrk (Winrevair, Merck) injection for the treatment of adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to increase exercise capacity, improve WHO functional class, and reduce the risk of clinical worsening events. 

Winrevair was previously granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the FDA. Winrevair is the first FDA-approved activin signaling inhibitor therapy for PAH, representing a new class of therapy that works by improving the balance between pro- and anti-proliferative signaling to regulate vascular cell proliferation underlying PAH, according to a release from Merck.

“Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare, progressive, and ultimately life-threatening disease in which blood vessels in the lungs thicken and narrow, causing significant strain on the heart,” says Marc Humbert, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Reference Center at the Université Paris-Saclay and investigator on the Phase 3 STELLAR study, in a release. “Based on the Phase 3 STELLAR trial, adding Winrevair to background PAH therapy demonstrated significant clinical benefits compared to background PAH therapy alone. This approval is an important milestone, as it offers healthcare providers a novel therapeutic option that targets a new PAH treatment pathway.”

The approval is based on the Phase 3 STELLAR trial, which compared Winrevair (n=163) to placebo (n=160), both in combination with background standard of care therapies in adult patients with PAH (WHO Group 1 FC II or III). Results showed adding Winrevair to background therapy increased six-minute walk distance from baseline by 41 meters (95% CI: 28, 54; p<0.001; placebo-adjusted) at week 24 and significantly improved multiple important secondary outcome measures, including reducing the risk of death from any cause or PAH clinical worsening events by 84% versus background therapy alone.

Healthcare providers should monitor hemoglobin and platelets before each dose of Winrevair for the first five doses, or longer if values are unstable, and periodically thereafter to determine if dose adjustments are required. Winrevair may increase hemoglobin and may lead to erythrocytosis, which if severe may increase the risk of thromboembolic events or hyperviscosity syndrome. 

Winrevair also may decrease platelet count and lead to severe thrombocytopenia, which may increase the risk of bleeding; thrombocytopenia occurred more frequently in patients also receiving prostacyclin infusion. Treatment should not be initiated if platelet count is <50,000/mm3. 

“The Pulmonary Hypertension Association welcomes the development of new therapies for those with PAH,” says Matt Granato, president and chief executive officer of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, in a release. “A diagnosis of PAH is a life-changing experience for patients and families due to its chronic, progressive nature. Patients with PAH experience limiting symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue. We are excited to see industry research leading to a better understanding of PAH and the development of a medicine in a novel treatment pathway that expands options for the patient community.”

Winrevair is given once every three weeks by subcutaneous injection and may be administered by appropriate patients or caregivers with guidance, training, and follow-up from a healthcare provider. Healthcare providers and patients/caregivers should refer to the instructions for use for information on the proper preparation and administration of WINREVAIR. 

“New treatment options continue to be needed for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension that support important clinical goals, including increasing exercise capacity and improving functional class,” says Aaron Waxman, MD, PhD, executive director of the Center for Pulmonary Heart Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and investigator on the Phase 3 STELLAR study, in a release. “Sotatercept added to background therapy has the potential to become a new standard of care option for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.”

Merck estimates that Winrevair will be available for dispensing by select specialty pharmacies in the US by the end of April.

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