Rukobia ▼

Rukobia 600 mg prolonged-release tablets

Each prolonged-release tablet contains fostemsavir tromethamine equivalent to 600 mg fostemsavir.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Prolonged-release tablet

Beige, film-coated, biconvex, oval tablets approximately 19 mm in length, 10 mm in width, and 8 mm in thickness and debossed with 'SV 1V7' on one side.

Rukobia, in combination with other antiretrovirals, is indicated for the treatment of adults with multidrug resistant HIV-1 infection for whom it is otherwise not possible to construct a suppressive anti-viral regimen (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).

Rukobia should be prescribed by physicians experienced in the management of HIV infection.

Posology

The recommended dose is 600 mg of fostemsavir twice daily.

Missed doses

If the patient misses a dose of fostemsavir, the patient should take the missed dose as soon as the patient remembers, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In this case, the missed dose should be skipped and the next dose should be taken according to the regular schedule. The patient should not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose.

Elderly

No dosage adjustment is required (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

Renal impairment

No dosage adjustment is required for patients with renal impairment or those on haemodialysis (see section 5.2).

Hepatic impairment

No dosage adjustment is required in patients with hepatic impairment (see section 5.2).

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of fostemsavir in children and adolescents aged less than 18 years have not yet been established. Currently available data are described in section 5.2, but no recommendation on a posology can be made.

Method of administration

Oral use.

Fostemsavir can be taken with or without food (see section 5.2). The prolonged-release tablet should be swallowed whole with water, and not chewed, crushed or split.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Co-administration with strong CYP3A inducers including, but not limited to: carbamazepine, phenytoin, mitotane, enzalutamide, rifampicin and St John's wort (see section 4.5).

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome

In HIV-infected patients with severe immune deficiency at the time of initiation of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), an inflammatory reaction to asymptomatic or residual opportunistic infections may arise and cause serious clinical conditions, or aggravation of symptoms. Typically, such reactions have been observed within the first few weeks or months of initiation of ART. Relevant examples are cytomegalovirus retinitis, generalised and/or focal mycobacterial infections and Pneumocystis jiroveci (formerly P. carinii) pneumonia. Any inflammatory symptoms must be evaluated without delay and treatment initiated when necessary. Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves' disease, autoimmune hepatitis, polymyositis and Guillain-Barre syndrome) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution, however, the time to onset is more variable, and can occur many months after initiation of treatment and sometimes can be an atypical presentation.

QTc prolongation

A supratherapeutic dose (at a C_max approximately 4.2-fold the therapeutic dose) of fostemsavir has been shown to significantly prolong the QTc interval of the electrocardiogram (see section 5.1). Fostemsavir should be used with caution in patients with a history of QT interval prolongation, when co-administered with a medicine with a known risk of Torsade de Pointes (e.g. amiodarone, disopyramide, ibutilide, procainamide, quinidine, or sotalol) or in patients with relevant pre-existing cardiac disease. Elderly patients may be more susceptible to drug-induced QT interval prolongation.

Patients with hepatitis B or C virus co-infection

Monitoring of liver chemistries is recommended in patients with hepatitis B and/or C co-infection. Patients with chronic hepatitis B or C and treated with combination antiretroviral therapy are at an increased risk of severe and potentially fatal hepatic adverse reactions. In case of concomitant antiviral therapy for hepatitis B or C, please refer also to the relevant product information for these medicinal products.

Opportunistic infections

Patients should be advised that fostemsavir or any other antiretroviral therapy does not cure HIV infection and that they may still develop opportunistic infections and other complications of HIV infection. Therefore, patients should remain under close clinical observation by physicians experienced in the treatment of these associated HIV diseases.

Transmission of HIV

While effective viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy has been proven to substantially reduce the risk of sexual transmission, a residual risk cannot be excluded. Precautions to prevent transmission should be taken in accordance with national guidelines.

Osteonecrosis

Although the aetiology is considered to be multifactorial (including corticosteroid use, biphosphonates, alcohol consumption, severe immunosuppression, higher body mass index), cases of osteonecrosis have been reported in patients with advanced HIV-disease and/or long-term exposure to combination antiretroviral therapy (CART). Patients should be advised to seek medical advice if they experience joint aches and pain, joint stiffness or difficulty in movement.

Restricted range of antiviral activity

In vitro data indicate that the antiviral activity of temsavir is restricted to HIV-1 Group M strains. Rukobia should not be used to treat infections due to HIV-1 strains other than those of Group M (see section 5.1).

Within HIV-1 group M, there is considerably reduced antiviral activity against CRF01_AE virus. Available data indicate that this subtype has a natural occurring resistance to temsavir (see section 5.1). It is recommended that Rukobia is not used to treat infections due to HIV-1 Group M subtype CRF01_AE strains.

Interactions with other medicinal products

Co-administration of fostemsavir with elbasvir/grazoprevir is not recommended as increased grazoprevir concentrations may increase the risk of ALT elevations (see section 4.5).

Dose modifications and/or careful titration of dose is recommended for certain statins that are substrates of OATP1B1/3 or BCRP (rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, pitavastatin, simvastatin and fluvastatin) when co-administered with fostemsavir (see section 4.5).

When fostemsavir was co-administered with oral contraceptives, temsavir increased concentrations of ethinyl oestradiol. Doses of oestrogen-based therapies, including oral contraceptives, should not contain more than 30 µg of ethinyl oestradiol per day in patients who are receiving fostemsavir (see section 4.5). Furthermore, caution is advised particularly in patients with additional risk factors for thromboembolic events.

When fostemsavir is co-administered with tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), temsavir is expected to increase plasma concentrations of TAF via inhibition of OATP1B1/3 and/or BCRP. The recommended dose of TAF is 10 mg when co-administered with fostemsavir (see section 4.5).

Effect of other medical products on the pharmacokinetics of temsavir

Temsavir is a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), but not of organic anion transporters OATP1B1 or OATP1B3. Its biotransformation to two circulating metabolites, BMS-646915 and BMS-930644, is mediated by unidentified esterases (36.1%) and by cytochrome P₄₅₀ (CYP)3A4 enzyme (21.2%), respectively.

When fostemsavir was co-administered with the strong CYP3A inducer rifampicin, a significant reduction in temsavir plasma concentrations was observed. Significant decreases in temsavir plasma concentrations may also occur when fostemsavir is co-administered with other strong CYP3A inducers, and may result in loss of virologic response (see section 4.3).

Fostemsavir may be co-administered with strong CYP3A4, BCRP and/or P-gp inhibitors (e.g., clarithromycin, itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole) without dose adjustment based on the results of clinical drug interaction studies with cobicistat and ritonavir.

Effect of temsavir on the pharmacokinetics of other medicinal products

In vitro, temsavir inhibited OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 (IC₅₀ = 32 and 16 µM, respectively). Additionally, temsavir and its two metabolites (BMS-646915 and BMS-930644) inhibited BCRP (IC₅₀ = 12, 35, and 3.5 to 6.3 µM, respectively). Based on these data, temsavir is expected to affect the pharmacokinetics of active substances that are substrates of OATP1B1/3 or BCRP (e.g. rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, simvastatin, pitavastatin and fluvastatin). Therefore, dose modifications and/or careful titration of dose is recommended for certain statins.

Interaction table

Selected drug interactions are presented in Table 1. Recommendations are based on either drug interaction studies or predicted interactions based on the expected magnitude of the interaction and potential for serious adverse events or loss of efficacy. (Abbreviations: ↑ = Increase; ↓ =decrease; ↔ = no significant change; AUC=area under the concentration versus time curve; C_max=maximum observed concentration, C=concentration at the end of dosing interval; *= Using cross-study comparisons to historical pharmacokinetic data).

Table 1: Interactions

¹Potential mechanism(s) of drug interactions

QT prolonging medicinal products

There is no information available on the potential for a pharmacodynamic interaction between fostemsavir and medicinal products that prolong the QTc interval of the ECG. However, based on a study of healthy subjects, in which a supratherapeutic dose of fostemsavir prolonged the QTc interval, fostemsavir should be used with caution when co-administered with a medicinal product with a known risk of Torsade de Pointes (see sections 4.4).

Pregnancy

There are no or limited amount of data (less than 300 pregnancy outcomes) from the use of fostemsavir in pregnant women.

Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity at exposure levels of temsavir in the range of the recommended human dose (RHD) (see section 5.3). In pregnant rats fostemsavir and/or its metabolites cross the placenta and are distributed to all foetal tissues.

As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of Rukobia during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

It is recommended that HIV infected women do not breast-feed their infants under any circumstances in order to avoid transmission of HIV.

It is unknown whether fostemsavir/temsavir are excreted in human milk. Available toxicokinetic data in lactating rats have shown excretion of fostemsavir/temsavir in milk (see section 5.3).

Fertility

There are no data on the effects of fostemsavir on human male or female fertility. Animal studies indicate no effects of fostemsavir on male or female fertility at clinically relevant doses (see section 5.3).

Fostemsavir has a minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Patients should be informed that headache, dizziness and somnolence have been reported during treatment with fostemsavir (see section 4.8). The clinical status of the patient and the adverse reaction profile of fostemsavir should be borne in mind when considering the patient's ability to drive or operate machinery.

Summary of the safety profile

The most serious adverse reaction was immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (see section 4.4). The most commonly seen treatment emergent adverse reactions were diarrhoea (24%), headache (17%), nausea (15%), rash (12%), abdominal pain (12%), and vomiting (11%).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The adverse reactions identified in clinical trials are listed in Table 2 by body system, organ class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000).

Table 2: Tabulated list of adverse reactions

¹ Calculated based on safety data from 570 subjects (n=370 from phase III [BRIGHTE] study at 144 weeks, and n=200 from phase IIb study with mean duration 174 weeks).

²Includes central nervous system immune reconstitution inflammatory response and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.

³Includes abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain and abdominal pain upper.

⁴Includes increases in ALT, AST, hepatic enzymes and transaminases.

⁵Includes rash, rash erythematous, rash generalised, rash macular, rash maculo-papular, rash papular, rash pruritic and rash vesicular.

⁶Includes pruritus and pruritus generalised.

Description of selected adverse reactions

Changes in laboratory chemistries

Increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were observed following treatment with fostemsavir, which were mainly mild or moderate. These changes were rarely associated with musculoskeletal complaints and are not considered clinically relevant.

Clinically relevant increases in serum creatinine have primarily occurred in patients with identifiable risk factors for reduced renal function, including pre-existing medical history of renal disease and/or concomitant medications known to cause increases in creatinine. A causal association between fostemsavir and elevation in serum creatinine has not been established.

Asymptomatic elevations in creatinine, creatine phosphokinase and liver enzymes were mainly grade 1 or 2 and did not require interruption of treatment

Increases in direct (conjugated) bilirubin have been observed following treatment with fostemsavir. Cases of clinical significance were uncommon and were confounded by the presence of intercurrent serious comorbid events not related to dosing with study medication (e.g. sepsis, cholangiocarcinoma or other complications of viral hepatitis co-infection). In the remaining reports, elevations in direct bilirubin (without clinical jaundice) were typically transient, occurred without increases in liver transaminases and resolved on continued fostemsavir.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

There is no specific treatment for overdose with fostemsavir. In case of overdose, it is recommended that the patient be monitored for any signs or symptoms of adverse reactions and given appropriate symptomatic treatment. Standard supportive measures should be applied as required, including monitoring of vital signs as well as observation of the clinical status of the patient. As temsavir is highly bound to plasma proteins, it is unlikely that it will be significantly removed by dialysis.

Further management should be as clinically indicated or as recommended by the national poisons centre, where available.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antivirals for systemic use, other antivirals, ATC code: J05AX29.

Mechanism of action

Fostemsavir is a prodrug without significant antiviral activity that is hydrolysed to the active moiety, temsavir, upon cleavage of a phosphonooxymethyl group in vivo (see section 5.2). Temsavir binds directly to the gp120 subunit within the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp160 and selectively inhibits the interaction between the virus and cellular CD4 receptor, thereby preventing viral entry into, and infection of, host cells.

Pharmacodynamic effects

Antiviral activity in cell culture

Temsavir exhibited variable activity across HIV-1 subtypes. Temsavir IC₅₀ value ranged from 0.01 to >2000 nM against clinical isolates of subtypes A, B, B', C, D, F, G and CRF01_AE in PBMCs. Temsavir was not active against HIV-2. Due to high frequencies of polymorphism S375H (98%) and S375M/M426L/M434I (100%) temsavir is not active against Group O and Group N (see section 4.4).

Against a panel of 1337 clinical isolates tested with the PhenoSense Entry assay, the mean IC₅₀ value was 1.73 nM (range 0.018 to >5000 nM). Isolates tested included subtype B (n=881), C (n=156), F1 (n=48), A (n=43), BF1 (n=29), BF (n=19), A1 (n=17) and CRF01_AE (n=5). Subtype CRF01_AE was associated with higher IC₅₀ values (5/5 isolates with temsavir IC₅₀ values >100 nM). CRF01_AE is considered naturally resistant to temsavir on the basis of available data, due to the presence of polymorphisms at positions S375H and M475I (see below).

Antiviral activity in combination with other antiviral agents

When tested with temsavir in vitro, no antagonism was seen with abacavir, didanosine, emtricitabine, lamivudine, stavudine, tenofovir disoproxil, zidovudine, efavirenz, nevirapine, atazanavir, indinavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, enfuvirtide, maraviroc, ibalizumab, delavirdine, rilpivirine, darunavir, dolutegravir or raltegravir. In addition, antivirals without inherent anti-HIV activity (entecavir, ribavirin) have no apparent effect on temsavir activity.

Resistance in vitro

Serial passage of lab-strains LAI, NL_4-3, or Bal, in increasing concentrations of temsavir (TMR) over 14 to 49 days resulted in gp120 substitutions at L116, A204, M426, M434 and M475. Phenotypes of recombinant LAI viruses containing TMR-selected substitutions were investigated. Additionally, phenotypes of viruses with substitutions at position S375 that were identified in pre-treatment samples in fostemsavir clinical studies were evaluated. The phenotypes of those considered clinically relevant are tabulated below (Table 3).

Table 3: Phenotypes of recombinant LAI viruses containing clinically relevant gp120 substitutions

Note: The phenotype of substitutions at L116 and A204 have been excluded from the table as they are not considered clinically relevant.

Temsavir remained active against laboratory derived CD4-independent viruses.

Cross-Resistance

There was no evidence of cross-resistance to other antiretrovirals (ARVs). Temsavir retained activity against viruses resistant to the INSTI raltegravir; the NNRTI rilpivirine; the NRTIs abacavir, lamivudine, tenofovir, zidovudine; the PIs atazanavir and darunavir and the gp41 fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide.

Some CCR5-tropic, maraviroc-resistant viruses showed reduced susceptibility to temsavir. Both the CD4-directed post-attachment inhibitor ibalizumab and the gp120-directed pre-attachment inhibitor fostemsavir develop resistance associated mutations in gp120. In clinical isolates five of seven viruses resistant to ibalizumab retained susceptibility to temsavir while the other two viruses had reduced susceptibility to both temsavir (>1,400-fold decreased susceptibility) and ibalizumab.

Additionally, maraviroc, ibalizumab and enfuvirtide retained activity against site-directed mutants with reduced susceptibility to temsavir, or against clinical envelopes with reduced baseline susceptibility to temsavir and contained S375H, M426L, or M426L plus M475I substitutions.

Virologic response at Day 8 by genotype and phenotype in BRIGHTE

The effect of the gp120 resistance-associated polymorphisms (RAPs) on response to fostemsavir functional monotherapy at Day 8 was assessed in the Phase III study (BRIGHTE [205888]) in heavily treatment-experienced adult subjects. The presence of gp120 RAPs at key sites S375, M426, M434, or M475 was associated with a lower overall decline in HIV-1 RNA and fewer subjects achieving >0.5 log₁₀ decline in HIV-1 RNA compared with subjects with no changes at these sites (Table 4).

The fold change in susceptibility to temsavir for subject isolates at screening was highly variable ranging from 0.06 to 6,651. The effect of screening fostemsavir phenotype on response of >0.5 log₁₀ decline at Day 8 was assessed in the ITT-E population (Table 5). While there does appear to be a trend toward reduced clinical response at higher TMR IC₅₀ values, this baseline variable fails to reliably predict efficacy outcomes in the intended use population.

Table 4: Virologic Response Category at Day 8 (Randomised Cohort) by presence of gp120 resistance-associated polymorphisms (RAPs) at baseline – ITT-E Population

Table 5: Virologic Response Category at Day 8 (Randomised Cohort) by Phenotype at baseline – ITT-E Population

Antiviral activity against subtype AE

Within HIV-1 Group M, temsavir showed considerably reduced antiviral activity against subtype AE isolates. Rukobia is not recommended to be used to treat infections due to HIV-1 Group M subtype CRF01_AE strains. Genotyping of subtype AE viruses identified polymorphisms at amino acid positions S375H and M475I in gp120, which have been associated with reduced susceptibility to fostemsavir. Subtype AE is a predominant subtype in Southeast Asia, but it is not found frequently elsewhere.

Two subjects in the Randomised Cohort had subtype AE virus at screening. One subject (EC₅₀ fold change >4,747-fold and gp120 substitutions at S375H and M475I at baseline) did not respond to fostemsavir at Day 8. The second subject (EC₅₀ fold change 298-fold and gp120 substitution at S375N at baseline) received placebo during functional monotherapy. Both subjects had HIV RNA <40 copies/mL at Week 96 while receiving fostemsavir plus OBT that included dolutegravir.

Emergence of Resistance in vivo

The percentage of subjects who experienced virologic failure through the Week 96 analysis was 25% (69/272) in the randomised cohort (Table 6). Overall, 50% (26/52) of the viruses of evaluable subjects with virologic failure in the Randomised Cohort had treatment-emergent gp120 genotypic substitutions at 4 key sites (S375, M426, M434, and M475).

The median temsavir EC₅₀ fold change at failure in randomised evaluable subject isolates with emergent gp120 substitutions at positions 375, 426, 434, or 475 (n = 26) was 1,755-fold compared to 3-fold for isolates with no emergent gp120 substitutions at these positions (n = 26).

Of the 25 evaluable subjects in the Randomised Cohort with virologic failure and emergent substitutions S375N and M426L and (less frequently) S375H/M, M434I and M475I, 88% (22/25) had temsavir IC₅₀ FC Ratio > 3-fold (FC Ratio is temsavir IC₅₀ FC on-treatment compared to baseline).

Overall, 21/69 (30%) of the virus isolates of patients with virologic failure in the Randomised Cohort had genotypic or phenotypic resistance to at least one drug in the OBT at screening and in 48% (31/64) of the virologic failures with post-baseline data the virus isolates had emergent resistance to at least one drug in the OBT.

In the Non-randomised Cohort virologic failures were observed in 51% (50/99) through Week 96 (Table 6). While the proportion of viruses with gp120 resistance-associated substitutions at screening was similar between patients in the Randomised and Non-randomised Cohorts, the proportion of virus isolates with emergent gp120 resistance-associated substitutions at the time of failure was higher among Non-randomised patients (75% vs. 50%). The median temsavir EC₅₀ fold change at failure in Non-randomised evaluable subject isolates with emergent substitutions at positions 375, 426, 434, or 475 (n = 33) was 4,216-fold and compared to 402-fold for isolates without substitutions at these positions (n = 11).

Of the 32 evaluable virologic failures in the Non-randomised Cohort with emergent substitutions S375N and M426L and (less frequently) S375H/M, M434I and M475I, 91% (29/32) had temsavir IC₅₀ FC Ratio > 3-fold.

Overall, 45/50 (90%) of the viruses of patients with virologic failure in the Non-randomised Cohort had genotypic or phenotypic resistance to at least one drug in the OBT at screening and in 55% (27/49) of the virologic failures with post-baseline data the virus isolates had emergent resistance to at least one drug in the OBT.

Table 6: Virologic Failures in BRIGHTE Trial

Effects on electrocardiogram

In a randomised, placebo- and active-controlled, double-blind, cross-over thorough QT study, 60 healthy subjects received oral administration of placebo, fostemsavir 1 200 mg once daily, fostemsavir 2 400 mg twice daily and moxifloxacin 400 mg (active control) in random sequence. Fostemsavir administered at 1 200 mg once daily did not have a clinically meaningful effect on the QTc interval as the maximum mean time-matched (2-sided 90% upper confidence bound) placebo-adjusted QTc change from baseline based on Fridericia's correction method (QTcF) was 4.3 (6.3) milliseconds (below the clinically important threshold of 10 milliseconds). However, fostemsavir administered at 2 400 mg twice daily for 7 days was associated with a clinically meaningful prolongation of the QTc interval as the maximum mean time-matched (2-sided 90% upper confidence bound) for the placebo-adjusted change from baseline in QTcF interval was 11.2 (13.3) milliseconds. Steady-state administration of fostemsavir 600 mg twice daily resulted in a mean temsavir C_max approximately 4.2-fold lower than the temsavir concentration predicted to increase QTcF interval 10 milliseconds (see section 4.4).

Clinical efficacy

The efficacy of fostemsavir in HIV-infected, heavily treatment-experienced adult subjects is based on data from a Phase III, partially-randomised, international, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial BRIGHTE (205888), conducted in 371 heavily-treatment experienced HIV-1 infected subjects with multi-class resistance. All subjects were required to have a viral load greater than or equal to 400 copies/mL and ≤2 antiretroviral (ARV) classes remaining at baseline due to resistance, intolerability, contraindication, or other safety concerns.

At Screening, subjects from the Randomised Cohort had one but no more than two fully active and available ARVs which could be combined as part of an efficacious background regimen. 272 subjects received either blinded fostemsavir, 600 mg twice daily (n= 203), or placebo (n= 69), in addition to their current failing regimen, for 8 days of functional monotherapy. Beyond Day 8, Randomised subjects received open-label fostemsavir, 600 mg twice daily, plus an optimised background therapy (OBT). The Randomised Cohort provides primary evidence of efficacy of fostemsavir.

Within the Non-randomised Cohort, 99 subjects with no fully active, approved ARVs available at Screening, were treated with open-label fostemsavir, 600 mg twice daily, plus OBT from Day 1 onward. The use of an investigational drug(s) as a component of the OBT was permitted.

Table 7: Summary of Demographic and Baseline Characteristics in BRIGHTE trial-ITT-E Population

The primary endpoint analysis, based on the adjusted mean decline in HIV-1 RNA from Day 1 at Day 8 in the Randomised Cohort, demonstrated superiority of fostemsavir to placebo (0.79 vs. 0.17 log₁₀ decline, respectively; p<0.0001, Intent To Treat-Exposed [ITT-E] population) (Table 8).

Table 8: Plasma HIV-1 RNA Log₁₀ (copies/mL) Change from Day 1 at Day 8 (Randomised Cohort) in BRIGHTE trial – ITT-E Population

a. Mean adjusted by Day 1 log₁₀ HIV-1 RNA.

b. Difference: Fostemsavir - Placebo.

c. Mean value of viral load change from baseline (Fostemsavir = Placebo).

Note: p-value from Levene's Test of Homogeneity of variance 0.2082.

d. Two subjects (both in the fostemsavir arm) who had missing Day 1 HIV-1 RNA values were not included in the analysis.

At Day 8, 65% (131/203) and 46% (93/203) of subjects had a reduction in viral load from baseline > 0.5 log₁₀ c/mL and > 1 log₁₀ c/mL, respectively, in the fostemsavir group, compared with 19% (13/69) and 10% (7/69) of subjects, respectively, in the placebo group.

By subgroup analysis, fostemsavir-treated Randomised subjects with baseline HIV-1 RNA >1, 000 c/mL achieved a median decline in viral load of 1.02 log₁₀ c/mL at Day 8, compared with 0.00 log₁₀ c/mL decline in subjects treated with blinded placebo.

Median change in HIV-1 RNA log₁₀ c/mL from Day 1 to Day 8 of FTR functional monotherapy was similar in subjects with subtype B and non-B subtype virus (F1, BF1 and C). There was a reduced median response at Day 8 observed in subtypes A1 (n=2) and AE (n=1) but sample size was limited (Table 9).

Table 9: HIV-1 RNA (log1₀ c/mL) Change from Day 1 at Day 8 by HIV subtype at Baseline

Virologic outcomes by ITT-E Snapshot Analysis at Weeks 24, 48 and 96 are shown in Tables 10 and 11 for the Randomised and Non-randomised Cohorts, respectively.

Table 10: Virologic Outcomes (HIV-1 RNA <40 copies/mL) at Weeks 24, 48 and 96 with Fostemsavir (600 mg twice daily) plus Optimised Background Treatment (Randomised Cohort) in BRIGHTE trial (ITT-E Population, Snapshot Algorithm)

N = Number of subjects in the Randomised Cohort.

OBT = Optimised Background Therapy; DRV = Darunavir; DTG = Dolutegravir

* Includes subjects who never initiated OBT, were incorrectly assigned to the Randomised Cohort or had one or more active ARV agents available at screening but did not use these as part of the initial OBT.

In the Randomised Cohort, viral load <200 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL was achieved in 68%, 69% and 64% of subjects at Weeks 24, 48 and 96, respectively. At these timepoints, the proportion of subjects with viral load <400 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL was 75%, 70% and 64%, respectively (ITT-E, Snapshot algorithm). Mean changes in CD4+ T-cell count from baseline continued to increase over time (i.e. 90 cells/mm³ at Week 24, 139 cells/mm³ at Week 48 and 205 cells/mm³ at Week 96). Based on a sub-analysis in the Randomised Cohort, subjects with the lowest baseline CD4+ T-cell counts (<20 cells/mm³) had a similar increase in CD4+ count over time compared with subjects with higher baseline CD4+ T-cell count (>50, >100, >200 cells/mm³).

Table 11: Virologic Outcomes (HIV-1 RNA <40 copies/mL) at Weeks 24, 48 and 96 with Fostemsavir (600 mg twice daily) plus Optimised Background Treatment (Non-Randomised Cohort) in BRIGHTE trial (ITT-E Population, Snapshot Algorithm)

In the Non-randomised Cohort (subjects with no fully active and approved ARVs available at Screening), the proportion of subjects with HIV-1 RNA <200 copies/mL was 42%, 43% and 39%, and the proportion of subjects with HIV-1 RNA <400 copies/mL was 44%, 44% and 40%, at Weeks 24, 48 and 96, respectively (ITT-E, Snapshot algorithm). Mean changes in CD4+ cell count from baseline increased over time: 41 cells/mm³ at Week 24, 64 cells/mm³ at Week 48 and 119 cells/mm³ at Week 96.

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has deferred the obligation to submit the results of studies with Rukobia in one or more subsets of the paediatric population in HIV infection (see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).

The pharmacokinetics of temsavir following administration of fostemsavir are similar between healthy and HIV-1 infected subjects. In HIV-1 infected subjects, the between-subject variability (%CV) in plasma temsavir C_max and AUC ranged from 20.5 to 63% and C from 20 to 165%. Between-subject variability in oral clearance and oral central volume of distribution estimated from population pharmacokinetic analysis of healthy subjects from selected Phase I studies and HIV-1 infected patients were 43% and 48%, respectively.

Absorption

Fostemsavir is a prodrug that is metabolised to temsavir by alkaline phosphatase at the luminal surface of the small intestine and is generally not detectable in plasma following oral administration. The active moiety, temsavir, is readily absorbed with the median time to maximal plasma concentrations (T_max) at 2 hours post dose (fasted). Temsavir is absorbed across the small intestine and caecum/proximal ascending colon.

Pharmacokinetic parameters following multiple oral doses of fostemsavir 600 mg twice daily in HIV-1 infected, adult subjects are shown in Table 12.

Table 12: Multiple-Dose Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Temsavir following oral administration of Fostemsavir 600 mg twice daily

a. Based on population pharmacokinetic analyses with or without food, in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.

CV = Coefficient of Variation.

The absolute bioavailability of temsavir was 26.9% following oral administration of a single 600 mg dose of fostemsavir.

Effect of Food

Temsavir bioavailability (AUC) was not impacted by a standard meal (approximately 423 kcal, 36% fat) but increased 81% with a high-fat meal (approximately 985 kcal, 60% fat) and is not considered clinically significant. Regardless of calorie and fat content, food had no impact on plasma temsavir C_max.

Distribution

Temsavir is approximately 88% bound to human plasma proteins based on in vivo data. Human serum albumin is the major contributor to plasma protein binding of temsavir in humans. The volume of distribution of temsavir at steady state (Vss) following intravenous administration is estimated at 29.5 L. The blood-to-plasma total radiocarbon C_max ratio was approximately 0.74, indicating minimal association of temsavir or its metabolites with red blood cells. Free fraction of temsavir in plasma was approximately 12 to 18% in healthy subjects, 23% in subjects with severe hepatic impairment, and 19% in subjects with severe renal impairment, and 12% in HIV-1 infected patients.

Biotransformation

In vivo, temsavir is primarily metabolised via esterase hydrolysis (36.1% of administered dose) and secondarily by CYP3A4-mediated oxidative (21.2% of administered dose) pathways. Other non-CYP3A4 metabolites account for 7.2% of the administered dose. Glucuronidation is a minor metabolic pathway (<1% of administered dose).

Temsavir is extensively metabolised, accounting for the fact that only 3% of the administered dose is recovered in human urine and faeces. Temsavir is biotransformed into two predominant circulating inactive metabolites, BMS-646915 (a product of hydrolysis) and BMS-930644 (a product of N-dealkylation).

Interactions

Significant interactions are not expected when fostemsavir is co-administered with substrates of CYPs, uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferases (UGTs), P-gp, multidrug resistance protein (MRP)2, bile salt export pump (BSEP), sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), OAT1, OAT3, organic cation transporters (OCT)1, and OCT2 based on in vitro and clinical drug interaction data. Based on in vitro data, temsavir and its two metabolites (BMS-646915 and BMS-930644) inhibited multidrug and toxin extrusion protein (MATE)1/2K; this interaction is unlikely to be of clinical significance.

Elimination

Temsavir has a terminal half-life of approximately 11 hours. Plasma temsavir clearance following intravenous administration was 17.9 L/hr, and the apparent clearance (CL/F) following oral administration was 66.4 L/hr. After oral administration of a single 300 mg dose of ¹⁴C-labelled fostemsavir in a human mass balance study, 51% and 33% of the radioactivity was retrieved in the urine and faeces, respectively. Based on limited bile collection in this study (3 to 8 hours post dose), biliary clearance accounted for 5% of the radioactive dose, suggesting that a fraction of the faecal excretion is from biliary excretion.

Linearity/non-linearity

Following single and repeat administration of fostemsavir ER tablets, increases in plasma temsavir exposure (C_max and AUC) appeared dose proportional, or slightly greater than dose proportional, in HIV-1 infected subjects.

Special patient populations

Paediatric population

The pharmacokinetics of temsavir have not been evaluated in children and adolescents younger than 18 years.

Elderly

Population pharmacokinetic analysis of temsavir using data in HIV-1 infected adults showed that there was no clinically relevant effect of age on temsavir exposure.

Pharmacokinetic data for temsavir in subjects greater than 65 years old are limited. Elderly patients may be more susceptible to drug-induced QT interval prolongation (see section 4.4).

Renal impairment

The effect of renal impairment on the exposure of temsavir after a single 600 mg dose of fostemsavir was evaluated in an open-label study in 30 adult subjects with normal renal function, mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment, and subjects with ESRD on haemodialysis (n=6 per group). Based on creatinine clearance (CLcr), as follows: 60 ≤ CLcr ≤89 (mild), 30 ≤ CLcr <60 (moderate), CLcr <30 (severe, and ESRD on haemodialysis) mL/min, there was no clinically relevant effect of renal impairment on pharmacokinetic exposure parameters (C_max and AUCs) of temsavir (total and unbound). The mean fraction unbound (fu) TMR for the severe renal impairment group was approximately 58% higher compared with the normal renal function group. The regression model-predicted average increases in plasma TMR (unbound fraction) C_max and AUC were ≤15% and for AUC ≤30% for the mild, moderate, and severe RI groups. C_max (bound and unbound) was lower than the C_max threshold of an approximate 4.2-fold increase (7500 ng/ml) established based on temsavir exposure-response. Temsavir was not readily cleared by haemodialysis, with approximately 12.3% of the administered dose removed during the 4-hour haemodialysis session. Haemodialysis initiated 4 hours after temsavir dosing was associated with an average 46% increase in plasma total temsavir C_max and an average 11% decrease in AUC relative to pharmacokinetics off haemodialysis.

Hepatic impairment

The effect of hepatic impairment on the exposure of temsavir after a single 600 mg dose of fostemsavir was evaluated in an open-label study in 30 adult subjects with normal (n=12), mild (Child-Pugh Score A, n=6), moderate (Child-Pugh Score B, n=6), and severe (Child-Pugh Score C, n=6) hepatic impairment. In patients with mild to severe hepatic impairment, the increased exposure to both unbound and total C_max and AUC was in the range of 1.2- to 2.2-fold. However, the upper bounds of the 2-sided 90% CI for the impact of hepatic impairment on plasma total and unbound temsavir C_max are lower than the C_max threshold of an approximate 4.2-fold increase (7500 ng/ml) established based on temsavir exposure-response (see section 5.1- Effects on electrocardiogram).

Gender

Population pharmacokinetic analyses indicated no clinically relevant effect of gender on the exposure of temsavir. Of the 764 subjects included in the analysis, 216 (28%) were female.

Race

Population pharmacokinetic analyses indicated no clinically relevant effect of race on the exposure of temsavir.

Carcinogenesis and mutagenesis

Neither fostemsavir nor temsavir were mutagenic or clastogenic using in vitro tests in bacteria and cultured mammalian cells and an in vivo rat micronucleus assay. Fostemsavir was not carcinogenic in long term studies in the mouse and rat following oral gavage administration up to 26 and 100 weeks, respectively.

Reproductive toxicity

In rats, male fertility was not affected at TMR exposures up to 125 times the human exposure at the RHD despite testicular and epididymal toxicity. Female fertility and early pregnancy were also not adversely affected at exposures up to 186 times the human exposure at the RHD. While embryofetal exposure was demonstrated in a separate distribution study in pregnant rats with oral administration of ¹⁴C-FTR, no effects on embryofetal development were noted in this species at exposures up to 200 times the human exposure at the RHD. In rabbits embryofetal development was also not affected at exposures up to 30 times the human exposure at the RHD. Prenatal and postnatal development including the attainment of puberty and learning memory in offspring was not influenced in rats at exposures up to 50 times the human exposure at the RHD. At maternal exposures that are up to 130 times the human AUC at the RHD, reduced postnatal viability probably due to an increased lactational exposure to TMR was noted in the offspring. TMR is present in the milk of lactating rats and in the blood of the rat pups exposed through lactation.

Repeated dose toxicity

Fostemsavir has been evaluated in repeat dose toxicity studies in rats (up to 26 weeks) and in dogs (up to 39 weeks). Cardiovascular telemetry studies indicated that both FTR and TMR minimally prolonged the QT interval in dogs (approximately 8 to 18 msec) at plasma concentrations of TMR >2x RHD C_max. Principle findings were testicular toxicity (degeneration of seminiferous epithelium, decreases in sperm motility and sperm morphologic alterations), renal toxicity (decreases in urine pH, renal tubular dilatation, increase kidney weight and urine volume), adrenal toxicity (angiectasis, increased gland size and weight), and liver toxicity (hepatic canalicular bile pigment deposits and lipofuscin pigment deposits in Kupffer cells). These findings were observed in rats only (at systemic exposures ≥ 30 times the 600 mg twice daily human clinical exposure based on AUC), except liver toxicity reported in dogs (at exposure multiples ≥ 3). The majority of these effects were duration-dependent and reversible upon cessation of treatment.

Tablet core

Hydroxypropylcellulose

Hypromellose

Colloidal anhydrous Silica

Magnesium stearate

Tablet coating

Poly(vinyl alcohol)

Titanium dioxide (E171)

Macrogol 3350

Talc

Iron oxide yellow (E172)

Iron oxide red (E172)

Not applicable.

3 years.

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

White high density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles with polypropylene child resistant closures that include a polyethylene faced induction heat seal liner. Each pack consists of one or three bottles, each containing 60 prolonged-release tablets.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

ViiV Healthcare UK Limited

980 Great West Road

Brentford

Middlesex

TW8 9GS

United Kingdom

PLGB 35728/0058

Date of first authorisation: 13 May 2021

14 September 2021