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RINVOQ 15 mg prolonged-release tablets

Each prolonged-release tablet contains upadacitinib hemihydrate, equivalent to 15 mg of upadacitinib.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Prolonged-release tablet.

Purple 14 x 8 mm, oblong biconvex prolonged-release tablets imprinted on one side with 'a15'.

Rheumatoid arthritis

RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). RINVOQ may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate.

Psoriatic arthritis

RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to one or more DMARDs. RINVOQ may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate.

Ankylosing spondylitis

RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to conventional therapy.

Treatment with upadacitinib should be initiated and supervised by physicians experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions for which upadacitinib is indicated.

Posology

The recommended dose of upadacitinib is 15 mg once daily.

Consideration should be given to discontinuing treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis who have shown no clinical response after 16 weeks of treatment. Some patients with initial partial response may subsequently improve with continued treatment beyond 16 weeks.

Treatment should not be initiated in patients with an absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) that is < 500 cells/mm³, an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) that is < 1,000 cells/mm³ or who have haemoglobin (Hb) levels that are < 8 g/dL (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).

Dose interruption

Treatment should be interrupted if a patient develops a serious infection until the infection is controlled.

Interruption of dosing may be needed for management of laboratory abnormalities as described in Table 1.

Table 1. Laboratory measures and monitoring guidance

Special populations

Elderly

No dose adjustment is required in patients aged 65 years and older. There are limited data in patients aged 75 years and older.

Renal impairment

No dose adjustment is required in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment. There are limited data on the use of upadacitinib in subjects with severe renal impairment (see section 5.2). Upadacitinib should be used with caution in patients with severe renal impairment. The use of upadacitinib has not been studied in subjects with end stage renal disease.

Hepatic impairment

No dose adjustment is required in patients with mild (Child-Pugh A) or moderate (Child-Pugh B) hepatic impairment (see section 5.2). Upadacitinib should not be used in patients with severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment (see section 4.3).

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of RINVOQ in children and adolescents aged 0 to less than 18 years have not yet been established. No data are available.

Method of administration

RINVOQ is to be taken orally once daily with or without food and may be taken at any time of the day. Tablets should be swallowed whole and should not be split, crushed, or chewed.

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

• Active tuberculosis (TB) or active serious infections (see section 4.4).

• Severe hepatic impairment (see section 4.2).

• Pregnancy (see section 4.6).

Immunosuppressive medicinal products

Combination with other potent immunosuppressants such as azathioprine, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, and biologic DMARDs or other Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors has not been evaluated in clinical studies and is not recommended as a risk of additive immunosuppression cannot be excluded.

Serious infections

Serious and sometimes fatal infections have been reported in patients receiving upadacitinib. The most frequent serious infections reported with upadacitinib included pneumonia and cellulitis (see section 4.8). Cases of bacterial meningitis have been reported in patients receiving upadacitinib. Among opportunistic infections, tuberculosis, multidermatomal herpes zoster, oral/oesophageal candidiasis, and cryptococcosis were reported with upadacitinib.

Upadacitinib should not be initiated in patients with an active, serious infection, including localised infections.

Consider the risks and benefits of treatment prior to initiating upadacitinib in patients:

• with chronic or recurrent infection

• who have been exposed to tuberculosis

• with a history of a serious or an opportunistic infection

• who have resided or travelled in areas of endemic tuberculosis or endemic mycoses; or

• with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection.

Patients should be closely monitored for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with upadacitinib. Upadacitinib therapy should be interrupted if a patient develops a serious or opportunistic infection. A patient who develops a new infection during treatment with upadacitinib should undergo prompt and complete diagnostic testing appropriate for an immunocompromised patient; appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be initiated, the patient should be closely monitored, and upadacitinib therapy should be interrupted if the patient is not responding to antimicrobial therapy. Upadacitinib therapy may be resumed once the infection is controlled.

As there is a higher incidence of infections in the elderly ≥ 65 years of age, caution should be used when treating this population.

Tuberculosis

Patients should be screened for tuberculosis (TB) before starting upadacitinib therapy. Upadacitinib should not be given to patients with active TB (see section 4.3). Anti-TB therapy should be considered prior to initiation of upadacitinib in patients with previously untreated latent TB or in patients with risk factors for TB infection.

Consultation with a physician with expertise in the treatment of TB is recommended to aid in the decision about whether initiating anti-TB therapy is appropriate for an individual patient.

Patients should be monitored for the development of signs and symptoms of TB, including patients who tested negative for latent TB infection prior to initiating therapy.

Viral reactivation

Viral reactivation, including cases of herpes virus reactivation (e.g., herpes zoster), was reported in clinical studies (see section 4.8). If a patient develops herpes zoster, interruption of upadacitinib therapy should be considered until the episode resolves.

Screening for viral hepatitis and monitoring for reactivation should be performed before starting and during therapy with upadacitinib. Patients who were positive for hepatitis C antibody and hepatitis C virus RNA were excluded from clinical studies. Patients who were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis B virus DNA were excluded from clinical studies. If hepatitis B virus DNA is detected while receiving upadacitinib, a liver specialist should be consulted.

Vaccination

No data are available on the response to vaccination with live or inactivated vaccines in patients receiving upadacitinib. Use of live, attenuated vaccines during or immediately prior to upadacitinib therapy is not recommended. Prior to initiating upadacitinib, it is recommended that patients be brought up to date with all immunisations, including prophylactic zoster vaccinations, in agreement with current immunisation guidelines.

Malignancy

The risk of malignancies, including lymphoma is increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Immunomodulatory medicinal products may increase the risk of malignancies, including lymphoma. The clinical data are currently limited and long-term studies are ongoing.

Malignancies were observed in clinical studies of upadacitinib. The risks and benefits of upadacitinib treatment should be considered prior to initiating therapy in patients with a known malignancy other than a successfully treated non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) or when considering continuing upadacitinib therapy in patients who develop a malignancy.

Non-melanoma skin cancer

NMSCs have been reported in patients treated with upadacitinib. Periodic skin examination is recommended for patients who are at increased risk for skin cancer.

Haematological abnormalities

Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) < 1 x 10⁹ cells/L, Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC) < 0.5 x 10⁹ cells/L and haemoglobin < 8 g/dL were reported in ≤1 % of patients in clinical trials (see section 4.8). Treatment should not be initiated, or should be temporarily interrupted, in patients with an ANC < 1 x 10⁹ cells/L, ALC < 0.5 x 10⁹ cells/L or haemoglobin < 8 g/dL observed during routine patient management (see section 4.2).

Cardiovascular risk

Rheumatoid arthritis patients have an increased risk for cardiovascular disorders. Patients treated with upadacitinib should have risk factors (e.g., hypertension, hyperlipidaemia) managed as part of usual standard of care.

Lipids

Treatment with upadacitinib was associated with increases in lipid parameters, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (see section 4.8). Elevations in LDL cholesterol decreased to pre-treatment levels in response to statin therapy, although evidence is limited. The effect of these lipid parameter elevations on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been determined (see section 4.2 for monitoring guidance).

Hepatic transaminase elevations

Treatment with upadacitinib was associated with an increased incidence of liver enzyme elevation compared to placebo.

Evaluate at baseline and thereafter according to routine patient management. Prompt investigation of the cause of liver enzyme elevation is recommended to identify potential cases of drug-induced liver injury.

If increases in ALT or AST are observed during routine patient management and drug-induced liver injury is suspected, upadacitinib therapy should be interrupted until this diagnosis is excluded.

Venous thromboembolism

Events of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) have been reported in patients receiving JAK inhibitors including upadacitinib. Upadacitinib should be used with caution in patients at high risk for DVT/PE. Risk factors that should be considered in determining the patient's risk for DVT/PE include older age, obesity, a medical history of DVT/PE, patients undergoing major surgery, and prolonged immobilisation. If clinical features of DVT/PE occur, upadacitinib treatment should be discontinued and patients should be evaluated promptly, followed by appropriate treatment.

Potential for other medicinal products to affect the pharmacokinetics of upadacitinib

Upadacitinib is metabolised mainly by CYP3A4. Therefore, upadacitinib plasma exposures can be affected by medicinal products that strongly inhibit or induce CYP3A4.

Coadministration with CYP3A4 inhibitors

Upadacitinib exposure is increased when co-administered with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, and clarithromycin). In a clinical study, coadministration of upadacitinib with ketoconazole resulted in 70% and 75% increases in upadacitinib C_max and AUC, respectively. Upadacitinib should be used with caution in patients receiving chronic treatment with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Consider alternatives to strong CYP3A4 inhibitor medications when used in the long-term.

Coadministration with CYP3A4 inducers

Upadacitinib exposure is decreased when co-administered with strong CYP3A4 inducers (such as rifampin and phenytoin), which may lead to reduced therapeutic effect of upadacitinib. In a clinical study, coadministration of upadacitinib after multiple doses of rifampicin (strong CYP3A inducer) resulted in approximately 50% and 60% decreases in upadacitinib C_max and AUC, respectively. Patients should be monitored for changes in disease activity if upadacitinib is co-administered with strong CYP3A4 inducers.

Methotrexate and pH modifying medicinal products (e.g., antacids or proton pump inhibitors) have no effect on upadacitinib plasma exposures.

Potential for upadacitinib to affect the pharmacokinetics of other medicinal products

Administration of multiple 30 mg once daily doses of upadacitinib (a dose that is twice the recommended upadacitinib dose) to healthy subjects had a limited effect on midazolam (sensitive drug substrate for CYP3A) plasma exposures (26% decrease in midazolam AUC and C_max), indicating that upadacitinib 30 mg once daily may have a weak induction effect on CYP3A. In a clinical study, rosuvastatin and atorvastatin AUC were decreased by 33% and 23%, respectively, and rosuvastatin C_max was decreased by 23% following the administration of multiple 30 mg once daily doses of upadacitinib to healthy subjects. Upadacitinib had no relevant effect on atorvastatin C_max or on plasma exposures of ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin (major active metabolite for atorvastatin). No dose adjustment is recommended for CYP3A substrates or for rosuvastatin or atorvastatin when coadministered with upadacitinib.

Upadacitinib has no relevant effects on plasma exposures of ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel, methotrexate, or medicinal products that are substrates for metabolism by CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, or CYP2D6.

Women of childbearing potential

Women of childbearing potential should be advised to use effective contraception during treatment and for 4 weeks following the final dose of upadacitinib.

Pregnancy

There are no or limited data on the use of upadacitinib in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). Upadacitinib was teratogenic in rats and rabbits with effects in bones in rat foetuses and in the heart in rabbit foetuses when exposed in utero.

Upadacitinib is contraindicated during pregnancy (see section 4.3).

If a patient becomes pregnant while taking upadacitinib the parents should be informed of the potential risk to the foetus.

Breast-feeding

It is unknown whether upadacitinib/metabolites are excreted in human milk. Available pharmacodynamic/toxicological data in animals have shown excretion of upadacitinib in milk (see section 5.3).

A risk to newborns/infants cannot be excluded.

Upadacitinib should not be used during breast-feeding. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue upadacitinib therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.

Fertility

The effect of upadacitinib on human fertility has not been evaluated. Animal studies do not indicate effects with respect to fertility (see section 5.3).

Upadacitinib has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Summary of the safety profile

The most commonly reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, nausea, blood creatine phosphokinase (CPK) increased and cough. The most common serious adverse reactions were serious infections (see section 4.4).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The following list of adverse reactions is based on experience from clinical studies.

The frequency of adverse reactions listed below is defined using the following convention: very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100). Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Table 2. Adverse reactions

Rheumatoid arthritis

Description of selected adverse reactions

Infections

In placebo-controlled clinical studies with background DMARDs, the frequency of infection over 12/14 weeks in the upadacitinib 15 mg group was 27.4% compared to 20.9% in the placebo group. In methotrexate (MTX)-controlled studies, the frequency of infection over 12/14 weeks in the upadacitinib 15 mg monotherapy group was 19.5% compared to 24.0% in the MTX group. The overall long-term rate of infections for the upadacitinib 15 mg group across all five Phase 3 clinical studies (2,630 patients) was 93.7 events per 100 patient-years.

In placebo-controlled clinical studies with background DMARDs, the frequency of serious infection over 12/14 weeks in the upadacitinib 15 mg group was 1.2% compared to 0.6% in the placebo group. In MTX-controlled studies, the frequency of serious infection over 12/14 weeks in the upadacitinib 15 mg monotherapy group was 0.6% compared to 0.4% in the MTX group. The overall long-term rate of serious infections for the upadacitinib 15 mg group across all five Phase 3 clinical studies was 3.8 events per 100 patient-years. The most common serious infection was pneumonia. The rate of serious infections remained stable with long-term exposure.

There was a higher rate of serious infections in patients ≥ 75 years of age, although data are limited.

The frequencies of infection ADRs for upadacitinib compared to placebo were: URTI (13.5% vs 9.5%), pneumonia (0.5% vs 0.3%), herpes zoster (0.7% vs 0.2%), herpes simplex (0.8% v 0.5%), and oral candidiasis (0.4% vs. <0.1%). Most of the herpes zoster events involved a single dermatome and were non-serious.

Opportunistic infections (excluding tuberculosis)

In placebo-controlled clinical studies with background DMARDs, the frequency of opportunistic infections over 12/14 weeks in the upadacitinib 15 mg group was 0.5% compared to 0.3% in the placebo group. In MTX-controlled studies, there were no cases of opportunistic infection over 12/14 weeks in the upadacitinib 15 mg monotherapy group and 0.2% in the MTX group. The overall long-term rate of opportunistic infections for the upadacitinib 15 mg group across all five Phase 3 clinical studies was 0.6 events per 100 patient-years.

Hepatic transaminase elevations

In placebo-controlled studies with background DMARDs, for up to 12/14 weeks, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) elevations ≥ 3 x upper limit of normal (ULN) in at least one measurement were observed in 2.1% and 1.5% of patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg, compared to 1.5% and 0.7%, respectively, of patients treated with placebo. Most cases of hepatic transaminase elevations were asymptomatic and transient.

In MTX-controlled studies, for up to 12/14 weeks, ALT and AST elevations ≥ 3 x ULN in at least one measurement were observed in 0.8% and 0.4% of patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg, compared to 1.9% and 0.9%, respectively, of patients treated with MTX.

The pattern and incidence of elevation in ALT/AST remained stable over time including in long-term extension studies.

Lipid elevations

Upadacitinib 15 mg treatment was associated with dose-dependent increases in lipid parameters including total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. There was no change in the LDL/HDL ratio. Elevations were observed at 2 to 4 weeks of treatment and remained stable with longer-term treatment. Among patients in the controlled studies with baseline values below the specified limits, the following frequencies of patients were observed to shift to above the specified limits on at least one occasion during 12/14 weeks (including patients who had an isolated elevated value):

• Total cholesterol ≥ 5.17 mmol/L (200 mg/dL): 62% vs. 31%, in the upadacitinib 15 mg and placebo groups, respectively

• LDL cholesterol ≥ 3.36 mmol/L (130 mg/dL): 42% vs. 19%, in the upadacitinib 15 mg and placebo groups, respectively

• HDL cholesterol ≥ 1.03 mmol/L (40 mg/dL): 89% vs. 61%, in the upadacitinib 15 mg and placebo groups, respectively

• Triglycerides ≥ 2.26 mmol/L (200 mg/dL): 25% vs. 15%, in the upadacitinib 15 mg and placebo groups, respectively

Creatine phosphokinase

In placebo-controlled studies with background DMARDs, for up to 12/14 weeks, increases in CPK values were observed. CPK elevations > 5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) were reported in 1.0% and 0.3% of patients over 12/14 weeks in the upadacitinib 15 mg and placebo groups, respectively. Most elevations > 5 x ULN were transient and did not require treatment discontinuation. Mean CPK values increased by 4 weeks with a mean increase of 60 U/L at 12 weeks and then remained stable at an increased value thereafter including with extended therapy.

Neutropaenia

In placebo-controlled studies with background DMARDs, for up to 12/14 weeks, decreases in neutrophil counts below 1,000 cells/mm³ in at least one measurement occurred in 1.1% and <0.1% of patients in the upadacitinib 15 mg and placebo groups, respectively. In clinical studies, treatment was interrupted in response to ANC < 1,000 cells/mm³ (see section 4.2). Mean neutrophil counts decreased over 4 to 8 weeks. The decreases in neutrophil counts remained stable at a lower value than baseline over time including with extended therapy.

Psoriatic arthritis

Overall, the safety profile observed in patients with active psoriatic arthritis treated with upadacitinib 15 mg was consistent with the safety profile observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A higher incidence of acne and bronchitis was observed in patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg (1.3% and 3.9%, respectively) compared to placebo (0.3% and 2.7%, respectively). A higher rate of serious infections (2.6 events per 100 patient-years and 1.3 events per 100 patient-years, respectively) and hepatic transaminase elevations (ALT elevations Grade 3 and higher rates 1.4% and 0.4%, respectively) was observed in patients treated with upadacitinib in combination with MTX therapy compared to patients treated with monotherapy. There was a higher rate of serious infections in patients ≥ 65 years of age, although data are limited.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Overall, the safety profile observed in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis treated with upadacitinib 15 mg was consistent with the safety profile observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. No new safety findings were identified.

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 the Yellow Card Scheme

Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store

Upadacitinib was administered in clinical studies up to doses equivalent in daily AUC to 60 mg prolonged-release once daily. Adverse reactions were comparable to those seen at lower doses and no specific toxicities were identified. Approximately 90% of upadacitinib in the systemic circulation is eliminated within 24 hours of dosing (within the range of doses evaluated in clinical studies). In case of an overdose, it is recommended that the patient be monitored for signs and symptoms of adverse reactions. Patients who develop adverse reactions should receive appropriate treatment.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Immunosuppressants, selective immunosuppressants ATC code: L04AA44

Mechanism of action

Janus Kinases (JAKs) are intracellular enzymes that transmit cytokine or growth factor signals involved in a broad range of cellular processes including inflammatory responses, hematopoiesis and immune surveillance. The JAK family of enzymes contains four members, JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2 which work in pairs to phosphorylate and activate signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). This phosphorylation, in turn, modulates gene expression and cellular function. JAK1 is important in inflammatory cytokine signals while JAK2 is important for red blood cell maturation and JAK3 signals play a role in immune surveillance and lymphocyte function.

Upadacitinib is a selective and reversible JAK inhibitor. In human cellular assays, upadacitinib preferentially inhibits signalling by JAK1 or JAK1/3 with functional selectivity over cytokine receptors that signal via pairs of JAK2.

Pharmacodynamic effects

Inhibition of IL-6 induced STAT3 and IL-7 induced STAT5 phosphorylation

In healthy volunteers, the administration of upadacitinib (immediate-release formulation) resulted in a dose- and concentration-dependent inhibition of IL-6 (JAK1/JAK2) - induced STAT3 and IL-7 (JAK1/JAK3)-induced STAT5 phosphorylation in whole blood. The maximal inhibition was observed 1 hour after dosing which returned to near baseline by the end of dosing interval.

Lymphocytes

In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, treatment with upadacitinib was associated with a small, transient increase in mean ALC from baseline up to week 36 which gradually returned to at or near baseline levels with continued treatment.

hsCRP

In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, treatment with upadacitinib was associated with decreases from baseline in mean hsCRP levels as early as week 1 which were maintained with continued treatment.

Clinical efficacy and safety

Rheumatoid arthritis

The efficacy and safety of upadacitinib 15 mg once daily was assessed in five Phase 3 randomised, double-blind, multicentre studies in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis and fulfilling the ACR/EULAR 2010 classification criteria (see Table 3). Patients 18 years of age and older were eligible to participate. The presence of at least 6 tender and 6 swollen joints and evidence of systemic inflammation based on elevation of hsCRP was required at baseline. All studies included long-term extensions for up to 5 years.

The primary analysis for each of these studies included all randomised subjects who received at least 1 dose of study drug, and non-responder imputation was used for categorical endpoints.

Across the Phase 3 studies, the efficacy seen with upadacitinib 15 mg QD was generally similar to that observed with upadacitinib 30 mg QD.

Table 3: Clinical trials summary

Clinical response

Remission and low disease activity

In the studies, a significantly higher proportion of patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg achieved low disease activity (DAS28-CRP ≤3.2) and clinical remission (DAS28-CRP <2.6) compared to placebo, MTX or adalimumab (Table 4). Compared to adalimumab, significantly higher rates of low disease activity were achieved at week 12 in SELECT-COMPARE. Overall, both low disease activity and clinical remission rates were consistent across patient populations, with or without MTX.

ACR response

In all studies, more patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg achieved ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70 responses at 12 weeks compared to placebo, MTX, or adalimumab (Table 4). Time to onset of efficacy was rapid across measures with greater responses seen as early as week 1 for ACR20. Durable response rates were observed (with or without MTX), with ACR20/50/70 responses maintained for at least 1 year.

Treatment with upadacitinib 15 mg, alone or in combination with csDMARDs, resulted in improvements in individual ACR components, including tender and swollen joint counts, patient and physician global assessments, HAQ-DI, pain assessment and hsCRP.

Table 4: Response and remission

Radiographic response

Inhibition of progression of structural joint damage was assessed using the modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS) and its components, the erosion score and joint space narrowing score, at weeks 24/26 and week 48 in SELECT-EARLY and SELECT-COMPARE.

Treatment with upadacitinib 15 mg resulted in significantly greater inhibition of the progression of structural joint damage compared to placebo in combination with MTX in SELECT-COMPARE and as monotherapy compared to MTX in SELECT-EARLY (Table 5). Analyses of erosion and joint space narrowing scores were consistent with the overall scores. The proportion of patients with no radiographic progression (mTSS change ≤ 0) was significantly higher with upadacitinib 15 mg in both studies.

Table 5: Radiographic changes

Physical function response and health-related outcomes

Treatment with upadacitinib 15 mg, alone or in combination with csDMARDs, resulted in a significantly greater improvement in physical function compared to all comparators as measured by HAQ-DI (see Table 6).

Table 6: Mean change from baseline in HAQ-DI^a,b

In the studies SELECT-MONOTHERAPY, SELECT-NEXT, and SELECT-COMPARE, treatment with upadacitinib 15 mg resulted in a significantly greater improvement in the mean duration of morning joint stiffness compared to placebo or MTX.

In the clinical studies, upadacitinib treated patients reported significant improvements in patient-reported quality of life, as measured by the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) Physical Component Summary compared to placebo and MTX. Moreover, upadacitinib treated patients reported significant improvements in fatigue, as measured by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue score (FACIT-F) compared to placebo.

Psoriatic arthritis

The efficacy and safety of upadacitinib 15 mg once daily were assessed in two Phase 3 randomised, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled studies in patients 18 years of age or older with moderately to severely active psoriatic arthritis. All patients had active psoriatic arthritis for at least 6 months based upon the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR), at least 3 tender joints and at least 3 swollen joints, and active plaque psoriasis or history of plaque psoriasis. For both studies, the primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved an ACR20 response at week 12.

SELECT-PsA 1 was a 24-week trial in 1705 patients who had an inadequate response or intolerance to at least one non-biologic DMARD. At baseline, 1393 (82%) of patients were on at least one concomitant non-biologic DMARD; 1084 (64%) of patients received concomitant MTX only; and 311 (18%) of patients were on monotherapy. Patients received upadacitinib 15 mg or 30 mg once daily, adalimumab, or placebo. At week 24, all patients randomised to placebo were switched to upadacitinib 15 mg or 30 mg once daily in a blinded manner. SELECT-PsA 1 included a long-term extension for up to 5 years.

SELECT-PsA 2 was a 24-week trial in 642 patients who had an inadequate response or intolerance to at least one biologic DMARD. At baseline, 296 (46%) of patients were on at least one concomitant non-biologic DMARD; 222 (35%) of patients received concomitant MTX only; and 345 (54%) of patients were on monotherapy. Patients received upadacitinib 15 mg or 30 mg once daily or placebo. At week 24, all patients randomised to placebo were switched to upadacitinib 15 mg or 30 mg once daily in a blinded manner. SELECT-PsA 2 included a long-term extension for up to 3 years.

Clinical response

In both studies, a statistically significant greater proportion of patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg achieved ACR20 response compared to placebo at week 12 (Table 7). Time to onset of efficacy was rapid across measures with greater responses seen as early as week 2 for ACR20.

Treatment with upadacitinib 15 mg resulted in improvements in individual ACR components, including tender/painful and swollen joint counts, patient and physician global assessments, HAQ-DI, pain assessment, and hsCRP compared to placebo.

In SELECT-PsA 1, upadacitinib 15 mg achieved non-inferiority compared to adalimumab in the proportion of patients achieving ACR20 response at week 12; however, superiority to adalimumab could not be demonstrated.

In both studies, consistent responses were observed alone or in combination with methotrexate for primary and key secondary endpoints.

The efficacy of upadacitinib 15 mg was demonstrated regardless of subgroups evaluated including baseline BMI, baseline hsCRP, and number of prior non-biologic DMARDs (≤ 1 or >1).

Table 7: Clinical response in SELECT-PsA 1 and SELECT-PsA 2

Radiographic response

In SELECT-PsA 1, inhibition of progression of structural damage was assessed radiographically and expressed as the change from baseline in modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS) and its components, the erosion score and the joint space narrowing score, at week 24.

Treatment with upadacitinib 15 mg resulted in statistically significant greater inhibition of the progression of structural joint damage compared to placebo at week 24 (Table 8). Erosion and joint space narrowing scores were consistent with the overall scores. The proportion of patients with no radiographic progression (mTSS change ≤ 0.5) was higher with upadacitinib 15 mg compared to placebo at week 24.

Table 8: Radiographic changes in SELECT-PsA 1

Physical function response and health-related outcomes

In SELECT-PsA 1, patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg showed statistically significant improvement from baseline in physical function as assessed by HAQ-DI at week 12 (-0.42 [95% CI: -0.47, -0.37]) compared to placebo (-0.14 [95% CI: -0.18, -0.09]); improvement in patients treated with adalimumab was -0.34 (95% CI: -0.38, -0.29). In SELECT-PsA 2, patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg showed statistically significant improvement from baseline in HAQ-DI at week 12 (-0.30 [95% CI: -0.37, -0.24]) compared to placebo (-0.10 [95% CI: -0.16, -0.03]). Improvement in physical function was maintained through week 56 in both studies.

Health-related quality of life was assessed by SF-36v2. In both studies, patients receiving upadacitinib 15 mg experienced statistically significant greater improvement from baseline in the Physical Component Summary score compared to placebo at week 12. Improvements from baseline were maintained through week 56 in both studies.

Patients receiving upadacitinib 15 mg experienced statistically significant improvement from baseline in fatigue, as measured by FACIT-F score, at week 12 compared to placebo in both studies. Improvements from baseline were maintained through week 56 in both studies.

At baseline, psoriatic spondylitis was reported in 31% and 34% of patients in SELECT-PsA 1 and SELECT-PsA 2, respectively. Patients with psoriatic spondylitis treated with upadacitinib 15 mg showed improvements from baseline in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores compared to placebo at week 24. Improvements from baseline were maintained through week 56 in both studies.

Ankylosing spondylitis

The efficacy and safety of upadacitinib 15 mg once daily were assessed in a randomised, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled study in patients 18 years of age or older with active ankylosing spondylitis based upon the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) ≥4 and Patient's Assessment of Total Back Pain score ≥4. The study included a long-term extension for up to 2 years.

SELECT-AXIS 1 was a 14-week trial in 187 ankylosing spondylitis patients with an inadequate response to at least two Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) or intolerance to or contraindication for NSAIDs and had no previous exposure to biologic DMARDs. At baseline, patients had symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis for an average of 14.4 years and approximately 16% of the patients were on a concomitant csDMARD. Patients received upadacitinib 15 mg once daily or placebo. At week 14, all patients randomised to placebo were switched to upadacitinib 15 mg once daily. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society 40 (ASAS40) response at week 14.

Clinical response

In SELECT-AXIS 1, a significantly greater proportion of patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg achieved an ASAS40 response compared to placebo at week 14 (Table 9). A numerical difference between treatment groups was observed at week 2 and response was maintained through week 64.

Treatment with upadacitinib 15 mg resulted in improvements in individual ASAS components (patient global assessment of disease activity, total back pain assessment, inflammation, and function) and other measures of disease activity, including hsCRP, at week 14 compared to placebo.

The efficacy of upadacitinib 15 mg was demonstrated regardless of subgroups evaluated including gender, baseline BMI, symptom duration of AS, and baseline hsCRP.

Table 9: Clinical response in SELECT-AXIS 1

Physical function response

Patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg showed significant improvement in physical function from baseline compared to placebo as assessed by the BASFI at week 14.

Objective measure of inflammation

Signs of inflammation were assessed by MRI and expressed as change from baseline in the SPARCC score for spine. At week 14, significant improvement of inflammatory signs in the spine was observed in patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg compared to placebo.

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has deferred the obligation to submit the results of studies with RINVOQ in one or more subsets of the paediatric population in chronic idiopathic arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis) (see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).

Upadacitinib plasma exposures are proportional to dose over the therapeutic dose range. Steady-state plasma concentrations are achieved within 4 days with minimal accumulation after multiple once daily administrations.

Absorption

Following oral administration of upadacitinib prolonged-release formulation, upadacitinib is absorbed with a median T_max of 2 to 4 hours. Coadministration of upadacitinib with a high-fat meal had no clinically relevant effect on upadacitinib exposures (increased AUC by 29% and C_max by 39%). In clinical trials, upadacitinib was administered without regard to meals (see section 4.2). In vitro, upadacitinib is a substrate for the efflux transporters P-gp and BCRP.

Distribution

Upadacitinib is 52% bound to plasma proteins. Upadacitinib partitions similarly between plasma and blood cellular components, as indicated by the blood to plasma ratio of 1.0.

Metabolism

Upadacitinib metabolism is mediated by CYP3A4 with a potential minor contribution from CYP2D6. The pharmacologic activity of upadacitinib is attributed to the parent molecule. In a human radiolabeled study, unchanged upadacitinib accounted for 79% of the total radioactivity in plasma while the main metabolite (product of monooxidation followed by glucuronidation) accounted for 13% of the total plasma radioactivity. No active metabolites have been identified for upadacitinib.

Elimination

Following single dose administration of [¹⁴C]-upadacitinib immediate-release solution, upadacitinib was eliminated predominantly as the unchanged parent substance in urine (24%) and faeces (31%). Approximately 34% of upadacitinib dose was excreted as metabolites. Upadacitinib mean terminal elimination half-life ranged from 9 to 14 hours.

Renal impairment

Renal impairment has no clinically relevant effect on upadacitinib exposure. Upadacitinib AUC was 18%, 33%, and 44% higher in subjects with mild (estimated glomerular filtration rate 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m²), moderate (estimated glomerular filtration rate 30 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m²), and severe (estimated glomerular filtration rate 15 to 29 mL/min/1.73 m²) renal impairment, respectively, compared to subjects with normal renal function. Upadacitinib C_max was similar in subjects with normal and impaired renal function.

Hepatic impairment

Mild (Child-Pugh A) and moderate (Child-Pugh B) hepatic impairment has no clinically relevant effect on upadacitinib exposure. Upadacitinib AUC was 28% and 24% higher in subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment, respectively, compared to subjects with normal liver function. Upadacitinib C_max was unchanged in subjects with mild hepatic impairment and 43% higher in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment compared to subjects with normal liver function. Upadacitinib was not studied in patients with severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment.

Paediatric population

The pharmacokinetics of upadacitinib have not yet been evaluated in a paediatric population (see section 4.2).

Intrinsic factors

Age, sex, body weight, race, and ethnicity did not have a clinically meaningful effect on upadacitinib exposure. Upadacitinib pharmacokinetics are consistent between rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology.

Upadacitinib, at exposures (based on AUC) approximately 4 and 10 times the clinical dose of 15 mg in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively, was not carcinogenic in a 2-year carcinogenicity study in Sprague-Dawley rats. Upadacitinib was not carcinogenic in a 26-week carcinogenicity study in CByB6F1-Tg(HRAS)2Jic transgenic mice.

Upadacitinib was not mutagenic or genotoxic based on the results of in vitro and in vivo tests for gene mutations and chromosomal aberrations.

Upadacitinib had no effect on fertility in male or female rats at doses up to 50 mg/kg/day in males and 75 mg/kg/day in females in a fertility and early embryonic development study. Dose related increases in foetal resorptions associated with post-implantation losses at 25 and 75 mg/kg/day in this study in rats were attributed to the developmental/teratogenic effects of upadacitinib. Upadacitinib was teratogenic in both rats and rabbits. In a pre-/postnatal development study in rats, there were no maternal effects, no effects on parturition, lactation or maternal behaviour and no effects on their offspring.

Following administration of upadacitinib to lactating rats, the concentrations of upadacitinib in milk over time generally paralleled those in plasma, with approximately 30-fold higher exposure in milk relative to maternal plasma. Approximately 97% of drug-related material in milk was parent drug.

Tablet contents:

Microcrystalline cellulose

Hypromellose

Mannitol

Tartaric acid

Silica, colloidal anhydrous

Magnesium stearate

Film coating:

Poly(vinyl alcohol)

Macrogol

Talc

Titanium dioxide (E171)

Iron oxide black (E172)

Iron oxide red (E172)

Not applicable.

Prolonged-release tablets in blisters: 2 years

Prolonged-release tablets in bottles: 3 years

This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions.

Store in the original blister or bottle in order to protect from moisture. Keep the bottle tightly closed.

Polyvinylchloride/polyethylene/polychlorotrifluoroethylene - aluminium calendar blisters in packs containing 28 or 98 prolonged-release tablets, or multipacks containing 84 (3 packs of 28) prolonged-release tablets.

HDPE bottles with desiccant and polypropylene cap in carton containing 30 prolonged-release tablets.

Pack size: 1 bottle (30 prolonged-release tablets) or 3 bottles (90 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.

AbbVie Ltd.

Maidenhead

SL6 4UB

UK

PLGB 41042/0042

01 January 2021

01 January 2021