Allergic asthma

Xolair is indicated in adults, adolescents and children (6 to <12 years of age).

Xolair treatment should only be considered for patients with convincing IgE (immunoglobulin E) mediated asthma (see section 4.2).

Adults and adolescents (12 years of age and older)

Xolair is indicated as add-on therapy to improve asthma control in patients with severe persistent allergic asthma who have a positive skin test or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen and who have reduced lung function (FEV₁ <80%) as well as frequent daytime symptoms or night-time awakenings and who have had multiple documented severe asthma exacerbations despite daily high-dose inhaled corticosteroids, plus a long-acting inhaled beta2-agonist.

Children (6 to <12 years of age)

Xolair is indicated as add-on therapy to improve asthma control in patients with severe persistent allergic asthma who have a positive skin test or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen and frequent daytime symptoms or night-time awakenings and who have had multiple documented severe asthma exacerbations despite daily high-dose inhaled corticosteroids, plus a long-acting inhaled beta2-agonist.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)

Xolair is indicated as an add-on therapy with intranasal corticosteroids (INC) for the treatment of adults (18 years and above) with severe CRSwNP for whom therapy with INC does not provide adequate disease control.

Treatment should be initiated by physicians experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of severe persistent asthma or chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Posology

Dosing for allergic asthma and CRSwNP follows the same dosing principles. The appropriate dose and frequency of omalizumab for these conditions is determined by baseline IgE (IU/ml), measured before the start of treatment, and body weight (kg). Prior to administration of the initial dose, patients should have their IgE level determined by any commercial serum total IgE assay for their dose assignment. Based on these measurements, 75 to 600 mg of omalizumab in 1 to 4 injections may be needed for each administration.

Allergic asthma patients with baseline IgE lower than 76 IU/ml were less likely to experience benefit (see section 5.1). Prescribing physicians should ensure that adult and adolescent patients with IgE below 76 IU/ml and children (6 to <12 years of age) with IgE below 200 IU/ml have unequivocal in vitro reactivity (RAST) to a perennial allergen before starting therapy.

See Table 1 for a conversion chart and Tables 2 and 3 for the dose determination charts.

Patients whose baseline IgE levels or body weight in kilograms are outside the limits of the dose table should not be given omalizumab.

The maximum recommended dose is 600 mg omalizumab every two weeks.

Table 1 Conversion from dose to number of pre-filled pens*, number of injections** and total injection volume for each administration

*All dose strengths of Xolair pre-filled pen are not intended for use in patients <12 years of age.

**This table represents the least number of injections for the patients, however there are other pen dosing combinations possible to achieve the desired dose.

Table 2 ADMINISTRATION EVERY 4 WEEKS. Omalizumab doses (milligrams per dose) administered by subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks

*Body weights below 30 kg were not studied in the pivotal trials for CRSwNP.

Table 3 ADMINSTRATION EVERY 2 WEEKS. Omalizumab doses (milligrams per dose) administered by subcutaneous injection every 2 weeks

*Body weights below 30 kg were not studied in the pivotal trials for CRSwNP.

Treatment duration, monitoring and dose adjustments

Allergic asthma

Xolair is intended for long-term treatment. Clinical trials have demonstrated that it takes at least 12-16 weeks for the treatment to show effectiveness. At 16 weeks after commencing Xolair therapy patients should be assessed by their physician for treatment effectiveness before further injections are administered. The decision to continue treatment following the 16-week timepoint, or on subsequent occasions, should be based on whether a marked improvement in overall asthma control is seen (see section 5.1, Physician's overall assessment of treatment effectiveness).

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)

In clinical trials for CRSwNP, changes in nasal polyps score (NPS) and nasal congestion score (NCS) were observed at 4 weeks. The need for continued therapy should be periodically reassessed based upon the patient's disease severity and level of symptom control.

Allergic asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)

Discontinuation of treatment generally results in a return to elevated free IgE levels and associated symptoms. Total IgE levels are elevated during treatment and remain elevated for up to one year after the discontinuation of treatment. Therefore, re-testing of IgE levels during treatment cannot be used as a guide for dose determination. Dose determination after treatment interruptions lasting less than one year should be based on serum IgE levels obtained at the initial dose determination. Total serum IgE levels may be re-tested for dose determination if treatment has been interrupted for one year or more.

Doses should be adjusted for significant changes in body weight (see Tables 2 and 3).

Special populations

Elderly (65 years of age and older)

There are limited data available on the use of omalizumab in patients older than 65 years but there is no evidence that elderly patients require a different dose from younger adult patients.

Renal or hepatic impairment

There have been no studies on the effect of impaired renal or hepatic function on the pharmacokinetics of omalizumab. Because omalizumab clearance at clinical doses is dominated by the reticular endothelial system (RES) it is unlikely to be altered by renal or hepatic impairment. While no particular dose adjustment is recommended for these patients, omalizumab should be administered with caution (see section 4.4).

Paediatric population

In allergic asthma, the safety and efficacy of omalizumab in patients below the age of 6 years have not been established. No data are available.

In CRSwNP, the safety and efficacy of omalizumab in patients below the age of 18 years have not been established. No data are available.

Method of administration

For subcutaneous administration only. Omalizumab must not be administered by the intravenous or intramuscular route.

All dose strengths of Xolair pre-filled pen are not intended for use in children <12 years of age.

If more than one injection is needed to achieve the required dose, injections should be divided across two or more injection sites (Table 1).

Patients with no known history of anaphylaxis may self-inject Xolair or be injected by a caregiver from the 4th dose onwards if a physician determines that this is appropriate (see section 4.4). The patient or the caregiver must have been trained in the correct injection technique and the recognition of the early signs and symptoms of serious allergic reactions.

Patients or caregivers should be instructed to inject the full amount of Xolair according to the instructions for use provided in the package leaflet.

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

Traceability

In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the name and the batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded.

General

Omalizumab is not indicated for the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations, acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus.

Omalizumab has not been studied in patients with hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or for the prevention of anaphylactic reactions, including those provoked by food allergy, atopic dermatitis, or allergic rhinitis. Omalizumab is not indicated for the treatment of these conditions.

Omalizumab therapy has not been studied in patients with autoimmune diseases, immune complex-mediated conditions, or pre-existing renal or hepatic impairment (see section 4.2). Caution should be exercised when administering omalizumab in these patient populations.

Abrupt discontinuation of systemic or inhaled corticosteroids after initiation of omalizumab therapy in allergic asthma or CRSwNP is not recommended. Decreases in corticosteroids should be performed under the direct supervision of a physician and may need to be performed gradually.

Immune system disorders

Allergic reactions type I

Type I local or systemic allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock, may occur when taking omalizumab, even after a long duration of treatment. However, most of these reactions occurred within 2 hours after the first and subsequent injections of omalizumab but some started beyond 2 hours and even beyond 24 hours after the injection. The majority of anaphylactic reactions occurred within the first 3 doses of omalizumab. Therefore, the first 3 doses must be administered either by or under the supervision of a healthcare professional. A history of anaphylaxis unrelated to omalizumab may be a risk factor for anaphylaxis following omalizumab administration. Therefore for patients with a known history of anaphylaxis, omalizumab must be administered by a health care professional, who should always have medicinal products for the treatment of anaphylactic reactions available for immediate use following administration of omalizumab. If an anaphylactic or other serious allergic reaction occurs, administration of omalizumab must be discontinued immediately, and appropriate therapy initiated. Patients should be informed that such reactions are possible, and prompt medical attention should be sought if allergic reactions occur.

Antibodies to omalizumab have been detected in a low number of patients in clinical trials (see section 4.8). The clinical relevance of anti-omalizumab antibodies is not well understood.

Serum sickness

Serum sickness and serum sickness-like reactions, which are delayed allergic type III reactions, have been seen in patients treated with humanised monoclonal antibodies including omalizumab. The suggested pathophysiologic mechanism includes immune-complex formation and deposition due to development of antibodies against omalizumab. The onset has typically been 1-5 days after administration of the first or subsequent injections, also after long duration of treatment. Symptoms suggestive of serum sickness include arthritis/arthralgias, rash (urticaria or other forms), fever and lymphadenopathy. Antihistamines and corticosteroids may be useful for preventing or treating this disorder, and patients should be advised to report any suspected symptoms.

Churg-Strauss syndrome and hypereosinophilic syndrome

Patients with severe asthma may rarely present systemic hypereosinophilic syndrome or allergic eosinophilic granulomatous vasculitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome), both of which are usually treated with systemic corticosteroids.

In rare cases, patients on therapy with anti-asthma medicinal products, including omalizumab, may present or develop systemic eosinophilia and vasculitis. These events are commonly associated with the reduction of oral corticosteroid therapy.

In these patients, physicians should be alert to the development of marked eosinophilia, vasculitic rash, worsening pulmonary symptoms, paranasal sinus abnormalities, cardiac complications, and/or neuropathy.

Discontinuation of omalizumab should be considered in all severe cases with the above mentioned immune system disorders.

Parasitic (helminth) infections

IgE may be involved in the immunological response to some helminth infections. In patients at chronic high risk of helminth infection, a placebo-controlled trial showed a slight increase in infection rate with omalizumab, although the course, severity, and response to treatment of infection were unaltered. The helminth infection rate in the overall clinical programme, which was not designed to detect such infections, was less than 1 in 1 000 patients. However, caution may be warranted in patients at high risk of helminth infection, in particular when travelling to areas where helminthic infections are endemic. If patients do not respond to recommended anti-helminth treatment, discontinuation of omalizumab should be considered.

Since IgE may be involved in the immunological response to some helminth infections, omalizumab may indirectly reduce the efficacy of medicinal products for the treatment of helminthic or other parasitic infections (see section 4.4).

Cytochrome P450 enzymes, efflux pumps and protein-binding mechanisms are not involved in the clearance of omalizumab; thus, there is little potential for interactions. Medicinal product or vaccine interaction studies have not been performed with omalizumab. There is no pharmacological reason to expect that commonly prescribed medicinal products used in the treatment of asthma or CRSwNP will interact with omalizumab.

Allergic asthma

In clinical studies omalizumab was commonly used in conjunction with inhaled and oral corticosteroids, inhaled short-acting and long-acting beta agonists, leukotriene modifiers, theophyllines and oral antihistamines. There was no indication that the safety of omalizumab was altered with these other commonly used anti-asthma medicinal products. Limited data are available on the use of omalizumab in combination with specific immunotherapy (hypo-sensitisation therapy). In a clinical trial where omalizumab was co-administered with immunotherapy, the safety and efficacy of omalizumab in combination with specific immunotherapy were found to be no different to that of omalizumab alone.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)

In clinical studies omalizumab was used in conjunction with intranasal mometasone spray as per protocol. Other commonly used concomitant medicinal products included other intranasal corticosteroids, bronchodilators, antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, adrenergics/sympathomimetics and local nasal anaesthetics. There was no indication that the safety of omalizumab was altered by the concomitant use of these other commonly used medicinal products.

Pregnancy

A moderate amount of data on pregnant women (between 300-1 000 pregnancy outcomes) based on pregnancy registry and post-marketing spontaneous reports, indicates no malformative or foeto/neonatal toxicity. A prospective pregnancy registry study (EXPECT) in 250 pregnant women with asthma exposed to omalizumab showed the prevalence of major congenital anomalies was similar (8.1% vs. 8.9%) between EXPECT and disease-matched (moderate and severe asthma) patients. The interpretation of data may be impacted due to methodological limitations of the study, including small sample size and non-randomised design.

Omalizumab crosses the placental barrier. However, animal studies do not indicate either direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3).

Omalizumab has been associated with age-dependent decreases in blood platelets in non-human primates, with a greater relative sensitivity in juvenile animals (see section 5.3).

If clinically needed, the use of omalizumab may be considered during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

Immunoglobulins G (IgGs) are present in human milk and therefore it is expected that omalizumab will be present in human milk. Available data in non-human primates have shown excretion of omalizumab into milk (see section 5.3).

The EXPECT study, with 154 infants who had been exposed to omalizumab during pregnancy and through breast-feeding did not indicate adverse effects on the breast-fed infant. The interpretation of data may be impacted due to methodological limitations of the study, including small sample size and non-randomised design.

Given orally, immunoglobulin G proteins undergo intestinal proteolysis and have poor bioavailability. No effects on the breast-fed newborns/infants are anticipated. Consequently, if clinically needed, the use of omalizumab may be considered during breast-feeding.

Fertility

There are no human fertility data for omalizumab. In specifically-designed non-clinical fertility studies, in non-human primates including mating studies, no impairment of male or female fertility was observed following repeated dosing with omalizumab at dose levels up to 75 mg/kg. Furthermore, no genotoxic effects were observed in a separate non-clinical genotoxicity study.

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

Allergic asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)

Summary of the safety profile

During allergic asthma clinical trials in adult and adolescent patients 12 years of age and older, the most commonly reported adverse reactions were headaches and injection site reactions, including injection site pain, swelling, erythema and pruritus. In clinical trials in children 6 to <12 years of age, the most commonly reported adverse reactions were headache, pyrexia and upper abdominal pain. Most of the reactions were mild or moderate in severity. In clinical trials in patients ≥ 18 years of age in CRSwNP, the most commonly reported adverse reactions were headache, dizziness, arthralgia, abdominal pain upper and injection site reactions.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Table 4 lists the adverse reactions recorded in clinical studies in the total allergic asthma and CRSwNP safety population treated with Xolair by MedDRA system organ class and frequency. Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. Frequency categories 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) and very rare (<1/10 000). Reactions reported in the post-marketing setting are listed with frequency not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Table 4 Adverse reactions in allergic asthma and CRSwNP

*: Very common in children 6 to <12 years of age

**: In children 6 to <12 years of age

^#: Common in nasal polyp trials

† : Unknown in allergic asthma trials

Description of selected adverse reactions

Immune system disorders

For further information, see section 4.4.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylactic reactions were rare in clinical trials. However, post-marketing data following a cumulative search in the safety database retrieved a total of 898 anaphylaxis cases. Based on an estimated exposure of 566 923 patient treatment years, this results in a reporting rate of approximately 0.20%.

Arterial thromboembolic events (ATE)

In controlled clinical trials and during interim analyses of an observational study, a numerical imbalance of ATE was observed. The definition of the composite endpoint ATE included stroke, transient ischaemic attack, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and cardiovascular death (including death from unknown cause). In the final analysis of the observational study, the rate of ATE per 1 000 patient years was 7.52 (115/15 286 patient years) for Xolair-treated patients and 5.12 (51/9 963 patient years) for control patients. In a multivariate analysis controlling for available baseline cardiovascular risk factors, the hazard ratio was 1.32 (95% confidence interval 0.91-1.91). In a separate analysis of pooled clinical trials, which included all randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials lasting 8 or more weeks, the rate of ATE per 1 000 patient years was 2.69 (5/1 856 patient years) for Xolair-treated patients and 2.38 (4/1 680 patient years) for placebo patients (rate ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval 0.24-5.71).

Platelets

In clinical trials few patients had platelet counts below the lower limit of the normal laboratory range. Isolated cases of idiopathic thrombocytopenia, including severe cases, have been reported in the post-marketing setting.

Parasitic infections

In patients at chronic high risk of helminth infection, a placebo-controlled trial showed a slight numerical increase in infection rate with omalizumab that was not statistically significant. The course, severity, and response to treatment of infections were unaltered (see section 4.4).

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Clinical trial and post-marketing cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been reported in patients with moderate to severe asthma and CSU. The pathogenesis of SLE is not well understood.

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

Maximum tolerated dose of Xolair has not been determined. Single intravenous doses up to 4 000 mg have been administered to patients without evidence of dose-limiting toxicities. The highest cumulative dose administered to patients was 44 000 mg over a 20-week period and this dose did not result in any untoward acute effects.

If an overdose is suspected, the patient should be monitored for any abnormal signs or symptoms. Medical treatment should be sought and instituted appropriately.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Drugs for obstructive airway diseases, other systemic drugs for obstructive airway diseases, ATC code: R03DX05

Mechanism of action

Omalizumab is a recombinant DNA-derived humanised monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to human immunoglobulin E (IgE) and prevents binding of IgE to Fcε RI (high-affinity IgE receptor) on basophils and mast cells, thereby reducing the amount of free IgE that is available to trigger the allergic cascade. The antibody is an IgG1 kappa that contains human framework regions with the complementary-determining regions of a murine parent antibody that binds to IgE.

Treatment of atopic subjects with omalizumab resulted in a marked down-regulation of Fcε RI receptors on basophils. Omalizumab inhibits IgE-mediated inflammation, as evidenced by reduced blood and tissue eosinophils and reduced inflammatory mediators, including IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 by innate, adaptive and non-immune cells.

Pharmacodynamic effects

Allergic asthma

The in vitro histamine release from basophils isolated from omalizumab-treated subjects was reduced by approximately 90% following stimulation with an allergen compared to pre-treatment values.

In clinical studies in allergic asthma patients, serum free IgE levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner within one hour following the first dose and maintained between doses. One year after discontinuation of omalizumab dosing, the IgE levels had returned to pre-treatment levels with no observed rebound in IgE levels after washout of the medicinal product.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)

In clinical studies in patients with CRSwNP, omalizumab treatment led to a reduction in serum free IgE (approx. 95%) and an increase in serum total IgE levels, to a similar extent as observed in patients with allergic asthma. Total IgE levels in serum increased due to the formation of omalizumab-IgE complexes that have a slower elimination rate compared with free IgE.

Clinical efficacy and safety

Allergic asthma

Adults and adolescents ≥ 12 years of age

The efficacy and safety of omalizumab were demonstrated in a 28-week double-blind placebo-controlled study (study 1) involving 419 severe allergic asthmatics, ages 12-79 years, who had reduced lung function (FEV₁ 40-80% predicted) and poor asthma symptom control despite receiving high dose inhaled corticosteroids and a long-acting beta2-agonist. Eligible patients had experienced multiple asthma exacerbations requiring systemic corticosteroid treatment or had been hospitalised or attended an emergency room due to a severe asthma exacerbation in the past year despite continuous treatment with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and a long-acting beta2-agonist. Subcutaneous omalizumab or placebo were administered as add-on therapy to >1 000 micrograms beclomethasone dipropionate (or equivalent) plus a long-acting beta2-agonist. Oral corticosteroid, theophylline and leukotriene-modifier maintenance therapies were allowed (22%, 27%, and 35% of patients, respectively).

The rate of asthma exacerbations requiring treatment with bursts of systemic corticosteroids was the primary endpoint. Omalizumab reduced the rate of asthma exacerbations by 19% (p = 0.153). Further evaluations which did show statistical significance (p<0.05) in favour of omalizumab included reductions in severe exacerbations (where patient's lung function was reduced to below 60% of personal best and requiring systemic corticosteroids) and asthma-related emergency visits (comprised of hospitalisations, emergency room, and unscheduled doctor visits), and improvements in Physician's overall assessment of treatment effectiveness, Asthma-related Quality of Life (AQL), asthma symptoms and lung function.

In a subgroup analysis, patients with pre-treatment total IgE ≥ 76 IU/ml were more likely to experience clinically meaningful benefit to omalizumab. In these patients in study 1 omalizumab reduced the rate of asthma exacerbations by 40% (p = 0.002). In addition more patients had clinically meaningful responses in the total IgE ≥ 76 IU/ml population across the omalizumab severe asthma programme. Table 5 includes results in the study 1 population.

Table 5 Results of study 1

* marked improvement or complete control

** p-value for overall distribution of assessment

Study 2 assessed the efficacy and safety of omalizumab in a population of 312 severe allergic asthmatics which matched the population in study 1. Treatment with omalizumab in this open label study led to a 61% reduction in clinically significant asthma exacerbation rate compared to current asthma therapy alone.

Four additional large placebo-controlled supportive studies of 28 to 52 weeks duration in 1 722 adults and adolescents (studies 3, 4, 5, 6) assessed the efficacy and safety of omalizumab in patients with severe persistent asthma. Most patients were inadequately controlled but were receiving less concomitant asthma therapy than patients in studies 1 or 2. Studies 3-5 used exacerbation as primary endpoint, whereas study 6 primarily evaluated inhaled corticosteroid sparing.

In studies 3, 4 and 5 patients treated with omalizumab had respective reductions in asthma exacerbation rates of 37.5% (p = 0.027), 40.3% (p<0.001) and 57.6% (p<0.001) compared to placebo.

In study 6, significantly more severe allergic asthma patients on omalizumab were able to reduce their fluticasone dose to ≤ 500 micrograms/day without deterioration of asthma control (60.3%) compared to the placebo group (45.8%, p<0.05).

Quality of life scores were measured using the Juniper Asthma-related Quality of Life Questionnaire. For all six studies there was a statistically significant improvement from baseline in quality of life scores for omalizumab patients versus the placebo or control group.

Physician's overall assessment of treatment effectiveness:

Physician's overall assessment was performed in five of the above studies as a broad measure of asthma control performed by the treating physician. The physician was able to take into account PEF (peak expiratory flow), day and night time symptoms, rescue medicinal product use, spirometry and exacerbations. In all five studies a significantly greater proportion of omalizumab-treated patients were judged to have achieved either a marked improvement or complete control of their asthma compared to placebo patients.

Children 6 to <12 years of age

The primary support for safety and efficacy of omalizumab in the group aged 6 to <12 years comes from one randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial (study 7).

Study 7 was a placebo-controlled trial which included a specific subgroup (n=235) of patients as defined in the present indication, who were treated with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (≥ 500 µ g/day fluticasone equivalent) plus long-acting beta agonist.

A clinically significant exacerbation was defined as a worsening of asthma symptoms as judged clinically by the investigator, requiring doubling of the baseline inhaled corticosteroid dose for at least 3 days and/or treatment with rescue systemic (oral or intravenous) corticosteroids for at least 3 days.

In the specific subgroup of patients on high dose inhaled corticosteroids, the omalizumab group had a statistically significantly lower rate of clinically significant asthma exacerbations than the placebo group. At 24 weeks, the difference in rates between treatment groups represented a 34% (rate ratio 0.662, p = 0.047) decrease relative to placebo for omalizumab patients. In the second double-blind 28-week treatment period the difference in rates between treatment groups represented a 63% (rate ratio 0.37, p<0.001) decrease relative to placebo for omalizumab patients.

During the 52-week double-blind treatment period (including the 24-week fixed-dose steroid phase and the 28-week steroid adjustment phase) the difference in rates between treatment groups represented a 50% (rate ratio 0.504, p<0.001) relative decrease in exacerbations for omalizumab patients.

The omalizumab group showed greater decreases in beta-agonist rescue medicinal product use than the placebo group at the end of the 52-week treatment period, although the difference between treatment groups was not statistically significant. For the global evaluation of treatment effectiveness at the end of the 52-week double-blind treatment period in the subgroup of severe patients on high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting beta agonists, the proportion of patients rated as having 'excellent' treatment effectiveness was higher, and the proportions having 'moderate' or 'poor' treatment effectiveness lower in the omalizumab group compared to the placebo group; the difference between groups was statistically significant (p<0.001), while there were no differences between the omalizumab and placebo groups for patients' subjective Quality of Life ratings.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)

The safety and efficacy of omalizumab were evaluated in two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in patients with CRSwNP (Table 7). Patients received omalizumab or placebo subcutaneously every 2 or 4 weeks (see section 4.2). All patients received background intranasal mometasone therapy throughout the study. Prior sino-nasal surgery or prior systemic corticosteroid usage were not required for inclusion in the studies. Patients received omalizumab or placebo for 24 weeks followed by a 4-week follow-up period. Demographics and baseline characteristics, including allergic comorbidities, are described in Table 6.

Table 6 Demographics and baseline characteristics of nasal polyp studies

SD = standard deviation; SNOT-22 = Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 Questionnaire; IgE = Immunoglobulin E; IU = international units. For NPS, NCS, and SNOT-22 higher scores indicate greater disease severity.

The co-primary endpoints were bilateral nasal polyps score (NPS) and average daily nasal congestion score (NCS) at Week 24. In both nasal polyp studies 1 and 2, patients who received omalizumab had statistically significant greater improvements from baseline at Week 24 in NPS and weekly average NCS than patients who received placebo. Results from nasal polyp studies 1 and 2 are shown in Table 7.

Table 7 Change from baseline at Week 24 in clinical scores from nasal polyp study 1, nasal polyp study 2, and pooled data

LS=least-square; CI = confidence interval; TNSS = Total nasal symptom score; SNOT-22 = Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 Questionnaire; UPSIT = University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test; MID = minimal important difference.

Figure 1 Mean change from baseline in nasal congestion score and mean change from baseline in nasal polyp score by treatment group in nasal polyp study 1 and study 2

In a pre-specified pooled analysis of rescue treatment (systemic corticosteroids for ≥ 3 consecutive days or nasal polypectomy) during the 24-week treatment period, the proportion of patients requiring rescue treatment was lower in omalizumab compared to placebo (2.3% versus 6.2%, respectively). The odds-ratio of having taken rescue treatment in omalizumab compared to placebo was 0.38 (95% CI: 0.10, 1.49). There were no sino-nasal surgeries reported in either study.

The long-term efficacy and safety of omalizumab in patients with CRSwNP who had participated in nasal polyp studies 1 and 2 was assessed in an open-label extension study. Efficacy data from this study suggest that clinical benefit provided at Week 24 was sustained through to Week 52. Safety data were overall consistent with the known safety profile of omalizumab.

The pharmacokinetics of omalizumab have been studied in adult and adolescent patients with allergic asthma as well as in adult patients with CRSwNP. The general pharmacokinetic characteristics of omalizumab are similar in these patient populations.

Absorption

After subcutaneous administration, omalizumab is absorbed with an average absolute bioavailability of 62%. Following a single subcutaneous dose in adult and adolescent patients with asthma, omalizumab was absorbed slowly, reaching peak serum concentrations after an average of 7-8 days. The pharmacokinetics of omalizumab are linear at doses greater than 0.5 mg/kg. Following multiple doses of omalizumab, areas under the serum concentration-time curve from Day 0 to Day 14 at steady state were up to 6-fold of those after the first dose.

Administration of Xolair manufactured as a lyophilised or liquid formulation resulted in similar serum concentration-time profiles of omalizumab.

Distribution

In vitro, omalizumab forms complexes of limited size with IgE. Precipitating complexes and complexes larger than one million Daltons in molecular weight are not observed in vitro or in vivo. The apparent volume of distribution in patients following subcutaneous administration was 78 ± 32 ml/kg.

Elimination

Clearance of omalizumab involves IgG clearance processes as well as clearance via specific binding and complex formation with its target ligand, IgE. Liver elimination of IgG includes degradation in the reticuloendothelial system and endothelial cells. Intact IgG is also excreted in bile. In asthma patients the omalizumab serum elimination half-life averaged 26 days, with apparent clearance averaging 2.4 ± 1.1 ml/kg/day. In addition, doubling of body weight approximately doubled apparent clearance.

Characteristics in patient populations

Age, Race/Ethnicity, Gender, Body Mass Index

The population pharmacokinetics of omalizumab were analysed to evaluate the effects of demographic characteristics. Analyses of these limited data suggest that no dose adjustments are necessary for age (6-76 years for patients with allergic asthma; 18 to 75 years for patients with CRSwNP), race/ethnicity, gender or Body Mass Index (see section 4.2).

Renal and hepatic impairment

There are no pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic data in patients with renal or hepatic impairment (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).

The safety of omalizumab has been studied in the cynomolgus monkey, since omalizumab binds to cynomolgus and human IgE with similar affinity. Antibodies to omalizumab were detected in some monkeys following repeated subcutaneous or intravenous administration. However, no apparent toxicity, such as immune complex-mediated disease or complement-dependent cytotoxicity, was seen. There was no evidence of an anaphylactic response due to mast-cell degranulation in cynomolgus monkeys.

Chronic administration of omalizumab at dose levels of up to 250 mg/kg (at least 14 times the highest recommended clinical dose in mg/kg according to the recommended dosing table) was well tolerated in non-human primates (both adult and juvenile animals), with the exception of a dose-related and age-dependent decrease in blood platelets, with a greater sensitivity in juvenile animals. The serum concentration required to attain a 50% drop in platelets from baseline in adult cynomolgus monkeys was roughly 4- to 20-fold higher than anticipated maximum clinical serum concentrations. In addition, acute haemorrhage and inflammation were observed at injection sites in cynomolgus monkeys.

Formal carcinogenicity studies have not been conducted with omalizumab.

In reproduction studies in cynomolgus monkeys, subcutaneous doses up to 75 mg/kg per week (at least 8 times the highest recommended clinical dose in mg/kg over a 4-week period) did not elicit maternal toxicity, embryotoxicity or teratogenicity when administered throughout organogenesis and did not elicit adverse effects on foetal or neonatal growth when administered throughout late gestation, delivery and nursing.

Omalizumab is excreted in breast milk in cynomolgus monkeys. Milk levels of omalizumab were 0.15% of the maternal serum concentration.

Arginine hydrochloride

Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate

Histidine

Polysorbate 20

Water for injections

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.

18 months.

The product may be kept for a total of 48 hours at 25° C.

Store in a refrigerator (2° C - 8° C).

Do not freeze.

Store in the original package in order to protect from light.

Xolair 75 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen is supplied as 0.5 ml solution in a pre-filled pen barrel (type I glass) with 27-gauge staked needle (stainless steel), (type I) plunger stopper and needle cap.

Pack sizes: packs containing 1 pre-filled pen, and multipacks containing 3 (3 x 1) or 6 (6 x 1) pre-filled pens.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

The single-use pre-filled pen is for individual use. It should be taken out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before injecting to allow it to reach room temperature.

Disposal instructions

Dispose of the used pen immediately in a sharps container.

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