CHMP issues positive opinion for Skyclarys (omaveloxolone), the first therapy to treat Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare neurodegenerative disease – Biogen

Biogen Inc. announced the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended marketing authorization for Skyclarys (omaveloxolone) for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) in people aged 16 years and older. If approved by the European Commission (EC), Skyclarys will be the first treatment authorized within the European Union for this rare, genetic, progressive neuromuscular disease. If approved, omaveloxolone will be marketed as Skyclarys.

The CHMP’s positive opinion for Skyclarys is based on efficacy and safety data from the placebo-controlled MOXIe Part 2 trial. At the end of the 48-week MOXIe Part 2 study, patients who received Skyclarys had less physical impairment compared to patients who received placebo, as measured by the modified Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale (mFARS). Improvements across subscales of mFARS, including upright stability, lower limb coordination, ability to swallow and upper limb coordination, were also observed in patients treated with Skyclarys compared to placebo. Additional data was provided from a post hoc, propensity-matched analysis in which patients treated with Skyclarys in MOXIe (Parts 1 and 2) had lower mFARS score at 3 years, as compared to a matched natural history group. The most common side effects are increased liver enzymes, decreased weight and appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, oropharyngeal and back pain, muscle spasms, and influenza.