Europeiska kommissionen godkänner Biogens SKYCLARYS™ (omaveloxolon); den första behandlingen mot Friedreichs ataxi, en sällsynt neurodegenerativ sjukdom

• Friedriechs ataxi (FA) är en sällsynt, genetisk, livsförkortande och försvagande sjukdom¹
• Behandling med omaveloxolon förbättrade patienternas funktionsförmåga jämfört med placebo⁸
• Biogen är ett bioteknikföretag med lång erfarenhet och expertis inom sällsynta sjukdomar. Det är Biogens ambition att säkerställa att svenska patienter med FA får tillgång till denna behandling

Cambridge, Mass. – Feb. 12, 2024 – Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) announced the European Commission (EC) has authorized omaveloxolone for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and older. Omaveloxolone is the first treatment approved within the European Union for this rare, genetic, progressive neurodegenerative disease.¹

Friedreich’s ataxia is the most common inherited ataxia.^2,3 Early symptoms typically appear in childhood and include progressive loss of coordination, muscle weakness, and fatigue.⁴ As the disease progresses, people living with FA may also experience vision impairment, hearing loss, problems with speech and swallowing, diabetes, scoliosis, and serious heart conditions.⁵ Many people with FA use walking aids, and often require a wheelchair within 10-20 years following their diagnosis.² Unfortunately, complications from FA contribute to a life expectancy of 37 years on average.^5-7

“Biogen is proud to add omaveloxolone to our portfolio of medicines and address a significant unmet need by bringing the first treatment to people living with Friedreich’s ataxia in Europe,” said Priya Singhal, M.D., M.P.H., Head of Development at Biogen. “Our team is committed to engaging with the medical community and local authorities as we work to urgently secure access for patients. We sincerely thank the Friedreich’s ataxia community for their contributions that enabled the development of omaveloxolone and made today’s approval possible.”

The EC approval of omaveloxolone is based on efficacy and safety data from the placebo-controlled MOXIe Part 2 trial. At the end of the 48-week study, patients who received omaveloxolone had significantly improved modified Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale (mFARS) scores relative to placebo.

All components of the mFARS assessment, including ability to swallow (bulbar), upper limb coordination, lower limb coordination, and upright stability, favored omaveloxolone over placebo. Additional exploratory data was provided from a post hoc, propensity-matched analysis in which patients treated with omaveloxolone in MOXIe (Extension) had lower mFARS scores 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.⁸

For detailed product information, please see the Summary of Product Characteristics on the European Medicines Agency website at www.ema.europa.eu. Omaveloxolone is also approved for use in the United States, and Biogen is engaging with regulatory authorities in additional countries.

About SKYCLARYS^TM(omaveloxolone)
Omaveloxolone is an oral, once-daily medication indicated for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and older in the U.S. and European Union. Omaveloxolone received Orphan Drug, Fast Track, and Rare Pediatric Disease Designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The European Commission granted Orphan Drug designation in Europe to omaveloxolone for the treatment of FA.

About Friedreich’s Ataxia
Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is a rare, genetic, life-shortening, debilitating, and degenerative neuromuscular disorder. It is the most common inherited ataxia.^2,3 Early symptoms of FA, such as progressive loss of coordination, muscle weakness and fatigue, typically appear in childhood and can overlap with other diseases.⁴ Most people living with FA will need to use a wheelchair within 10-20 years of their first symptoms.² The reported average age of death for FA patients is just 37 years old, although with appropriate and targeted care, individuals may live many years after confinement to a wheelchair.^5-7

About Biogen
Founded in 1978, Biogen is a leading biotechnology company that pioneers innovative science to deliver new medicines to transform patient’s lives and to create value for shareholders and our communities. We apply deep understanding of human biology and leverage different modalities to advance first-in-class treatments or therapies that deliver superior outcomes. Our approach is to take bold risks, balanced with return on investment to deliver long-term growth.

We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.biogen.com. Follow us on social media - Facebook, LinkedIn, X, YouTube.

Biogen Safe Harbor
This news release contains forward-looking statements about the potential benefits, safety and efficacy of omaveloxolone; potential regulatory discussions, submissions and approvals and the timing thereof; the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia; the potential of Biogen’s commercial business and pipeline programs, including Friedreich’s ataxia; and risks and uncertainties associated with drug development and commercialization. These statements may be identified by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “will,” “would” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Results in early-stage clinical studies may not be indicative of full results or results from later stage or larger scale clinical studies and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements.

These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including without limitation unexpected concerns that may arise from additional data, analysis or results obtained during clinical studies; the occurrence of adverse safety events; risks of unexpected costs or delays; the risk of other unexpected hurdles; regulatory submissions may take longer or be more difficult to complete than expected; regulatory authorities may require additional information or further studies, or may fail or refuse to approve or may delay approval of Biogen’s drug candidates, including omaveloxolone; actual timing and content of submissions to and decisions made by the regulatory authorities regarding omaveloxolone; uncertainty of success in the development and potential commercialization of omaveloxolone; failure to protect and enforce Biogen’s data, intellectual property and other proprietary rights and uncertainties relating to intellectual property claims and challenges; product liability claims; third party collaboration risks; and the direct and indirect impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Biogen’s business, results of operations and financial condition. The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from Biogen’s expectations in any forward-looking statement. Investors should consider this cautionary statement as well as the risk factors identified in Biogen’s most recent annual or quarterly report and in other reports Biogen has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Biogen does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.

References:

1. Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance. “What is FA?” Available at: https://www.curefa.org/what-is-friedreichs-ataxia#. Accessed February 2024.
2. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Friedreich Ataxia. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/friedreich-ataxia. Accessed February 2024.
3. Schulz JB, Boesch S, Bürk K, Dürr A, Giunti P, Mariotti C, Pousset F, Schöls L, Vankan P, Pandolfo M. Diagnosis and treatment of Friedreich ataxia: a European perspective. Nat Rev Neurol. 2009 Apr;5(4):222-34. doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2009.26. PMID: 19347027.
4. Fogel BL, Perlman S. Clinical features and molecular genetics of autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias. Lancet Neurol. 2007 Mar;6(3):245-57. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(07)70054-6. PMID: 17303531.
5. Parkinson MH, Boesch S, Nachbauer W, Mariotti C, Giunti P. Clinical features of Friedreich’s ataxia: classical and atypical phenotypes. J Neurochem. 2013 Aug;126 Suppl 1:103-17. doi: 10.1111/jnc.12317. PMID: 23859346.
6. Tsou AY, Paulsen EK, Lagedrost SJ, Perlman SL, Mathews KD, Wilmot GR, Ravina B, Koeppen AH, Lynch DR. Mortality in Friedreich ataxia. J Neurol Sci. 2011 Aug 15;307(1-2):46-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2011.05.023. Epub 2011 Jun 8. PMID: 21652007.
7. Corben LA, Collins V, Milne S, Farmer J, Musheno A, Lynch D, Subramony S, Pandolfo M, Schulz JB, Lin K, Delatycki MB. Clinical Management Guidelines Writing Group. Clinical management guidelines for Friedreich ataxia: best practice in rare diseases. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2022 Nov 12;17(1):415. doi: 10.1186/s13023-022-02568-3. PMID: 36371255; PMCID: PMC9652828.
8. Lynch DR, Chin MP, Delatycki MB, Subramony SH, Corti M, Hoyle JC, Boesch S, Nachbauer W, Mariotti C, Mathews KD, Giunti P, Wilmot G, Zesiewicz T, Perlman S, Goldsberry A, O’Grady M, Meyer CJ. Safety and Efficacy of Omaveloxolone in Friedreich Ataxia (MOXIe Study). Ann Neurol. 2021 Feb;89(2):212-225. doi: 10.1002/ana.25934. Epub 2020 Nov 5. PMID: 33068037

Biogen-235048 Feb 2024

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