Efgartigimod for Myasthenia Gravis

(ADAPT SERON Trial)

Recruiting at 99 trial locations

Overseen By Sabine s Coppieters, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 3

Sponsor: argenx

Must be taking: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, Steroids

Disqualifiers: Autoimmune disease, Cancer, HIV, others

Pivotal Trial (Near Approval) This treatment is in the last trial phase before FDA approval

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Approved in 4 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

110 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The primary purpose of this study is to measure the efficacy and safety of efgartigimod intravenously (IV) compared to placebo in participants with Acetylcholine Receptor Binding Antibody (AChR-Ab) seronegative Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG). Other objectives are to assess long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of efgartigimod. Study will consist of: * Screening * Part A: participants will be randomized to receive either efgartigimod IV or placebo * Part B: participants completing part A will receive open-label efgartigimod IV

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you must stop taking your current medications, but it mentions that participants should be on a stable dose of their current Myasthenia Gravis therapy before screening. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug Efgartigimod for treating Myasthenia Gravis?

Efgartigimod has been shown in clinical trials to significantly reduce disease symptoms and improve muscle strength and quality of life in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis. It was well tolerated, with most side effects being mild to moderate, and has been approved for use in several countries. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is efgartigimod safe for humans?

Efgartigimod, also known as Vyvgart, has been generally well tolerated in clinical trials for myasthenia gravis, with most side effects being mild to moderate. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

How is the drug efgartigimod different from other treatments for myasthenia gravis?

Efgartigimod is unique because it is the first drug that works by blocking the neonatal Fc receptor, which reduces harmful antibodies in the body, helping to improve muscle strength and quality of life for people with myasthenia gravis. It is administered intravenously and has shown rapid and durable benefits in clinical trials. ^{1 2 3 4 7}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with seronegative Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG), who can consent and follow the study plan. They must use birth control if applicable, have a negative pregnancy test if female, and show signs of MG that improve with certain treatments or tests.

Inclusion Criteria

I can sign the consent form and follow the study rules.

The participant agrees to use contraceptive measures consistent with local regulations and the women of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) must have a negative serum pregnancy test result at screening and a negative urine pregnancy test result at baseline before receiving the study drug

I am of legal age to consent to join a study.

Exclusion Criteria

I had cancer but have been free of it for over 3 years, or I had specific non-aggressive cancers treated successfully.

I have used certain medications as outlined in the trial protocol.

Known hypersensitivity to study drug or one of its excipients (inactive ingredients)

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Part A: Treatment

Participants are randomized to receive either efgartigimod IV or placebo

4 weeks

Weekly visits (in-person)

Part B: Open-label Treatment

Participants completing Part A will receive open-label efgartigimod IV

4 weeks

Weekly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Efgartigimod

Trial Overview The study compares Efgartigimod IV to a placebo in treating gMG. Participants are randomly chosen to receive either the drug or placebo. Those completing this part will later all receive Efgartigimod in an open-label extension.

Participant Groups

Group I: Efgartigimod IV Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients receiving efgartigimod IV in both part A and part B

Group II: Placebo Placebo Group 2 Interventions

Patients receiving placebo during part A and receiving efgartigimod IV during part B

Efgartigimod is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada, Japan for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Vyvgart for:

• Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG)

Approved in United States as Vyvgart for:

• Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG)
• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

Approved in Canada as Vyvgart for:

• Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG)

Approved in Japan as Vyvgart for:

• Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

argenx

Lead Sponsor

Trials

76

Recruited

11,500+

Tim Van Hauwermeiren

argenx

Chief Executive Officer since 2008

B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Bioengineering from Ghent University, Executive MBA from The Vlerick School of Management

Dr. Peter Ulrichts

argenx

Chief Medical Officer since 2023

MD from Maastricht University, PhD in Molecular Immunology from Maastricht University

Findings from Research

Efgartigimod alfa is the first neonatal Fc receptor antagonist approved for treating generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), showing significant and rapid improvements in muscle strength and quality of life in a phase 3 trial with a placebo group.

The treatment was generally well tolerated, with most side effects being mild to moderate, indicating a favorable safety profile for patients with gMG.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efgartigimod Alfa in Generalised Myasthenia Gravis: A Profile of Its Use. Heo, YA.[2023]

Efgartigimod, a first-in-class neonatal Fc receptor antagonist, received its first approval in the USA in December 2021 for treating generalized myasthenia gravis in adults who are positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies.

The drug is also being evaluated for other autoimmune diseases and has been approved in Japan for generalized myasthenia gravis patients regardless of antibody status, indicating its potential broad application in autoimmune conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efgartigimod: First Approval. Heo, YA.[2022]

Efgartigimod was found to be safe and well-tolerated in a phase 2 study involving 24 patients with generalized myasthenia gravis, with no serious adverse events reported.

The treatment led to a significant reduction in pathogenic IgG autoantibodies and resulted in a rapid and long-lasting improvement in disease symptoms for 75% of patients, suggesting its potential as an effective therapy for myasthenia gravis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized phase 2 study of FcRn antagonist efgartigimod in generalized myasthenia gravis. Howard, JF., Bril, V., Burns, TM., et al.[2020]

In a study of 37 patients with acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis, 72% experienced a significant improvement in daily living activities after one cycle of efgartigimod, indicating its efficacy in managing symptoms.

Efgartigimod treatment resulted in a substantial reduction in IgG levels and was generally well-tolerated, with only mild side effects reported, although one patient had to discontinue due to a Clostridium difficile infection.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and outcomes with efgartigimod use for acetylcholine receptor-positive generalized myasthenia gravis in clinical practice. Katyal, N., Halldorsdottir, K., Govindarajan, R., et al.[2023]

Efgartigimod, an FcRn antagonist, has been shown in clinical trials to effectively improve clinical status and reduce autoantibody levels in patients with myasthenia gravis, with no significant safety concerns reported.

This treatment has received regulatory approvals in the United States, Japan, and Europe, suggesting its potential effectiveness across various subgroups and severities of myasthenia gravis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical efficacy and safety of efgartigimod for treatment of myasthenia gravis. Sivadasan, A., Bril, V.[2023]

Efgartigimod, a human IgG1 antibody, significantly improved symptoms in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis, with 68% of treated patients showing a meaningful response compared to only 30% in the placebo group, indicating strong efficacy.

The treatment was well tolerated, with similar rates of adverse events between efgartigimod and placebo groups, suggesting it is a safe option for patients, with no deaths reported during the trial.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety, efficacy, and tolerability of efgartigimod in patients with generalised myasthenia gravis (ADAPT): a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Howard, JF., Bril, V., Vu, T., et al.[2022]

Efgartigimod, an engineered antibody, significantly improves muscle function and strength in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), as shown by notable enhancements in Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) and Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) scores over a 10-week period.

Improvements were observed across all muscle function subdomains (bulbar, ocular, limb/gross motor, and respiratory) within 1 to 2 weeks after the first infusion, correlating with reduced levels of pathogenic IgG, indicating its mechanism of action in decreasing autoantibody levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of efgartigimod on muscle group subdomains in participants with generalized myasthenia gravis: post hoc analyses of the phase 3 pivotal ADAPT study. Bril, V., Howard, JF., Karam, C., et al.[2023]

References

1. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efgartigimod Alfa in Generalised Myasthenia Gravis: A Profile of Its Use. [2023]

2. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efgartigimod: First Approval. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized phase 2 study of FcRn antagonist efgartigimod in generalized myasthenia gravis. [2020]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and outcomes with efgartigimod use for acetylcholine receptor-positive generalized myasthenia gravis in clinical practice. [2023]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical efficacy and safety of efgartigimod for treatment of myasthenia gravis. [2023]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety, efficacy, and tolerability of efgartigimod in patients with generalised myasthenia gravis (ADAPT): a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of efgartigimod on muscle group subdomains in participants with generalized myasthenia gravis: post hoc analyses of the phase 3 pivotal ADAPT study. [2023]