Posted by Michael Wonder on 27 Jun 2019
FDA approves first treatment for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, a rare auto-immune disease of the central nervous system
27 June 2019 - The U.S. FDA today approved Soliris (eculizumab) injection for intravenous use for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in adult patients who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive.
NMOSD is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that mainly affects the optic nerves and spinal cord.
The effectiveness of Soliris for the treatment of NMOSD was demonstrated in a clinical study of 143 patients with NMOSD who had antibodies against AQP4 (anti-AQP4 positive) who were randomized to receive either Soliris treatment or placebo. Compared to treatment with placebo, the study showed that treatment with Soliris reduced the number of NMOSD relapses by 94 percent over the 48-week course of the trial. Soliris also reduced the need for hospitalizations and the need for treatment of acute attacks with corticosteroids and plasma exchange.
