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Drug Trials Snapshots: RELYVRIO

HOW TO USE THIS SNAPSHOT
The information provided in Snapshots highlights who participated in the key clinical trials that supported the original FDA approval of this drug, and whether there were differences among sex, race, age, and ethnic groups. The “MORE INFO” bar shows more detailed, technical content for each section. The Snapshot is intended as one tool for consumers to use when discussing the risks and benefits of the drugs.

LIMITATIONS OF THIS SNAPSHOT:
Do not rely on Snapshots to make decisions regarding medical care. Always speak to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of a drug.

Some of the information in this Snapshot is for presentation purposes and does not represent the approved conditions of use of this drug. Refer to the RELYVRIO Prescribing Information for all of the approved conditions of use of this drug (e.g., indication(s), population(s), dosing regimen(s), safety information).

Snapshots are limited to the information available at the time of the original approval of the drug and do not provide information on who participated in clinical trials that supported later approvals for additional uses of the drug (if applicable).

RELYVRIO (sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol)
Reh-lee-vree-oh
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Inc
Original Approval date: September 29, 2022


DRUG TRIALS SNAPSHOT SUMMARY:

What is the drug for?

RELYVRIO is a drug that treats adult patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS is a rare disease that attacks and kills the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles. Voluntary muscles produce movements such as chewing, walking, breathing, and talking. ALS causes the nerves to lose the ability to activate specific muscles, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis. ALS is a progressive disease that worsens over time, and often leads to death within three to five years from when symptoms first appear.

How is this drug used?

RELYVRIO is taken orally once daily for three weeks, and then the dosage can be increased to twice a day. It is taken by combining one packet in 8 ounces of room temperature water and stirring vigorously. RELYVRIO should be taken before a snack or meal. It can also be administered through a feeding tube.

Who participated in the clinical trials?

The FDA approved RELYVRIO based on safety and efficacy data from a single clinical trial (Study 1) of 137 adult patients with ALS. The trial was conducted at 25 sites in the United States.

How were the trials designed?

RELYVRIO was evaluated in a single clinical trial of 137 adult patients with ALS, who were randomly assigned to receive RELYVRIO or placebo for 24 weeks. Patients received RELYVRIO once daily for three weeks, and then increased the dose to twice daily. Neither the patients nor the healthcare providers knew which treatment was being given. The benefit was evaluated by measuring the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) and comparing the score at baseline compared to the score after 24 weeks.

After the study was completed, the overall average survival of patients who were originally chosen to receive RELYVRIO was compared to survival of patients originally chosen to receive placebo.

DEMOGRAPHICS SNAPSHOT

Figure 1. Baseline Demographics by Sex (Study 1 Safety Population)

Pie chart summarizing how many male and female patients were in the clinical trial. In total, 93 (67%) male patients and 44 (32%) female patients participated in the clinical trial.

Source: Adapted from FDA Review

Figure 2. Baseline Demographics by Race (Study 1 Safety Population)

Pie chart summarizing how many White, Black or African American, Asian or Pacific Islander, and other patients were in the clinical trial. In total, 130 (95%) White patients, 3 (2%) Black or African American patients, 3 (2%) Asian or Pacific Islander patients, and 1 (1%) Other patient participated in the clinical trial.

Source: Adapted from FDA Review

Figure 3. Baseline Demographics by Age (Study 1 Safety Population)

Pie chart summarizing how many patients by age were in the clinical trial. In total, 105 (77%) patients younger than 65 years of age, 28 (20%) patients between 65 and 74 years of age, and 4 (3%) patients 75 years of age and older participated in the clinical trial.

Source: Adapted from FDA Review

Figure 4. Baseline Demographics by Ethnicity (Study 1 Safety Population)

Pie chart summarizing how many Hispanic and Not Hispanic patients were in the clinical trial. In total, 7 (5%) Hispanic or Latino patients and 130 (95%) Not Hispanic or Latino patients participated in the clinical trial.

Source: Adapted from FDA Review

What are the benefits of this drug?

Patients treated with RELYVRIO experienced a slower rate of decline on a clinical assessment of daily functioning compared to patients receiving a placebo. Additionally, it was observed that some patients who originally received RELYVRIO lived longer when compared to those who originally received placebo.

Were there any differences in how well the drug worked in clinical trials among sex, race and age?

  • Sex: The observed effect of RELYVRIO was larger for males than females. Because of limited data, the ability to detect meaningful differences in how RELYVRIO worked is limited.
  • Race: The number of patients of races other than White was small; therefore, differences in how RELYVRIO worked among races could not be determined.
  • Age: The number of patients younger than 65 years of age was larger than participants 65 years of age and older; therefore, the ability to detect meaningful differences in how RELYVRIO worked is limited.

What are the possible side effects?

The most common adverse reactions experienced with RELYVRIO were diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infection. RELYVRIO contains Tau ursodiol, a bile acid, which may cause worsening diarrhea in patients with disorders that interfere with bile acid circulation. These patients should consult with a specialist before taking RELYVRIO.

Were there any differences in side effects of the clinical trials among sex, race, and age?

  • Sex: The occurrence of side effects was similar in males and females, with slightly higher rates of some side effects in females.
  • Race: The number of patients of races other than White was small; therefore, differences in the side effects of RELYVRIO among races could not be determined.
  • Age: The occurrence of side effects was similar in patients younger and older than 65 years of age with the exception of abdominal pain which was more prevalent in patients older than 65 years of age.

GLOSSARY

CLINICAL TRIAL: Voluntary research studies conducted in people and designed to answer specific questions about the safety or effectiveness of drugs, vaccines, other therapies, or new ways of using existing treatments.
COMPARATOR: A previously available treatment or placebo that is compared to the actual drug being tested.
EFFICACY: How well the drug achieves the desired response when it is taken as described in a controlled clinical setting, such as during a clinical trial.
PLACEBO: An inactive substance or “sugar pill” that looks the same as, and is given the same way as, an active drug or treatment being tested. The effects of the active drug or treatment are compared to the effects of the placebo.
SUBGROUP: A subset of the population studied in a clinical trial. Demographic subsets include sex, race, and age groups.

LINK TO DRUG PACKAGE INSERT
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/216660s000lbledt.pdf

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