Regeneron receives complete response letter from FDA for ARCALYST

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals announced that the U.S. FDA issued a complete response letter for the supplemental biologics license application, or sBLA, for ARCALYST, or rilonacept, Injection for Subcutaneous Use for the prevention of gout flares in patients initiating uric acid-lowering therapy. The Complete Response Letter states that the FDA cannot approve the application in its current form. The agency has requested additional clinical data, as well as additional chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls, or CMC, information related to a proposed new dosage form. The FDA's action does not impact the approved indication of ARCALYST for the treatment of Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes, or CAPS, including Familial Cold Auto-inflammatory Syndrome, or FCAS, and Muckle-Wells Syndrome, or MWS, in adults and children 12 and older. "Regeneron is reviewing the Complete Response Letter and will determine appropriate next steps," said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President. "We remain committed to continuing to make ARCALYST available to the community of patients with CAPS including our comprehensive patient and caregiver educational and reimbursement services programs."