2.1 Recommended Dosage in Patients 4 Years and Older

2.2 Preparation Instructions

ELELYSO should be reconstituted, diluted, and administered under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Each vial of ELELYSO provides 200 units of taliglucerase alfa and is intended for one-time use and for only one patient. The reconstitution and dilution steps must be completed using aseptic technique.

ELELYSO should be reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection, USP and diluted with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, to a final volume of 100 mL to 200 mL, and administered by intravenous infusion.

Prepare ELELYSO according to the following steps. Use aseptic technique.

a.

Determine the number of vials to be reconstituted based on the patient's weight and the recommended dose of 60 units/kg, using the following calculations (1–3):

(1)

Total dose in units = Patient's weight (kg) × dose (units/kg)

(2)

Total number of vials = Total dose in units divided by 200 units/vial

(3)

Round up to the next whole vial.

b.

Remove the required number of vials from the refrigerator. Do not leave these vials at room temperature longer than 24 hours prior to reconstitution. Do not heat or microwave these vials.

c.

Reconstitute each vial of ELELYSO with 5.1 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP to yield a reconstituted product with a concentration of 40 units/mL and an extractable volume of 5 mL. Upon reconstitution, mix vials gently. DO NOT SHAKE. Prior to further dilution, visually inspect the solution in the vials; the solution should be clear and colorless. Do not use if the solution is discolored or if foreign particulate matter is present.

d.

Withdraw the calculated dose of drug from the appropriate number of vials and dilute with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, to a final volume of 100 to 200 mL.

i.

For pediatric patients, a final volume of 100 to 120 mL should be used.

ii.

For adult patients, a final volume of 130 to 150 mL may be used. However, if the volume of reconstituted product alone is equal to or greater than 130 to 150 mL, then the final volume should not exceed 200 mL.

e.

Mix gently. DO NOT SHAKE. Since this is a protein solution, slight flocculation (described as translucent fibers) occurs occasionally after dilution.

2.3 Administration Instructions

After reconstitution and dilution, the preparation should be administered via intravenous infusion and filtered through an in-line low protein-binding 0.2 μm filter.

• For pediatric patients: An initial infusion rate of 1 mL/minute should be used. After tolerability to ELELYSO is established, the infusion rate may be increased, but should not exceed the maximum recommended infusion rate of 2 mL/minute. The total volume of the infusion should be delivered over a minimum of 60 minutes.
• For adult patients: An initial infusion rate of 1.2 mL/minute should be used. After tolerability to ELELYSO is established, the infusion rate may be increased, but should not exceed the maximum recommended infusion rate of 2.2 mL/minute. The total volume of the infusion should be delivered over a minimum of 60 minutes.

As ELELYSO contains no preservative, the product should be used immediately once reconstituted. If immediate use is not possible, the reconstituted product may be stored for up to 24 hours refrigerated at 2 °C to 8° C (36 °F to 46 °F) under protection from light or up to 4 hours at room temperature (20 °C to 25 °C (68 °F to 77 °F) without protection from light. The diluted product may be stored for up to 24 hours at 2 °C to 8 °C (36 °F to 46 °F) under protection from light. Storage of the reconstituted product and the diluted product should not exceed a total of 24 hours. Do not freeze. Discard any unused product.

5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Including Anaphylaxis

Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred in some patients treated with ELELYSO. In clinical trials, 2 of 72 (3%) patients treated with ELELYSO experienced signs and symptoms consistent with anaphylaxis. Signs and symptoms of these patients included urticaria, hypotension, flushing, wheezing, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. These reactions occurred during ELELYSO infusion.

In clinical trials with ELELYSO, 21 of 72 (29%) patients experienced hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. Signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions included pruritus, angioedema, flushing, erythema, rash, nausea, vomiting, cough, chest tightness, and throat irritation. These reactions have occurred up to 3 hours after the start of infusion [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Due to the potential for anaphylaxis, appropriate medical support should be readily available when ELELYSO is administered. Observe patients closely for an appropriate period of time after administration of ELELYSO, taking into account the time to onset of anaphylaxis seen in clinical trials. Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, and instruct them to seek immediate medical care should signs and symptoms occur. If anaphylaxis occurs, discontinue ELELYSO immediately, and initiate appropriate medical treatment.

Management of hypersensitivity reactions should be based on the severity of the reaction and includes slowing or temporary interruption of the infusion and/or administration of antihistamines, antipyretics, and/or corticosteroids for mild reactions. Pretreatment with antihistamines and/or corticosteroids may prevent subsequent hypersensitivity reactions. Patients were not routinely premedicated prior to infusion of ELELYSO during clinical studies. If severe hypersensitivity reactions occur, immediately stop the infusion of ELELYSO and initiate appropriate treatment.

Consider the risks and benefits of re-administering ELELYSO in patients who have experienced a severe reaction associated with ELELYSO. Caution should be exercised upon rechallenge, and appropriate medical support should be readily available [see Adverse Reactions (6.3)].

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

6.2 Immunogenicity

As with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies in the studies described below with the incidence of antibodies in other studies or to other taliglucerase alfa products may be misleading.

6.3 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ELELYSO. Because these reactions include those reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size in addition to those from postmarketing studies, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure:

• Gastrointestinal disorders: Vomiting, diarrhea
• General disorders and administration site conditions: Fatigue
• Immune system disorders: Anaphylaxis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)], Type III immune-mediated fixed drug eruption
• Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: Back pain

8.1 Pregnancy

8.2 Lactation

8.4 Pediatric Use

The use of ELELYSO for treatment of pediatric patients with Type 1 Gaucher disease is supported by evidence of effectiveness from adequate and well-controlled trials of ELELYSO in adults, with additional pharmacodynamic data from 5 pediatric patients and pharmacokinetic data from 9 pediatric patients who participated in clinical trials [see Clinical Studies (14.1, 14.2), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Data from 14 pediatric patients were included in the safety evaluation [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. There are insufficient data to inform dosing in patients less than 4 years of age.

Pediatric patients experienced a higher frequency of vomiting during ELELYSO treatment (4 of 9 treatment-naïve patients) than adult patients, and this may be a symptom of hypersensitivity reaction. The frequencies of other adverse reactions were similar between pediatric and adult patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

8.5 Geriatric Use

During clinical trials, 8 patients aged 65 or older were treated with ELELYSO. Clinical trials of ELELYSO did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Gaucher disease is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the human glucocerebrosidase gene, which results in a reduced activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Glucocerebrosidase catalyzes the conversion of the sphingolipid glucocerebroside into glucose and ceramide. The enzymatic deficiency results in accumulation of substrate glucocerebroside primarily in the lysosomal compartment of macrophages, giving rise to foam cells or "Gaucher cells," which accumulate in the liver, spleen and bone marrow.

ELELYSO, a long term enzyme replacement therapy, is a recombinant analog of human lysosomal glucocerebrosidase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of glucocerebroside to glucose and ceramide, reducing the amount of accumulated glucocerebroside. ELELYSO uptake into cellular lysosomes is mediated by binding of ELELYSO mannose oligosaccharide chains to specific mannose receptors on the cell surface leading to internalization and subsequent transport to the lysosomes.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics of taliglucerase alfa were evaluated in 38 patients (29 adult and 9 pediatric patients) who received intravenous infusions of ELELYSO 30 units/kg or 60 units/kg every other week. ELELYSO 30 units/kg is not a recommended dose in treatment-naïve Gaucher disease patients [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)]. The pharmacokinetic parameters in adult and pediatric patients are summarized in Table 3.

In adult Type 1 Gaucher disease patients treated with ELELYSO 30 units/kg or 60 units/kg (N=29) every other week as initial therapy, pharmacokinetics were determined with the first dose and at Week 38 of treatment. The pharmacokinetics of taliglucerase alfa appeared to be nonlinear with a greater than dose-proportional increase in exposure at the doses studied.

No significant accumulation or change in taliglucerase alfa pharmacokinetics over time from Weeks 1 to 38 was observed with repeated dosages of 30 units/kg or 60 units/kg every other week. Based on the limited data, there were no significant pharmacokinetic differences between male and female patients in this study.

The pharmacokinetics of taliglucerase alfa were evaluated in 9 pediatric patients 4 to 17 years of age with Type 1 Gaucher disease who were treated with ELELYSO for 10 to 27 months. Six of the 9 patients were treatment-naïve, and 3 patients were switched from imiglucerase. In both the 30 units/kg and 60 units/kg dose groups, clearance values in pediatric patients were similar to those in adult patients. AUC values in pediatric patients were lower than AUC values in adult patients, due to weight-based dosing of taliglucerase alfa and lower body weights in pediatric patients.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Long-term studies in animals to evaluate carcinogenic potential or studies to evaluate mutagenic potential have not been performed with taliglucerase alfa. In a male and female fertility study in rats, taliglucerase alfa did not cause any significant adverse effect on male or female fertility parameters up to a maximum dose of 55 mg/kg/day (about 5 times the recommended human dose of 60 units/kg based on the body surface area).

14.1 Clinical Trials of ELELYSO as Initial Therapy

14.2 Clinical Trial in Patients Switching from Imiglucerase Treatment to ELELYSO

The safety and efficacy of ELELYSO were assessed in 31 patients (26 adult and 5 pediatric patients) with Type 1 Gaucher disease who were switched from imiglucerase to ELELYSO. The trial was a 9-month, multi-center, open-label, single arm study in patients who had been receiving treatment with imiglucerase at dosages ranging from 9.5 units/kg to 60 units/kg every other week for a minimum of 2 years. Patients were required to be clinically stable and have a stable biweekly dose of imiglucerase for at least 6 months prior to enrollment. Patients were 6 to 66 years of age (mean age 42 years, including pediatric patients), and 55% were male. Imiglucerase therapy was stopped, and treatment with ELELYSO was administered every other week at the same number of units as each patient's previous imiglucerase dose. If needed, adjustment of dosage was allowed during the study in order to maintain stability of clinical parameters (i.e., spleen volume, liver volume, platelet count, and hemoglobin).

Mean (SD) organ volumes and hematologic values remained stable through 9 months of ELELYSO treatment. At baseline, spleen volume was 5.2 (4.5) MN, liver volume was 1.0 (0.3) MN, platelet count was 161,137 (73,387)/mm3, and hemoglobin was 13.5 (1.4) g/dL. After 9 months of ELELYSO treatment, spleen volume was 4.8 (4.6) MN, liver volume was 1.0 (0.2) MN, platelet count was 161,167 (80,820)/mm3, and hemoglobin was 13.4 (1.5) g/dL. ELELYSO dose remained unchanged in 30 of 31 patients. One patient required a dose increase at Week 24 (from 9.5 units/kg to 19 units/kg) for a platelet count of 92,000/mm3 at Week 22, which subsequently increased to 170,000/mm3 at Month 9.

Eighteen of the 26 adult patients who completed the 9-month clinical trial continued treatment with ELELYSO in an open-label extension trial for additional 27 months (total treatment 36 months). Patients maintained stability in clinical parameters (spleen volume, liver volume, platelet count and hemoglobin); however only 10 of 18 adult patients completed 27 months of ELELYSO treatment in the extension trial and only 7 patients had their spleen and liver volumes assessed at 36 months.

Five pediatric patients in the 9-month clinical trial who continued open-label treatment with ELELYSO for additional 24 months demonstrated stability in these clinical parameters.

Store ELELYSO refrigerated at 2° C to 8° C (36° F to 46° F) in the original carton to protect from light. Do not freeze.

Hypersensitivity Reactions Including Anaphylaxis

Advise patients and caregivers that reactions related to administration and infusion may occur during and after ELELYSO treatment, including life-threatening anaphylaxis and severe hypersensitivity reactions. Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity reactions, and have them seek medical care should signs and symptoms occur. Inform patients that they should be carefully re-evaluated for treatment with ELELYSO if serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, occur. Reduction of the infusion rate and/or pre-treatment with antihistamines, antipyretics and/or corticosteroids may prevent subsequent reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].