Pfizer, OPKO Provide Update On Biologics License Application For Somatrogon

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and OPKO Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPK) have announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) for the Biologics License Application (BLA) for somatrogon, Business Wire reported.

Photo Insert: The Pfizer headquarters for its Central Research Division

Somatrogon is an investigational once-weekly long-acting recombinant human growth hormone for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in pediatric patients. Pfizer is evaluating the FDA’s comments and will work with the agency to determine an appropriate path forward.

We remain confident in the potential treatment benefits that somatrogon has to offer patients around the world,” said Brenda Cooperstone, MD, Chief Development Officer, Rare Disease, Pfizer Global Product Development. “We will work closely with the FDA to determine the best path forward to bring this important once-weekly treatment option to pediatric growth hormone deficiency patients and their families.”

Regulatory applications for somatrogon have been submitted to several countries around the world for review. Earlier this week, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved NGENLA® (somatrogon) Inj. 24 mg Pens and 60mg Pens, for the long-term treatment of pediatric patients who have growth failure due to an inadequate secretion of endogenous growth hormone.

In 2021, Health Canada approved NGENLA® for the long-term treatment of pediatric patients who have GHD, and Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved NGENLA® for the long-term treatment of pediatric patients with growth disturbance due to insufficient secretion of growth hormone.

Furthermore, in December 2021, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of EMA issued a positive opinion recommending somatrogon for marketing authorization in the EU, to treat children and adolescents from 3 years of age with growth disturbance due to insufficient secretion of growth hormone. A decision from the European Commission (EC) is expected in early 2022.

In 2014, Pfizer and OPKO entered into a worldwide agreement for the development and commercialization of somatrogon for the treatment of GHD. Under the agreement, OPKO is responsible for conducting the clinical program and Pfizer is responsible for registering and commercializing the product for GHD.

Growth hormone deficiency is a rare disease characterized by the inadequate secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland and affects one in approximately 4,000 to 10,000 children. In children, this disease can be caused by genetic mutations or acquired after birth.

Because the patient's pituitary gland secretes inadequate levels of somatropin, the hormone that causes growth, a child’s height may be affected and puberty may be delayed. Without treatment, affected children will have persistent growth attenuation and a very short height in adulthood. Children may also experience other problems with physical health and mental well-being.

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