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Amgen announced that the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has granted marketing authorisation for TEPEZZA® (teprotumumab) as the first therapy specifically licensed for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe Thyroid Eye Disease (TED).
Affecting approximately 50,000 people in the UK,1 TED is a progressive and potentially vision-threatening condition, which can cause eye bulging, double vision, eye pain, redness and swelling.2 People living with TED often experience anxiety and depression, concerns about their facial appearance and a loss of confidence.3 This can impact their ability to work, socialise and maintain relationships.3,6
“The marketing authorisation for teprotumumab as the first therapy specifically licensed for Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) in the UK marks a step forward for the patient community,” said Dr Tony Patrikios, Executive Medical Director, Amgen UK & Ireland. “TED can negatively affect patients’ lives impacting vision, causing eye pain, making everyday tasks difficult and causing a loss of self-confidence. This authorisation introduces a new alternative treatment option and reinforces Amgen’s commitment to supporting eligible patients with serious, underserved conditions.”
Teprotumumab’s marketing authorisation in the UK is supported by multiple clinical studies,5,7,8,9 including the Phase 3 clinical trial, OPTIC (n=83).5 Other clinical studies that supported the marketing authorisation in the UK include the TED01RV Phase 2 clinical study (n=88),7 the HZNP-TEP-403 Phase 4 clinical study (n=62),8 and the OPTIC-J Phase 3 study in Japan (n=54).9 In the OPTIC trial, teprotumumab demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the primary endpoint, proptosis (eye bulging) responder rate at 24 weeks, with 83% (34/41) of patients demonstrating a reduction of at least 2mm compared to baseline, versus 10% (4/42) of patients treated with placebo (difference of 73%, 95% confidence interval, 59 to 88; P=<0.001]).5
“For adult patients living with Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), it can be challenging to receive a diagnosis and referral to specialist centres. TED is often mistaken for other more common conditions, which can be frustrating and distressing for patients. This may also lead to delays in receiving treatment. When patients are diagnosed with TED, they are currently faced with limited treatment options targeting ‘generalised inflammation’. These treatments do not specifically target the underlying cause and drivers of TED,” said Dr Jimmy Uddin, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Oculoplastic & Orbital Surgeon, Moorfields Eye Hospital and St George’s Hospital Medical School. “Teprotumumab offers eligible TED patients in the UK an important new treatment option.”
The safety data for teprotumumab is based on multiple clinical studies.5,7,8,9 The most common side effects observed in clinical trials are muscle spasms (27.6%), diarrhoea (14.5%), hearing impairment (13.8%), alopecia (13.2%), hyperglycaemia (13.2%), fatigue (12.5%), nausea (10.5%), headache (10.5%), dry skin (9.9%), dysgeusia (8.6%), COVID-19 (6.6%), ear discomfort (6.6%) and nail disorder (5.9%).4
Amgen will work with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to seek reimbursement of teprotumumab for all eligible patients.
▼ This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions.
Notes to Editors
About Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)
TED is a serious, progressive and potentially vision-threatening autoimmune disease.10 It often occurs in people living with Graves’ disease, but is a distinct disease that is caused by autoantibodies activating an insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R)-mediated signalling complex on cells within the retro-orbital space.11,12 This leads to a cascade of negative effects, which may cause long-term, irreversible damage, including blindness.13,14 Early signs and symptoms of TED may include dry eyes and grittiness; redness, swelling and excessive tearing; eyelid retraction; proptosis; pressure and/or pain behind the eyes; and double vision.2
About teprotumumab
Teprotumumab is a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets and blocks the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), which is thought to play a central role in the development of TED.15 It binds to the IGF-1R, preventing it from being activated and sending signals that lead to muscle and tissue expansion, as well as inflammation behind the eye.15 This can help reduce TED symptoms, such as proptosis (eye bulging).4,5