Orenitram

Patient Information

No information provided. Please refer to the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section.

Description

Orenitram is an extended release osmotic tablet for oral administration. Orenitram is formulated as the diolamine salt of treprostinil, a tricyclic benzindene analogue of prostacyclin. The chemical name is Acetic acid, 2-[[(1R,2R,3aS,9aS)-2,3,3a,4,9,9a-hexahydro-2-hydroxy-1-[(3S)-3- hydroxyoctyl]-1H-benz[f]inden-5-yl]oxy]-, complexed with 2,2′-iminobis[ethanol] (1:1). The molecular formula is C₂₃H₃₄O₅.C₄H₁₁NO₂, the molecular weight is 495.65, and it has the following structural formula:

 

 

Orenitram tablets are formulated in four strengths, which contain 0.125 mg of treprostinil (equivalent to 0.159 mg treprostinil diolamine), 0.25 mg of treprostinil (equivalent to 0.317 mg treprostinil diolamine), 1 mg of treprostinil (equivalent to 1.27 mg treprostinil diolamine), or 2.5 mg of treprostinil (equivalent to 3.17 mg treprostinil diolamine). The formulations also contain xylitol, maltodextrin, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium stearate, cellulose acetate, triethyl citrate, polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, and talc. In addition tablets may contain colorants FD&C Blue #2, iron oxide yellow, and iron oxide red. The imprinting ink contains shellac glaze, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol USP, iron oxide black, n-butyl alcohol, and propylene glycol.

Orenitram is designed to release treprostinil at a near zero-order rate using an osmotic tablet technology. The tablet core is coated with a semi-permeable membrane and has a laser-drilled aperture through the membrane. Upon contact with water (e.g., after ingestion), the core tablet absorbs water through the semi-permeable membrane. The water dissolves the water-soluble treprostinil diolamine and the water-soluble osmotic excipients, which creates hydrostatic pressure within the membrane, eventually forcing the drug out through the tablet at a controlled rate.

Indications

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Orenitram is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1) to delay disease progression and to improve exercise capacity.

The studies that established effectiveness included predominately patients with WHO functional class II-III symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (66%) or PAH associated with connective tissue disease (26%).

Dosage And Administration

Recommended Dosing

Take Orenitram with food. Swallow Orenitram tablets whole; do not crush, split, or chew.

The recommended starting dose of Orenitram is 0.125 mg three times daily (TID) with food, taken approximately 8 hours apart or 0.25 mg twice daily (BID) with food, taken approximately 12 hours apart.

Titrate by 0.125 mg TID or 0.25 or 0.5 mg BID not more frequently than every 3 to 4 days. Increase the dose to the highest tolerated dose.

If dose increments are not tolerated, consider titrating slower. If intolerable pharmacologic effects occur, decrease the dose in increments of 0.125 mg TID or 0.25 mg BID. Avoid abrupt discontinuation [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Transitioning From Subcutaneous Or Intravenous Routes Of Administration Of Treprostinil

Decrease the dose of Remodulin while simultaneously increasing the dose of Orenitram. The dose of Remodulin can be reduced up to 30 ng/kg/min per day and the dose of Orenitram simultaneously increased up to 6 mg per day (2 mg TID) if tolerated. The following equation can be used to estimate a target total daily dose of Orenitram in mg using a patient’s dose of intravenous (IV)/subcutaneous (SC) treprostinil (in ng/kg/min) and weight (in kg).

Orenitram total daily dose (mg) = 0.0072xRemodulin dose (ng/kg/min) x weight (kg)

Dose Adjustment In Patients With Hepatic Impairment

In patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child Pugh Class A) start at 0.125 mg BID with 0.125 mg BID dose increments not more frequently than every 3 to 4 days. Avoid use of Orenitram in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh Class B). Orenitram is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh Class C) due to increases in systemic exposure [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, Use In Specific Populations, and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

Dose Adjustment For Use With CYP2C8 Inhibitors

When co-administered with strong CYP2C8 inhibitors (e.g., gemfibrozil) the initial dose is 0.125 mg BID with 0.125 mg BID dose increments not more frequently than every 3 to 4 days.

Interruptions And Discontinuation

If a dose of medication is missed, the patient should take the missed dose as soon as possible, with food. If a patient misses two or more doses, restart at a lower dose and re-titrate.

In the event of a planned short-term treatment interruption for patients unable to take oral medications, consider a temporary infusion of subcutaneous or intravenous treprostinil. To calculate the total daily dose (mg) of treprostinil for the parenteral route use the following equation:

Remodulin (ng/kg/min) = 139 x Orenitram total daily dose (mg) /weight (kg)

When discontinuing Orenitram, reduce the dose in steps of 0.5 to 1 mg per day [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

How Supplied

Dosage Forms And Strengths

Orenitram (treprostinil) extended-release tablets are available in the following five strengths:

• 0.125 mg [White tablet imprinted with UT 0.125]
• 0.25 mg [Green tablet imprinted with UT 0.25]
• 1 mg [Yellow tablet imprinted with UT 1]
• 2.5 mg [Pink tablet imprinted with UT 2.5]
• 5 mg [Red tablet imprinted with UT 5]

Storage And Handling

Orenitram is an 8-mm round biconvex tablet with strength identified by color and print and supplied as follows:

 

Strength	Color	Printing on Tablets	NDC # 100-Count Bottle	NDC # 10-Count Bottle	NDC # 10-Count Carton (Unit-Dose Blister)
0.125 mg	White	UT 0.125	66302-300-01	66302-300-10	66302-300-02
0.25 mg	Green	UT 0.25	66302-302-01	66302-302-10	66302-302-02
1 mg	Yellow	UT 1	66302-310-01	66302-310-10	66302-310-02
2.5 mg	Pink	UT 2.5	66302-325-01	66302-325-10	66302-325-02
5 mg	Red	UT 5	66302-350-01	66302-350-10	66302-350-02

 

Storage

Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F) with excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Keep out of reach of children.

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Revised: May 2021

Side Effects

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 clinical practice.

In a 12-week, placebo-controlled, monotherapy study (Study 1; WHO Group 1; functional class II-III), and an event-driven, placebo-controlled, combination therapy study (Study 4; WHO Group 1; functional class I-III), the most commonly reported adverse reactions that occurred in patients receiving Orenitram included: headache, diarrhea, nausea, and flushing.

Orenitram patients in Study 1 (N=151) had access to 0.25 mg tablets at randomization. Approximately 91% of such patients in Study 1 experienced an adverse reaction, but only 4% discontinued therapy for an adverse reaction (compared to 3% receiving placebo). Study 4 enrolled a total of 690 patients, 346 received Orenitram and 344 received placebo. Overall, 19% of patients treated with Orenitram discontinued treatment in Study 4 due to an adverse event (compared to 4% of patients receiving placebo). The exposure to Orenitram in Study 4 was up to 5.1 years with a median duration of exposure of 1.2 years. Table 1 summarizes adverse events with rates at least 5% higher on Orenitram therapy than on placebo that were reported in either Study 1 or 4.

Table 1: Adverse Events with Rates at Least 5% Higher on Orenitram Therapy than on Placebo in Either Study 1 or Study 4

Reaction	Study 1 N=228a		Study 4 N=690
	Orenitram n=151	Placebo n=77	Orenitram n=346	Placebo n=344
Headache	63%	19%	75%	35%
Diarrhea	30%	16%	69%	29%
Nausea	30%	18%	40%	23%
Vomiting	17%	16%	36%	10%
Flushing	15%	6%	45%	8%
Pain in jaw	11%	4%	18%	3%
Pain in extremity	14%	8%	18%	9%
Hypokalemia	9%	3%	4%	3%
Abdominal discomfort	6%	0%	8%	4%
Upper abdominal pain	5%	3%	12%	5%
a Includes all subjects in the Primary Analysis Population

 

Orenitram was studied in a long-term, open-label, extension study in which 824 patients were dosed for a mean duration of approximately 2 years. About 70% of patients continued treatment with Orenitram for at least a year. The mean dose was 4.2 mg BID at one year. The adverse reactions were similar to those observed in the placebo-controlled trials.

The safety of Orenitram was also evaluated in an open-label study transitioning patients from Remodulin. The safety profile during this study was similar to that observed in the three pivotal studies.

Post-Marketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of Orenitram: dizziness, dyspepsia, vomiting, myalgia, and arthralgia. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Drug Interactions

Effect Of CYP2C8 Inhibitors On Treprostinil

Co-administration of Orenitram and the CYP2C8 enzyme inhibitor gemfibrozil in healthy adult volunteers increases exposure to treprostinil. Reduce the starting dose of Orenitram to 0.125 mg BID and use 0.125 mg BID increments not more frequently than every 3 to 4 days [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

WarningS

Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

Precautions

Worsening PAH Symptoms Upon Abrupt Withdrawal

Abrupt discontinuation or sudden large reductions in dosage of Orenitram may result in worsening of PAH symptoms.

Use In Patients With Blind-end Pouches

The tablet shell does not dissolve. In patients with diverticulosis, Orenitram tablets can lodge in a diverticulum.

Patient Counseling Information

See FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION).

Tell Patients

• Abrupt discontinuation of therapy could result in worsening of PAH symptoms.
• Take Orenitram with food.
• Swallow Orenitram tablets whole. Do not split, chew, crush, or break. Do not take a tablet that is damaged or broken.
• The biologically inert components of the tablet remain intact during gastrointestinal transit and are eliminated in the feces as an insoluble shell.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

Treprostinil diolamine did not demonstrate any carcinogenic effects in mouse or rat carcinogenicity studies. Oral administration of treprostinil diolamine to Tg.rasH2 mice at 0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day in males and 0, 3, 7.5, and 15 mg/kg/day in females daily for 26 weeks did not significantly increase the incidence of tumors. Oral administration of treprostinil diolamine to Sprague Dawley rats at 0, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg/day daily for 104 weeks did not significantly increase the incidence of tumors. The exposures obtained at the highest dose levels used in males and females are about 13- and 18-fold, respectively, the human exposure at the dose of 3.5 mg BID on an AUC basis.

In vitro genotoxicity studies with high doses of treprostinil did not demonstrate any mutagenic or clastogenic effects. Treprostinil diolamine was tested in vivo in a rat micronucleus assay and did not induce an increased incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes.

In rats, treatment with treprostinil diolamine had no effect on reproductive performance or sperm motility at doses up to 10 mg/kg/day. The exposures at this dose level are about 6- (male) to 11- (female) fold the human exposure at the dose of 3.5 mg BID on an AUC basis.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Limited published data from case reports with Orenitram use in pregnant women are not sufficient to assess for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and the fetus associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (see Clinical Considerations). Animal reproductive studies with treprostinil diolamine administered orally have shown an adverse effect on the fetus. In rats, administration of treprostinil to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at doses ≥10 mg/kg/day (approximately 15 times the human exposure at the dose of 3.5 mg BID on an AUC basis) resulted in decreased pregnancy rate, increased post-implantation loss, and decreased fetal viability and growth. In rabbits, teratogenicity and decreased fetal viability and growth were observed at doses ≥1.5 mg/kg/day (approximately 7 times the human exposure at the dose of 3.5 mg BID on an AUC basis) (see Animal Data).

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations

Disease-Associated Maternal And Embryo-Fetal Risk

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in pregnancy increases the risk of maternal heart failure, stroke and death, preterm delivery, low birth weight, and stillbirth.

Data

Animal Data

In pregnant rats, reversible, dose-dependent decreases in body weight gain and food consumption were observed during the first four days of dosing in animals administered 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg/day treprostinil diolamine. In a dose range-finding study, there was a 17% decrease in the pregnancy rate in the animals administered 20 and 30 mg/kg/day. One dam in each of the 20 and 30 mg/kg/day had litters with no viable fetuses. In the definitive study (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day), there were four treatment-related deaths, and a 32% decrease in the pregnancy rate for rats administered 20 mg/kg/day. There was an 8% decrease in the pregnancy rate in the animals administered 10 mg/kg/day. Across both studies, an increase in post-implantation loss was observed in animals administered 10 to 30 mg/kg/day, and a significant decrease in the mean number of live births was seen at dose levels ≥10 mg/kg/day. The no observed adverse effect level was 5 mg/kg/day (maternal, fetal viability and growth), and 20 mg/kg/day (teratogenicity), the highest dose tested in the definitive study. The exposures at 5 and 20 mg/kg/day doses represent 8 and 33 times, respectively, the human exposure at the dose of 3.5 mg BID on an AUC basis.

For F₁ progeny, a decreased copulation index was observed at the 5 and 10 mg/kg/day treprostinil diolamine dose levels in rats. The no observed effect levels for physical development, reflex development, exploratory behavior, learning and memory, and sexual maturation was 10 mg/kg/day. The no observed effect level for F₁ progeny general development (based on body weight) was 10 mg/kg/day for females and ≤2.5 mg/kg/day for males; the no observed effect level for F₁ reproductive performance was 2.5 mg/kg/day (approximately 4 times the human exposure at the dose of 3.5 mg BID on an AUC basis).

In pregnant rabbits, the primary maternal adverse effect was gastrointestinal disturbance; dose-dependent decreases in mean body weight, body weight gain, and food consumption were observed. During the post-dose phase, the effect was reversed. In a dose range-finding study, there was a 17% decrease in the pregnancy rate for animals administered 4 mg/kg/day. A dose-dependent increase in post-implantation loss was observed. Two dams administered 4 mg/kg/day had litters with no viable fetuses; the mean fetal weight was slightly decreased in animals administered 4 mg/kg/day. In the definitive study, mean fetal weights were significantly decreased in animals administered 0.5 to 3 mg/kg/day of treprostinil diolamine. At doses of 1.5 and 3 mg/kg/day, external fetal and soft tissue malformations were observed in a few fetuses, and the total fetal skeletal malformations were significantly increased. The no observed adverse effect level was less than 0.5 mg/kg/day (maternal), 1.5 mg/kg/day (fetal viability and growth), and 0.5 mg/kg/day (teratogenicity). The 0.5 mg/kg/day dose represents about 3 times the human exposure at the dose of 3.5 mg BID on an AUC basis.

Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of treprostinil in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric Use

Use of Orenitram in patients aged 65 years and over demonstrated slightly higher absolute and relative adverse event rates compared to younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Patients With Hepatic Impairment

There is a marked increase in the systemic exposure to treprostinil in hepatically impaired patients [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, CONTRAINDICATIONS, and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

Patients With Renal Impairment

No dose adjustments are required in patients with renal impairment. Orenitram is not removed by dialysis [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

Overdose

Signs and symptoms of overdose with Orenitram during clinical trials reflect its dose-limiting pharmacologic effects and include severe headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and hypotension. Treat supportively.

Contraindications

Severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh Class C) [see Use In Specific Populations and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

Mechanism Of Action

The major pharmacologic actions of treprostinil are direct vasodilation of pulmonary and systemic arterial vascular beds, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Pharmacodynamics

In a clinical trial of 240 healthy adult volunteers, single doses of inhaled treprostinil 54 μg (the target clinical dose) and 84 μg (supratherapeutic inhalation dose) prolonged the corrected QTc interval by approximately 10 msec. The QTc effect dissipated rapidly as the concentration of treprostinil decreased. Orenitram has not been evaluated in a thorough QTc study.

Pharmacokinetics

In patients with PAH, pharmacokinetics of treprostinil is dose-proportional for systemic exposure (AUC0-t) over the dose range from 0.5 to 15 mg BID. Upon repeat administration with a BID regimen, the accumulation in the systemic exposures to treprostinil is minimal and results in a peak-to-trough ratio of approximately 7. However, a TID regimen will reduce the peak-to-trough fluctuations to approximately 2.5 for the same total daily dose.

Absorption

The absolute oral bioavailability of Orenitram is approximately 17%. Maximum treprostinil concentrations occur between approximately 4 and 6 hours following Orenitram administration. Time to reach steady-state concentrations for both BID and TID regimens is approximately 1 to 2 days.

The absorption of Orenitram is affected by food. The AUCinf of treprostinil was increased by 49% and the Cmax was increased by an average of 13% when Orenitram was administered following a high-fat, high-calorie meal compared to fasting conditions in healthy volunteers. The relative bioavailability of treprostinil following oral administration of Orenitram 1 mg is not significantly altered by meal types ranging from 250 to 500 calories in healthy volunteers.

When Orenitram 1 mg was administered with alcohol at 0.5 mg/kg or the equivalent of 3 servings (at the same time, or ± 1 hour relative to alcohol consumption), there was no significant change (10% to 20% increase) in the exposure to treprostinil compared to Orenitram administered alone.

Distribution

The treprostinil component of Orenitram is highly bound to human plasma proteins, approximately 96% over a treprostinil concentration range of 0.01 to 10 μg/mL.

Metabolism And Excretion

In a study conducted in healthy volunteers using [14C] treprostinil, treprostinil was extensively metabolized on the side chain of the molecule via oxidation, oxidative cleavage, dehydration, and glucuronic acid conjugation. Treprostinil is primarily metabolized by CYP2C8 and to a lesser extent by CYP2C9. No new major metabolites are found upon oral administration compared to parenteral administration of treprostinil. Only 1.13% and 0.19% is excreted as unchanged parent drug in the feces and urine, respectively. Based on in vitro studies, treprostinil does not inhibit or induce major CYP enzymes [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].

Specific Populations

Hepatic Impairment

In subjects with mild (n=8) hepatic impairment, administration of a single 1 mg dose of Orenitram resulted in a mean Cmax and an AUC0-inf that were 1.6- and 2.1-fold values seen in healthy subjects, respectively. With moderate impairment (n=8), the corresponding ratios were 4.0- and 4.8-fold, and with severe impairment (n=6), they were 4.8- and 7.6-fold [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, CONTRAINDICATIONS, and Use In Specific Populations].

Renal Impairment

In patients with severe renal impairment requiring dialysis (n=8), administration of a single 1 mg dose of Orenitram pre- and post-dialysis resulted in an AUC0-inf that was not significantly altered compared to healthy subjects.

Drug Interactions

Results of drug interaction studies are shown in Figure 1. Only for the strong CYP2C8 inhibitor does the interaction affect dosing [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Figure 1: Impact of Co-Administered Drugs on the Systemic Exposure of Treprostinil 1 mg Compared to Orenitram Administered Alone

 

Warfarin

A drug interaction study was carried out with Remodulin co-administered with warfarin (25 mg/day) in healthy volunteers. There was no clinically significant effect of either medication on the pharmacokinetics of treprostinil. Additionally, treprostinil did not affect the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of warfarin. The pharmacokinetics of R- and S-warfarin and the international normalized ratio (INR) in healthy subjects given a single 25 mg dose of warfarin were unaffected by continuous subcutaneous infusion of treprostinil at an infusion rate of 10 ng/kg/min.

Clinical Studies

Clinical Trials In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Four multicenter, randomized, double-blind studies were conducted and compared Orenitram to placebo in a total of 349 (Study 1), 350 (Study 2), 310 (Study 3), and 690 (Study 4) patients with PAH.

Study 1 (effect seen with no background vasodilator)

Study 1 was a 12-week, randomized (2:1 Orenitram to placebo), double-blind, placebo-controlled, international efficacy and safety study of Orenitram in patients with WHO Group 1 PAH not currently receiving PAH therapy. The primary efficacy endpoint was placebo-corrected change in six-minute walk distance (6MWD) from Baseline to Week 12. Study drug dose was titrated to a maximum of 12 mg BID based on clinical response and study drug tolerability. Study 1 enrolled 349 patients (overall analysis population) who were not receiving any PAH medication. At the beginning of the study, subjects were dosed with only the 1 mg tablets with 0.5 and 0.25 mg tablets introduced at sequentially later dates during the study. The primary analysis population consisted of the 228 patients who had access to the 0.25 mg tablet at the time of randomization. Patients were administered Orenitram or placebo twice daily, with the doses titrated to effect over the course of the 12-week trial. Patients were in WHO functional class II (~33%) and class III (~66%) with either idiopathic or heritable PAH (~75%), collagen vascular disease associated PAH (~19%), or PAH associated with HIV (1%) or congenital heart defect (5%) or other conditions (~6%). The patients’ mean baseline 6MWD was approximately 330 meters. In the primary analysis population, 17% of patients discontinued Orenitram compared to 14% of patients on placebo.

The primary efficacy endpoint of the trial was the change in 6MWD at 12 weeks for the primary analysis population. Analysis of Study 1 results demonstrated that those patients receiving Orenitram compared to patients receiving placebo improved their median change in 6MWD by approximately 23 meters (p=0.013) as compared to patients receiving placebo as demonstrated in (Figure 2). The within group median change from baseline was +25 meters for Orenitram and -5 meters for placebo at Week 12 (N=228). Mean dose (±SD) in the Orenitram group was 2.3 ± 1.3, 3.2 ± 1.9, and 3.4 ± 1.9 mg BID at Weeks 4, 8, and 12, respectively, with a maximum dose of 12 mg BID. The distribution of the 6MWD change from baseline at Week 12 was also plotted across the range of observed values (Figure 3).

Figure 2: Estimate of Treatment Effect by Visit for the Primary Analysis Population (Study 1)

 

Figure 3: Plot of the Distribution of Peak 6MWD Changes at Week 12 for the Primary Analysis Population (Study 1)

 

The placebo-corrected median treatment effect on 6MWD was estimated within various subpopulations defined by age, gender, disease etiology, and baseline 6MWD (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Placebo Corrected Median Treatment Effect (with 95% CI) on 6MWD Change from Baseline at Week 12 for Various Subgroups in the Primary Analysis Population (Study 1)

 

Studies 2 And 3 (no effect on a background of ERA, PDE-5 inhibitor, or both)

Studies 2 (N=350) and 3 (N=310) were 16-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, international efficacy and safety studies of Orenitram in patients with WHO Group 1 PAH. The primary efficacy endpoint was placebo-corrected change in 6MWD from Baseline to Week 16. Patients were in WHO functional class II (~23%) and class III (~77%) with either idiopathic or heritable PAH (~66%), collagen vascular disease associated PAH (~29%), or PAH associated with HIV (1%) or congenital heart defect (4%). The patients’ mean baseline 6MWD was approximately 340 meters. Approximately 40% were receiving both an ERA and a PDE-5 inhibitor. The results did not demonstrate a benefit in exercise testing with median 6MWD at Week 16.

Study 4 (effect seen with a single background PAH therapy)

The effect of Orenitram on the progression of PAH was demonstrated in an international, multicenter, double-blind, event-driven study in patients with WHO Group 1 PAH randomized 1:1 to Orenitram or placebo (Study 4). The primary efficacy endpoint was the time to first clinical worsening (morbidity or mortality) event. Study drug dose was titrated starting at 0.125 mg TID to a maximum of 12 mg TID based on clinical response and study drug tolerability. Study 4 enrolled a total of 690 patients (primary efficacy analysis population) who were currently receiving a single approved PAH therapy (PDE-5 inhibitor or soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) [72%]; ERA [28%]). The median age was 43 years and most patients were white (52%) and female (79%). The majority of patients were lower risk in WHO functional class II (63%) with a mean (±SD) baseline 6MWD of 396 (±96) meters. Most patients had either idiopathic or heritable PAH (63%) or collagen vascular disease associated PAH (26%).

Patients treated with Orenitram achieved a median dose of 3.6 mg TID at Week 24, which continued to increase until approximately Week 60 where the median dose of Orenitram was approximately 5 mg TID.

Treatment with Orenitram resulted in a significant increase in the time to first clinical worsening event compared with patients who received placebo, which was associated with a reduction in the risk of an event (HR=0.75 [95% CI; 0.57, 0.99]; p=0.039; Figure 5). The beneficial effect of Orenitram was primarily attributable to a delay in disease progression—defined as a 15% decline in 6MWD plus an increase in either WHO Functional Class or worsening of signs or symptoms of right heart failure—(HR=0.39 [95% CI; 0.23, 0.66]; Figure 6), but there was no effect on the other components of clinical worsening (Table 2).

Figure 5: Kaplan-Meier Plot of Time to Clinical Worsening Events for the Primary Analysis Population (Study 4)

 

Table 2: Primary Endpoint Events (Study 4)

			Orenitram % N=346	Placebo % N=344	HR (95% CI)
Clinical worsening			26	36	0.75 (0.57, 0.99)
Any of these	All-cause mortality		4.3	4.1
	Hospitalization for PAH		10	10
	Inhaled/IV PGI2		0.6	1.5
	Unsatisfactory long-term clinical response		5.5	5.8
	Disease progression		5.5	14.5	0.39 (0.23, 0.66)
	This →	15% decrease in 6MWD	5.5	14.5
	Plus one of these	Increase in WHO functional class	2.6	8.1
		Increased RHF symptoms	2.9	6.4
6MWD – 6-minute walk distance; CI – confidence interval; HR – hazard ratio; IV PGI2 – intravenously administered prostacyclin; PAH – pulmonary arterial hypertension; RHF – right heart failure; WHO – World Health Organization

 

Figure 6: Kaplan-Meier Plot of Time to Disease Progression for the Primary Analysis Population (Study 4)

 

The treatment effect on time to first clinical worsening event due to disease progression was consistent for various subgroups defined by age, sex, baseline 6MWD, WHO functional class, disease etiology, geographical regions, and background therapy (Figure 7).

Figure 7: Forest Plot of Subgroup Analyses of Time to Disease Progression for Various Subgroups in the Primary Analysis Population (Study 4)

 

Long-Term Treatment Of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Patients (N=824) from the placebo-controlled studies entered a long-term, uncontrolled, openlabel extension study. The average exposure to Orenitram was approximately 2 years with a maximum exposure of approximately 6 years. The dose of Orenitram continued to increase over time with doses (mean ± SD) of 3.6 ± 2.7, 4.2 ± 3.1, and 5 ± 3.7 mg BID at 6 (n=649), 12 (n=433), and 24 months (n=238), respectively, with a maximum dose of 21 mg BID. Reasons for discontinuation from the study included adverse event (16%), progression of disease (15%), death (13%), and withdrawn consent (7%). In the 522 subjects that completed the 12-month efficacy assessment, their mean 6MWD improved by 24 meters compared to baseline (30 meters in monotherapy patients and 20 meters when Orenitram was used in combination with an ERA and/or a PDE-5 inhibitor). Of the patients that remained in the study, overall survival was 92%, 87%, and 82% at the end of 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively, with progression-free survival (progression defined as death, discontinuation, or addition of a PAH therapy) of 74%, 61%, and 47%. Without a control group, these data must be interpreted cautiously.

Remodulin To Orenitram Transition Study

A 24-week, multicenter, open-label study enrolled 33 WHO Group 1 patients on stable doses of Remodulin. All patients received background therapy with a PDE-5 inhibitor and/or ERA. Patients were WHO functional class I or II and hemodynamically stable at baseline with a cardiac index >2.2 L/m², RAP <11 mmHg, and PVR <10 Wood units. The primary endpoint of the study was the safety and tolerability of the transition. Successful transition was defined as transition from Remodulin to Orenitram at Week 4 (no longer receiving Remodulin) and clinically maintained on Orenitram through Week 24 (as measured by 6MWD and hemodynamics).

All patients transitioned from Remodulin to Orenitram (median time to transition of 3 days) with thirty-one patients (94%) completing transition in 5 days (range 2 to 29 days). Two subjects discontinued Orenitram. After 24 weeks of treatment with Orenitram, 6MWD and hemodynamics remained stable. Without a control group, these data must be interpreted cautiously.