Intravenous Dosage

Reconstitute ORENCIA lyophilized powder and administer after dilution [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)] as a 30-minute intravenous infusion utilizing the weight range-based dosing recommended in Table 1. Following the initial intravenous infusion, administer as an intravenous infusion at 2 and 4 weeks and every 4 weeks thereafter.

Subcutaneous Dosage

Prior to the first subcutaneous dose, an optional loading dose may be administered as a single intravenous infusion (as per body weight categories in Table 1). If an intravenous loading dose is used, administer the first subcutaneous injection within one day of the infusion. Administer ORENCIA 125 mg in prefilled syringes or in ORENCIA ClickJect™ autoinjector by subcutaneous injection once weekly [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

For patients switching from ORENCIA intravenous therapy to subcutaneous administration, administer the first subcutaneous dose instead of the next scheduled intravenous dose.

Intravenous Dosage

Administer ORENCIA as a 30-minute intravenous infusion based on body weight [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)]:

•

For body weight less than 75 kg, administer a dose of 10 mg/kg.

•

For body weight of 75 kg or greater, administer as per the recommendations in Table 1 (follow the adult intravenous dosing regimen), not to exceed a maximum dose of 1,000 mg.

Following the initial intravenous infusion, administer infusions at 2 and 4 weeks and every 4 weeks thereafter. Immediately discard any unused portion in the vials.

Subcutaneous Dosage

Administer ORENCIA for subcutaneous injection, without an intravenous loading dose, utilizing the weight range-based dosing as recommended in Table 2 [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. Subsequently administer once weekly.

Patients with pJIA may self-inject with ORENCIA or the patient’s caregiver may administer ORENCIA if both the healthcare practitioner and the parent/legal guardian determine it is appropriate. The ability of pediatric patients to self-inject with the autoinjector has not been tested.

Intravenous Dosage

Administer ORENCIA as a 30-minute intravenous infusion utilizing the weight range-based dosing specified in Table 1. Following the initial intravenous administration, administer an intravenous infusion at 2 and 4 weeks and every 4 weeks thereafter.

Subcutaneous Dosage

Administer 125 mg of ORENCIA subcutaneously once weekly (no intravenous loading dose is needed) [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

For patients switching from ORENCIA intravenous infusions to subcutaneous administration, administer the first subcutaneous dose instead of the next scheduled intravenous dose.

Pediatric Patients

Administer ORENCIA as a subcutaneous injection in pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with psoriatic arthritis [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]. ORENCIA may be used as monotherapy or concomitantly with methotrexate. Intravenous administration is not approved for pediatric patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Subcutaneous Dosage

Administer ORENCIA for subcutaneous injection weekly, utilizing the weight range-based dosage as recommended in Table 3 [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

 

Table 3:Dose of ORENCIA for Subcutaneous Administration in Patients 2 Years of Age and Older with Psoriatic Arthritis

Pediatric patients with psoriatic arthritis may self-inject with ORENCIA or the patient’s caregiver may administer ORENCIA if both the healthcare practitioner and the parent/legal guardian determine it is appropriate. The ability of pediatric patients to self-inject with the autoinjector has not been tested.

Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients with RA

Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients with RA Treated with Intravenous ORENCIA

The data from placebo-controlled studies described herein reflect exposure to ORENCIA administered intravenously in patients with active RA (1955 patients with ORENCIA, 989 with placebo) (Studies I through VI) [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. The studies had either a double-blind, placebo-controlled period of 6 months (258 patients with ORENCIA, 133 with placebo) or 1 year (1697 patients with ORENCIA, 856 with placebo). A subset of these patients received concomitant biologic DMARD therapy, such as a TNF antagonist (204 patients with ORENCIA, 134 with placebo). The concomitant use of ORENCIA with a TNF antagonist is not recommended [see Indications and Usage (1.5)]. The majority of patients in RA clinical studies received one or more of the following concomitant medications with ORENCIA: methotrexate, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, TNF antagonist, azathioprine, chloroquine, gold, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, sulfasalazine, and anakinra.

The most serious adverse reactions were serious infections and malignancies. The most commonly reported adverse events (occurring in ≥10% of patients treated with ORENCIA) were headache, upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, and nausea.

The adverse reactions most frequently resulting in clinical intervention (interruption or discontinuation of ORENCIA) were due to infection. The most frequently reported infections resulting in dose interruption were upper respiratory tract infection (1%), bronchitis (0.7%), and herpes zoster (0.7%). The most frequent infections resulting in discontinuation were pneumonia (0.2%), localized infection (0.2%), and bronchitis (0.1%).

Most Common Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients with RA Treated with Intravenous ORENCIA

Adverse reactions occurring in 3% or more of patients and at least 1% more frequently in ORENCIA-treated patients (intravenous) during placebo-controlled RA studies are summarized in Table 4.

Infections in Adult Patients with RA Treated with Intravenous ORENCIA

In the placebo-controlled trials in patients with RA, infections were reported in 54% of intravenous ORENCIA-treated patients and 48% of placebo-treated patients. The most commonly reported infections (reported in 5%-13% of patients) were upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, urinary tract infection, influenza, and bronchitis. Other infections reported in fewer than 5% of patients at a higher frequency (>0.5%) with ORENCIA compared to placebo, were rhinitis, herpes simplex, and pneumonia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Serious infections were reported in 3% of patients treated with ORENCIA and 1.9% of patients treated with placebo. The most common (0.2%-0.5%) serious infections reported with ORENCIA were pneumonia, cellulitis, urinary tract infection, bronchitis, diverticulitis, and acute pyelonephritis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Malignancies in Adult Patients with RA Treated with Intravenous ORENCIA

In the placebo-controlled portions of the clinical trials (1955 patients treated for RA with ORENCIA for a median of 12 months), the overall frequencies of malignancies were similar in the ORENCIA- and placebo-treated patients (1.3% and 1.1%, respectively). However, more cases of lung cancer were observed in ORENCIA-treated patients (4 cases, 0.2%) than placebo-treated patients (0 cases, 0%). In the cumulative intravenous ORENCIA clinical trials in patients with RA (placebo-controlled and uncontrolled, open-label) a total of 8 cases of lung cancer (0.21 cases per 100 patient-years) and 4 lymphomas (0.10 cases per 100 patient-years) were observed in 2688 patients (3827 patient-years). The rate observed for lymphoma is approximately 3.5-fold higher than expected in an age- and gender-matched general population based on the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database. Patients with RA, particularly those with highly active disease, are at a higher risk for the development of lymphoma. Other malignancies included skin, breast, bile duct, bladder, cervical, endometrial, lymphoma, melanoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, ovarian, prostate, renal, thyroid, and uterine cancers [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]. The potential role of ORENCIA in the development of malignancies in humans is unknown.

Infusion-Related Reactions and Hypersensitivity Reactions in Adult Patients with RA Treated with Intravenous ORENCIA

Acute infusion-related events (adverse reactions occurring within 1 hour of the start of the infusion) in Studies III, IV, and V [see Clinical Studies (14.1)] were more common in the ORENCIA-treated patients than the placebo patients (9% for ORENCIA, 6% for placebo). The most frequently reported events (1%-2%) were dizziness, headache, and hypertension.

Acute infusion-related events that were reported in >0.1% and ≤1% of patients treated with ORENCIA included cardiopulmonary symptoms, such as hypotension, increased blood pressure, and dyspnea; other symptoms included nausea, flushing, urticaria, cough, hypersensitivity, pruritus, rash, and wheezing. Most of these reactions were mild (68%) to moderate (28%). Fewer than 1% of ORENCIA-treated patients discontinued due to an acute infusion-related event. In controlled trials, 6 ORENCIA-treated patients compared to 2 placebo-treated patients discontinued study treatment due to acute infusion-related events.

In clinical trials of 2688 adult RA patients treated with intravenous ORENCIA, there were two cases (<0.1%) of anaphylaxis. Other reactions potentially associated with drug hypersensitivity, such as hypotension, urticaria, and dyspnea, each occurred in less than 0.9% of ORENCIA-treated patients and generally occurred within 24 hours of ORENCIA infusion. Appropriate medical support measures for the treatment of hypersensitivity reactions should be available for immediate use in the event of a reaction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Adverse Reactions in Patients with COPD Treated for RA with Intravenous ORENCIA

In Study V [see Clinical Studies (14.1)], there were 37 and 17 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were treated for RA with ORENCIA and placebo, respectively. The COPD patients treated with ORENCIA for RA developed adverse events more frequently than those treated with placebo (97% vs 88%, respectively). Respiratory disorders occurred more frequently in ORENCIA-treated patients compared to placebo-treated patients (43% vs 24%, respectively) including COPD exacerbation, cough, rhonchi, and dyspnea. A greater percentage of ORENCIA-treated patients developed a serious adverse event compared to placebo-treated patients (27% vs 6%), including COPD exacerbation [3 of 37 patients (8%)] and pneumonia [1 of 37 patients (3%)] [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

Adverse Reactions in Methotrexate-Naive Patients with RA Treated with Intravenous ORENCIA

Study VI was an active-controlled clinical trial in methotrexate-naive patients [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. The safety experience in these patients was consistent with the patients in Studies I-V.

Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients with RA Treated with Subcutaneous or Intravenous ORENCIA

The data described below are derived from Study SC-1. Study SC-1 was a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, non-inferiority study that compared the safety of ORENCIA administered subcutaneously or intravenously in 1457 patients with RA, who received background methotrexate, and experienced an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX-IR) [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. The adverse reaction profile in patients treated with subcutaneous ORENCIA was similar to the adverse reaction profile in patients treated with intravenous ORENCIA and consistent with intravenous ORENCIA administered in Studies I-VI.

Injection Site Reactions in Adult RA Patients Treated with Subcutaneous ORENCIA

The overall frequency of injection site reactions in Study SC-1 was 2.6% (19/736) and 2.5% (18/721) for the subcutaneous ORENCIA group and the subcutaneous placebo group (given intravenous ORENCIA), respectively [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. All these injection site reactions (including hematoma, pruritus, and erythema) were mild (83%) to moderate (17%) in severity, and none necessitated drug discontinuation.

Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients with PsA

Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients with PsA Treated with Intravenous or Subcutaneous ORENCIA

The safety of ORENCIA was evaluated in 594 patients with PsA (341 patients on ORENCIA and 253 patients on placebo), in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials [see Clinical Studies (14.3)]. Of the 341 patients who received ORENCIA, 128 patients received intravenous ORENCIA (PsA-I) and 213 patients received subcutaneous ORENCIA (PsA-II). The safety profile was comparable between ORENCIA given intravenously in Study PsA-I and ORENCIA given subcutaneously in Study PsA-II and also consistent with the safety profile of ORENCIA in patients with RA [see Warnings and Precautions (5), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Adverse Reactions in Patients with pJIA

Adverse Reactions in Patients with pJIA Treated with Intravenous ORENCIA

In general, the adverse events in pediatric patients with polyarticular JIA (pJIA) treated with intravenous ORENCIA were similar in frequency and type to those seen in adult patients with RA treated with intravenous ORENCIA [see Warnings and Precautions (5) and Adverse Reactions (6)].

Study JIA-1 was a three-part study including an open-label extension that assessed the safety of intravenous ORENCIA in 190 pediatric patients, 6 to 17 years of age, with pJIA. Overall frequency of adverse events in the 4‑month, lead-in, open-label period of the study was 70%; infections occurred at a frequency of 36% [see Clinical Studies (14.2)]. The most common infections were upper respiratory tract infection and nasopharyngitis. The infections resolved without sequelae, and the types of infections were consistent with those commonly seen in outpatient pediatric populations. Other events that occurred at a prevalence of at least 5% were headache, nausea, diarrhea, cough, pyrexia, and abdominal pain.

A total of 6 serious adverse events [acute lymphocytic leukemia, ovarian cyst, varicella infection, disease flare (2), and joint wear] were reported during the initial 4 months of treatment with intravenous ORENCIA.

Of the 190 pediatric patients with pJIA treated with intravenous ORENCIA in clinical trials, there was one case of a hypersensitivity reaction (0.5%). During Periods A, B, and C, acute infusion-related reactions occurred at a frequency of 4%, 2%, and 3%, respectively, and were consistent with the types of events reported in adults.

Upon continued treatment in the open-label extension period, the types of adverse events were similar in frequency and type to those seen in adult patients, except for a single patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while on open-label treatment.

Adverse Reactions in Patients with pJIA Treated with Subcutaneous ORENCIA

Study JIA-2 was an open-label study with a 4-month short-term period and a long-term extension period that assessed the safety of subcutaneous ORENCIA in 205 pediatric patients, 2 to 17 years of age with pJIA. The adverse reaction profile in patients with pJIA treated with ORENCIA administered subcutaneously in Study JIA-2 were consistent with the adverse reaction profile in patients with pJIA treated with intravenous Study JIA-1.

There were no reported cases of hypersensitivity reactions. Local injection‑site reactions occurred at a frequency of 4.4%.

Adverse Reactions in Patients Undergoing Unrelated-Donor Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) with Intravenous ORENCIA

The data described herein were from one clinical study of ORENCIA (GVHD-1) for aGVHD prophylaxis in patients 6 years and older with hematologic malignancies who were undergoing unrelated HSCT wherein all patients were receiving calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate as the standard of care for aGVHD prophylaxis [see Clinical Studies (14.4)]. Two cohorts were studied at 10 mg/kg (maximum dose of 1,000 mg) as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes on the day before transplantation (Day-1), followed by administration on Days 5, 14, and 28 after transplantation:

1) A single-arm cohort of ORENCIA-treated patients (n=43) who underwent 7 of 8 Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched HSCT from unrelated donors (7 of 8 cohort) and

2) A randomized cohort comprised of ORENCIA-treated patients (n=73) and placebo-treated patients (n=69) who underwent 8 of 8 HLA-matched HSCT from unrelated donors (8 of 8 cohort).

Of the 116 patients who received ORENCIA, 27 (23%) were 6 to less than 17 years of age [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

The safety information from the date of first dose of ORENCIA up to Day 225 post-transplantation from this study is presented below. The incidence of adverse reactions was determined based on pooled data of ORENCIA-treated patients from the 2 study cohorts (n=116).

Serious adverse reactions reported in > 5% of patients who received ORENCIA in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate included pyrexia (20%), pneumonia (8%), acute kidney injury (7%), diarrhea (6%), hypoxia (5%), and nausea (5%).

Permanent discontinuation of ORENCIA due to an adverse reaction occurred in two patients (1.7%) due to one case each of pneumonia and allergic reaction.

The most common (≥10%) adverse reactions in the ORENCIA treated patients were anemia, hypertension, CMV reactivation/CMV infection, pyrexia, pneumonia, epistaxis, CD4 lymphocytes decreased, hypermagnesemia, and acute kidney injury.

Table 5 summarizes the frequency of adverse reactions reported in the study of ORENCIA in GVHD-1.

Clinically relevant adverse reactions in <10% of patients who received ORENCIA in combination with calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate in Study GVHD-1 included EBV reactivation.

Immunogenicity in Adult Patients with RA Treated with Intravenous ORENCIA

Antibodies directed against the entire abatacept molecule or to the CTLA-4 portion of abatacept were assessed by ELISA assays in RA patients for up to 2 years following repeated treatment with intravenous ORENCIA. Thirty-four of 1993 (2%) patients developed binding antibodies to the entire abatacept molecule or to the CTLA-4 portion of abatacept. Because trough levels of abatacept can interfere with assay results, a subset analysis was performed. In the subset analysis, 9 of 154 (6%) patients that had discontinued intravenous ORENCIA treatment for over 56 days developed antibodies. Samples with confirmed binding activity to CTLA-4 were assessed for the presence of neutralizing antibodies in a cell-based luciferase reporter assay. Six of 9 (67%) evaluable patients were shown to possess neutralizing antibodies. However, the development of neutralizing antibodies may be underreported due to lack of assay sensitivity.

No correlation of anti-abatacept antibody development to clinical response or adverse events was observed.

Immunogenicity in Adult RA Patients Treated with Subcutaneous or Intravenous ORENCIA

Study SC-1 compared the immunogenicity to abatacept following subcutaneous or intravenous ORENCIA administration. The overall immunogenicity frequency to abatacept was 1% (8/725) and 2% (16/710) for the subcutaneous and intravenous groups, respectively. The rate is consistent with previous experience, and there was no correlation of immunogenicity with effects on pharmacokinetics, safety, or efficacy.

Immunogenicity in Adult RA Patients Treated with Subcutaneous ORENCIA Monotherapy

Study SC-2 was conducted to determine the effect of subcutaneous monotherapy use of ORENCIA on immunogenicity (without an intravenous loading dose) in 100 RA patients, who had not previously received ORENCIA or other CTLA4Ig. Patients in this study received either subcutaneous ORENCIA plus methotrexate (n=51) or subcutaneous ORENCIA monotherapy (n=49). No patients in either group developed anti-abatacept antibodies after 4 months of treatment. The safety observed in this study was consistent with that observed in the other subcutaneous studies.

Immunogenicity in Adult RA Patients After Treatment, Withdrawal, and then Restart of Subcutaneous ORENCIA

Study SC-3 was conducted to investigate the immunogenicity in adult RA patients after treatment, withdrawal (three months), and restart of ORENCIA subcutaneous treatment (patients were treated concomitantly with methotrexate). One hundred sixty-seven patients were enrolled in the first 3‑month treatment period and responders (n=120) were randomized to either subcutaneous ORENCIA or placebo for the second 3-month period (withdrawal period). Patients from this period then received open-label ORENCIA treatment in the final 3-month period of the study (period 3). At the end of the withdrawal period, 0/38 (0%) patients who continued to receive subcutaneous ORENCIA developed anti-abatacept antibodies compared to 7/73 (10%) of patients who had subcutaneous ORENCIA withdrawn during this period. Half of the patients who received subcutaneous placebo during the withdrawal period received a single intravenous infusion of ORENCIA at the start of period 3 and half received intravenous placebo. At the end of period 3, when all patients again received subcutaneous ORENCIA, the immunogenicity rates were 1/38 (3%) in the group who received subcutaneous ORENCIA throughout, and 2/73 (3%) in the group that had received placebo during the withdrawal period. Upon reinitiating therapy, there were no injection reactions and no differences in response to therapy in patients who were withdrawn from subcutaneous therapy for up to 3 months compared to those who remained on subcutaneous therapy (these results occurred in those who received or did not receive an intravenous loading dose). The safety observed in this study was consistent with that observed in the other studies.

Immunogenicity in Patients with pJIA Treated with Intravenous ORENCIA

Antibodies directed against the entire abatacept molecule or to the CTLA-4 portion of abatacept were assessed by ELISA assays in patients with pJIA following repeated treatment with intravenous ORENCIA throughout the open-label period. For patients who were withdrawn from therapy for up to 6 months during the double-blind period, the rate of antibody formation to the CTLA-4 portion of the molecule was 41% (22/54), while for those who remained on therapy the rate was 13% (7/54). Twenty of these patients had samples that could be tested for antibodies with neutralizing activity; of these, 8 (40%) patients were shown to possess neutralizing antibodies.

The presence of antibodies was generally transient, and titers were low. The presence of antibodies was not associated with adverse events, changes in efficacy, or an effect on serum concentrations of abatacept. For patients who were withdrawn from ORENCIA during the double-blind period for up to 6 months, no serious acute infusion-related events were observed upon re-initiation of ORENCIA therapy.

Immunogenicity in Patients Treated for Prophylaxis of aGVHD with Intravenous ORENCIA

Immunogenicity was assessed in patients undergoing HSCT. Overall, immunogenicity incidence and associated antibody titers were low from the 4-dose intravenous ORENCIA regimen used in this study. Of the 114 immunogenicity evaluable subjects in the ORENCIA groups, none were positive during the ORENCIA treatment period (Day -1 to Day 28 following transplant). During the off-treatment period (Day 29 and up to Day 180 following transplant); 6 of 91 immunogenicity evaluable subjects (6.6%) were positive for CTLA4 and possibly Ig; 4 of the 6 positive subjects were found to have at least one positive sample with neutralization activity. In this study, immunogenicity positive subjects only had ADA positive samples on Day 180 (off-treatment period) and thus due to the timing of the response, the impact on PK, safety, or efficacy could not be determined.

Risk Summary

The data with ORENCIA use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform on drug-associated risk. However, there are clinical considerations for administering live vaccines to infants who were exposed to ORENCIA while in utero (see Clinical Considerations). In reproductive toxicology studies in rats and rabbits, no fetal malformations were observed with intravenous administration of ORENCIA during organogenesis at doses that produced exposures approximately 29 times the exposure at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 10 mg/kg/month on an AUC basis. However, in a pre- and postnatal development study in rats, ORENCIA altered immune function in female rats at 11 times the MRHD on an AUC basis.

Clinical Considerations

Infants and Administration of Live Vaccines

It is unknown if abatacept can cross the placenta into the fetus when a woman is treated with ORENCIA during pregnancy. Abatacept is an immunomodulatory agent. It is unknown if the immune response of an infant who was exposed in utero to abatacept and subsequently administered a live vaccine is impacted. Risks and benefits should be considered prior to vaccinating such infants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

Data

Risk Summary

There is no information regarding the presence of abatacept in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. However, abatacept was present in the milk of lactating rats dosed with abatacept.

Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data

A juvenile animal study conducted in rats dosed with abatacept from 4 to 94 days of age (prior to immune system maturity) showed an increase in the incidence of infections leading to death at all doses compared with controls. Altered T-cell subsets including increased T-helper cells and reduced T-regulatory cells were observed. In addition, inhibition of T-cell-dependent antibody responses (TDAR) was observed. Upon following these animals into adulthood, lymphocytic inflammation of the thyroid and pancreatic islets was observed. In contrast, studies in adult mice and monkeys have not demonstrated similar findings. As the immune system of the rat is undeveloped in the first few weeks after birth, the relevance of these results to humans is unknown.

Healthy Adults and Adult RA - Intravenous Administration

The pharmacokinetics of abatacept were studied in healthy adult subjects after a single 10 mg/kg intravenous infusion and in RA patients after multiple 10 mg/kg intravenous infusions of ORENCIA (see Table 7).

The pharmacokinetics of abatacept in RA patients and healthy subjects appeared to be comparable. In RA patients, after multiple intravenous infusions, the pharmacokinetics of abatacept showed proportional increases of Cmax and AUC over the dose range of 2 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg. At 10 mg/kg, serum concentration appeared to reach a steady state by day 60 with a mean (range) trough concentration of 24 mcg/mL (1 to 66 mcg/mL). No systemic accumulation of abatacept occurred upon continued repeated treatment with 10 mg/kg at monthly intervals in RA patients.

Population pharmacokinetic analyses in RA patients revealed that there was a trend toward higher clearance of abatacept with increasing body weight. Age and gender (when corrected for body weight) did not affect clearance. Concomitant methotrexate, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and TNF antagonists did not influence abatacept clearance.

No formal studies were conducted to examine the effects of either renal or hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of abatacept.

Adult RA - Subcutaneous Administration

Abatacept exhibited linear pharmacokinetics following subcutaneous administration. The mean (range) for Cmin and Cmax at steady state observed after 85 days of treatment was 32.5 mcg/mL (6.6 to 113.8 mcg/mL) and 48.1 mcg/mL (9.8 to 132.4 mcg/mL), respectively. The bioavailability of abatacept following subcutaneous administration relative to intravenous administration was 79%. Mean estimates for systemic clearance (0.28 mL/h/kg), volume of distribution (0.11 L/kg), and terminal half-life (14.3 days) were comparable between subcutaneous and intravenous administration.

Study SC-2 was conducted to determine the effect of subcutaneous monotherapy use of ORENCIA on immunogenicity (without an intravenous loading dose) in 100 RA patients [see Adverse Reactions (6.3)]. In this study, a mean trough concentration of 12.6 mcg/mL was achieved after 2 weeks of dosing.

Consistent with the intravenous data, population pharmacokinetic analyses for subcutaneous ORENCIA in RA patients revealed that there was a trend toward higher clearance of abatacept with increasing body weight [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)]. Age and gender (when corrected for body weight) did not affect apparent clearance. Concomitant medication, such as methotrexate, corticosteroids, and NSAIDs, did not influence abatacept apparent clearance.

Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - Intravenous Administration

In Study JIA-1 among patients 6 to 17 years of age, the mean (range) steady state serum peak and trough concentrations of abatacept were 217 mcg/mL (57 to 700 mcg/mL) and 11.9 mcg/mL (0.15 to 44.6 mcg/mL) [see Clinical Studies (14.2)]. Population pharmacokinetic analyses of the serum concentration data showed that clearance of abatacept increased with baseline body weight [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. The estimated mean (range) clearance of abatacept in the juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients was 0.4 mL/h/kg (0.20 to 1.12 mL/h/kg). After accounting for the effect of body weight, the clearance of abatacept was not related to age and gender. Concomitant methotrexate, corticosteroids, and NSAIDs were also shown not to influence abatacept clearance.

Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - Subcutaneous Administration

In Study JIA-2 among patients 2 to 17 years of age, steady state of abatacept was achieved by Day 85 following the weekly body-weight–tiered subcutaneous ORENCIA dosing [see Clinical Studies (14.2)]. Comparable trough concentrations across weight tiers and age groups were achieved by the body-weight–tiered subcutaneous dosing regimen. The mean (range) trough concentration of abatacept at Day 113 was 44.4 mcg/mL (13.4 to 88.1 mcg/mL), 46.6 mcg/mL (22.4 to 97.0 mcg/mL), and 38.5 mcg/mL (9.3 to 73.2 mcg/mL) in pediatric JIA patients weighing 10 to <25 kg, 25 to <50 kg, and ≥50 kg, respectively.

Consistent with the intravenous data, population pharmacokinetic analyses for subcutaneous ORENCIA in JIA patients revealed that there was a trend toward higher clearance of abatacept with increasing body weight [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. Age and gender (when corrected for body weight) did not affect apparent clearance. Concomitant medication, such as methotrexate, corticosteroids, and NSAIDs, did not influence abatacept apparent clearance.

Adult Psoriatic Arthritis - Intravenous and Subcutaneous Administration

In Study PsA-I, a dose ranging study, intravenous ORENCIA was administered at 3 mg/kg, weight range-based dosing: 500 mg for patients weighing less than 60 kg, 750 mg for patients weighing 60 to 100 kg, and 1,000 mg for patients weighing greater than 100 kg, or doses of 30 mg/kg on Days 1 and 15 followed by weight-range-based dosing [see Clinical Studies (14.3)]. Following monthly intravenous ORENCIA administration, abatacept showed linear PK over the dose range in this study. At the weight-range-based dosing (see above), the steady state of abatacept was reached by Day 57 and the geometric mean (CV%) trough concentration (Cmin) was 24.3 mcg/mL (40.8%) at Day 169. In Study PsA-II following weekly subcutaneous administration of ORENCIA at 125 mg, the steady state of abatacept was reached at Day 57 and the geometric mean (CV%) Cmin was 25.6 mcg/mL (47.7%) at Day 169.

Consistent with the RA results, population pharmacokinetic analyses for abatacept in PsA patients revealed that there was a trend toward higher clearance (L/h) of abatacept with increasing body weight [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. In addition, relative to the RA patients with the same body weight, abatacept clearance in PsA patients was approximately 8% lower, resulting in higher abatacept exposures in patients with PsA. This slight difference in exposures, however, is not considered to be clinically meaningful.

Prophylaxis of Acute Graft versus Host Disease – Intravenous Administration

In a study of patients who received ORENCIA for prophylaxis of acute Graft Versus Host Disease (aGVHD) aged 6 years and older, the geometric mean (%CV) trough concentrations (Cmin) of abatacept on Day 63 after transplant after 4 doses utilizing weight-based dosing of 10 mg/kg (maximum dose of 1,000 mg) administered on the day before transplantation (Day -1), followed by a dose on Day 5, 14, and 28 after transplant, were 22.5 mcg/mL (243.9 %CV) for recipients of 8 of 8 Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched HSCTs from unrelated donors (URD), and 31.1 mcg/mL (114.4 %CV) for recipients of 7 of 8 HLA-matched HSCTs from unrelated donors (URD), respectively.

Population pharmacokinetic analyses in patients with aGVHD demonstrated that 7 of 8 HLA-matched HSCT recipients had 29% lower clearance compared to 8 of 8 HLA-matched HSCT recipients. Consistent with previous data, increasing body weight was associated with higher clearance of abatacept, while age (when corrected for body weight) did not affect apparent clearance. Concomitant medication, such as methotrexate and calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., cyclosporine and tacrolimus), did not influence abatacept clearance.

Based on population PK modeling and simulation with data from patients aged 6 and older, simulated exposures of abatacept following the first and last dose in pediatric subjects 2 to less than 6 years of age who received 15 mg/kg of ORENCIA via 60-minute intravenous infusion on Day -1, followed by 12 mg/kg via 60-minute intravenous infusion on Day 5, 14, and 28 are comparable to those in pediatric patients 6 to less than 17 years of age and adults patients who received 10 mg/kg via 60-minute intravenous infusion on Day -1, 5, 14, and 28.

Description of Clinical Studies of Intravenous ORENCIA for the Treatment of Patients with RA

The efficacy and safety of ORENCIA for intravenous administration were assessed in six randomized, double-blind, controlled studies (five placebo-controlled and one active-controlled) in patients ≥18 years of age with active RA diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. Studies I, II, III, IV, and VI required patients to have at least 12 tender and 10 swollen joints at randomization, and Study V did not require any specific number of tender or swollen joints. ORENCIA or placebo treatment was given intravenously at weeks 0, 2, and 4 and then every 4 weeks thereafter in Studies I, II, III, IV, and VI.

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Study I (NCT00279760) evaluated ORENCIA as monotherapy in 122 patients with active RA who had failed at least one non-biologic DMARD or etanercept.

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In Study II (NCT00162266) and Study III (NCT00048568), the efficacy of ORENCIA were assessed in patients with an inadequate response to MTX and who were continued on their stable dose of MTX.

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In Study IV (NCT00048581), the efficacy of ORENCIA was assessed in patients with an inadequate response to a TNF antagonist, with the TNF antagonist discontinued prior to randomization; other DMARDs were permitted.

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Study V (NCT00048932) primarily assessed safety in patients with active RA requiring additional intervention in spite of current therapy with DMARDs; all DMARDs used at enrollment were continued. Patients in Study V were not excluded for comorbid medical conditions.

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In Study VI (NCT00122382), the efficacy and safety of ORENCIA were assessed in methotrexate-naive patients with RA of less than 2 years disease duration. In Study VI, patients previously naive to methotrexate were randomized to receive ORENCIA plus methotrexate or methotrexate plus placebo.

Study I patients were randomized to receive one of three doses of ORENCIA (0.5, 2, or 10 mg/kg) or placebo ending at week 8. Study II patients were randomized to receive ORENCIA 2 or 10 mg/kg or placebo for 12 months. Study III, IV, V, and VI patients were randomized to receive a dose of ORENCIA based on weight range or placebo for 12 months (Studies III, V, and VI) or 6 months (Study IV). The dose of ORENCIA was 500 mg for patients weighing less than 60 kg, 750 mg for patients weighing 60 to 100 kg, and 1,000 mg for patients weighing greater than 100 kg.

Description of Clinical Studies of Subcutaneous or Intravenous ORENCIA for the Treatment of Patients with Adult RA

The efficacy of ORENCIA for subcutaneous administration were assessed in Study SC-1 (NCT00559585), which was a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, non-inferiority study that compared ORENCIA administered subcutaneously to ORENCIA administered intravenously in 1457 patients with moderate to severely active RA, receiving background methotrexate (MTX), and experiencing an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX-IR). In Study SC-1, patients were randomized with stratification by body weight (<60 kg, 60 to 100 kg, >100 kg) to receive (1) ORENCIA 125 mg subcutaneous injections weekly, after a single intravenous loading dose of ORENCIA based on body weight or (2) ORENCIA intravenously on Days 1, 15, 29, and every four weeks thereafter. Subjects continued taking their current dose of MTX from the day of randomization.

Clinical Response in Adult RA Patients

The percent of ORENCIA-treated patients achieving ACR 20, 50, and 70 responses and major clinical response in Studies I, III, IV, and VI are shown in Table 9. ORENCIA-treated patients had higher ACR 20, 50, and 70 response rates at 6 months compared to placebo-treated patients. Month 6 ACR response rates in Study II for the 10 mg/kg group were similar to the ORENCIA group in Study III.

In Studies III and IV, improvement in the ACR 20 response rate versus placebo was observed within 15 days in some patients and within 29 days versus MTX in Study VI. In Studies II, III, and VI, ACR response rates were maintained to 12 months in ORENCIA-treated patients. ACR responses were maintained up to three years in the open-label extension of Study II. In Study III, ORENCIA-treated patients experienced greater improvement than placebo-treated patients in morning stiffness.

In Study VI, a greater proportion of patients treated with ORENCIA plus MTX achieved a low level of disease activity as measured by a DAS28-CRP less than 2.6 at 12 months compared to those treated with MTX plus placebo (Table 9). Of patients treated with ORENCIA plus MTX who achieved DAS28-CRP less than 2.6, 54% had no active joints, 17% had one active joint, 7% had two active joints, and 22% had three or more active joints, where an active joint was a joint that was rated as tender or swollen or both.

In Study SC-1, the main outcome measure was ACR 20 at 6 months. The pre-specified non-inferiority margin was a treatment difference of −7.5%. As shown in Table 10, the study demonstrated non-inferiority of ORENCIA administered subcutaneously to intravenous infusions of ORENCIA with respect to ACR 20 responses up to 6 months of treatment. ACR 50 and 70 responses are also shown in Table 9. No major differences in ACR responses were observed between intravenous and subcutaneous treatment groups in subgroups based on weight categories (less than 60 kg, 60 to 100 kg, and more than 100 kg; data not shown).

The results of the components of the ACR response criteria for Studies III, IV, and SC-1 are shown in Table 10 (results at Baseline [BL] and 6 months [6 M]). In ORENCIA-treated patients, greater improvement was seen in all ACR response criteria components through 6 and 12 months than in placebo-treated patients.

The percent of patients achieving the ACR 50 response for Study III by visit is shown in Figure 1. The time course for the ORENCIA group in Study VI was similar to that in Study III.

Figure 1:     Percent of Patients Achieving ACR 50 Response by Visit* (Study III)

*The same patients may not have responded at each time point.

The percent of patients achieving the ACR 50 response for Study SC-1 in the ORENCIA subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV) treatment arms at each treatment visit was as follows: Day 15—SC 3%, IV 5%; Day 29—SC 11%, IV 14%; Day 57—SC 24%, IV 30%; Day 85—SC 33%, IV 38%; Day 113—SC 39%, IV 41%; Day 141—SC 46%, IV 47%; Day 169—SC 51%, IV 50%.

Radiographic Response in Adult RA Patients

In Study III and Study VI, structural joint damage was assessed radiographically and expressed as change from baseline in the Genant-modified Total Sharp Score (TSS) and its components, the Erosion Score (ES) and Joint Space Narrowing (JSN) score. ORENCIA/MTX slowed the progression of structural damage compared to placebo/MTX after 12 months of treatment as shown in Table 11.

In the open-label extension of Study III, 75% of patients initially randomized to ORENCIA/MTX and 65% of patients initially randomized to placebo/MTX were evaluated radiographically at Year 2. As shown in Table 11, progression of structural damage in ORENCIA/MTX-treated patients was further reduced in the second year of treatment.

Following 2 years of treatment with ORENCIA/MTX, 51% of patients had no progression of structural damage as defined by a change in the TSS of zero or less compared with baseline. Fifty-six percent (56%) of ORENCIA/MTX-treated patients had no progression during the first year compared to 45% of placebo/MTX-treated patients. In their second year of treatment with ORENCIA/MTX, more patients had no progression than in the first year (65% vs 56%).

Physical Function Response and Health-Related Outcomes in Adult RA Patients

Improvement in physical function was measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). In the HAQ-DI, ORENCIA demonstrated greater improvement from baseline versus placebo in Studies II-V and versus MTX in Study VI. In Study SC-1, improvement from baseline as measured by HAQ-DI at 6 months and over time was similar between subcutaneous and intravenous ORENCIA administration. The results from Studies II and III are shown in Table 12. Similar results were observed in Study V compared to placebo and in Study VI compared to MTX. During the open-label period of Study II, the improvement in physical function has been maintained for up to 3 years.

Health-related quality of life was assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire at 6 months in Studies II, III, and IV and at 12 months in Studies II and III. In these studies, improvement was observed in the ORENCIA group as compared with the placebo group in all 8 domains of the SF-36 as well as the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS).

Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - Intravenous Administration

The safety and efficacy of ORENCIA with intravenous administration were assessed in Study JIA-1 (NCT00095173), a three-part study including an open-label extension in pediatric patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA). Patients 6 to 17 years of age (n=190) with moderately to severely active pJIA who had an inadequate response to one or more DMARDs, such as MTX or TNF antagonists, were treated. Patients had a disease duration of approximately 4 years with moderately to severely active disease at study entry, as determined by baseline counts of active joints (mean, 16) and joints with loss of motion (mean, 16); patients had elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (mean, 3.2 mg/dL) and ESR (mean, 32 mm/h). The patients enrolled had JIA subtypes that at disease onset included oligoarticular (16%), polyarticular (64%; 20% were rheumatoid factor positive), and systemic JIA without systemic manifestations (20%). At study entry, 74% of patients were receiving MTX (mean dose, 13.2 mg/m2 per week) and remained on a stable dose of MTX (those not receiving MTX did not initiate MTX treatment during the study).

In Period A (open-label, lead-in), patients received 10 mg/kg (maximum 1,000 mg per dose) intravenously on days 1, 15, 29, and monthly thereafter. Response was assessed utilizing the ACR Pediatric 30 definition of improvement, defined as ≥30% improvement in at least 3 of the 6 JIA core set variables and ≥30% worsening in not more than 1 of the 6 JIA core set variables. Patients demonstrating an ACR Pedi 30 response at the end of Period A were randomized into the double-blind phase (Period B) and received either ORENCIA or placebo for 6 months or until disease flare. Disease flare was defined as a ≥30% worsening in at least 3 of the 6 JIA core set variables with ≥30% improvement in not more than 1 of the 6 JIA core set variables; ≥2 cm of worsening of the Physician or Parent Global Assessment was necessary if used as 1 of the 3 JIA core set variables used to define flare, and worsening in ≥2 joints was necessary if the number of active joints or joints with limitation of motion was used as 1 of the 3 JIA core set variables used to define flare.

At the conclusion of Period A, pediatric ACR 30/50/70 responses were 65%, 50%, and 28%, respectively. Pediatric ACR 30 responses were similar in all subtypes of JIA studied.

During the double-blind randomized withdrawal phase (Period B), ORENCIA-treated patients (intravenous) experienced significantly fewer disease flares compared to placebo-treated patients (20% vs 53%); 95% CI of the difference (15%, 52%). The risk of disease flare among patients continuing on intravenous ORENCIA was less than one-third than that for patients withdrawn from intravenous ORENCIA treatment (hazard ratio=0.31, 95% CI [0.16, 0.59]). Among patients who received intravenous ORENCIA throughout the study (Period A, Period B, and the open-label extension Period C), the proportion of pediatric ACR 30/50/70 responders has remained consistent for 1 year.

Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - Subcutaneous Administration

ORENCIA for subcutaneous administration without an intravenous loading dose was assessed in Study JIA-2 (NCT01844518), a 2-period, open-label study that included pediatric patients 2 to 17 years of age (n=205). Patients had active polyarticular disease at the time of the study and had inadequate response to at least one nonbiologic or biologic DMARD. The JIA patient subtypes at study entry included polyarticular (79%; 22% were rheumatoid factor positive), extended and persistent oligoarticular (14%), enthesitis-related arthritis (1%), and systemic JIA without systemic manifestations (2%). Patients had a mean disease duration of 2.5 years with active joints (mean, 11.9), joints with loss of motion (mean, 10.4), and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (mean, 1.2 mg/dL). At study entry, 80% of patients were receiving MTX and remained on a stable dose of MTX. Patients received weekly open-label ORENCIA subcutaneously by a weight-tiered dosing regimen. The primary objective of the study was evaluation of PK in order to support the extrapolation of efficacy based on exposure to ORENCIA supported by descriptive efficacy [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

JIA ACR 30/50/70 responses assessed at 4 months in the 2- to 17-year-old patients treated with subcutaneous ORENCIA were consistent with the results from intravenous ORENCIA in Study JIA-1.

Clinical Response in Adults with PsA

A greater proportion of adult patients with PsA achieved an ACR 20 response after treatment with intravenous ORENCIA (weight-range-based dosing as described above) compared to placebo in Study PsA-I and a greater proportion of adult patients with PsA achieved an ACR 20 response after treatment with subcutaneous 125 mg compared to placebo in Study PsA-II at Week 24. Responses were seen regardless of prior TNF antagonist treatment and regardless of concomitant non-biologic DMARD treatment. The percent of patients achieving ACR 20, 50, or 70 responses in Studies PsA‑I and PsA-II are presented in Table 13 below.

The percentage of patients in PsA-II achieving ACR 20 response through Week 24 is shown below in Figure 2.

Figure 2:     Percent of Patients Achieving ACR 20 Responsea in PsA-II Study Through Week 24 (Day 169)

Results were generally consistent across the ACR components in Study PsA-I and PsA-II.

Improvements in enthesitis and dactylitis were seen with ORENCIA treatment at Week 24 in both PsA-I and PsA-II.

Physical Function Response in Adults with PsA

In study PsA-I, there was a higher proportion of patients with at least a 0.30 decrease from baseline in Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) score at Week 24, with an estimated difference for ORENCIA weight range-based dosing as described above (45%) vs. placebo (19%) of 26.1 (95% confidence interval: 6.8, 45.5). In study PsA-II, the proportion of patients with at least a 0.35 decrease from baseline in HAQ-DI on ORENCIA was 31%, as compared to 24% on placebo (estimated difference: 7%; 95% confidence interval: -1%, 16%). There was a higher adjusted mean change from baseline in HAQ-DI on ORENCIA (-0.33) vs. placebo (-0.20) at Week 24, with an estimated difference of -0.13 (95% confidence interval: -0.25, -0.01).

For Intravenous Infusion

ORENCIA® (abatacept) for injection is a white lyophilized powder for intravenous infusion after reconstitution and dilution. It is supplied as an individually packaged, single-dose vial (one may use less than the full contents of the vial or use more than one vial) with a silicone-free disposable syringe, providing 250 mg of abatacept:

                    NDC 0003-2187-10: in a clamshell presentation

                    NDC 0003-2187-13: in a carton presentation

For Subcutaneous Use

ORENCIA® (abatacept) injection and ORENCIA® ClickJect (abatacept) injection are clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale yellow solutions for subcutaneous administration.

Increased Risk of Infection with Concomitant Use With Immunosuppressants for RA

Inform patients that the concomitant use with other immunosuppressives (e.g., biologic DMARDs, JAK inhibitors) is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Drug Interactions (7.1)].

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Instruct patients to immediately tell their healthcare professional if they experience symptoms of an allergic reaction on the day of administration or the day after ORENCIA administration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Infections

Inform patients that serious infections have been reported in patients receiving ORENCIA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Immunizations

Inform patients that live vaccines should not be given concurrently with ORENCIA or within 3 months of its discontinuation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

Blood Glucose Testing

Maltose is contained in ORENCIA for intravenous administration and can give falsely elevated blood glucose readings with certain blood glucose monitors on the day of ORENCIA infusion. Advise patients treated with intravenous ORENCIA who are using GDH-PQQ-based monitoring systems for glucose (e.g., diabetics) to consider using other methods for glucose monitoring. This recommendation is not applicable to patients treated with subcutaneous ORENCIA [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].

Disposal of Prefilled Syringes and ClickJect Autoinjectors

Advise patients to follow disposal instructions in the Instructions for Use. A puncture-resistant container for disposal of needles and syringes should be used. Instruct patients that they will need to follow their community guidelines for the correct way to dispose of their sharps disposal container. Instruct patients not to recycle their used sharps disposal container.