Monoclonals for migraine

Exciting news regarding a new indication for monoclonal antibodies. FDA has approved Aimovig, a product of the Amgen and Novartis Neuroscience Collaboration, for the prevention of frequent, debilitating migraines.  Aimovig is a human immunoglobulin G2 monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity to the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor blocking the binding of a migraine-inducing peptide known as CGRP.  In clinical trials, Aimovig has shown efficacy as well as a very good safety profile.  In routine practice, patients will self-administer the drug by monthly by subcutaneous injection.  According to information provided by Amgen, the list price will be $6,900 a year, and the drug will be available to patients within a week.  Ainovig’s approval presents a break-through on several fronts: relief for people with severe migraines, biologics becoming approved treatments for more and more chronic conditions outside of the cancer arena, and good news for the American public because Aimovig illustrates that treatment with a seminal biologic can be available at a reasonable price. For more information please view Amgen’s news release herehttps://www.amgen.com/media/news-releases/2018/05/fda-approves-aimovig-erenumabaooe-a-novel-treatment-developed-specifically-for-migraine-prevention/