Andexanet Alfa: First Global Approval

Abstract

Intravenous andexanet alfa [coagulation factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo; Andexxa^®] is a first-in-class recombinant modified factor Xa protein that has been developed by Portola Pharmaceuticals as a universal antidote to reverse anticoagulant effects of direct or indirect factor Xa inhibitors. In May 2018, andexanet alfa received its first global approval in the USA for use in patients treated with rivaroxaban and apixaban, when reversal of anticoagulant effects is required in life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding. Intravenous andexanet alfa is under regulatory review in the EU and is undergoing clinical development in Japan. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of andexanet alfa leading to this first global approval for reversing anticoagulation of rivaroxaban and apixaban in adults.

Introduction

Direct [e.g. apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban and betrixaban (which was approved in the USA in June 2017 [1])] or indirect (e.g. fondaparinux and the low-molecular-weight-heparin enoxaparin) factor Xa inhibitors [2] are effective anticoagulants for the treatment and prevention of thromboembolism, and stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation [3]. Although these agents show a better bleeding risk profile compared with that of vitamin K antagonists (e.g. warfarin), the risk of bleeding complications still exists and the availability of a specific reversing agent would be beneficial [4, 5].

Intravenous andexanet alfa [coagulation factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo; Andexxa^®] is a first-in-class recombinant modified factor Xa protein that has been developed by Portola Pharmaceuticals as a universal antidote to reverse the anticoagulant effects of direct or indirect factor Xa inhibitors [6]. Andexanet alfa acts as a decoy and binds to factor Xa inhibitors, neutralizing the anticoagulant effects of factor Xa inhibitors by preventing the inhibitors from binding to endogenous factor Xa [7, 8].

Key milestones in the development of andexanet alfa as a reversal agent for rivaroxaban and apixaban in adults who experience a major bleeding event. BLA biologics license application, MAA marketing authorization application

On 3 May 2018, andexanet alfa received US FDA accelerated approval for patients treated with rivaroxaban or apixaban who require reversal of the anticoagulant effects in life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding [6]. The approval was based on the change in anti-factor Xa activity from baseline in two phase III studies in healthy volunteers (Sect. 2.3); continued approval for this indication is contingent upon the demonstration of improved haemostasis in patients in post-marketing studies [6, 9]. Andexanet alfa is available as a 100 mg vial for injection/infusion [9]. The recommended dosing regimen is a single intravenous bolus (400 or 800 mg) followed by a continuous infusion for up to 120 min (4 or 8 mg/min); the dosage strengths chosen depends upon the last dose of rivaroxaban (≤ 10 or > 10 mg/unknown) or apixaban (≤ 5 or > 5 mg/unknown), and time of the last dose of rivaroxaban or apixaban (< 8 h/unknown or ≥ 8 h) [9]. The efficacy and safety of repeated administration of andexanet alfa has not been established. The US prescribing information carries a boxed warning regarding serious and life-threatening adverse events (AEs), including thromboembolic events, ischemic events, cardiac arrest and sudden deaths; symptoms and signs of these AEs should be monitored and treated appropriately [9].

Intravenous andexanet alfa is under regulatory review by the European Medicines Agency and is undergoing clinical development in Japan as a universal antidote for factor Xa inhibitors.

Company Agreements and Patent Information

In 2014, Portola Pharmaceuticals signed commercial supply agreements with CMC Biologics [10] and Lonza [11] for the global manufacturing of andexanet alfa.

Between 2012 and 2016, Portola Pharmaceuticals entered into ten separate non-exclusive clinical collaboration agreements with manufacturers of factor Xa inhibitors, including edoxaban (Daiichi Sankyo) [12–15], apixaban [Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and Pfizer Inc.] [16–18] and rivaroxaban (Bayer Healthcare and Janssen) [19–21] to support phase II and III clinical trials in the USA and EU, and clinical development program in Japan to investigate the use of andexanet alfa as a universal antidote for factor Xa inhibitors. Pursuant to the terms of these agreements, Portola Pharmaceuticals received upfront payments and is eligible to receive additional milestone payments (related to development and regulatory approvals); these agreements are to remain in effect for the entire period of each trial.

In February 2016, BMS and Pfizer Inc. acquired licensing rights from Portola Pharmaceuticals for the development and commercialization of andexanet alfa in Japan [21]. Under this agreement, Portola Pharmaceuticals received an upfront payment and is eligible to receive regulatory and sales-based milestone payments, as well as double-digit royalties on net sales of andexanet alfa in Japan [21]. With the exception of Japan, Portola Pharmaceuticals retains the global right to commercialize andexanet alfa [21].

In February 2017, Portola Pharmaceuticals signed a royalty agreement with HealthCare Royalty Partners (HCR) [22]. Under the terms of the agreement, Portola Pharmaceuticals received an upfront payment [22]. In May 2018, Portola Pharmaceuticals received a milestone payment following the approval of andexanet alfa in the USA [23]. In exchange, HCR is eligible to receive a tiered mid-single-digit royalty on any potential worldwide sales of andexanet alfa (total royalty payments are subject to a cap of 195% of the total payments funded by HCR) [23].

Patent Information

Portola Pharmaceuticals has patent protections for composition, manufacturing process and therapeutic use of andexanet alfa and its analogues in the USA until 2030. Andexanet alfa also has patent protection and pending patents in numerous countries including those of the EU, China, Singapore and New Zealand. Approved and pending international patents (if issued) will expire in 2028.

Scientific Summary

Pharmacodynamics

Andexanet alfa is a genetically modified variant of human factor Xa protein that is catalytically inactive but retains the structural similarity to that of endogenous factor Xa [2, 7–9]. The modifications mean that andexanet alfa is unable to cleave and activate prothrombin and cannot assemble into the prothrombinase complex [2, 7–9]. Andexanet alfa binds to apixaban, betrixaban, edoxaban and rivaroxaban with high affinity (0.53–1.53 nmol/L), similar to that seen with endogenous factor Xa [24, 25]. Consequently, andexanet alfa sequesters factor Xa inhibitors, leading to reversing the anticoagulant effects of factor Xa inhibitors and restoring the activity of endogenous factor Xa [2, 7, 8].

In vitro, andexanet alfa dose-dependently reversed the anti-factor Xa activity of apixaban, betrixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, enoxaparin and fondaparinux in human and rat plasma [24, 25]. In addition, andexanet alfa was shown to bind to tissue factor pathway inhibitor, an endogenous inhibitor of factor Xa, and transiently increased the level of prothrombin fragments 1 and 2, thrombin-antithrombin complex and D-dimer; this interaction can modulate tissue-factor initiated thrombin generation [9, 26].

In preclinical studies, andexanet alfa rapidly reversed the anticoagulant effects of factor Xa inhibitors (as measured by reduction in anti-factor Xa activity and unbound plasma concentrations of factor Xa inhibitors), thereby decreasing total blood loss in various animal models [24, 25, 27–31]. For instance, in a porcine model of polytrauma (a blunt liver injury and bilateral femur fractures) under apixaban anticoagulation, andexanet alfa significantly (p < 0.01) reduced total blood loss compared with vehicle when andexanet alfa was administered as a bolus (1264 vs. 3903 mL) or a bolus plus 2 h infusion (1202 vs. 3903 mL); survival was 100% in the andexanet alfa group. Furthermore, anti-factor Xa levels of apixaban were close to zero with andexanet alfa and peak thrombin generation was normalized [28].

In a series of dose-ranging, proof-of-concept phase II trials, andexanet alfa demonstrated dose-dependent reversal of anticoagulation of direct or indirect factor Xa inhibitors (i.e. apixaban, rivaroxaban, betrixaban, edoxaban and enoxaparin) in healthy volunteers [32–35]. Following dosing with one of the factor Xa inhibitors, volunteers received andexanet alfa or placebo. Within ≈ 2 min after administration, andexanet alfa rapidly reversed the anticoagulant effects of factor Xa inhibitors, as shown by the reduction in anti-factor Xa levels and restoration of normal thrombin generation and clotting time [32–35]. The pharmacodynamic half-life of andexanet alfa is ≈ 1 h [36]. The reduction in anti-factor Xa levels was sustained during andexanet alfa treatment and the levels returned to placebo levels ≈ 2 h after the bolus or after the end of infusion [32–35], which was consistent with the short pharmacodynamic half-life of andexanet alfa [36].

Pharmacokinetics

Intravenous andexanet alfa exposure increased in a dose-proportional manner at bolus doses > 30 mg in healthy subjects [35]. The mean apparent volume of distribution of andexanet alfa was ≈ 5 L [9]. Andexanet alfa was rapidly eliminated (clearance ≈ 4.3 L/h) and the terminal elimination half-life ranged from 5 to 7 h. The pharmacokinetics of andexanet alfa were not affected by age and by the presence of oral apixaban (5 mg twice daily for 6 days) or oral rivaroxaban (20 mg once daily for 6 days) [9].

Features and properties of andexanet alfa [coagulation factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo]

Alternative names	AndexXa; AnXa; IndexXa; PRT-064445; PRT-4445; PRT-44545; recombinant factor-Xa-Portola; rfXa-inhibitor-antidote
Class	Antidotes; antihaemorrhagics; disulfides; recombinant proteins
Mechanism of action	Modified factor Xa recombinant protein; blood coagulation stimulants
Route of administration	Intravenous
Pharmacodynamics	Binds to factor Xa inhibitors with high affinity and reverses the anticoagulant activity
Pharmacokinetics	Dose-proportional pharmacokinetics; mean apparent volume of distribution ≈ 5 L; mean elimination half-life 5–7 h
Most frequent adverse events	Urinary tract infections, pneumonia
ATC codes
WHO ATC code	B02 (antihemorrhagics)
EphMRA ATC code	B2B (antagonists (antidotes to anticoagulants))
Chemical name	des-(6-39)-Human blood-coagulation factor X light chain (98–108′)-disulfide with [185′-alanine (S > A)] human activated factor Xa heavy chain

Therapeutic Trials

In two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trials, intravenous andexanet alfa reversed the anticoagulant effects of apixaban (ANNEXA-A; NCT02207725) and rivaroxaban (ANNEXA-R; NCT02220725) in healthy older volunteers (aged 50–75 years) [36]. Before participants were randomized to receive andexanet alfa or placebo on day 4, those enrolled in ANNEXA-A (n = 64) received oral apixaban 5 mg twice daily for 3.5 days and those in ANNEXA-R (n = 80) received oral rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily for 4 days so that steady-state plasma levels of the anticoagulant agents was achieved. In ANNEXA-A, andexanet alfa recipients received an intravenous bolus of 400 mg (part 1) or an intravenous bolus of 400 mg followed by a continuous infusion of 4 mg/min for 120 min (part 2). In ANNEXA-R, andexanet alfa recipients received an intravenous bolus of 800 mg (part 1) or an intravenous bolus of 800 mg followed by a continuous infusion of 8 mg/min for 120 min (part 2) [36].

Andexanet alfa significantly (p < 0.001) reduced anti-factor Xa activity from baseline to nadir (primary endpoint) compared with placebo in both part 1 and 2 of ANNEXA-A (part 1: 94 vs. 21%; part 2: 92 vs. 33%) and ANNEXA-R (part 1: 92 vs. 18%; part 2: 97 vs. 45%) [36]. Andexanet alfa rapidly reduced anti-factor Xa activity of apixaban and rivaroxaban within 2–5 min of administration and the effect was sustained during andexanet alfa treatment. The anti-factor Xa levels returned to placebo levels over 1–2 h after the bolus (part 1) or after the end of the infusion (part 2). ≥ 80% of anti-factor Xa activity was reversed by all andexanet alfa recipients compared with no placebo recipients (p < 0.001). Andexanet alfa also significantly (p < 0.001) reduced unbound concentrations of apixaban and rivaroxaban compared with placebo; unbound concentrations of apixaban and rivaroxaban returned to placebo level within 1–3 h after the bolus or the infusion. Moreover, a significantly (p < 0.001) higher proportion of andexanet alfa than placebo recipients restored thrombin generation in ANNEXA-A (part 1: 100 vs. 11%; part 2: 100 vs. 25%) and ANNEXA-R (part 1: 96 vs. 7%; part 2: 100 vs. 0%) within 2–5 min after treatment. Prothrombin fragments 1 and 2, thrombin-antithrombin complex and D-dimer were transiently elevated in andexanet alfa recipients; the levels returned to the normal range within 24–72 h [36].

In the ongoing, multinational, single-arm, open-label phase IIIb/IV ANNEXA-4 study (NCT02329327), three interim analyses (after 67 [37], 185 [9] and 227 [38] patients were treated) showed that andexanet alfa reduced anti-factor Xa activity in patients who presented with acute major bleeding after taking factor Xa inhibitors [9, 37, 38]. ANNEXA-4 included patients (aged ≥ 18 years) with major bleeding who received the last dose of apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban or enoxaparin ≤ 18 h prior to administration of andexanet alfa [37]. Patients received intravenous andexanet alfa bolus (400 or 800 mg) followed by a 120-min infusion (480 or 960 mg); the dosage depended on the type of factor Xa inhibitor and the time since the last dose [37]. During the trial, there was a protocol amendment to change the time since the last dose of factor Xa inhibitor for dosing andexanet alfa from > 7 and ≤ 7 h/unknown to ≥ 8 and < 8 h/unknown (data on file). A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics model of andexanet alfa based on data from healthy volunteers supported the selected andexanet alfa dosing regimen for this population [39].

In the most recent interim analysis of ANNEXA-4 (cut-off date of 20 October 2017; n = 227), the mean patient age was 77 years; 78% of patients received anticoagulation treatment for atrial fibrillation, 61% had intracranial bleeding, 27% had gastrointestinal bleeding, and the mean time from presentation to the initiation of the andexanet alfa treatment was 4.7 h [38]. According to a descriptive preliminary analysis, by the end of infusion, andexanet-alfa reduced anti-factor Xa activity from baseline to nadir by 91, 87 and 73% in patients who were receiving apixaban (n = 105), rivaroxaban (n = 75) or enoxaparin (n = 16), respectively (co-primary endpoint). At 12 h after the end of the infusion, the reduction of anti-factor Xa activity in the respective groups was decreased to 35, 60 and 52%. Of the 132 evaluable patients, 83% achieved excellent or good haemostasis 12 h after the andexanet alfa infusion (co-primary endpoint). The effective haemostasis provided by andexanet alfa was consistently seen regardless of type of anticoagulant treatment (apixaban, rivaroxaban or enoxaparin), sex, site of bleeding (gastrointestinal, intracranial or other), age (aged < 65, 65–75, or > 75 years) or the dose of andexanet alfa (low or high) [38].

Further supportive evidence for the efficacy of andexanet alfa in reducing anti-factor Xa activity of direct or indirect factor Xa inhibitors is available from several dose-ranging, proof-of-concept phase II studies in healthy volunteers (Sect. 2.1) [32–35].

Key clinical trials of andexanet alfa, sponsored by Portola Pharmaceuticals

Drug(s)	Indication	Phase	Status	Location(s)	Identifier
Andexanet alfa, placebo	Reversal of anticoagulant activity of apixaban in healthy volunteers	III	Completed	USA	NCT02207725 (ANNEXA-A)
Andexanet alfa, placebo	Reversal of anticoagulant activity of rivaroxaban in healthy volunteers	III	Completed	USA	NCT02220725 (ANNEXA-R)
Andexanet alfa	Reversal of anticoagulant activity of several factor Xa inhibitors in patients with acute major bleeding	IIIb/IV	Ongoing	Multinational	NCT02329327; EudraCT2015-001785-26 (ANNEXA-4)
Andexanet alfa, placebo	Reversal of anticoagulant activity of several factor Xa inhibitors in healthy volunteers	II	Completed	USA	NCT01758432
Andexanet alfa, placebo	Reversal of anticoagulant activity of betrixaban in healthy volunteers	II	Ongoing	USA	NCT03330457
Andexanet alfa, placebo	Reversal of anticoagulant activity of several factor Xa inhibitors in healthy Japanese and Caucasian volunteers	II	Ongoing	USA	NCT03310021
Generation 1 and generation 2 andexanet alfa, placebo	Reversal of anticoagulant activity of several factor Xa inhibitors in healthy volunteers	I	Ongoing	USA	NCT03083704

Adverse Events

Intravenous andexanet alfa was generally well tolerated in healthy volunteers [36] and the most common AE occurring in ≥ 3% of volunteers receiving andexanet alfa was infusion-related reactions [9]. The tolerability profile of andexanet alfa in patients with acute major bleeding who received factor Xa inhibitors was generally similar to that reported of other approved reversal agents [38] and the most common AEs occurring in ≥ 5% of patients receiving andexanet alfa were urinary tract infections and pneumonia [9].

In an interim safety analysis of 227 patients in the ongoing ANNEXA-4 trial, patients were followed for 30 days after andexanet alfa treatment [38]. In the first 30 days after treatment, thrombotic events (stroke, deep-vein thrombosis and heart attack) occurred in 24 patients (11%); only nine patients restarted anticoagulation therapy before the time of thrombotic event [38]. Anticoagulant therapy should be restarted as soon as medically appropriate as anticoagulation-treated patients are predisposed to thrombotic events due to their underlying medical condition [9, 38]. A total of 27 patients (12%) had died, of which 11 deaths were due to cardiovascular reasons [38].

In the pooled analysis of clinical trials in healthy volunteers, similar proportions of andexanet alfa (n = 223) and placebo (n = 94) recipients reported AEs (54 vs. 57%), none of which were serious or severe [9]. The only AE occurring with a higher incidence in andexanet alfa than placebo recipients was infusion-related reactions (18 vs. 6%), which were of mild to moderate intensity and were generally manageable without treatment (90%) [9].

As with all therapeutic proteins, there is a potential for immunogenicity with andexanet alfa [9]. Among the 145 healthy subjects treated with andexanet alfa, 17% had low titers of anti-andexanet alfa antibodies. The pattern of antibody response in bleeding patients has been similar to that seen in healthy volunteers. In ANNEXA-4, 6% of 98 patients developed antibodies to andexanet alfa within 30 days of treatment but none developed neutralizing antibodies. To date, antibodies with cross-reactivity to factor X or Xa were neither detected in healthy subjects, nor in bleeding patients [9].

Ongoing Clinical Trials

There are four ongoing clinical trials of andexanet alfa. The multinational, open-label phase IIIb/IV ANNEXA-4 (NCT02329327) is still underway. A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled phase II trial (NCT03310021) to evaluate the efficacy of andexanet alfa for reversing anticoagulation of apixaban, rivaroxaban and edoxaban in healthy Japanese and Caucasian volunteers has been initiated. A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled phase II trial (NCT03330457) is currently ongoing to evaluate the efficacy of andexanet alfa for reversing anticoagulation of betrixaban in healthy volunteers. Lastly, a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled phase I trial (NCT03083704) is currently ongoing to evaluate pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety and tolerability of second generation andexanet alfa in healthy volunteers.

Current Status

Andexanet alfa received its first global approval on 3 May 2018 in the USA for use in adults treated with rivaroxaban and apixaban, when reversal of its anticoagulant effects is required because of life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

Funding

The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding.

Conflict of interest

During the peer review process the manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on the article. Changes resulting from any comments received were made by the author on the basis of scientific completeness and accuracy. Young-A Heo is a salaried employee of Adis/Springer, is responsible for the article content and declares no relevant conflicts of interest.