FDA approves Myfembree for endometriosis pain

Myovant announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved relugolix combination tablets (Myfembree; Myovant Sciences and Pfizer) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe endometriosis-associated pain.¹

Previously, Myfembree was only approved for the management of uterine fibroid-related heavy menstrual bleeding in premenopausal women.²

“This approval is an important milestone reflecting Pfizer and Myovant’s commitment to women’s health in areas of significant unmet need,” said James Rusnak, MD, PhD, senior vice president, chief development officer, Internal Medicine and Hospital, Global Product Development at Pfizer. “We look forward to making Myfembree available to women with endometriosis and broadening their options in managing this complex disorder.”

This decision by the FDA is supported by positive data from two phase 3 studies (SPIRIT 1 and SPIRIT 2) investigating the combination tablet for treatment of dysmenorrhea.²

In both studies, 75% of women using the once-daily relugolix combination therapy experienced a significant reduction in dysmenorrhea, compared to 27% and 30% of women in the placebo groups at Week 24, respectively (both p < 0.0001). Relugolix combination therapy also significantly reduced non-menstrual pelvic pain in 59% and 66% of women, compared to 40% and 43% in the placebo groups (p <0.0001).²

In SPIRIT 1 and 2, the relugolix combination therapy group also showed reductions in dyspareunia and opioid use compared to the placebo groups. Additionally, more women undergoing relugolix combination therapy were opioid free at Week 24 compared with placebo (86% and 82% vs 76% and 66%, respectively).²

The most frequently reported adverse events by women in both the relugolix combination therapy and placebo groups included headaches, nasopharyngitis, and hot flashes.

"The data from the SPIRIT studies showed the clinical benefit that relugolix combination therapy can have on moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis and how it can impact patients,” said Linda Giudice, MD, PhD, distinguished professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and chair, SPIRIT Program Steering Committee. “This newly approved option for patients with pain from endometriosis offers the convenience of one pill taken once daily with a mean change in bone mineral density of <1% that did not appear to worsen at 12 months of treatment; however, monitoring is recommended.”

Myfembree is now available with a prescription to patients with moderate-to-severe pain associated with endometriosis.

References

1. Myovant Sciences and Pfizer Receive U.S. FDA Approval of MYFEMBREE, a Once-Daily Treatment for the Management of Moderate to Severe Pain Associated With Endometriosis. Myovant Sciences. August 5, 2022. Accessed August 5, 2022. https://investors.myovant.com/news-releases/news-release-details/myovant-sciences-and-pfizer-receive-us-fda-approval-myfembreer

2. Giudice LC, As-Sanie S, Arjona Ferreira JC, et al. Once daily oral relugolix combination therapy versus placebo in patients with endometriosis-associated pain: two replicate phase 3, randomized, double-blind, studies (SPIRIT 1 and 2). The Lancet. 2022;399(10343):2267-2279. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(22)00622-5