If approved, etelcalcetide will be the first calcimimetic agent that can be administered intravenously.
Amgen executive vice president of research and development Sean Harper said: "We’re pleased that the FDA has accepted our submission and look forward to advancing our conversations toward a potential approval in the U.S.
"Etelcalcetide has a novel method of administration that has the potential to help fill an unmet need for the many patients impacted by secondary hyperparathyroidism."
Etelcalcetide is a novel calcimimetic agent that suppresses the secretion of parathyroid hormone and is in clinical development for the treatment of SHPT in patients with CKD on hemodialysis.
Etelcalcetide is administered intravenously three times per week at the end of each dialysis session. It acts by binding to and activating the calcium-sensing receptor on the parathyroid gland, thereby causing decreases in parathyroid hormone (PTH). Sustained elevations in PTH are known to be associated with significant clinical consequences for patients with CKD.
The NDA, submitted on Aug. 24, 2015, is based on data from three Phase 3 studies, including two pooled placebo-controlled trials in more than 1,000 patients and a head-to-head study evaluating etelcalcetide compared with cinacalcet.
The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of Aug. 24, 2016, for the etelcalcetide application.
About Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
SHPT is a common and serious condition that is often progressive among patients with CKD, and it affects many of the approximately two million people throughout the world who are receiving dialysis, including 450,000 people in the U.S. The disorder develops early in the course of CKD and usually manifests as increased levels of PTH as a result of increased production from the parathyroid glands (four small glands in the neck).
Patients with end stage renal disease who require maintenance dialysis often have substantial elevations of PTH that are commonly associated with abnormal calcium and phosphorus levels and an increased risk of significant clinical consequences.
About Etelcalcetide (formerly AMG 416)
Etelcalcetide is a novel calcimimetic agent in clinical development for the treatment of SHPT in CKD patients on hemodialysis that is administered intravenously at the end of the dialysis session. Etelcalcetide binds to and activates the calcium-sensing receptor on the parathyroid gland, thereby decreasing PTH levels.
About Sensipar (cinacalcet)
Sensipar (cinacalcet) is the first oral calcimimetic agent approved by the FDA for the treatment of SHPT in adult patients with CKD on dialysis. Sensipar is not indicated for use in adult patients with CKD who are not on dialysis because of an increased risk of hypocalcemia.
The therapy is also approved in the U.S. for treatment of hypercalcemia in adult patients with parathyroid carcinoma and hypercalcemia in adult patients with primary hyperparathyroidism for whom parathyroidectomy would be indicated on the basis of serum calcium levels, but who are unable to undergo parathyroidectomy. Sensipar binds to the calcium-sensing receptor, resulting in a drop in PTH levels by inhibiting PTH synthesis and secretion. In addition, the reductions in PTH lower serum calcium and phosphorus levels.