Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, has launched its innovative medication Evkeeza® (evinacumab) in Spain, which has been approved by the European Commission (EC). This drug is intended to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in adults and children aged 5 and older with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). HoFH is a rare and serious genetic disease that affects 1 in every 300,000 people worldwide and around 100 patients in Spain, and can be potentially life-threatening if left untreated.
José Luis Moreno, Vice President and General Manager of Ultragenyx for Spain, Italy, and Portugal, emphasized the importance of Evkeeza’s reimbursement by the Ministry of Health, highlighting the value of the treatment in improving the health of HoFH patients. He also emphasized the company’s commitment to medical communities and patients.
Dr. Sánchez Hernández, an Endocrinology and Nutrition specialist at the Insular-Materno Infantil University Hospital Complex of Gran Canaria, pointed out that this reimbursement represents a significant advancement in managing HoFH. She indicated that Evkeeza provides a consistent and sustained reduction in LDL-C levels, improving the cardiovascular prognosis of patients.
Dr. Pedro Mata, President of the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Foundation, welcomed the news, stating that this treatment will significantly contribute to controlling cholesterol in HoFH patients and demonstrated the health authorities’ commitment to these patients and their families.
Evkeeza is the first monoclonal antibody that inhibits angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3), reducing cholesterol levels in the blood. It is administered through a 60-minute intravenous infusion once a month. The medication is already approved and marketed in several countries, including the US, Canada, Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and now Spain.
Regarding the safety of the medication, the most common side effects include cold symptoms and fatigue in children aged 5 to 11 years. It can also cause severe allergic reactions, so it is recommended to inform the doctor if symptoms such as swelling, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or rash occur.
Ultragenyx, committed to developing safe and effective treatments, remains focused on providing solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. The company also seeks rapid and cost-effective drug management strategies to offer urgent treatments to patients. This news represents significant hope for many patients and highlights the importance of innovation in the treatment of rare genetic diseases.
Source: MiMub in Spanish