Mechanism of action
Frunevetmab is a felinised monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). The inhibition of NGF mediated cell signalling has been demonstrated to provide relief from pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Onset of effect
Frunevetmab was demonstrated to provide analgesic effect within 6 days in an acute inflammatory pain laboratory model.
Pharmacokinetics
In a 6-month laboratory study of healthy, adult cats administered frunevetmab every 28 days at doses ranging from 2.8-14 mg/kg, AUC and Cmax increased slightly less than in proportion to dose. In a laboratory pharmacokinetic study at 3.0 mg/kg bw in cats diagnosed with osteoarthritis, peak plasma drug levels were observed at 3-7 days (tmax = 6.2 days) after subcutaneous dosing, the bioavailability was approximately 60% and the elimination half-life was approximately 10 days.
In a field effectiveness study at the label dose in cats with osteoarthritis, steady-state was achieved after 2 doses.
Frunevetmab, like endogenous proteins, is expected to be degraded into small peptides and amino acids via normal catabolic pathways. Frunevetmab is not metabolised by cytochrome P450 enzymes; therefore, interactions with concomitant medications that are substrates, inducers, or inhibitors of cytochrome P450 enzymes are unlikely.
Field trials
In clinical trials up to 3 months, treatment of cats with osteoarthritis was demonstrated to have a favourable effect on the reduction of pain assessed by CSOM (Client-Specific Outcome Measures). CSOM is an assessment of an individual cat’s response to pain treatment, as assessed by performance of physical activities, sociability and quality of life. The maximum total CSOM score was 15. A total of 182 animals were enrolled in the frunevetmab treatment group and 93 animals included in the placebo group, in the pivotal field trial. Treatment success, defined as a reduction of ≥2 in the total CSOM score and no increase in any individual score, was achieved in 66.70%, 75.91% and 76.47% of the frunevetmab-treated cats and in 52.06%, 64.65% and 68.09% of placebo-treated cats after one, two and three monthly treatments, respectively. Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) compared to placebo-treatment was demonstrated after the first and second treatment, but not after the third treatment.
Disposal advice
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater.
Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal products should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.