FDA approves Kalydeco (ivacaftor) for cystic fibrosis in children with the CFTR gene- Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced that the FDA approved Kalydeco (ivacaftor) for use in children ages 2 to 5 with cystic fibrosis (CF) who have one of 10 mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene (G551D, G1244E, G1349D, G178R, G551S, S1251N, S1255P, S549N, S549R and R117H). Prior to this approval, Kalydeco was approved in the United States for people ages 6 and older with these mutations. There are approximately 300 children in the United States ages 2 to 5 who have one of these 10 mutations, including 150 who have the R117H mutation and 150 who have one of the other nine mutations that result in a gating defect in the CFTR protein.

A new weight-based oral granule formulation of Kalydeco (50 mg and 75 mg) that can be mixed in soft foods or liquids was created to meet the needs of children in this age group who may be unable to swallow a tablet. The approval is based on previously announced results of an open-label Phase III 24-week study that was designed to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of weight-based dosing of ivacaftor (50 mg or 75 mg twice daily) in children ages 2 to 5. With this approval, more than 3,400 people are currently eligible for treatment with Kalydeco in the United States , Canada , Europe and Australia . Cystic fibrosis is caused by a defective or missing CFTR protein resulting from mutations in the CFTR gene.