HONG KONG, Sept. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pfizer announced the availability of Rimegepant in Hong Kong, the first market in Asia, a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist for migraine management.[1],[2] There are approximately 12.5% of people living with migraine in Hong Kong[3] and it is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.[4],[5] Migraine disproportionately affects women, occurring three to four times more often in women than in men.[6]
Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited
"As the first market in Asia, we are pleased to bring to Hong Kong this medication for migraine, as we understand how migraine can adversely impact patients' quality of life including work, school, leisure and social activities," said Krishnamoorthy Sundaresan, General Manager, Pfizer Hong Kong and Macau. "At Pfizer, we remain committed to bringing breakthroughs that change patients' lives, ensuring equitable and affordable access to advance medicines and vaccines."
Results from the Phase 3 study published in Lancet demonstrated that a single dose of Rimegepant provided superior reduction in pain and associated symptoms of migraine at two hours compared to placebo.[1] Another study, also published in Lancet, demonstrated that Rimegepant, when taken every other day, provided superior reduction in the number of days per month with migraine in Weeks 9 –12 of the 12-week administration period when compared to placebo.[2]
Rimegepant is launched in over 39 markets to date[7], including in the United States, and in the European Union and the United Kingdom. Additional regulatory applications are under review around the world.
Rimegepant is now available in Hong Kong. Healthcare professionals will be able to decide how they want to prescribe Rimegepant based on the locally approved dosing.
About Migraine
More than one billion people worldwide live with migraine,[8] and it is classified as the second leading cause of disability in the world.[5] Migraine is characterized by debilitating headache attacks lasting four to 72 hours with multiple symptoms, including pulsating headaches of moderate to severe pain intensity that can be associated with nausea or vomiting, and/or sensitivity to sound (phonophobia) and sensitivity to light (photophobia).[9]
About Rimegepant
Rimegepant targets a key component of migraine by blocking CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) receptors. The increase of CGRP leads to blood vessels dilation, causing migraine attack. [10] CGRP receptor antagonists work by blocking CGRP receptors, thereby inhibiting the biologic activity of the endogenous CGRP neuropeptide. [11]
The most frequent adverse event in clinical trials with Rimegepant was nausea.[1],[2] Most of the reactions were mild or moderate in severity.[1],[2] Hypersensitivity, including dyspnea and severe rash, occurred in less than 1% of patients treated.[11]
Indication and important safety information
Rimegepant is a prescription medicine that is used to manage migraine in adults.[1],[2]
Do not take it if you are allergic to Rimegepant or any of its ingredients.
Before you take Rimegepant, tell your healthcare provider (HCP) about all your medical conditions, including if you: have liver problems, have kidney problems, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients' Lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more, please visit us on www.pfizer.com.hk and like us on YouTube at www.youtube.com/c/pfizerhongkong.
DISCLOSURE NOTICE:
The information contained in this release is as of 29 September 2023. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments.
This release contains forward-looking information about Rimegepant, including its potential benefits, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, uncertainties regarding the commercial success of Rimegepant; the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for our clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, regulatory approval dates and/or launch dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable new clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments by regulatory authorities; whether regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the design of and results from the clinical studies; whether and when any applications may be filed for Rimegepant in any other jurisdictions; whether and when regulatory authorities may approve any applications that may be pending or filed for Rimegepant in any jurisdictions, which will depend on a myriad factors, including making a determination as to whether the product's benefits outweigh its known risks and determination of the product's efficacy and, if approved, whether Rimegepant will be commercially successful; decisions by regulatory authorities impacting labeling, manufacturing processes, safety and/or other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of Rimegepant; uncertainties regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Pfizer's business, operations and financial results; and competitive developments.
Rimegepant is a prescription only medication. The effectiveness and side effects to medication may vary among individuals. Please consult your doctor or your pharmacist for more information.
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2022 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results", as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov and www.pfizer.com.
PP-NNT-HKG-0211 SEP-2023
[1] Croop R, Goadsby PJ, Stock DA, et al. Lancet. 2019;394(10200):737-745. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31606-X |
[2] Croop R, Lipton RB, Kudrow D, et al. Lancet. 2021;397(10268):51-60. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32544-7 |
[3] Cheung, Raymond TF. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 40.6 (2000): 473-479. |
[4] Brain Research UK. Migraine. Available at: https://www.brainresearchuk.org.uk/neurological-conditions/migraine. Last accessed: May 2023. |
[5] Steiner TJ, Stovner LJ. et al. The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2020;21:137. |
[6] Al-Hassany L, Haas J, et al. Frontiers in Neurology. 2020;11:549038. |
[7] Pfizer. Data on file. Updated as of August 2023. |
[8] Ryvlin P, Skorobogatykh K, Negro A, et al. BMC neurology. 2021;21(1):1. |
[9] International Headache Society. Cephalalgia. 2013;33(9):629-808. |
[10] Durham P. Headache. 2006;46:S3–S8. |
[11] Rimegepant. Prescribing Information. Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited. Version: November 2022 |