Beovu

     Neovascular (Wet) Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

     Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

     General Dosing Information

For ophthalmic intravitreal injection. BEOVU must be administered by a qualified physician.

BEOVU is available packaged as follows [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)]:

• Pre-filled Syringe
• Vial kit with injection components (vial, filter needle)

     Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

The recommended dose for BEOVU is 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL solution) administered by intravitreal injection monthly (approximately every 25 to 31 days) for the first three doses, followed by 6 mg (0.05 mL) by intravitreal injection once every 8 to 12 weeks.

     Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

The recommended dose for BEOVU is 6 mg (0.05 mL of 120 mg/mL solution) administered by intravitreal injection every six weeks (approximately every 39-45 days) for the first five doses, followed by 6 mg (0.05 mL) by intravitreal injection once every 8-12 weeks.

     Preparation for Administration – Pre-filled Syringe and Vial

	Store BEOVU in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F); do not freeze. Keep BEOVU in the outer carton to protect from light.
	Prior to use, the unopened glass vial or sealed blister pack of BEOVU may be kept at room temperature, 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) for up to 24 hours. After opening, proceed under aseptic conditions.
	BEOVU is a clear to slightly opalescent and colorless to slightly brownish-yellow solution.
	BEOVU should be inspected visually upon removal from the refrigerator and prior to administration. If particulates, cloudiness, or discoloration are visible, the BEOVU must not be used.

Use aseptic technique for preparation of the intravitreal injection.

Pre-filled Syringe

The BEOVU pre-filled glass syringe is sterile and for the treatment of a single eye. It should be inspected visually prior to administration. Do not use if the packaging, or pre-filled syringe are opened, damaged, or expired [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)].        

STEP 1: PREPARE Peel the lid off the blister package and, using aseptic technique, remove the sterile syringe.
STEP 2: SNAP OFF SYRINGE CAP Snap off the syringe cap and dispose of it (see Figure 1).             Do not turn or twist the syringe cap.	Figure 1:
STEP 3: ATTACH INJECTION NEEDLE Aseptically and firmly assemble a 30-gauge x ½ inch sterile injection needle (not included) onto the Luer lock syringe.
STEP 4: DISLODGE AIR BUBBLES To check for air bubbles, hold the syringe with the needle pointing up. If there are any air bubbles, gently tap the syringe with your finger until the bubbles rise to the top (see Figure 2). Carefully remove the needle cap by pulling it straight off.	Figure 2:
STEP 5: EXPEL AIR AND SET THE DOSE Hold the syringe at eye level and carefully push the plunger until the edge below the dome of the rubber stopper is aligned with the 0.05 mL dose mark (see Figure 3). This will expel the air and the excess liquid and set the dose to the 0.05 mL dose mark. The syringe is ready for the injection.	Figure 3:

Vial

The BEOVU vial kit includes the sterile glass vial and filter needle which are sterile and for the treatment of a single eye. It should be inspected visually prior to administration. Do not use if the packaging, vial, and/or filter needle are damaged or expired [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)].        

STEP 1: Gather the supplies needed.             One BEOVU vial (included) One sterile 5-micron blunt filter needle (18-gauge x 1½ inch, 1.2 mm x 40 mm) (included) One sterile 30-gauge x ½ inch injection needle (not included) One sterile 1 mL syringe with a 0.05 mL dose mark (not included) Alcohol swab (not included)
STEP 2: Inspect the solution. If particulates, cloudiness, or discoloration are visible, discard the vial and obtain a new vial.
STEP 3: Remove the vial cap and clean the vial septum (e.g., with alcohol swab) (see Figure 4).	Figure 4:
STEP 4: Assemble the 5-micron filter needle (18-gauge x 1½ inch) onto a 1-mL syringe using aseptic technique.
STEP 5: Push the filter needle into the center of the vial septum until the needle touches the bottom of the vial.
STEP 6: To withdraw the liquid, hold the vial slightly inclined and slowly withdraw all the liquid from the vial and filter needle (see Figure 5). Ensure that the plunger rod is drawn sufficiently back when emptying the vial in order to completely empty the filter needle.	Figure 5:
STEP 7: Disconnect the filter needle from the syringe in an aseptic manner and dispose of it. The filter needle is not to be used for the intravitreal injection.
STEP 8: Aseptically and firmly assemble a 30-gauge x ½ inch injection needle onto the syringe.
STEP 9: Check for air bubbles by holding the syringe with the needle pointing up. If there are any air bubbles, gently tap the syringe with your finger until the bubbles rise to the top (see Figure 6).	Figure 6:
STEP 10: Carefully expel the air from the syringe and adjust the dose to the 0.05 mL mark (see Figure 7). The syringe is ready for the injection.	Figure 7:

     Injection Procedure

Ensure that the injection is given immediately after preparation of the dose.

The intravitreal injection procedure must be carried out under aseptic conditions, which includes the use of surgical hand disinfection, sterile gloves, a sterile drape and a sterile eyelid speculum (or equivalent), and the availability of sterile paracentesis equipment (if required). Adequate anesthesia and a broad-spectrum topical microbicide to disinfect the periocular skin, eyelid, and ocular surface should be administered prior to the injection.

Inject slowly until the rubber stopper reaches the end of the syringe to deliver the volume of 0.05 mL. Confirm delivery of the full dose by checking that the rubber stopper has reached the end of the syringe barrel.

Immediately following the intravitreal injection, patients should be monitored for elevation in intraocular pressure (IOP). Appropriate monitoring may consist of a check for perfusion of the optic nerve head or tonometry. If required, a sterile paracentesis needle should be available.

Following intravitreal injection, patients should be instructed to report any symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis or retinal detachment (e.g., eye pain, redness of the eye, photophobia, blurring of vision) without delay [see Patient Counseling Information (17)].

Each vial or pre-filled syringe should only be used for the treatment of a single eye. If the contralateral eye requires treatment, a new vial or pre-filled syringe should be used and the sterile field, syringe, gloves, drapes, eyelid speculum, filter, and injection needles should be changed before BEOVU is administered to the other eye.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local regulations.

     Pregnancy

Risk Summary

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of BEOVU administration in pregnant women. In an animal reproduction study, intravitreal administration of brolucizumab to pregnant monkeys once every 4 weeks in one eye from organogenesis to birth did not indicate any harmful effects with respect to pre- or postnatal development at 10-fold the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) on a mg/kg basis (see Data).

Based on the anti-VEGF mechanism of action for brolucizumab [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)], treatment with BEOVU may pose a risk to human embryo-fetal development. BEOVU should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.

All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, and other adverse outcomes. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects is 2% to 4% and of miscarriage is 15% to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies.

Data

Animal Data

In an enhanced pre- and postnatal development (ePPND) study in pregnant cynomolgus monkeys, brolucizumab was administered to all animals by intravitreal (IVT) injection to one eye at doses of 3 or 6 mg once every 4 weeks until delivery. There was no impact of IVT administration of brolucizumab on embryo-fetal development, pregnancy or parturition; or on the survival, growth, or postnatal development of offspring at 6 mg/eye (10-fold the MRHD on a mg/kg basis).

VEGF inhibition has been shown to cause malformations, embryo-fetal resorption, and decreased fetal weight. VEGF also has been shown to affect follicular development, corpus luteum function, and fertility.

     Lactation

Risk Summary

There is no information regarding the presence of brolucizumab in human milk, the effects of the drug on the breastfed infant, or the effects of the drug on milk production/excretion. Because many drugs are transferred in human milk and because of the potential for absorption and adverse reactions in the breastfed child, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for at least one month after the last dose when stopping treatment with BEOVU.

     Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Contraception

Females

Females of reproductive potential should use highly effective contraception (methods that result in less than 1% pregnancy rates) during treatment with BEOVU and for at least one month after the last dose when stopping treatment with BEOVU.

Infertility

No studies on the effects of brolucizumab on fertility have been conducted. Based on its anti-VEGF mechanism of action, treatment with BEOVU may pose a risk to reproductive capacity.

     Pediatric Use

The safety and efficacy of BEOVU in pediatric patients has not been established.

     Geriatric Use

In the two Phase 3 clinical studies in AMD, approximately 90% (978/1089) of patients randomized to treatment with BEOVU were ≥ 65 years of age and approximately 60% (648/1089) were ≥ 75 years of age. In the two Phase 3 clinical studies in DME, approximately 45% (164/368) of patients randomized to treatment with BEOVU were ≥ 65 years of age and approximately 10% (37/368) were ≥ 75 years of age. No significant differences in efficacy or safety were seen with increasing age in these studies. No dosage regimen adjustment is required in patients 65 years and above.

     Endophthalmitis and Retinal Detachment

Intravitreal injections, including those with BEOVU, have been associated with endophthalmitis and retinal detachment [see Contraindications (4.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Proper aseptic injection techniques must always be used when administering BEOVU. Patients should be instructed to report any symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis or retinal detachment without delay and should be managed appropriately [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Patient Counseling Information (17)].

     Retinal Vasculitis and/or Retinal Vascular Occlusion

Retinal vasculitis and/or retinal vascular occlusion, typically in the presence of intraocular inflammation, have been reported with the use of BEOVU. These immune-mediated adverse events may occur following the first intravitreal injection. Discontinue treatment with BEOVU in patients who develop these events. Patients treated with BEOVU who experience intraocular inflammation may be at risk of developing retinal vasculitis and/or retinal vascular occlusion and should be closely monitored [see Contraindications (4.2) and Adverse Reactions (6.1, 6.2)]. Patients should be instructed to report any change in vision without delay.

     Increase in Intraocular Pressure

Acute increases in intraocular pressure (IOP) have been seen within 30 minutes of intravitreal injection, including with BEOVU [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Sustained IOP increases have also been reported. Both IOP and perfusion of the optic nerve head must be monitored and managed appropriately [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

     Thromboembolic Events

Although there was a low rate of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) observed in the BEOVU clinical trials, there is a potential risk of ATEs following intravitreal use of VEGF inhibitors. Arterial thromboembolic events are defined as nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or vascular death (including deaths of unknown cause).

The ATE rate in the two controlled 96-week neovascular AMD studies (HAWK and HARRIER) during the first 96 weeks was 4.5% (33 of 730) in the pooled brolucizumab arms compared with 4.7% (34 of 729) in the pooled aflibercept arms [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].