CGRP-targeted migraine drug head-to-head study Eli Lilly launches Phase IV clinical trial of Emgality

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Last month, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals' oral drug Nurtec ODT was approved by the U.
S.
FDA for the second indication for the preventive treatment of migraine.
The specific applicable population is: paroxysmal migraine with less than 15 headache days per month (EM ) Adult patients
.

Previously, in February 2020, Nurtec ODT was approved by the FDA for the acute treatment of adult migraine (with or without aura), regardless of the number of migraine days per month

According to this latest approval, Nurtec ODT is the first oral CGRP antagonist approved for the preventive treatment of migraine and the only migraine drug approved for both acute treatment and preventive treatment
.

Now, Eli Lilly hopes to compare its antibody migraine drug Emgality with Nurtec ODT
.

On Tuesday, the company announced that in order to advance the science of migraine treatment and help understand the role of CGRP monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and oral CGRP receptor antagonists in preventing migraines, it will conduct a head-to-head study.

Allegedly, this study is the first head-to-head clinical trial comparing two CGRP targeted drugs
.

This is a multi-site, randomized, double-blind, double-simulated, parallel-group phase 4 study.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a protein in the brain that is thought to play a key role in migraine
.

Emgality is a monoclonal antibody that can target CGRP and prevent it from binding to the receptor, while Nurtec ODT is an oral CGRP receptor antagonist that can directly block the CGRP receptor

So far, Nurtec ODT is the first and only drug that can be used for both prevention and acute treatment of migraine
.

Emgality is the first and only CGRP antibody that can be used to treat two different headache diseases.

In response to Eli Lilly’s initiative to initiate a head-to-head study, Biohaven CEO Vlad Coric said on Tuesday: “Nurtec ODT has “clearly established” its position as the industry’s leading CGRP drug, and the company is confident in its advantages
.

At present, migraine sufferers’ The treatment of emotions is shifting to oral CGRP-targeted drugs

In late May, when Nurtec ODT was approved for the second indication, Vlad Coric publicized the convenience of the drug in an interview with Fierce Pharma, saying that doctors do not need to prescribe different migraine treatment options for patients, just Prescription Nurtec ODT is sufficient, which can prevent migraines and treat migraines acutely
.

Nevertheless, Vlad Coric also pointed out that monoclonal antibodies are a better choice for patients with high-frequency migraine attacks
.

Eli Lilly believes that the company's head-to-head research results will provide important value for migraine treatment decisions

In the migraine market, both Eli Lilly and Biohaven are facing other competitors
.

Currently, the FDA is reviewing AbbVie's oral CGRP receptor antagonist atogepant, which is used to prevent migraines

Reference source: Eli Lilly pins injectable migraine med Emgality against Biohaven's oral rival Nurtec ODT in head-to-head study