About Friedreich ataxia (FA)

Identifying early signs of FA can help speed diagnosis before starting treatment

Diagnosis

Most patients are diagnosed in childhood or adolescence*3,4

FA diagnosis takes an average of 3 years5

Severity

The severity of FA can be measured with a tool like the modified Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale (mFARS). The higher the score (from 0 to 93), the worse the disease gets2,6

The average progression of FA is ~2 points per year— ~10-15 years after diagnosis, or at ~65 points, patients typically begin using a wheelchair6-8

A patient’s average life expectancy is ~37.5 years2

*SKYCLARYS was not evaluated in patients younger than 16 years or older than 40 years of age.

The importance of early diagnosis

Identifying the early signs of FA

FA is a rare, hereditary form of progressive neurodegenerative ataxia. FA is the most common form of inherited ataxia, affecting ~5000 people in the United States.2,3,9

Gait ataxia

Poor proprioception

Areflexia

Peripheral neuropathy

Chronic fatigue

The right genetic test for FA

A genetic test that includes a Friedreich Ataxia Repeat Expansion Analysis can confirm diagnosis of FA

96%

of FA cases are caused by a homozygous GAA triplet-repeat expansion within the frataxin gene9

More on genetic testing

Choose an FA repeat expansion analysis11

  • Only a genetic test that includes an FA repeat expansion analysis can detect pathogenic repeat expansion variants
  • Standard multigene panels that include only a sequence analysis cannot detect the triple-repeat expansion variants

Genetic tests: More than just a diagnosis — a prognosis3,11

  • One way to determine the anticipated severity of FA is by identifying the number of GAA triplet repeats. Currently, only an FA repeat expansion analysis that includes sizing of the repeat expansion can give you this information

A greater number of triple repeats is associated with3:

  • Earlier disease onset
  • More severe symptoms
  • More rapid progression
Learn more about SKYCLARYS
SKYCLARYS efficacy

References:
1. Skyclarys. Prescribing Information. Biogen; 2024. 2. Lynch DR, Chin MP, Delatycki MB, et al. Safety and efficacy of omaveloxolone in Friedreich ataxia (MOXIe study). Ann Neurol. 2021;89(2):212-225. doi:10.1002/ana.25934 3. Parkinson MH, Boesch S, Nachbauer W, Mariotti C, Giunti P. Clinical features of Friedreich’s ataxia: classical and atypical phenotypes. J Neurochem. 2013;126(suppl 1):103-117. doi:10.1111/jnc.12317 4. Schulz JB, Boesch S, Bürk K, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of Friedreich ataxia: a European perspective. Nat Rev Neurol. 2009;5(4):222-234. doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2009.26 5. Rummey C, Farmer JM, Lynch DR. Predictors of loss of ambulation in Friedreich’s ataxia. eClinicalMedicine. 2020;18:1-9. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2019.11.006 6. Rummey C, Corben LA, Delatycki MB, et al. Psychometric properties of the Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale. Neurol Genet. 2019;5(6):371. doi:10.1212/NXG.0000000000000371 7. Patel M, Isaacs CJ, Seyer L, et al. Progression of Friedreich ataxia: quantitative characterization over 5 years. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2016;3(9):684-694. doi:10.1002/acn3.332 8. Lynch DR, Chin MP, Boesch S, et al. Efficacy of omaveloxolone in Friedreich’s ataxia: delayed-start analysis of the MOXIe extension. Mov Disord. 2023;38(2):313-320. doi:10.1002/mds.29286 9. Galea CA, Huq A, Lockhart PJ, et al. Compound heterozygous FXN mutations and clinical outcome in Friedreich ataxia. Ann Neurol. 2016;79(3):485-495. doi:10.1002/ana.24595 10. Fogel BL, Perlman S. Clinical features and molecular genetics of autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias. Lancet Neurol. 2007;6(3):245-257. 11. Wallace SE, Bird TD. Molecular genetic testing for hereditary ataxia: what every neurologist should know. Neurol Clin Pract. 2018;8(1):27-32. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000421 12. Data on file. Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2022. 13. Lynch DR, Goldsberry A, Rummey C, et al. Propensity matched comparison of omaveloxolone treatment to Friedreich ataxia natural history data. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2024;11(1):4-16. doi:10.1002/acn3.51897
14. Beaulieu-Jones BK, Finlayson SG, Yuan W, et al. Examining the use of real-world evidence in the regulatory process. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2020;107(4):843-852. doi:10.1002/cpt.1658

INDICATION

  • SKYCLARYS is indicated for the treatment of Friedreich ataxia in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and older

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Elevation of Aminotransferases

  • Treatment with SKYCLARYS can cause an elevation in hepatic transaminases (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST]). The incidence of elevations of ALT or AST above 5 times and 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) was 16% and 31%, respectively, in patients treated with SKYCLARYS. There were no cases of concomitant elevation of transaminases and total bilirubin observed. Maximum increases in ALT and AST occurred within 12 weeks after starting SKYCLARYS. Increases in serum aminotransferases were generally asymptomatic and reversible following discontinuation of SKYCLARYS
  • Monitor ALT, AST, and total bilirubin prior to initiation of SKYCLARYS, every month for the first 3 months of treatment, and periodically thereafter. If transaminases increase to levels greater than 5 times the ULN, or greater than 3 times the ULN with evidence of liver dysfunction (e.g., elevated bilirubin), immediately discontinue SKYCLARYS and repeat liver function tests as soon as possible. If transaminase levels stabilize or resolve, SKYCLARYS may be reinitiated with an appropriate increased frequency of monitoring of liver function

Elevation of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide

  • Treatment with SKYCLARYS can cause an increase in B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a marker of cardiac function. A total of 14% of patients treated with SKYCLARYS had an increase from baseline in BNP value above the ULN (100 pg/mL), compared to 4% of patients who received placebo. The incidence of elevation of BNP above 200 pg/mL was 4% in patients treated with SKYCLARYS. Cardiomyopathy and cardiac failure are common in patients with Friedreich ataxia. Whether the elevations in BNP are related to SKYCLARYS or cardiac disease associated with Friedreich ataxia is unclear
  • Elevations in BNP may indicate cardiac failure and should prompt an evaluation of cardiac function. Check BNP prior to initiation of SKYCLARYS. Monitor patients for the signs and symptoms of fluid overload, such as sudden weight gain (3 pounds or more of weight gain in one day, or 5 pounds or more of weight gain in a week), peripheral edema, palpitations, and shortness of breath. If signs and symptoms of fluid overload develop, worsen, or require hospitalization, evaluate BNP and cardiac function, and manage appropriately. Management of fluid overload and heart failure may require discontinuation of SKYCLARYS

Lipid Abnormalities

  • Treatment with SKYCLARYS can cause changes in cholesterol. In Study 1, 29% of patients treated with SKYCLARYS reported elevated cholesterol above ULN at one or more time points. Mean increases were observed within 2 weeks of initiation of SKYCLARYS and returned to baseline within 4 weeks of discontinuing treatment. A total of 16% of patients treated with SKYCLARYS had an increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from baseline, compared to 8% of patients who received placebo. The mean increase in LDL-C for all SKYCLARYS-treated patients was 23.5 mg/dL at 48 weeks. A total of 6% of patients treated with SKYCLARYS had decreases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) from baseline compared to 4% of patients who received placebo. The mean decrease in HDL-C for all SKYCLARYS-treated patients was 5.3 mg/dL at 48 weeks
  • Assess lipid parameters prior to initiation of SKYCLARYS and monitor periodically during treatment. Manage lipid abnormalities according to clinical guidelines

ADVERSE REACTIONS

  • Adverse reactions reported in 10% or more of patients and greater than placebo were elevated liver enzymes (AST/ALT), headache, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, oropharyngeal pain, influenza, vomiting, muscle spasms, back pain, decreased appetite, rash

DRUG INTERACTIONS

  • Avoid concomitant use of SKYCLARYS with moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. If use cannot be avoided, dosage modifications are recommended
  • Avoid concomitant use of SKYCLARYS with moderate or strong CYP3A inducers
  • Refer to the prescribing information for dosing instructions for concomitant use of CYP3A4 and CYP2C8 substrates and monitor for lack of efficacy of the concomitant treatment
  • Advise patients to avoid concomitant use with combined hormonal contraceptives, implants, and progestin only pills

SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy

  • There are no adequate data on the development risks associated with the use of SKYCLARYS in pregnant women

Lactation

  • There are no data on the presence of omaveloxolone or its metabolites in human milk. The effects on milk production and the breastfed infant are unknown. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for SKYCLARYS and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from SKYCLARYS or from the underlying maternal condition

Hepatic Impairment

  • Avoid treatment with SKYCLARYS in patients with severe hepatic impairment, including those who develop severe hepatic impairment
  • Reduced dosage in patients with moderate hepatic impairment with close monitoring for adverse reactions is recommended

Please see full Prescribing Information.

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©2024 Biogen. All rights reserved. SKY-US-0219 v4 10/2024

©2024 Biogen. All rights reserved. SKY-US-0220 v4 10/2024