The SYDNEY Device Study: A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label Usability Study of a 2-mL Alirocumab Autoinjector Device

Clin Ther. 2020 Jan;42(1):94-107.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2019.11.008. Epub 2019 Dec 24.

Abstract

Purpose: The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor alirocumab has produced significant reductions in LDL-C at a dose of 300 mg q4w administered as 2 separate 150-mg injections via a 1-mL autoinjector (AI). A recently developed 2-mL device (SYDNEY) permits the administration of a single 300mg dose of alirocumab.

Methods: We assessed the usability and product technical complaints (PTCs) reported by patients using the 2-mL SYDNEY device in unsupervised settings, adverse events, and effects on LDL-C, in a multicenter, randomized, open-label, 16-week study conducted in the United States. For their first dose, 69 patients with hypercholesterolemia despite receiving statin with or without other lipid-lowering therapy randomly received supervised, self-administered alirocumab 300 mg via 1 × 300 mg injection with the SYDNEY device (n = 35) or 2 × 150-mg injections with the currently approved AI (n = 34). All continuing patients subsequently received unsupervised, self-administered alirocumab 300 mg q4w using the SYDNEY device at weeks 4, 8, and 12. The primary end point was the proportion of SYDNEY device-associated PTCs related to the use of the unsupervised injections.

Findings: Baseline characteristics between the study arms varied only in a higher percentage of males being randomized to the study arm using the SYDNEY device (74.3%) compared with the AI arm (44.1%). A single PTC was reported during the unsupervised injections (0.5%; 1 of 196 injections; 95% CI, 0.0%-3.2%). This event was classified as patient related as opposed to device related. No PTCs occurred during supervised injections. Mean LDL-C reductions from baseline at week 4 were 66.2% with SYDNEY and 51.2% with the AI; after adjustment for sex differences between groups, mean LDL-C reductions were 63.5% and 53.9%, respectively. LDL-C reductions persisted for 16 weeks. The most common adverse event was upper respiratory tract infection (3 with SYDNEY and 0 with the AI during weeks 0-4).

Implications: The SYDNEY device allowed for a single 2-mL injection of alirocumab 300 mg, providing substantial LDL-C reductions with no new product technical issues or no new safety concerns compared with the currently marketed 1-mL AI device. In conclusion, the 2-mL SYDNEY device provides patients with the possibility of injecting the 300-mg alirocumab dose as a single injection. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03415178.

Keywords: PCSK9 inhibitor; SYDNEY device; alirocumab; autoinjector; device usability; self-administration.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / administration & dosage*
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / blood
  • Hypercholesterolemia / drug therapy*
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Injections, Subcutaneous / instrumentation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors*
  • Self Administration / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors
  • alirocumab

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03415178