New Ajovy data challenges treatment breaks in migraine prevention

1 July 2024

New data from the 4th interim analysis of the PEARL migraine prevention study with Ajovy (fremanezumab) suggests it may challenge the rationale for treatment pauses with calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies (CGRP MAbs) mandated or recommended by some reimbursement authorities after one year of continuous use, said Israeli drugmaker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE and TASE: TEVA).

Ajovy, which is indicated for prophylaxis of migraines in adults who have four MMDs per month or greater, generated sales of $435 million in 2023 for Teva.

The sub-analysis from the PEARL real world data explored the impact of fremanezumab treatment cessation and re-initiation on monthly migraine days (MMD) in adult patients with episodic or chronic migraine. The data show that pausing treatment of fremanezumab, a CGRP-pathway MAb, may result in a potential rise in monthly migraine days (MMD) following treatment cessation and reduced effectiveness upon re-initiation compared to the first treatment cycle, adding to the burden of the individual living with migraine:

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