New Ajovy data challenges treatment breaks in migraine prevention

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: