Press Releases

Indivior's SUBLOCADE® Rapid Induction/Alternative Injection Site Prior Approval Supplement (PAS) Receives FDA Priority Review

 

  • PDUFA date set for February 7, 2025

  • If approved by the FDA, label would expand to include alternative injection sites in the thigh, buttock and back of the arm for induction and maintenance as well as rapid induction one hour after a single transmucosal buprenorphine dose; both of which address significant patient and healthcare provider unmet needs.

 

RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 7, 2024  -- Indivior PLC (Nasdaq/LSE: INDV) today announced the Prior Approval Supplement (PAS) for SUBLOCADE® (buprenorphine extended-release) injection submitted by Indivior, Inc. has been granted Priority Review designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date for this submission is set for February 7, 2025.

SUBLOCADE, Indivior's monthly injectable formulation of buprenorphine for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder (OUD), is the foundation of Indivior's portfolio of innovative treatments aimed at transforming how the chronic condition of OUD is managed. This PAS seeks to further expand treatment options via two proposed updates to the SUBLOCADE label, including:

  • Alternative Injection Sites: Expands from the current subcutaneous abdominal injection site to also include the thigh, buttock, and back of the upper arm subcutaneously for induction and maintenance.

  • Rapid Induction Protocol:

    • Reduces treatment induction time from the current 7-day minimum on transmucosal buprenorphine (TM BUP) to a single dose of TM BUP with 1-hour observation period to confirm tolerability.

    • Allows for the second 300 mg dose to be administered as early as one week after the initial 300 mg injection, based on patient needs.

Indivior's PAS included comprehensive data which we believe demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the new rapid induction protocol and SUBLOCADE's pharmacokinetic profile following injection at alternative sites. These updates are expected to enhance the patient experience and expand treatment access especially for those patients who, similar to the study participants, have long-term opioid use including fentanyl. A Priority Review designation means that the FDA's goal is to take action on an application within 6 months (compared to 10 months under standard review) and, if approved, would translate into significant improvements in OUD treatment with SUBLOCADE.

 

About SUBLOCADE®

SUBLOCADE ® (buprenorphine extended-release) injection, for subcutaneous use, CIII

INDICATION AND HIGHLIGHTED SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATION

SUBLOCADE is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder in patients who have initiated treatment with a buprenorphine-containing product, followed by dose adjustment for a minimum of 7 days.

SUBLOCADE should be used as part of a complete treatment plan that includes counseling and psychosocial support.

HIGHLIGHTED SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS HARM OR DEATH WITH INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION; SUBLOCADE RISK EVALUATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGY

  • Serious harm or death could result if administered intravenously. SUBLOCADE forms a solid mass upon contact with body fluids and may cause occlusion, local tissue damage, and thrombo-embolic events, including life threatening pulmonary emboli, if administered intravenously.

  • Because of the risk of serious harm or death that could result from intravenous self-administration, SUBLOCADE is only available through a restricted program called the SUBLOCADE REMS Program. Healthcare settings and pharmacies that order and dispense SUBLOCADE must be certified in this program and comply with the REMS requirements.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

SUBLOCADE should not be administered to patients who have been shown to be hypersensitive to buprenorphine or any component of Indivior's proprietary buprenorphine gel depot delivery system.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse: SUBLOCADE contains buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance that can be abused in a manner similar to other opioids. Monitor patients for conditions indicative of diversion or progression of opioid dependence and addictive behaviors.

Respiratory Depression: Life threatening respiratory depression and death have occurred in association with buprenorphine. Warn patients of the potential danger of self-administration of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants while under treatment with SUBLOCADE.

Opioids can cause sleep-related breathing disorders e.g., central sleep apnea (CSA), sleep-related hypoxemia. Opioid use increases the risk of CSA in a dose-dependent fashion. Consider decreasing the opioid using best practices for opioid taper if CSA occurs.

Strongly consider prescribing naloxone at SUBLOCADE initiation or renewal because patients being treated for opioid use disorder have the potential for relapse, putting them at risk for opioid overdose. Educate patients and caregivers on how to recognize respiratory depression and how to treat with naloxone if prescribed.

Risk of Serious Injection Site Reactions: The most common injection site reactions are pain, erythema and pruritus with some involving abscess, ulceration, and necrosis. The likelihood of serious injection site reactions may increase with inadvertent intramuscular or intradermal administration.

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome is an expected and treatable outcome of prolonged use of opioids during pregnancy.

Adrenal Insufficiency: If diagnosed, treat with physiologic replacement of corticosteroids, and wean patient off the opioid.

Risk of Opioid Withdrawal With Abrupt Discontinuation: If treatment with SUBLOCADE is discontinued, monitor patients for several months for withdrawal and treat appropriately.

Risk of Hepatitis, Hepatic Events: Monitor liver function tests prior to and during treatment.

Risk of Withdrawal in Patients Dependent on Full Agonist Opioids: Verify that patient is clinically stable on transmucosal buprenorphine before injecting SUBLOCADE.

Treatment of Emergent Acute Pain: Treat pain with a non-opioid analgesic whenever possible. If opioid therapy is required, monitor patients closely because higher doses may be required for analgesic effect.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Adverse reactions commonly associated with SUBLOCADE (in ≥5% of subjects) were constipation, headache, nausea, injection site pruritus, vomiting, increased hepatic enzymes, fatigue, and injection site pain.

For more information about SUBLOCADE, the full Prescribing information including BOXED WARNING, and Medication Guide, visit www.sublocade.com.

About Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a chronic disease in which people develop a pattern of using opioids that can lead to negative consequences.1 OUD may affect the parts of the brain that are necessary for life-sustaining functions.1,2

 

Important Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, express and implied statements regarding: whether the FDA will approve the PAS which would allow us to update our label; the safety and efficacy of the new rapid induction protocol and alternative injection sites; enhanced patient experience, and expanded patient access and other statements containing the words "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "forecast," "strategy," "target," "guidance," "outlook," "potential," "project," "priority," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "can," "outlook," "guidance," the negatives thereof, and variations thereon and similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties as they relate to events or circumstances that may or may not occur in the future.

Actual results may differ materially from those because they relate to future events. Various factors may cause differences between Indivior's expectations and actual results, including, among others, the fact that the regulatory approval process is uncertain and may prevent us from obtaining approvals for some or all of our product candidate; the FDA or other regulatory agencies may not agree with our regulatory approval strategies or components of our filings for our products and may not approve, or may delay the approval of, our products; and the risks described in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F beginning on page 9 as filed with the U.S. SEC and in subsequent releases.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date that they are made and should be regarded solely as our current plans, estimates and beliefs. Except as required by law, we do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update, republish or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events.

 

About Indivior

Indivior is a global pharmaceutical company working to help change patients' lives by developing medicines to treat substance use disorders (SUD), overdose and serious mental illnesses. Our vision is that all patients around the world will have access to evidence-based treatment for the chronic conditions and co-occurring disorders of SUD. Indivior is dedicated to transforming SUD from a global human crisis to a recognized and treated chronic disease. Building on its global portfolio of OUD treatments, Indivior has a pipeline of product candidates designed to both expand on its heritage in this category and potentially address other chronic conditions and co-occurring disorders of SUD. Headquartered in the United States in Richmond, VA, Indivior employs over 1,000 individuals globally and its portfolio of products is available in over 30 countries worldwide. Visit www.indivior.com to learn more. Connect with Indivior on LinkedIn by visiting www.linkedin.com/company/indivior.

References 

  1. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Health Sciences Policy; Committee on Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder, Mancher, M., & Leshner, A. I. (Eds.). (2019). Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Save Lives. National Academies Press (US). Accessed October 30, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538936/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK538936.pdf

  2. NIDA. 2022, March 22. Drugs and the Brain. Accessed October 30,2023, from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain

 

Media Contacts:

US Media:

Judi Dane

Sr. Director, Communications

Indivior PLC

Tel: 804-564-4303