FDA accepts Amgen's NDA for novel intravenous calcimimetic etelcalcetide

If approved, etelcalcetide will be the first calcimimetic agent that can be administered intravenously.

"We're pleased that the FDA has accepted our submission and look forward to advancing our conversations toward a potential approval in the US," said Sean E. Harper, executive vice president of R&D at Amgen.

"Etelcalcetide has a novel method of administration that has the potential to help fill an unmet need for the many patients impacted by secondary hyperparathyroidism."

Etelcalcetide is a novel calcimimetic agent that suppresses the secretion of parathyroid hormone and is in clinical development for the treatment of SHPT in patients with CKD on hemodialysis. Etelcalcetide is administered intravenously three times per week at the end of each dialysis session. It acts by binding to and activating the calcium-sensing receptor on the parathyroid gland, thereby causing decreases in parathyroid hormone (PTH). Sustained elevations in PTH are known to be associated with significant clinical consequences for patients with CKD.

The NDA, submitted on 24 August 2015, is based on data from three Phase III studies, including two pooled placebo-controlled trials in more than 1,000 patients and a head-to-head study evaluating etelcalcetide compared with cinacalcet.

The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of 24 August 2016, for the etelcalcetide application.