Source – PR Newswire
In a side-by-side comparison, Emgality did not outperform Pfizer’s Nurtec in preventing episodic migraines, Lilly said on Friday. On an outcome that looked at the percentage of patients who achieved at least a 50% decrease in monthly headache days after three months of therapy, the phase 4 research, known as CHALLENGE-MIG, indicated Legality was no better than Nurtec.
According to Lilly, the response rates for the two medications were comparable. However, Lilly claimed that Emgality outperformed its oral competitor quantitatively on several secondary goals. The various expressions could suggest that Emgality finished only a little bit behind Nurtec on the main endpoint. At a medical symposium, detailed information will be shared, Lilly continued.
In 2020, Nurtec received its initial FDA approval for the acute treatment of migraines, and in 2021, the FDA added the indication for prevention. Over injectables like Emgality, which lack the FDA’s permission to treat migraines as they occur, that wide label and oral formulation were viewed as benefits.
Pfizer purchased Biohaven’s migraine portfolio for $11.6 billion last year as a result of Nurtec’s rapid expansion and favorable physician response.
If Emgality had demonstrated more effectiveness, it might have edged out Nurtec. After all, administering the medication directly into the bloodstream is, in theory, a more effective technique than having it pass through the digestive system as an oral medication would.
Nurtec and Emgality are both part of the anti-CGRP pharmaceutical class, which now consists of eight drugs, seven of which are used to prevent migraines. Lundbeck’s Vyepti is an infusion, while Pfizer just got FDA clearance for the nasal spray Zavzpret from heritage Biohaven, in addition to injectables and oral treatments.
