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ARTGs
328120, 328121, 328122
328120, 328121, 328122
328120, 328121, 328122
Device/Product name
Ovaleap
Active Ingredient
Follitropin alfa
Date of decision
Published
Submission type
New biosimilar medicine
ATC codes
G03GA05
Decision
Approved
What was the decision based on
The decision was based on quality (chemistry and manufacturing), nonclinical (pharmacology and toxicology) and clinical (pharmacology, safety and efficacy) information submitted by the sponsor. The benefit-risk profile of Ovaleap was considered favourable for the therapeutic use approved.
What steps were involved in the decision process

Registration timeline

The following table summarises the key steps and dates for this application.

Description Date
Submission dossier accepted and first round evaluation commenced 31 January 2020
First round evaluation completed 30 June 2020
Sponsor provides responses on questions raised in first round evaluation 4 September 2020
Second round evaluation completed 1 October 2020
Delegate's overall benefit-risk assessment 23 January 2021
Sponsor's pre-Advisory Committee response Not applicable
Advisory Committee meeting Not applicable
Registration decision (Outcome) 9 March 2021
Completion of administrative activities and registration on ARTG 10 March 2021
Number of working days from submission dossier acceptance to registration decision* 187

*Statutory timeframe for standard applications is 255 working days

Date of entry onto ARTG
Original publication date
Black triangle scheme
No
Dose forms
Solution for injection
Strength
300 IU/0.5 mL, 450 IU/0.75 mL and 900 IU/1.5 mL
Other ingredients
Monobasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, sodium hydroxide (2 M) (for pH adjustment), mannitol, methionine, polysorbate 20, benzyl alcohol, benzalkonium chloride and water for injections
Containers
Cartridge (fill volumes; 0.5 mL, 0.75 mL, 1.5 mL)
Pack sizes
One cartridge
Routes of administration
Subcutaneous injection
Dosage

Treatment with Ovaleap should be initiated under the supervision of a physician experienced in the treatment of fertility disorders.

The injection site should be alternated daily to prevent lipoatrophy. Self-administration of Ovaleap should only be performed by patients who are well motivated, adequately trained and who have access to expert advice. Ovaleap cartridge should only be administered using the Ovaleap Pen, which is separately available.

The recommended dosage of Ovaleap depends on multiple factors, including the condition being treated and the individual patient's response to treatment.

For further information refer to the Product Information.

Pregnancy category
DDrugs which have caused, are suspected to have caused or may be expected to cause, an increased incidence of human fetal malformations or irreversible damage. These drugs may also have adverse pharmacological effects. Accompanying texts should be consulted for further details.The use of any medicine during pregnancy requires careful consideration of both risks and benefits by the treating health professional. This must not be used as the sole basis of decision making in the use of medicines during pregnancy. The TGA does not provide advice on the use of medicines in pregnancy for specific cases. More information is available from obstetric drug information services in your State or Territory.
What was approved

Ovaleap (follitropin alfa) was approved for the following therapeutic use:

  1. The treatment of anovulatory infertility in women who have been unresponsive to clomiphene citrate or where clomiphene citrate is contraindicated.
  2. For controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies.
  3. Ovaleap is indicated with concomitant human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) therapy for the stimulation of spermatogenesis in gonadotrophin-deficient men in whom hCG alone is ineffective.
What is this medicine and how does it work
Ovaleap (follitropin alfa) is a biosimilar medicine to Gonal-f (follitropin alfa) solution for injection.In females, the most important effect resulting from parenteral administration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is the development of mature Graafian follicles. To complete follicular maturation and to stimulate ovulation in the absence of an endogenous luteinising hormone (LH) surge, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is given once monitoring of the patient indicates that sufficient follicular development has occurred. There may be a degree of inter-patient variability in response to FSH administration, with lack of response to FSH in some patients. In males, FSH stimulates spermatogenesis without significant effect on the androgen secreting interstitial cells.
What post-market commitments will the sponsor undertake
  • Post marketing reports are to be prepared annually until the period covered by such reports is not less than three years from the date of the approval letter. No fewer than three annual reports are to be prepared. The reports are to at least meet the requirements for periodic safety update reports (PSURs) as described in the European Medicines Agency's Guideline on Good Pharmacovigilance Practices (GVP) Module VII Periodic Safety Update Report (Rev 1), Part VII.B. Structures and processes. Reports are to be submitted to the TGA only when requested in writing by the TGA. When requested, reports must be provided to the TGA within ten (10) calendar days. Preparation of the report must be completed within ninety calendar days of the data lock point for that report. An annual report may be made up of two PSURs each covering six months. Note that submission of a PSUR does not constitute an application to vary the registration.
  • Laboratory testing and compliance with Certified Product Details
    • All batches of:
      • Ovaleap 450 IU/0.75 mL follitropin alfa (rch) solution for injection- cartridge;
      • Ovaleap 900 IU/1.5 mL follitropin alfa (rch) solution for injection- cartridge;
      • Ovaleap 300 IU/0.5 mL follitropin alfa (rch) solution for injection- cartridge

      supplied in Australia must comply with the product details and specifications approved during evaluation and detailed in the Certified Product Details (CPD).

    • When requested by the TGA, the sponsor should be prepared to provide product samples, specified reference materials and documentary evidence to enable the TGA to conduct laboratory testing on the product. Outcomes of laboratory testing are published biannually in the TGA Database of Laboratory Testing Results and periodically in testing reports on the TGA website.
  • Certified Product Details

    The CPD, as described in Guidance 7: Certified Product Details of the Australian Regulatory Guidelines for Prescription Medicines (ARGPM), in PDF format, for the above products should be provided upon registration of these therapeutic goods. In addition, an updated CPD should be provided when changes to finished product specifications and test methods are approved in a Category 3 application or notified through a self-assessable change.

  • For all injectable products the Product Information must be included with the product as a package insert

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