2.1 Dosage and Administration Overview

NEXOBRID is only to be administered by a healthcare provider. Healthcare providers should take precautions to avoid exposure to NEXOBRID during preparation and handling (e.g., use of gloves, surgical masks, other protective coverings, as needed) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

NEXOBRID lyophilized powder and gel vehicle must be mixed prior to administration. Each vial of lyophilized powder, jar of gel vehicle, and the mixed NEXOBRID are for use for only one patient and for one application [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

NEXOBRID is available as:

• 2 g of lyophilized powder (containing 1.94 grams of anacaulase-bcdb) mixed in 20 g gel vehicle per 1% body surface area (BSA), or
• 5 g lyophilized powder (containing 4.85 grams of anacaulase-bcdb) mixed in 50 g gel vehicle per 2.5% BSA.

NEXOBRID is for topical use only.

Apply an ointment skin protectant around the treatment area to create an ointment barrier [see Dosage and Administration (2.2), Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Apply 3 mm thick layer (approximate thickness of a tongue depressor) of NEXOBRID to an area of up to 15% body surface area (BSA) in one application.

If the wound area is more than 15% BSA, apply NEXOBRID in 2 separate sessions (e.g., treat up to 15% BSA in one session and up to 5% BSA in a second session). Apply the second application of NEXOBRID twenty-four (24) hours after the first application to the same or new burn wound area. The total treatment area must not exceed 20% BSA (40 grams of NEXOBRID lyophilized powder) across two treatment sessions [see Dosage and Administration (2.3, 2.4, 2.5)].

2.2 Preparation of Patient and Burn Wound Treatment Area

Use pain management as practiced for an extensive dressing change of burn wounds 15 minutes prior to all NEXOBRID related procedures.

Prepare the wound area as follows:

1. Thoroughly clean the wound to remove any charred tissue, blisters, and any topical products.
2. Apply a dressing soaked with an antibacterial solution to the treatment area for at least 2 hours.
3. Ensure the wound bed is clear of any remnants of topical agents (e.g. silver sulfadiazine or povidone iodine).
4. Apply an ointment skin protectant (e.g., petrolatum) 2 to 3 cm outside of the treatment area to create an ointment barrier.
5. 5. Protect any open wounds (e.g., laceration, abraded skin and escharotomy incision) with skin protectant ointments or ointment gauze to prevent possible exposure to NEXOBRID [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
6. Avoid applying the ointment to the treatment area itself, as this would impede direct contact of NEXOBRID with the eschar.

2.3 Preparation and Application of NEXOBRID

Gather the following supplies prior to NEXOBRID preparation and application. All supplies should be sterile:

• Instrument for mixing (e.g., spatula or tongue depressor)
• Tongue depressor for NEXOBRID application
• 0.9% Sodium Chloride Irrigation
• Occlusive film dressing
• Loose, thick fluffy dressing and bandage

Maintain pain management throughout the application as practiced for an extensive dressing change of burn wounds. At least 15 minutes prior to NEXOBRID application, ensure adequate pain control measures are in place to address NEXOBRID-related pain.

Preparation

Prepare NEXOBRID at the patient’s bedside within 15 minutes of the intended application.

Using aseptic technique, mix NEXOBRID lyophilized powder and gel vehicle as follows:

1. Pour the NEXOBRID lyophilized powder into the gel vehicle jar.
2. Thoroughly mix the NEXOBRID lyophilized powder and gel vehicle using a sterile instrument (e.g., tongue depressor or spatula) until the mixture is uniform. The mixed lyophilized powder and gel vehicle produce NEXOBRID in a final concentration of 8.8% w/w.

Discard NEXOBRID if not used within 15 minutes of preparation, as the enzymatic activity of the product decreases progressively following mixing.

Application

Apply NEXOBRID within 15 minutes of preparation as follows:

1. Moisten the treatment area by sprinkling sterile 0.9% Sodium Chloride Irrigation onto the burn wound.
2. Using a sterile tongue depressor, completely cover the moistened treatment area with the mixed NEXOBRID in a 3 mm thick layer (approximate thickness of a tongue depressor) that completely covers the burn wound area.
3. Cover the treated wound with a sterile occlusive film dressing.
4. Gently press the occlusive film dressing at the area of contact with the ointment barrier to ensure adherence between the occlusive film dressing and the sterile ointment barrier and to achieve complete containment of NEXOBRID on the treatment area. NEXOBRID gel should fill the entire volume of the treatment area, and there should be no visible air under the occlusive film dressing.
5. Cover the dressed wound with a sterile loose, thick, fluffy dressing and secure with a sterile bandage.
6. Leave the dressing and NEXOBRID in place for 4 hours.
7. Discard any unused portions of NEXOBRID.

2.4 Removal of NEXOBRID

Remove NEXOBRID after 4 hours. Gather the following supplies prior to NEXOBRID removal. All supplies should be sterile:

• Blunt-edged instruments (e.g., tongue depressor)
• Large dry gauze
• Gauze soaked with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Irrigation
• Dressing soaked with an antibacterial solution

Implement and maintain pain management as practiced for an extensive dressing change of burn wounds throughout the following removal procedure:

1. Remove the occlusive film dressing using aseptic technique.
2. Remove the ointment barrier using a sterile blunt-edged instrument.
3. Remove the dissolved eschar from the wound by scraping it away with a sterile blunt-edged instrument.
4. Wipe the wound thoroughly with a large sterile dry gauze, then wipe with a sterile gauze that has been soaked with sterile 0.9% Sodium Chloride Irrigation. Rub the treated area until the appearance of a clean dermis or subcutaneous tissues with pinpoint bleeding.
5. To remove remnants of dissolved eschar, apply a dressing soaked with an antibacterial solution for at least 2 hours.

2.5 Second Application of NEXOBRID

A second application of NEXOBRID may be applied 24 hours following the first application to either the same area previously treated with NEXOBRID or to a new area [see Dosage and Administration (2.2, 2.3,2.4)]. A second application may be considered if:

• The wound area is more than 15% BSA, or
• Multiple wound areas on different body surfaces require two treatments for logistical reasons such as body position, or
• The first application’s eschar removal was not complete.

The total treated area must not exceed 20% BSA, inclusive of both applications [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

2.6 Wound Care after Eschar Removal

Wound care following eschar removal should be based on the healthcare provider’s clinical judgement (e.g., observe for spontaneous reepithelization or proceed with autograft).

2.7 Monitoring

Monitor patients for signs of local or systemic allergic reactions. If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, remove NEXOBRID (if applicable) from the treatment area and initiate appropriate therapy [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions

NEXOBRID-Treated Patients

Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported with postmarketing use of NEXOBRID [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, remove NEXOBRID (if applicable) and initiate appropriate therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.7)].

NEXOBRID is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to anacaulase- bcdb, bromelain, pineapples or to any other component of NEXOBRID. NEXOBRID is also contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to papayas or papain because of the risk of cross-sensitivity.

Healthcare Providers Preparing and Applying NEXOBRID

Healthcare personnel should take appropriate precautions to avoid exposure when preparing and handling NEXOBRID (e.g., gloves, surgical masks, other protective coverings, as needed). In the event of inadvertent skin exposure, rinse NEXOBRID off with water to reduce the likelihood of skin sensitization.

5.2 Pain Management

Eschar removal with NEXOBRID and treatment-related burn wound procedures are painful and require adequate analgesia and/or anesthesia. Pain management should be appropriate for an extensive dressing change of burn wounds. At least 15 minutes prior to NEXOBRID application ensure adequate pain control measures are in place to address NEXOBRID-related pain [see Dosage and Administration (2.2, 2.3, 2.4)].

5.3 Proteolytic Injury to Non-Target Tissues

NEXOBRID is not recommended for treatment of burn wounds where medical devices (e.g., implants, pacemakers, shunts) or vital structures (e.g., large vessels) could become exposed during eschar removal.

Protect any open wounds (e.g., laceration, abraded skin and escharotomy incision) with skin protectant ointments or ointment gauze to prevent possible exposure to NEXOBRID [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

5.4 Coagulopathy

A reduction of platelet aggregation and plasma fibrinogen levels and a moderate increase in partial thromboplastin and prothrombin times have been reported in the literature as possible effects following oral administration of bromelain, a component of NEXOBRID. In vitro and animal data suggest that bromelain can also promote fibrinolysis.

Avoid use of NEXOBRID in patients with uncontrolled disorders of coagulation. Use NEXOBRID with caution in patients on anticoagulant therapy or other drugs affecting coagulation, and in patients with low platelet counts and increased risk of bleeding from other causes (e.g., peptic ulcers and sepsis). Patients should be monitored for possible signs of coagulation abnormalities and signs of bleeding.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a product cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another product and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Studies 1 and 2 evaluated subjects undergoing eschar removal for deep partial thickness (DPT) and/or full thickness (FT) thermal burns [see Clinical Studies (14)]. An integrated analysis of safety data from Studies 1 and 2 compared NEXOBRID (n=177) to standard of care (SOC) (n=149). The SOC treatment included both surgical and non-surgical eschar removal methods.

The mean age of the safety population was 35.6 years; 73% were male; 81% were White, 9% were Black, 6% were other races, and 3% were Asian. Regarding burn etiology, 65% had fire/flame burns, 26% had scald burns, 8% had contact burns, and <1% had burns of other etiology. The mean body surface area (BSA) of wounds that received study treatment was 9.2±5.07%. Mean BSA of all burn wounds was 12.0±6.05%. Of the 177 subjects who were treated with NEXOBRID in Studies 1 and 2, 159 (90%) received one treatment of NEXOBRID, and 18 (10%) received 2 treatments.

Table 1 presents adverse reactions that occurred in ≥1% of subjects in the NEXOBRID arm and at a higher incidence than the SOC arm, up to 3 months following wound closure.

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of anacaulase-bcdb outside of the United States. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis and urticaria

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

There are no available data on NEXOBRID use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% an 15 to 20%, respectively.

Animal Data

In embryofetal developmental studies in rats and rabbits, intravenous doses up to 4 and 0.1 mg/kg/day NEXOBRID were administered to pregnant rats and rabbits, respectively, during organogenesis. No significant developmental toxicities were observed in these studies. However, severe maternal toxicities were noted and the tolerable maternal exposure levels were much lower compared with the maximum human exposure in clinical setting.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of anacaulase-bcdb in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for NEXOBRID and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from NEXOBRID or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of NEXOBRID in pediatric patients have not been established.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Of the 177 subjects exposed to NEXOBRID for eschar removal in deep partial thickness (DPT) and/or full thickness (FT) thermal burns, 6 (3%) subjects were 65 years or older, and 1 (< 1%) subject was 75 years or older [see Clinical Studies (14)]. Clinical studies of NEXOBRID did not include sufficient numbers of subjects 65 years of age and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger adult subjects.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

The mixture of enzymes in NEXOBRID dissolves burn wound eschar. The specific components responsible for this effect have not been identified.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

The pharmacodynamics of NEXOBRID are unknown.

Cardiac Electrophysiology

At the approved recommended dose, NEXOBRID did not prolong the QT interval in humans to any clinically relevant extent.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Topically applied NEXOBRID to deep partial and full thickness burn wounds is rapidly absorbed, with median serum Tmax of 4 hours (during the treatment application). Systemic exposure (i.e., AUC) of bromelain, a component of anacaulase-bcdb is correlated with the size of the treated area and NEXOBRID dose, but not the depth of the burn wound.

Elimination

A majority of subjects had no quantifiable serum concentrations after 72 hours. The mean ± SD terminal half-life of bromelain, a component of anacaulase-bcdb, is 12 ± 4.4 hours.

Cmax and the dose‑normalized Cmax values after the first and second application (mean dosing interval of 17 hours) are comparable and only slight accumulation (less than 2-fold difference) is seen in AUC0-4 and AUC0-4 dose‑normalized levels after the second application, compared to the first application.

Drug Interaction Studies

Effect of NEXOBRID on Other Drugs

Bromelain, a component of anacaulase-bcdb, exhibited CYP2C8 time-dependent inhibition in human hepatocytes and inhibited human microsomal CYP2C9. No clinical studies have been conducted to assess the potential for systemic drug interactions.

12.6 Immunogenicity

There is insufficient information to characterize the anti-drug antibody response to anacaulase- bcdb and the effects of anti-drug antibodies on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, or effectiveness of NEXOBRID.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Carcinogenicity or fertility studies have not been conducted with anacaulase-bcdb.

Anacaulase-bcdb was not genotoxic in a bacterial reverse mutation assay and an in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration assay.