2.1 Assessments Prior to First Dose of OCREVUS

2.2 Preparation Before Every Infusion

2.3 Recommended Dosage and Dose Administration

Administer OCREVUS under the close supervision of an experienced healthcare professional with access to appropriate medical support to manage severe reactions such as serious infusion reactions.

• Initial dose: 300 mg intravenous infusion, followed two weeks later by a second 300 mg intravenous infusion.
• Subsequent doses: single 600 mg intravenous infusion every 6 months.
• Observe the patient for at least one hour after the completion of the infusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

2.4 Delayed or Missed Doses

If a planned infusion of OCREVUS is missed, administer OCREVUS as soon as possible; do not wait until the next scheduled dose. Reset the dose schedule to administer the next sequential dose 6 months after the missed dose is administered. Doses of OCREVUS must be separated by at least 5 months [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

2.5 Dose Modifications Because of Infusion Reactions

Dose modifications in response to infusion reactions depends on the severity.

2.6 Preparation and Storage of the Dilute Solution for Infusion

5.1 Infusion Reactions

OCREVUS can cause infusion reactions, which can include pruritus, rash, urticaria, erythema, bronchospasm, throat irritation, oropharyngeal pain, dyspnea, pharyngeal or laryngeal edema, flushing, hypotension, pyrexia, fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, tachycardia, and anaphylaxis. In multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical trials, the incidence of infusion reactions in OCREVUS-treated patients [who received methylprednisolone (or an equivalent steroid) and possibly other pre-medication to reduce the risk of infusion reactions prior to each infusion] was 34 to 40%, with the highest incidence with the first infusion. There were no fatal infusion reactions, but 0.3% of OCREVUS-treated MS patients experienced infusion reactions that were serious, some requiring hospitalization.

Observe patients treated with OCREVUS for infusion reactions during the infusion and for at least one hour after completion of the infusion. Inform patients that infusion reactions can occur up to 24 hours after the infusion.

5.2 Infections

A higher proportion of OCREVUS-treated patients experienced infections compared to patients taking REBIF or placebo. In RMS trials, 58% of OCREVUS-treated patients experienced one or more infections compared to 52% of REBIF-treated patients. In the PPMS trial, 70% of OCREVUS-treated patients experienced one or more infections compared to 68% of patients on placebo. OCREVUS increased the risk for upper respiratory tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and herpes-related infections [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. OCREVUS was not associated with an increased risk of serious infections in MS patients. Delay OCREVUS administration in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved.

5.3 Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)

Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) have been reported in patients with MS treated with OCREVUS in the postmarketing setting. PML is an opportunistic viral infection of the brain caused by the JC virus (JCV) that typically only occurs in patients who are immunocompromised, and that usually leads to death or severe disability. PML has occurred in OCREVUS-treated patients who had not been treated previously with natalizumab (which has a known association with PML), were not taking any immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory medications associated with the risk of PML prior to or concomitantly with OCREVUS, and did not have any known ongoing systemic medical conditions resulting in compromised immune system function.

JCV infection resulting in PML has also been observed in patients treated with other anti-CD20 antibodies and other MS therapies.

At the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML, withhold OCREVUS and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation. Typical symptoms associated with PML are diverse, progress over days to weeks, and include progressive weakness on one side of the body or clumsiness of limbs, disturbance of vision, and changes in thinking, memory, and orientation leading to confusion and personality changes.

MRI findings may be apparent before clinical signs or symptoms. Cases of PML, diagnosed based on MRI findings and the detection of JCV DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid in the absence of clinical signs or symptoms specific to PML, have been reported in patients treated with other MS medications associated with PML. Many of these patients subsequently became symptomatic with PML. Therefore, monitoring with MRI for signs that may be consistent with PML may be useful, and any suspicious findings should lead to further investigation to allow for an early diagnosis of PML, if present. Following discontinuation of another MS medication associated with PML, lower PML-related mortality and morbidity have been reported in patients who were initially asymptomatic at diagnosis compared to patients who had characteristic clinical signs and symptoms at diagnosis.

It is not known whether these differences are due to early detection and discontinuation of MS treatment or due to differences in disease in these patients.

If PML is confirmed, treatment with OCREVUS should be discontinued.

5.4 Reduction in Immunoglobulins

As expected with any B-cell depleting therapy, decreased immunoglobulin levels are observed with OCREVUS treatment. The pooled data of OCREVUS clinical studies (RMS and PPMS) and their open-label extensions (up to approximately 7 years of exposure) have shown an association between decreased levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG<LLN) and increased rates of serious infections. Monitor the levels of quantitative serum immunoglobulins during OCREVUS treatment and after discontinuation of treatment, until B-cell repletion, and especially in the setting of recurrent serious infections. Consider discontinuing OCREVUS therapy in patients with serious opportunistic or recurrent serious infections, and if prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia requires treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

5.5 Malignancies

An increased risk of malignancy with OCREVUS may exist. In controlled trials, malignancies, including breast cancer, occurred more frequently in OCREVUS-treated patients. Breast cancer occurred in 6 of 781 females treated with OCREVUS and none of 668 females treated with REBIF or placebo. Patients should follow standard breast cancer screening guidelines.

5.6 Immune-Mediated Colitis

Immune-mediated colitis, which can present as a severe and acute-onset form of colitis, has been reported in patients receiving OCREVUS in the postmarketing setting. Some cases of colitis were serious, requiring hospitalization, with a few patients requiring surgical intervention. Systemic corticosteroids were required in many of these patients. The time from treatment initiation to onset of symptoms in these cases ranged from a few weeks to years. Monitor patients for immune-mediated colitis during OCREVUS treatment, and evaluate promptly if signs and symptoms that may indicate immune-mediated colitis, such as new or persistent diarrhea or other gastrointestinal signs and symptoms, occur.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

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

The safety of OCREVUS has been evaluated in 1311 patients across MS clinical studies, which included 825 patients in active-controlled clinical trials in patients with relapsing forms of MS (RMS) and 486 patients in a placebo-controlled study in patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS).

6.2 Immunogenicity

As with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. Immunogenicity data are highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the test methods used. Additionally, the observed incidence of a positive result in a test method may be influenced by several factors, including sample handling, timing of sample collection, drug interference, concomitant medication, and the underlying disease. Therefore, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to OCREVUS with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.

Patients in MS trials (Study 1, Study 2, and Study 3) were tested at multiple time points (baseline and every 6 months post-treatment for the duration of the trial) for anti-drug antibodies (ADAs). Out of 1311 patients treated with OCREVUS, 12 (~1%) tested positive for ADAs, of which 2 patients tested positive for neutralizing antibodies. These data are not adequate to assess the impact of ADAs on the safety and efficacy of OCREVUS.

6.3 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of OCREVUS. 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.

7.1 Immunosuppressive or Immune-Modulating Therapies

The concomitant use of OCREVUS and other immune-modulating or immunosuppressive therapies, including immunosuppressant doses of corticosteroids, is expected to increase the risk of immunosuppression. Consider the risk of additive immune system effects when coadministering immunosuppressive therapies with OCREVUS. When switching from drugs with prolonged immune effects, such as daclizumab, fingolimod, natalizumab, teriflunomide, or mitoxantrone, consider the duration and mode of action of these drugs because of additive immunosuppressive effects when initiating OCREVUS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

7.2 Vaccinations

A Phase 3b randomized, open-label study examined the concomitant use of OCREVUS and several non-live vaccines in adults 18-55 years of age with relapsing forms of MS (68 subjects undergoing treatment with OCREVUS at the time of vaccination and 34 subjects not undergoing treatment with OCREVUS at the time of vaccination). Concomitant exposure to OCREVUS attenuated antibody responses to tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine, pneumococcal polysaccharide, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, and seasonal inactivated influenza vaccines. The impact of the observed attenuation on vaccine effectiveness in this patient population is unknown. The safety and effectiveness of live or live-attenuated vaccines administered concomitantly with OCREVUS have not been assessed [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

8.1 Pregnancy

8.2 Lactation

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

8.4 Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of OCREVUS in pediatric patients have not been established.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of OCREVUS did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

The precise mechanism by which ocrelizumab exerts its therapeutic effects in multiple sclerosis is unknown, but is presumed to involve binding to CD20, a cell surface antigen present on pre-B and mature B lymphocytes. Following cell surface binding to B lymphocytes, ocrelizumab results in antibody-dependent cellular cytolysis and complement-mediated lysis.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

For B-cell counts, assays for CD19+ B-cells are used because the presence of OCREVUS interferes with the CD20 assay. Treatment with OCREVUS reduces CD19+ B-cell counts in blood by 14 days after infusion. In clinical studies, B-cell counts rose to above the lower limit of normal (LLN) or above baseline counts between infusions of OCREVUS at least one time in 0.3% to 4.1% of patients. In a clinical study of 51 patients, the median time for B-cell counts to return to either baseline or LLN was 72 weeks (range 27-175 weeks) after the last OCREVUS infusion. Within 2.5 years after the last infusion, B-cell counts rose to either baseline or LLN in 90% of patients.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics (PK) of OCREVUS in MS clinical studies fit a two compartment model with time-dependent clearance. The overall exposure at the steady-state (AUC over the 24 week dosing intervals) of OCREVUS was 3,510 mcg/mL per day. In clinical studies in MS patients, maintenance doses of ocrelizumab were either 600 mg every 6 months (RMS patients) or two 300 mg infusions separated by 14 days every 6 months (PPMS patients). The mean maximum concentration was 212 mcg/mL in patients with RMS (600 mg infusion over 3.5 hours) and 141 mcg/mL in patients with PPMS (two 300 mg infusions over 2.5 hours administered within two weeks). The mean maximum peak concentrations (Cmax) of ocrelizumab in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) observed after the 3.5-hour infusion and 2-hour infusion were 202 ± 42 (mean ± SD) and 200 ± 46 mcg/mL, respectively, compared to the previously reported Cmax of 212 mcg/mL. The pharmacokinetics of ocrelizumab was essentially linear and dose proportional between 400 mg and 2000 mg.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

No carcinogenicity studies have been performed to assess the carcinogenic potential of OCREVUS.

No studies have been performed to assess the mutagenic potential of OCREVUS. As an antibody, OCREVUS is not expected to interact directly with DNA.

No effects on reproductive organs were observed in male monkeys administered ocrelizumab by intravenous injection (three loading doses of 15 or 75 mg/kg, followed by weekly doses of 20 or 100 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. There were also no effects on estrus cycle in female monkeys administered ocrelizumab over three menstrual cycles using the same dosing regimen. The doses tested in monkey are 2 and 10 times the recommended human dose of 600 mg, on a mg/kg basis.

14.1 Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis (RMS)

The efficacy of OCREVUS was demonstrated in two randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active comparator-controlled clinical trials of identical design, in patients with RMS treated for 96 weeks (Study 1 and Study 2). The dose of OCREVUS was 600 mg every 24 weeks (initial treatment was given as two 300 mg IV infusions administered 2 weeks apart, and subsequent doses were administered as a single 600 mg IV infusion) and placebo subcutaneous injections were given 3 times per week. The dose of REBIF, the active comparator, was 44 mcg given as subcutaneous injections 3 times per week and placebo IV infusions were given every 24 weeks. Both studies included patients who had experienced at least one relapse within the prior year, or two relapses within the prior two years, and had an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score from 0 to 5.5. Patients with primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) were excluded. Neurological evaluations were performed every 12 weeks and at the time of a suspected relapse. Brain MRIs were performed at baseline and at Weeks 24, 48, and 96.

The primary outcome of both Study 1 and Study 2 was the annualized relapse rate (ARR). Additional outcome measures included the proportion of patients with confirmed disability progression, the mean number of MRI T1 gadolinium (Gd)-enhancing lesions at Weeks 24, 48, and 96, and new or enlarging MRI T2 hyperintense lesions. Progression of disability was defined as an increase of 1 point or more from the baseline EDSS score attributable to MS when the baseline EDSS score was 5.5 or less, or 0.5 points or more when the baseline EDSS score was above 5.5. Disability progression was considered confirmed when the increase in the EDSS was confirmed at a regularly scheduled visit 12 weeks after the initial documentation of neurological worsening. The primary population for analysis of confirmed disability progression was the pooled population from Studies 1 and 2.

In Study 1, 410 patients were randomized to OCREVUS and 411 to REBIF; 11% of OCREVUS-treated and 17% of REBIF-treated patients did not complete the 96-week double-blind treatment period. The baseline demographic and disease characteristics were balanced between the two treatment groups. At baseline, the mean age of patients was 37 years; 66% were female. The mean time from MS diagnosis to randomization was 3.8 years, the mean number of relapses in the previous year was 1.3, and the mean EDSS score was 2.8; 74% of patients had not been treated with a non-steroid therapy for MS in the 2 years prior to the study. At baseline, 40% of patients had one or more T1 Gd-enhancing lesions (mean 1.8).

In Study 2, 417 patients were randomized to OCREVUS and 418 to REBIF; 14% of OCREVUS-treated and 23% of REBIF-treated patients did not complete the 96-week double-blind treatment period. The baseline demographic and disease characteristics were balanced between the two treatment groups. At baseline, the mean age of patients was 37 years; 66% were female. The mean time from MS diagnosis to randomization was 4.1 years, the mean number of relapses in the previous year was 1.3, and the mean EDSS score was 2.8; 74% of patients had not been treated with a non-steroid therapy for MS in the 2 years prior to the study. At baseline, 40% of OCREVUS-treated patients had one or more T1 Gd-enhancing lesions (mean 1.9).

In Study 1 and Study 2, OCREVUS significantly lowered the annualized relapse rate and the proportion of patients with disability progression confirmed at 12 weeks after onset compared to REBIF. Results for Study 1 and Study 2 are presented in Table 4 and Figure 1.

In exploratory subgroup analyses of Study 1 and Study 2, the effect of OCREVUS on annualized relapse rate and disability progression was similar in male and female patients.

14.2 Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)

Study 3 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in patients with PPMS. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either OCREVUS 600 mg or placebo as two 300 mg intravenous infusions 2 weeks apart every 24 weeks for at least 120 weeks. Selection criteria required a baseline EDSS of 3 to 6.5 and a score of 2 or greater for the EDSS pyramidal functional system due to lower extremity findings. Neurological assessments were conducted every 12 weeks. An MRI scan was obtained at baseline and at Weeks 24, 48, and 120.

In Study 3, the primary outcome was the time to onset of disability progression attributable to MS confirmed to be present at the next neurological assessment at least 12 weeks later. Disability progression occurred when the EDSS score increased by 1 point or more from the baseline EDSS if the baseline EDSS was 5.5 points or less, or by 0.5 points or more if the baseline EDSS was more than 5.5 points. In Study 3, confirmed disability progression also was deemed to have occurred if patients who had onset of disability progression discontinued participation in the study before the next assessment. Additional outcome measures included timed 25-foot walk, and percentage change in T2 hyperintense lesion volume.

Study 3 randomized 488 patients to OCREVUS and 244 to placebo; 21% of OCREVUS-treated patients and 34% of placebo-treated patients did not complete the trial. The baseline demographic and disease characteristics were balanced between the two treatment groups. At baseline, the mean age of patients was 45; 49% were female. The mean time since symptom onset was 6.7 years, the mean EDSS score was 4.7, and 26% had one or more T1 Gd-enhancing lesions at baseline; 88% of patients had not been treated previously with a non-steroid treatment for MS. The time to onset of disability progression confirmed at 12 weeks after onset was significantly longer for OCREVUS-treated patients than for placebo-treated patients (see Figure 2). Results for Study 3 are presented in Table 5 and Figure 2.

In the overall population in Study 3, the proportion of patients with 20 percent worsening of the timed 25-foot walk confirmed at 12 weeks was 49% in OCREVUS-treated patients compared to 59% in placebo-treated patients (25% risk reduction).

In exploratory subgroup analyses of Study 3, the proportion of female patients with disability progression confirmed at 12 weeks after onset was similar in OCREVUS-treated patients and placebo-treated patients (approximately 36% in each group). In male patients, the proportion of patients with disability progression confirmed at 12 weeks after onset was approximately 30% in OCREVUS-treated patients and 43% in placebo-treated patients. Clinical and MRI endpoints that generally favored OCREVUS numerically in the overall population, and that showed similar trends in both male and female patients, included annualized relapse rate, change in T2 lesion volume, and number of new or enlarging T2 lesions.

14.3 Safety Study of 2-Hour Infusions

The safety of the 2-hour OCREVUS infusion was evaluated in Study 4 (NCT03085810), a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled, parallel arm substudy in patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis who were naïve to other non-steroid therapies for MS and did not experience a serious infusion reaction with any previous OCREVUS infusion. The first dose of OCREVUS was administered as two 300 mg infusions (600 mg total) separated by 14 days. After enrollment in the substudy, patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive infusions over approximately 3.5-hours or 2-hours, after appropriate premedication [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)], every 24 weeks. The randomization was stratified by region and the dose at which patients were first randomized.

The primary endpoint of the substudy was the proportion of patients with infusion reactions occurring during or within 24 hours following the first randomized infusion of OCREVUS. The primary analysis was performed when 580 patients were randomized, at which time 469/579 (81%) of the treated patients had received only a single randomized infusion of OCREVUS. The proportions of patients with infusion reactions occurring during or within 24 hours following the first randomized infusion in this substudy were similar between the 2-hour and 3.5-hour infusion groups (24.4% versus 23.3%, respectively). Overall, in all randomized doses, 27.1% of the patients in the 2-hour infusion group and 25.0% of the patients in the 3.5-hour infusion group reported mild or moderate infusion reactions; two infusion reactions were severe in intensity, with one severe infusion reaction (0.3%) reported in one patient in each group in this substudy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. There were no life-threatening, fatal, or serious infusion reactions in this substudy.

Store OCREVUS vials at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in the outer carton to protect from light. Do not freeze or shake.

Infusion Reactions

Inform patients about the signs and symptoms of infusion reactions, and that infusion reactions can occur up to 24 hours after infusion. Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for signs or symptoms of infusion reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Infection

Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider for any signs of infection during treatment or after the last dose [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. Signs include fever, chills, constant cough, or signs of herpes such as cold sore, shingles, or genital sores [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Advise patients that OCREVUS may cause reactivation of hepatitis B infection and that monitoring will be required if they are at risk [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Advise patients that herpes infections, including serious herpes infections affecting the central nervous system, skin, and eyes, have occurred during treatment with OCREVUS. Advise patients to promptly contact their healthcare provider if they experience any signs or symptoms of herpes infections including oral or genital symptoms, fever, skin rash, pain, itching, decreased visual acuity, eye redness, eye pain, headache, neck stiffness, or change in mental status [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Vaccination

Advise patients to complete any required live or live-attenuated vaccinations at least 4 weeks and, whenever possible, non-live vaccinations at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of OCREVUS. Administration of live-attenuated or live vaccines is not recommended during OCREVUS treatment and until B-cell recovery [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy

Inform patients that PML has occurred in patients who received OCREVUS. Inform the patient that PML is characterized by a progression of deficits and usually leads to death or severe disability over weeks or months. Instruct the patient of the importance of contacting their healthcare provider if they develop any symptoms suggestive of PML. Inform the patient that typical symptoms associated with PML are diverse, progress over days to weeks, and include progressive weakness on one side of the body or clumsiness of limbs, disturbance of vision, and changes in thinking, memory, and orientation leading to confusion and personality changes [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Malignancies

Advise patients that an increased risk of malignancy, including breast cancer, may exist with OCREVUS. Advise patients that they should follow standard breast cancer screening guidelines [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

Immune-Mediated Colitis

Advise patients to promptly contact their healthcare provider if they experience any signs and symptoms of colitis, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and blood in stool [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

Contraception

Females of childbearing potential should use effective contraception while receiving OCREVUS and for 6 months after the last infusion of OCREVUS [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Pregnancy Registry

Instruct patients that if they are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking OCREVUS they should inform their healthcare provider [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Encourage patients to enroll in the OCREVUS Pregnancy Registry if they become pregnant while taking OCREVUS [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].