Fremanezumab reduced monthly migraine days in 60% of patients

Almost 60% of patients who took the preventative migraine treatment fremanezumab (Ajovy) achieved a 50% reduction in monthly migraine days, according to new research presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2023.

Fremanezumab, indicated for prophylaxis of migraine in adults who have at least four migraine days per month, was effective in preventing migraine attacks in patients with chronic and episodic migraine and was also shown to be effective in reducing the severity and duration of remaining migraine attacks.

It also showed sustained improvement in disability scores and acute medication use observed over 12 months. In addition, treatment persistence rates were high, with 82.3% of patients remaining on treatment by month 12.

Fremanezumab reduces burden of migraines

Professor Tassorelli, Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy, said: “Preventive treatments are of the utmost importance for reducing the burden of severe migraine, but levels of use of preventive drugs across Europe are still low, resulting in sub-optimal patient care. These interim findings add to our growing evidence with fremanezumab in the real-world, showing how the burden of migraines can be reduced when an eligible patient has access to monoclonal antibodies like fremanezumab.”

The positive data came from the pan-European PEARL study investigating the impact of fremanezumab on the prevention of migraine in a real-world setting. It is due to be completed in 2024.

Fremanezumab is produced by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. It is a humanised monoclonal antibody (mAb) that selectively targets the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway.