Post by icemandios on Jul 31, 2023 12:53:29 GMT
Xeris Ships One Millionth Gvoke® Unit
Protecting all people with diabetes at risk of severe hypoglycemia remains the goal
Xeris Biopharma Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: XERS), a growth-oriented biopharmaceutical company committed to improving patients’ lives by developing and commercializing innovative products across a range of therapies, today announced that Xeris has shipped more than one million units of Gvoke ® – the company’s ready-to-use liquid glucagon for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in adults and children with diabetes ages 2 years and above.
“We are proud to celebrate this major milestone of having shipped over one million units of Gvoke since its launch,” said Paul R. Edick, Xeris’ Chairman and CEO. “However, far too many people with diabetes are still left without protection against a potentially life-threatening severe low blood sugar event. Based on recently updated guidelines by the American Diabetes Association 1 and others, we estimate that approximately 15 million people 2 with diabetes are at increased risk of low blood sugar, a primary risk factor being on insulin, and should be carrying a ready-to-use glucagon, like Gvoke HypoPen ® ,” Mr. Edick continued, “We will continue to work tirelessly towards our mission of protecting as many of the 15 million as possible and call on the medical community to take responsibility to make these new standards of care your standards of practice.”
About Gvoke ®
Gvoke ® PFS and Gvoke HypoPen ® (glucagon injection), the first prescription, ready-to-use, pre-mixed, pre-measured glucagon injection, were approved by the FDA in September 2019 for use in the United States. Gvoke is indicated for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in pediatric and adult patients with diabetes ages 2 years and above. In August 2021, the FDA approved Gvoke ® Kit, the first ready-to-use glucagon available in a single-use vial and single-use syringe kit for rescue.
INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
GVOKE is indicated for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes ages 2 years and above.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications
GVOKE is contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma because of the risk of substantial increase in blood pressure, insulinoma because of the risk of hypoglycemia, and known hypersensitivity to glucagon or to any of the excipients in GVOKE. Allergic reactions have been reported with glucagon and include anaphylactic shock with breathing difficulties and hypotension.
Warnings and Precautions
GVOKE is contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma because glucagon may stimulate the release of catecholamines from the tumor. If the patient develops a dramatic increase in blood pressure and a previously undiagnosed pheochromocytoma is suspected, 5 to 10 mg of phentolamine mesylate, administered intravenously, has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure.
In patients with insulinoma, administration of glucagon may produce an initial increase in blood glucose; however, GVOKE administration may directly or indirectly (through an initial rise in blood glucose) stimulate exaggerated insulin release from an insulinoma and cause hypoglycemia. GVOKE is contraindicated in patients with insulinoma. If a patient develops symptoms of hypoglycemia after a dose of GVOKE, give glucose orally or intravenously.
Allergic reactions have been reported with glucagon. These include generalized rash, and in some cases, anaphylactic shock with breathing difficulties and hypotension. GVOKE is contraindicated in patients with a prior hypersensitivity reaction.
GVOKE is effective in treating hypoglycemia only if sufficient hepatic glycogen is present. Patients in states of starvation, with adrenal insufficiency or chronic hypoglycemia, may not have adequate levels of hepatic glycogen for GVOKE administration to be effective. Patients with these conditions should be treated with glucose.
Necrolytic migratory erythema (NME), a skin rash commonly associated with glucagonomas (glucagon producing tumors) and characterized by scaly, pruritic erythematous plaques, bullae, and erosions, has been reported postmarketing following continuous glucagon infusion. NME lesions may affect the face, groin, perineum and legs or be more widespread. In the reported cases NME resolved with discontinuation of the glucagon, and treatment with corticosteroids was not effective. Should NME occur, consider whether the benefits of continuous glucagon infusion outweigh the risks.
Adverse Reactions
Most common (≥5%) adverse reactions associated with GVOKE are nausea, vomiting, injection site edema (raised 1 mm or greater), and hypoglycemia.
Drug Interactions
Patients taking beta-blockers may have a transient increase in pulse and blood pressure when given GVOKE. In patients taking indomethacin, GVOKE may lose its ability to raise blood glucose or may even produce hypoglycemia. GVOKE may increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
Please see full Prescribing Information for GVOKE on www.xerispharma.com . Manufactured for Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. by Pyramid Laboratories Inc., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
About Xeris
Xeris (Nasdaq: XERS) is a growth-oriented biopharmaceutical company committed to improving patients’ lives by developing and commercializing differentiated and innovative products across a range of therapies. Xeris has three commercially available products: Gvoke ® , a ready-to-use liquid glucagon for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia; Keveyis ® , a proven therapy for primary periodic paralysis; and Recorlev ® for the treatment of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome. Xeris has a diverse pipeline of development and partnered programs using its formulation sciences, XeriSol™ and XeriJect™, to support long-term product development and commercial success.
Xeris Biopharma Holdings is headquartered in Chicago, IL. For more information, visit www.xerispharma.com , or follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn , or Instagram.
1. American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care , 2023;46(suppl 1):S97-S110
2. Xeris internal estimate
2. Xeris internal estimate