A to Z: Drugs in Highlight: A is for AKEEGA®

Welcome to “A to Z: Drugs in Highlight”

This engaging series is designed to delve into the intricate and dynamic realm of pharmaceutical drugs. As the world of pharmaceuticals continues to evolve with new discoveries and emerging challenges, we aim to shed light on the diverse array of medications available today, ranging from blockbuster medications to those that may not be as familiar.

Join us on this educational journey through the alphabet of pharmaceutical drugs. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a student, or simply someone with a curious mind, “A to Z: Drugs in Highlight” promises to be an enlightening and engaging series.

A is for AKEEGA®

AKEEGA® (from Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceutical) uses niraparib and abiraterone acetate to treat adult patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer associated with a deleterious BRCA mutation. It is often administered in combination with prednisone.

How it works:

• Niraparib inhibits PARP-1 and PARP-2 enzymes, preventing cancer cells from repairing damaged DNA and thus leading to cancer cell death.
• Abiraterone acetate blocks testosterone production by inhibiting the CYP17 enzyme, slowing the growth of the prostate cancer.

Marketing approval:

AKEEGA® is approved for marketing in both the United States (approved by the FDA in August 2023) and Europe (approved by the EMA in April 2023).

Patent protection:

There are a number of patent rights protecting aspects of AKEEGA® in the United States and Europe (as well as in many other countries around the world). For example, granted US patent no. 11207311 relates a method of treating prostate cancer in a human in need of such treatment comprising administering to the human a safe and effective amount of niraparib or a salt thereof, wherein the prostate cancer is antiandrogen resistant and wherein the human (a) is not BRCA deficient or (b) is carrying at least one DNA repair anomaly selected from the group consisting of FANCA, PALB2, CHEK2, BRIP1, HDAC2, and ATM. An intention to grant was recently issued by the European Patent Office for the European equivalent patent application (EP3490560).

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