how skytrofa works photo how skytrofa works photo

How SKYTROFA Works

Predictable release of unmodified somatropin over a week1

SKYTROFA is the only LAGH that releases unmodified somatropin with the same molecular weight and amino acid sequence as endogenous GH1

  • TransCon® refers to “transient conjugation,” an innovative drug-delivery platform designed to transiently link an inert carrier to a parent drug with known biology to achieve sustained release1
  • SKYTROFA contains 3 components1-3:
    • The same somatropin as that used in daily somatropin injections
    • An inert carrier that shields somatropin to protect it from renal excretion and receptor-mediated clearance
    • A linker that transiently binds somatropin to the inert carrier

The TransCon linker in SKYTROFA releases active somatropin in a predictable manner1-3

transcon chart

SKYTROFA releases active somatropin in a predictable manner1,2

Once released, the unmodified somatropin is expected to have a similar distribution pattern to daily somatropin2

Mean (± SE) serum concentrations of hGH in pediatric patients with GHD receiving a fixed dose of SKYTROFA (0.24 mg/kg/week) (N = 11)2,4

hGH chart
  • *Daily somatropin was dosed at 0.034 mg/kg/day, equivalent to a weekly dose of 0.24 mg/kg/week, and the Cmax of 17.3 ng/mL was demonstrated following injection of the eighth dose (start of week 2 dosing) in pediatric patients with GHD.5
  • †The mean (CV%) somatropin exposure over the 1-week dose interval (area under the curve) was 500 (83.8) h*ng/mL.2

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

SKYTROFA® (lonapegsomatropin-tcgd) injection is a human growth hormone (GH) indicated for the:

  • Treatment of pediatric patients aged 1 year and older who weigh at least 11.5 kg and have growth failure due to inadequate secretion of endogenous GH
  • Replacement of endogenous GH in adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD)

CONTRAINDICATIONS

SKYTROFA is contraindicated in patients with:

  • Acute critical illness after open heart surgery, abdominal surgery or multiple accidental trauma, or those with acute respiratory failure due to risk of increased mortality with use of somatropin
  • Hypersensitivity to somatropin or any of the excipients in SKYTROFA

Click here to contact Ascendis Pharma Medical Information or call 1-844-442-7236.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

SKYTROFA® (lonapegsomatropin-tcgd) injection is a human growth hormone (GH) indicated for the:

  • Treatment of pediatric patients aged 1 year and older who weigh at least 11.5 kg and have growth failure due to inadequate secretion of endogenous GH
  • Replacement of endogenous GH in adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD)

CONTRAINDICATIONS

SKYTROFA is contraindicated in patients with:

  • Acute critical illness after open heart surgery, abdominal surgery or multiple accidental trauma, or those with acute respiratory failure due to risk of increased mortality with use of somatropin
  • Hypersensitivity to somatropin or any of the excipients in SKYTROFA
  • Pediatric patients with closed epiphyses
  • Active malignancy
  • Active proliferative or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
  • Pediatric patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who are severely obese, have a history of upper airway obstruction or sleep apnea, or have severe respiratory impairment due to the risk of sudden death

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Increased Mortality in Patients with Acute Critical Illness: Increased mortality has been reported after treatment with somatropin in patients with acute critical illness due to complications following open-heart surgery, abdominal surgery, multiple accidental trauma, and in patients with acute respiratory failure
  • Severe Hypersensitivity: Serious systemic hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported with post-marketing use of somatropin products, including SKYTROFA. Inform patients and/or caregivers that such reactions are possible and that prompt medical attention should be sought if an allergic reaction occurs
  • Increased Risk of Neoplasms: There is an increased risk of malignancy progression with somatropin treatment in patients with active malignancy. Any preexisting malignancy should be inactive, and its treatment complete prior to instituting SKYTROFA. In childhood cancer survivors treated with radiation to the brain/head for their first neoplasm who developed subsequent GHD and were treated with somatropin, an increased risk of a second neoplasm has been reported. Children with certain rare genetic causes of short stature have an increased risk of developing malignancies and should be carefully monitored for development of neoplasms. Monitor patients with a history of GHD secondary to an intracranial neoplasm for progression/recurrence of the tumor. Monitor patients carefully for development of neoplasms and/or increased growth/potential malignant changes of preexisting nevi. Advise patients/caregivers to report changes in the appearance of preexisting nevi
  • Glucose Intolerance and Diabetes Mellitus: Treatment with somatropin may decrease insulin sensitivity, particularly at higher doses. Previously undiagnosed impaired glucose tolerance and overt type 2 diabetes mellitus may be unmasked. Monitor glucose levels in all patients, especially those with risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus, such as obesity or a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. When initiating SKYTROFA, monitor patients with preexisting type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance closely, and adjust the doses of antihyperglycemic drugs as needed
  • Intracranial Hypertension: Intracranial hypertension (IH) with papilledema, visual changes, headache, nausea, and/or vomiting has been reported in a small number of patients treated with somatropin. Symptoms usually occurred within 8 weeks of the initiation of somatropin and resolved rapidly after cessation of therapy/reduction of the dose. Perform fundoscopic examination prior to initiation of treatment and periodically thereafter. If papilledema is observed, stop the treatment. If somatropin-induced IH is confirmed, restart SKYTROFA treatment at a lower dose after IH-associated signs and symptoms have resolved
  • Fluid Retention: May occur during somatropin therapy. Clinical manifestations of fluid retention (eg, edema, arthralgia, myalgia, nerve compression syndromes including carpal tunnel syndrome/paresthesia) are usually transient and dose dependent
  • Hypoadrenalism: Patients receiving somatropin therapy who have or are at risk for pituitary hormone deficiency(s) may be at risk for reduced serum cortisol levels and/or unmasking of central (secondary) hypoadrenalism. Patients treated with glucocorticoid replacement for previously diagnosed hypoadrenalism may require an increase in their maintenance/stress doses following initiation of SKYTROFA therapy. Monitor patients with known hypoadrenalism for reduced serum cortisol levels and/or need for glucocorticoid dose increases
  • Hypothyroidism: Undiagnosed/untreated hypothyroidism may prevent an optimal response to SKYTROFA. Monitor thyroid function periodically as hypothyroidism may occur or worsen after initiation of SKYTROFA
  • Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in Pediatric Patients: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis may occur more frequently in patients undergoing rapid growth and may lead to osteonecrosis. Evaluate pediatric patients receiving SKYTROFA with the onset of a limp or complaints of persistent hip or knee pain for slipped capital femoral epiphysis and osteonecrosis, and manage accordingly
  • Progression of Preexisting Scoliosis in Pediatric Patients: Monitor patients with a history of scoliosis for disease progression
  • Pancreatitis: Cases of pancreatitis have been reported in pediatric patients receiving somatropin. The risk may be greater in pediatric patients than in adults. Consider pancreatitis in patients with persistent severe abdominal pain
  • Lipoatrophy: Lipoatrophy may result when somatropin is administered at the same site over a long period of time. Rotate injection sites to reduce this risk
  • Sudden Death in Pediatric Patients With Prader-Willi Syndrome: There have been reports of fatalities after initiating therapy with somatropin in pediatric patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who had one or more of the following risk factors: severe obesity, history of upper airway obstruction or sleep apnea, or unidentified respiratory infection. Male patients with one or more of these factors may be at greater risk than female patients. SKYTROFA is not indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients who have growth failure due to genetically confirmed Prader-Willi syndrome
  • Laboratory Tests: Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and phosphate may increase after SKYTROFA therapy. Serum levels of parathyroid hormone may increase after somatropin treatment. If a patient is found to have abnormal laboratory tests, monitor as appropriate

ADVERSE REACTIONS

  • Pediatric patients with GHD: the most common adverse reactions (≥ 5%) in patients treated with SKYTROFA and more frequently than in those treated with daily somatropin were viral infection, pyrexia, cough, nausea and vomiting, hemorrhage, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and arthralgia and arthritis
  • Adult patients with GHD: the most common adverse reaction (≥ 5%) in patients treated with SKYTROFA and more frequently than in those treated with placebo were edema and central (secondary) hypothyroidism

DRUG INTERACTIONS

  • Glucocorticoids: Patients treated with glucocorticoid replacement for hypoadrenalism may require an increase in their maintenance or stress doses following initiation of SKYTROFA
  • Pharmacologic Glucocorticoid Therapy and Supraphysiologic Glucocorticoid Treatment: Adjust glucocorticoid dosing in pediatric patients to avoid both hypoadrenalism and an inhibitory effect on growth
  • Cytochrome P450-Metabolized Drugs: SKYTROFA may alter the clearance. Monitor carefully if used with SKYTROFA
  • Oral Estrogen: Patients receiving oral estrogen replacement may require higher SKYTROFA dosages
  • Insulin and/or Other Antihyperglycemic Agents: Dose adjustment of insulin and/or antihyperglycemic agent may be required for patients with diabetes mellitus

You are encouraged to report side effects to FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Ascendis Pharma at 1-844-442-7236.

Please click here for SKYTROFA full Prescribing Information.

References: 1. Thornton PS, Maniatis AK, Aghajanova E, et al. Weekly lonapegsomatropin in treatment-naïve children with growth hormone deficiency: the phase 3 heiGHt trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021;106(11):3184-3195. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgab529 2. SKYTROFA. Prescribing information. Ascendis Pharma, Inc.; 2024. 3. Sprogøe K, Mortensen E, Karpf DB, Leff JA. The rationale and design of TransCon growth hormone for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency. Endocr Connect. 2017;6(8):R171-R181. doi:10.1530/EC-17-0203 4. Ascendis Pharma, Inc. Data on file; 2020. 5. Zelinska N, Iotova V, Skorodok J, et al. Long-acting C-terminal peptide-modified hGH (MOD-4023): results of a safety and dose-finding study in GHD children. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017;102(5):1578-1587. doi:10.1210/jc.2016-3547

Cmax = maximum concentration; CV = coefficient of variation; GH = growth hormone; GHD = growth hormone deficiency; hGH = human growth hormone; LAGH = long-acting growth hormone; SE = standard error.