Take the first step with Brineura® (cerliponase alfa)
Helping make more steps possible by slowing loss of walking ability
Brineura® (cerliponase alfa) is the only enzyme replacement therapy that helps treat CLN2 disease, a
common form of Batten disease. Brineura is approved to slow loss of ability to walk or crawl
(ambulation) in symptomatic pediatric patients 3 years of age and older with CLN2 disease.
Some words or phrases associated with CLN2 disease may be new to you. See their definitions by clicking on the words in orange, or download the glossary >
Learn how Brineura may help your child
Brineura helped maintain children’s ability to walk, with or without assistance, over approximately 2 years of treatment
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Indication
Brineura® (cerliponase alfa) injection for intraventricular use is indicated to slow the loss of ambulation in symptomatic pediatric patients 3 years of age and older with late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2), also known as tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1) deficiency.
Important Safety Information
Contraindications
Brineura is contraindicated in patients with:
- any sign or symptom of acute, unresolved localized infection on or around the device insertion site (e.g., cellulitis or abscess); or suspected or confirmed CNS infection (e.g., cloudy CSF or positive CSF gram stain, or meningitis)
- any acute intraventricular access device-related complications (e.g., leakage, extravasation of fluid, or device failure)
- ventriculoperitoneal shunts
Important Preparation and Administration Information
Brineura must only be administered via the intraventricular route using aseptic technique to reduce the risk of infection. Administer Brineura and the Intraventricular Electrolytes using the provided Administration Kit for use with Brineura components. Prior to each infusion, inspect the scalp for signs of intraventricular access device leakage or failure and for potential infection. Prior to each infusion of Brineura and when clinically indicated, send cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples for testing of cell count and culture.
Special Populations
Brineura has not been studied in pregnancy or lactation.
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below 3 years of age have not been established.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Meningitis and Other Intraventricular Access Device-Related Infections
Bacterial meningitis requiring antibiotic treatment and removal of the device was reported during postmarketing use of Brineura. The signs and symptoms of infections may not be readily apparent in patients with CLN2 disease. To reduce the risk of infectious complications, Brineura should be administered by, or under the direction of, a physician experienced in intraventricular administration.
Intraventricular Access Device-Related Complications
During the clinical trial and in postmarketing reports, intraventricular access device-related complications were reported (e.g., device leakage, device failure, extravasation of CSF fluid, or bulging of the scalp around or above the intraventricular access device). In case of intraventricular access device-related complications, discontinue the Brineura infusion and refer to the device manufacturer’s labeling for further instructions.
Material degradation of the intraventricular access device reservoir was reported after approximately 4 years of administration, which may impact the effective and safe use of the device. The intraventricular access device should be replaced prior to 4 years of single-puncture administrations, which equates to approximately 105 administrations of Brineura.
Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions
Monitor vital signs before infusion starts, periodically during infusion, and post-infusion in a healthcare setting. Perform electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring during infusion in patients with a history of bradycardia, conduction disorder, or with structural heart disease. In patients without cardiac abnormalities, regular 12-lead ECG evaluations should be performed every 6 months.
Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis
Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported in Brineura-treated patients during clinical studies and postmarketing use. In clinical trials, a total of 11 out of 24 patients (46%) experienced hypersensitivity reactions during the infusion or within 24 hours of completion of the infusion.
Due to the potential for anaphylaxis, appropriate medical support should be readily available when Brineura is administered. If a severe hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis occurs, immediately discontinue the infusion and initiate appropriate medical treatment. Observe patients closely during and after the infusion. Inform patients/caregivers of the signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis and instruct them to seek immediate medical care should signs and symptoms occur. Consider the risks and benefits of readministration of Brineura following an anaphylactic reaction.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
In clinical trials, the most frequently reported adverse reactions (≥8%) were pyrexia, ECG abnormalities, decreased CSF protein, vomiting, seizures, device-related complications, hypersensitivity, increased CSF protein, hematoma, headache, irritability, pleocytosis, device-related infection, bradycardia, feeling jittery, and hypotension.
Seizures were reported in 12 of 24 patients and included atonic, generalized tonic-clonic, focal, and absence. Seizures were managed with standard anticonvulsive therapies and did not result in discontinuation of Brineura treatment.
Adverse reactions related to the device were observed in 12 of 24 patients. Device-related adverse reactions include infection, delivery system-related complications, and pleocytosis.
Hematoma adverse reactions were reported in 5 patients and presented as hematoma, post-procedural hematoma, traumatic hematoma, and subdural hematoma. Hematomas did not require treatment and did not interfere with Brineura infusion.
Anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) were detected in serum (79%) and CSF (33%) in patients treated with Brineura. No association was found between serum or CSF ADA titers and incidence or severity of hypersensitivity.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. at 1-866-906-6100, or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088, or go to www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, or visit www.Brineura.com.
Indication and Important Safety Information
What is Brineura used for?
Brineura® (cerliponase alfa) is a prescription medication used to slow loss of ability to walk or crawl (ambulation) in pediatric patients with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2 disease), also known as tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1) deficiency.
What is the most important safety information I should know about Brineura?
Severe and life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur during Brineura infusions and up to 24 hours after infusion. These reactions can occur in people receiving Brineura for the first time or in people who have previously received Brineura without having an allergic reaction. Your child’s doctor should ensure appropriately trained personnel and equipment for emergency resuscitation (including epinephrine and other emergency medicines) are readily available during your child’s Brineura infusion.
Your child’s doctor will tell you about the symptoms of life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and when to seek immediate medical care. Signs of anaphylaxis can include cough, rash, throat tightness, hives, flushing, changes in skin color, low blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, retching, and vomiting. If a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) occurs during infusion, the infusion should be stopped immediately, and your child should receive medical attention. Contact your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child develops any severe symptoms after infusion.
If anaphylaxis occurs, you and your child’s healthcare providers should consider the risks and benefits of readministration of Brineura. If the decision is made to readminister Brineura after the occurrence of anaphylaxis, the healthcare providers should ensure appropriately trained personnel and equipment for emergency resuscitation (including epinephrine and other emergency medicines) are readily available during infusion.
Who should not take Brineura?
- Patients with any sign or symptom of acute or unresolved localized infection around the device insertion site (eg, cellulitis or abscess) or suspected or confirmed central nervous system (CNS) infection (eg, cloudy cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] or positive CSF gram stain, or meningitis)
- Patients with active intraventricular access device-related complications (eg, leakage, device failure, or device-related infection, including meningitis)
- Patients with shunts used to drain extra fluid around the brain
Administration: Brineura is only given by infusion into the fluid of the brain (known as an intraventricular injection) and using sterile technique to reduce the risk of infection. An intraventricular access device or port must be in place at least 5 to 7 days prior to the first infusion.
- Prior to administration, it is important to discuss your child’s medical history with their doctor
- Tell the doctor if your child is sick or taking any medication and if they are allergic to any medicines
- Brineura is not recommended for use in patients less than 37 weeks post-menstrual age (gestational at birth plus post-natal age) or those weighing less than 2.5kg.
Meningitis and other device-related infections: Intraventricular access device-related infections, including meningitis, were observed with Brineura treatment. Infections required treatment with antibiotics and removal of the access device. If any signs of infection or meningitis occur, contact your child’s doctor immediately. The signs and symptoms of infections may not be readily apparent in patients with CLN2 disease.
- Your child’s doctor should vigilantly be looking for signs and symptoms of infection, including meningitis, during treatment with Brineura
- Your child’s doctor should inspect the scalp and collect samples of your child’s CSF prior to each infusion of Brineura, to check for infections and that there is no device failure
- Signs of infection on or around the device insertion site may include redness, tenderness, or discharge
Device-related complications such as device leakage, device failure, leakage of CSF fluid, or bulging of the scalp around or above the intraventricular access device have occurred. In case of intraventricular access device-related complications, Brineura infusions may be discontinued.
Material degradation of the intraventricular access device reservoir was reported after approximately 4 years of administration, which may impact the effective and safe use of the device. During testing such material degradation was recognized after approximately 105 perforations of the intraventricular access device. The intraventricular access device should be replaced prior to 4 years of single-puncture administrations, which equates to approximately 105 administrations of Brineura.
Cardiovascular side effects: Low blood pressure and/or slow heart rate may occur during and following the infusion of Brineura. Contact your child’s healthcare provider immediately if these reactions occur. As part of the infusion, the healthcare provider will monitor vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate) before infusion starts, periodically during infusion, and post-infusion, and assess the patient’s status after administration to determine if continued observation may be necessary. Additional monitoring is required for patients with a history of cardiac abnormalities. In patients without cardiac abnormalities, regular 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) evaluations should be performed every 6 months.
Infusion Associated Reactions (IAR) such as vomiting, seizure, rash, pyrexia, hypersensitivity, and anaphylactic reaction have been observed in patients treated with Brineura. Your child’s doctor may prescribe medicines for your child to take 30 to 60 minutes prior to the start of infusion.
The most common side effects reported during Brineura infusions included:
- Fever, problems with the electrical activity of the heart, decreased or increased protein in the fluid of the brain, vomiting, seizures, device-related complications, hypersensitivity, collection of blood outside of blood vessels (hematoma), headache, irritability, increased white blood cell count in the fluid of the brain, device-related infection, slow heart rate, feeling jittery, and low blood pressure.
- The most frequent adverse reactions reported in patients less than 3 years of age treated with BRINEURA were similar to those observed in patients greater than 3 years of age except for hypersensitivity reactions, which were reported in 5 of 8 (63%) in patients less than 3 years of age at baseline compared with 0 of 6 in patients greater than 3 years of age at baseline. The most common manifestations of hypersensitivity were fever and vomiting. Such symptoms resolved over time or with administration of antipyretics, antihistamines and/or corticosteroids. Symptoms of severe hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) included rapid heartbeat, throat tightness, coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing, rash, diarrhea, hypotension, increased body temperature and vomiting.
The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more or for medical advice about any side effects.
You may report side effects to BioMarin at 1-866-906-6100.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1–800-FDA-1088.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information with important warning for risk of anaphylaxis or visit www.Brineura.com.