Agomelatine, tablet, 25 mg, Valdoxan® - July 2011
Page last updated: 28 October 2011
PDF printable version of Agomelatine, tablet, 25 mg, Valdoxan ® (PDF 46 KB)
Public Summary Document
Product: Agomelatine, tablet, 25 mg,
Valdoxan®
Sponsor: Servier Laboratories (Australia) Pty
Ltd
Date of PBAC Consideration: July 2011
1. Purpose of Application
The re-submission sought a Restricted Benefit listing for major
depressive disorders.
2. Background
At the November 2010 meeting, the PBAC rejected an application for PBS-listing of
agomelatine because of uncertainty around the claim that agomelatine was superior
to venlafaxine and the resultant uncertainty in the economic analysis. The Committee
considered that the submission’s nomination of venlafaxine as the main comparator
was inappropriate, as although based on Medicare data for the period April 2009 to
March 2010, venlafaxine had the largest single agent share of the anti-depressant
market, the SSRIs (sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine and fluvoxamine)
accounted for 54% of the total anti-depressant market. Even when the proportion of
use of SSRIs for indications other than major depression was taken into account, the
SSRIs as a group remained an appropriate comparator for agomelatine.
A copy of the Public Summary Document (PSD) from the November 2010 meeting is available.
3. Registration Status
Agomelatine was TGA registered on 9 August 2010 for treatment of
major depression in adults including prevention of relapse.
4. Listing Requested and PBAC’s View
Restricted benefit
Major depressive disorders
The PBAC did not comment on the requested restriction.
5. Clinical Place for the Proposed Therapy
Major depression is a condition characterised by a persistent
feeling of depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure in
addition to a number of other psychological and somatic
symptoms.
The submission proposed that the place in therapy of agomelatine
was as an alternative first-line treatment option for major
depression, with a different mechanism of action and adverse event
profile, to current pharmacological treatments.
6. Comparator
As in the previous submission, the re-submission nominated
venlafaxine as the main comparator. In response to the PBAC’s
request for a comparison of agomelatine with the SSRIs, the
re-submission also presented a comparison of agomelatine with
SSRIs: fluoxetine, sertraline and escitalopram.
The PBAC considered that the SSRIs were the more appropriate main
comparator.
For PBAC’s view, see Recommendation and
Reasons.
7. Clinical Trials
The re-submission presented no new trial data comparing agomelatine
with venlafaxine (CL3-035 and CL3-036). Publication details of
these trials have been previously reported in the November 2011
PSD.
The re-submission presented and meta-analysed the results of an
additional four randomised trials comparing agomelatine with SSRIs
(CL3-045, CL3-046, CL3-056 and CL3-063), and discussed the
systematic review and meta-analysis by Schueler et al (2011)
of duloxetine and venlafaxine compared to other antidepressants
including SSRIs in major depression. Details of the studies
published at the time of the submission are presented in the table
below.
Trials and associated reports presented in the submission
Trial ID/first author | Protocol title/ Publication title | Publication citation |
Direct randomised trials (agomelatine vs SSRIs) | ||
CL3-045 Hale A et al . | Superior antidepressant efficacy results of agomelatine versus fluoxetine in severe MDD patients: A randomized, double-blind study | International Clinical Psychopharmacology 2010; 25: 305-314 |
CL3-046 Kasper S et al. | Efficacy of the novel antidepressant agomelatine on the circadian rest-activity cycle and depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder: a randomized, double-blind comparison with sertraline | The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 2010; 71(2): 109-120 |
Meta-analyses comparing venlafaxine/duloxetine vs SSRIs | ||
Schueler YB et al | A systematic review of duloxetine and venlafaxine in major depression, including unpublished data. | Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 2011; 123: 247–65 |
8. Results of Trials
Comparative effectiveness
Agomelatine versus venlafaxine:
The resubmission presented no new trial data comparing agomelatine with venlafaxine
(CL3-035 and CL3-036). The main outcome of HAM-D17 & Montgomery-Asberg depression
rating scale (MADRS) scores were the secondary outcomes of the agomelatine vs venlafaxine
trials. The primary outcomes were the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (CL3-035)
and the Sex Effects Scale score (CL3-036).
The results of CL3-035 and CL3-036 have been previously reported in the November 2010
PSD.
Agomelatine versus SSRIs:
The primary outcome for Trial CL3-045 and a secondary outcome for Trials CL3-046,
CL3-056 and CL3-063 was the difference in the adjusted mean change from baseline HAM-D17
scores. The pooled estimate for this outcome was presented as a sensitivity analysis
in the re-submission’s meta-analyses with difference in the last post-baseline HAM-D
17 score presented as primary outcome in the meta-analysis.
The adjusted mean change in HAM-D17 total scores from baseline comparing agomelatine
with SSRIs for those trials published is shown in the following table.
Results of HAM-D17 total scores comparing agomelatine with SSRIs – adjusted mean change from baseline
Trial ID | Agomelatine | SSRI | Treatment effect a SSRI-Ago (95%CI) | ||||
n | Mean baseline (SD) | Mean change (SD) | n | Mean baseline (SD) | Mean change (SD) | ||
Mandatory period | |||||||
CL3-045 fluoxetine (8 wks) | 247 | 28.5 (2.7) | -17.3 (7.3) | 257 | 28.7 (2.5) | -16.0 (8.4) | 1.49 (0.20, 2.77) |
CL3-046 sertraline (6 wks) | 150 | 26.1 (2.8) | -15.8 (7.3) | 156 | 26.5 (3.0) | -14.4 (8.7) | 1.68 (0.15, 3.20) |
Optional extension period (Weeks 0 to 24) | |||||||
CL3-045 fluoxetine | 247 | 28.5 (2.7) | -19.9 (8.3) | 257 | 28.7 (2.5) | -18.9 (9.6) | - |
CL3-046 sertraline | 150 | 26.1 (2.8) | -17.7 (8.4) | 156 | 26.5 (3.0) | -16.4 (10.3) | NR |
Abbreviations: Ago, agomelatine; CI, confidence interval; HAM-D, Hamilton Depression
Rating scale; SD, standard deviation; SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor;
wks, weeks
a adjusted for centre (random effect) and baseline as a covariate
Bolded results are statistically significant
During the mandatory period of the four trials, agomelatine was associated with larger
reductions in HAM-D17 scores, although the differences between agomelatine and the
SSRI comparator were only statistically significantly different in Trials CL3-045
and CL3-046. The pooled result was statistically significantly different in favour
of agomelatine However, considering that the nominated MCID was 1.5 points, the PBAC
considered it unlikely that this difference was clinically important. For the optional
extension analysis (to Week 24), there were no statistically significant differences
between agomelatine and the SSRI comparator in the two trials (CL3-045 and CL3-063)
reporting adjusted mean change from baseline. However, only patients who were ‘responders’
in the mandatory period were able to enter the optional extension period, so it could
be expected that the two treatments would not differ.
The pooled analyses showed that there were statistically significantly higher HAM-D17
responder rates (reduction of at least 50% from baseline) for agomelatine compared
to SSRI in both the mandatory and optional extension analyses. However, there were
no statistically significant differences in the proportion of HAM-D17 remitters in
either period.
The between-arm differences in the mean last post-baseline Clinician Global Impression
(CGI) severity of illness (CGI-S) and CGI global improvements (CGI-I) scores were
generally small and favoured agomelatine. The pooled results showed that there was
a statistically significant difference favouring agomelatine for both CGI-S and CGI-I
in the mandatory period, and for CGI-I in the optional extension analyses.
The odds of being a CGI responder were higher for agomelatine-treated patients in
the mandatory period, but there were no significant differences in the optional extension
period. There were no differences in CGI remitter rates for either the mandatory or
the extension period.
The re-submission presented new toxicity data comparing agomelatine with SSRIs and
discussed the latest Periodic Safety Update Report.
Agomelatine versus venlafaxine:
There were statistically significant fewer discontinuations overall and discontinuations
due to adverse events in agomelatine treated patients.
Agomelatine versus SSRIs:
In the pooled analyses, there were statistically significantly fewer agomelatine-treated
patients discontinuing overall and due to adverse events compared to SSRI-treated
patients during the mandatory period. However, there were no statistically significant
differences in discontinuation rates during the optional extension period, with the
point estimates favouring SSRIs.
For PBAC’s comments on these results, see Recommendation and Reasons.
9. Clinical Claim
The re-submission stated that the conclusion and the claim had not
changed from the November 2010 submission i.e. agomelatine was
non-inferior in terms of efficacy and superior in terms of
discontinuation from treatment to the primary comparator
venlafaxine.
The PBAC reaffirmed that substantiation of a claim of
non-inferiority to venlafaxine would first require demonstration of
superiority over the SSRIs.
The re-submission also described agomelatine as superior in terms
of comparative efficacy and superior in terms of comparative safety
over SSRIs. This was not accepted by the PBAC.
The PBAC considered that the evidence provided in the submission
was not sufficient to support the claim that agomelatine was
superior in terms of comparative efficacy and safety to the SSRIs.
See Recommendation and Reasons.
10. Economic Analysis
The re-submission presented a cost minimisation analysis against
venlafaxine. The re-submission presented an updated model which was
still based on the clinical claim that fewer discontinuations would
occur with agomelatine compared to venlafaxine. These fewer
discontinuations were assumed to translate to better adherence, a
claim that has not previously been accepted by PBAC.
From the updated model, the incremental cost per quality adjusted
life-year (QALY) gained was less than $15,000 for the base-case,
which included liver function tests (LFTs) costs.
11. Estimated PBS Usage and Financial Implications
The re-submission’s estimate of the likely number of patients
treated per year was between 50,000 and 100,000 in Year 5, at a net
cost per year to the PBS of less than $10 million in Year 5.
12. Recommendation and Reasons
The PBAC reaffirmed that, as agomelatine is the first in a new
class of antidepressants, substantiation of a claim of
non-inferiority to venlafaxine firstly requires demonstration of
superiority over the SSRIs. The PBAC considered that the SSRIs were
the more appropriate main comparator for agomelatine as agomelatine
will be used in the first line treatment of depression. The PBAC
further considered that the evidence provided in the submission was
not sufficient to support the claim that agomelatine was superior
in terms of comparative efficacy and safety to the SSRIs.
The PBAC expressed a number of concerns with the trial data
comparing agomelatine with the SSRIs as a secondary clinical
comparator. There were concerns surrounding the selective exclusion
of 5 earlier trials (CL3-014, CL3-022, CL3-023, CL3-024 and
CL3-030). The impact of excluding potentially relevant trials was
uncertain. The sponsor in its Pre Sub-Committee Response explained
that these trials lacked the methodological improvements seen in
subsequent studies and used a fixed dose regimen rather than the
titrating dose regimen applied in clinical practice. However, the
key trial CL3-036 in the submission comparing agomelatine 50 mg
with venlafaxine 150 mg was also a fixed dose trial and was not
excluded on this basis. Of the four included trials, the PBAC noted
that both SSRI comparators in two trials (CL3-045 and CL3-046) may
have been inadequately dosed. In addition, the fluoxetine dose in
trial CL3-045 could be titrated from 20 mg up to 40 mg from week 4,
whereas the agomelatine dose could be titrated up from 25 mg to 50
mg at week 2, which could favour agomelatine.
The PBAC noted that the nominated main depression outcomes (HAM-D17
and CGI) used in the resubmission were not the primary outcomes for
trials CL3-046 (rest/activity cycle), CL3-056 (polysomnographic
sleep efficiency index) and CL3-063 (global satisfaction on sleep
score), although the HAM-D17 total score was the primary outcome
for CL3-045.
During the mandatory period of the four trials, agomelatine was
associated with larger reductions in HAM-D17 scores, although the
differences between agomelatine and the SSRI comparator were only
statistically significantly different in Trials CL3-045 and
CL3-046. The pooled result (SSRI-agomelatine) was statistically
significantly different in favour of agomelatine However, the PBAC
considered that the differences were unlikely to be clinically
important, given the pre-defined MCID for change from baseline in
HAM-D17 score was 1.5. For the optional extension analysis (to Week
24), the PBAC noted that there were no statistically significant
differences between agomelatine and the SSRI comparator in the two
trials (CL3-045 and CL3-063) reporting adjusted mean change from
baseline. There were statistically significantly more HAM-D17
responders (reduction of at least 50% from baseline) among
agomelatine-treated patients, but no statistically significant
differences in HAM-D17 remitter rates
The PBAC noted that there were inconsistencies in the CGI results.
The difference in mean CGI-I (global improvement) was statistically
significantly in favour of agomelatine for the mandatory and
optional extension periods, but was only statistically significant
in the mandatory period for CGI-S (severity of illness). The PBAC
considered that the small differences reported were unlikely to be
clinically important. The odds of being a CGI responder were higher
for agomelatine-treated patients in the mandatory period, but there
were no significant differences in the optional extension period.
There were no differences in CGI remitter rates for either the
mandatory or the extension period.
There was some evidence supporting the lower discontinuation rates
associated with agomelatine in the mandatory period, but not the
optional extension period of the SSRI trials.
The PBAC concerns regarding a claim of superiority based on
discontinuation rates remain:
Discontinuation rates cannot be assumed to be persistence rates.
Multiple factors can affect adherence and persistence.
Intention-to-treat analyses already account for the differential
discontinuation rates in the efficacy outcomes; and
A proportion of discontinuing patients will go on to another
antidepressant in clinical practice.
The resubmission presented no new trial data comparing agomelatine
with venlafaxine (CL3-035 and CL3-036). The main outcome of HAM-D17
& Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS) scores were
the secondary outcomes of the agomelatine vs venlafaxine trials.
The primary outcomes were the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire
(CL3-035) and the Sex Effects Scale score (CL3-036).
For Trial CL3-035, there was no statistically significant
difference between agomelatine and venlafaxine at the end of the
mandatory period (6 weeks) in the mean last post-baseline HAM-D17
scores. Again, the PBAC considered interpretation of these results
was limited by the potential under-dosing of venlafaxine in this
trial. For Trial CL3-036, there were no statistically significant
differences in the mean last post-baseline MADRS scores at Week 6
between agomelatine- and venlafaxine-treated patients. There were
no statistically significant differences in HAM-D17/MADRS responder
and remitter rates between agomelatine and venlafaxine for the
individual trials and the pooled analyses during the mandatory
period. The PBAC considered that interpretation of the pooled data
was limited by the use of different depression measurement scales,
the differences in dosing schedules and the differences in trial
durations.
The submission presented a cost minimisation analysis against
venlafaxine. As in the previous submission, the PBAC noted
uncertainties regarding both the equi-effective doses of
agomelatine and venlafaxine and the updated model which was still
based on the clinical claim that fewer discontinuations would occur
with agomelatine compared to venlafaxine. These fewer
discontinuations were assumed to translate to better adherence, a
claim that has not previously been accepted by PBAC.
As noted above, the PBAC considered that the SSRIs were the more
appropriate main comparator for agomelatine, the first in a new
class of antidepressants, as agomelatine will be used in the first
line treatment of depression and is more likely to substitute for
SSRIs than the more expensive SNRIs in clinical practice. The
estimates in Section E of the submission supported this
assumption.
The PBAC rejected the submission on the basis that superior
clinical effectiveness and safety over SSRIs had not been
demonstrated.
The PBAC also acknowledged and noted the consumer comments received
in its consideration of agomelatine.
Recommendation:
Reject
13. Context for Decision
The PBAC helps decide whether and, if so, how medicines should be
subsidised in Australia. It considers submissions in this context.
A PBAC decision not to recommend listing or not to recommend
changing a listing does not represent a final PBAC view about the
merits of the medicine. A company can resubmit to the PBAC or seek
independent review of the PBAC decision.
14. Sponsor’s Comment
Servier has met with the PBAC Chairman and is working towards achieving a PBS-listing in a timely manner for agomelatine.