Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall of certain lots of Soliris (eculizumab) 300 mg/30 mL concentrated solution for intravenous infusion that were manufactured using a process component during vial filling identified in a November 2013 recall to the hospital/user level. Alexion believes that it has identified the process component that resulted in the presence of the visible particles and implemented a change to the process. Alexion does not anticipate any interruption to patient supply. This recall has been initiated due to the presence of visible proteinaceous particles detected in a single lot during periodic stability testing for Soliris. This lot was distributed only in the US.

The company says that no safety risks to patients who have received Soliris have been identified, and that there is no financial impact from the voluntary recall. The single affected Soliris lot is #10007A. Although these lots currently remain in specification, Alexion is including the following remaining lots, which were produced with the same process component during vial filling, within the scope of the US recall: 10002-1, 00006-1, 10003A, 10004A, 10005A, 10005AR, 10006A, and 10008A. Following this voluntary recall, there will no longer be Soliris in the US manufactured using the previously identified process component that Alexion believes resulted in the stability failure.

The administration of particulate, if present in a parenteral drug, poses a potential safety risk to patients in two general areas: immune reaction and blood clots. Particulates could cause blockage of flow of blood in vessels, which could be life-threatening. To date, there have been no product complaints of particulates, or identifiable safety concerns attributed to the product consumed from the affected lots, said the company. As product from the affected lot was last shipped on October 29, 2013, Alexion believes there is little, if any, inventory currently being held at the hospital or user level.

Soliris is approved as a treatment for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, two ultra-rare and life-threatening disorders. Alexion and its distributors typically ship Soliris to healthcare providers in small quantities, which are timed to individual patient infusions, with the product being consumed before more is shipped. As product from the identified lots was last shipped on October 30, 2013, there is anticipated to be little, if any, material from these lots still remaining in commercial distribution, said the company.

In November 2013, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. voluntary recalled two lots of Soliris concentrated solution for intravenous infusion as the lots were found to contain visible particles.

 
Source: Alexion Pharmaceuticals