Kineret

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE KINERET is an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist indicated for: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Reduction in signs and symptoms and slowing the progression of structural damage in moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, in patients 18 years of age or older who have failed 1 or more disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) ( 1.1 ) Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) Treatment of Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID) ( 1.2 ) Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA) Treatment of Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA) ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Active Rheumatoid Arthritis KINERET is indicated for the reduction in signs and symptoms and slowing the progression of structural damage in moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in patients 18 years of age or older who have failed 1 or more disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). KINERET can be used alone or in combination with DMARDs other than Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blocking agents [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. 1.2 Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) KINERET is indicated for the treatment of Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID). 1.3 Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA) KINERET is indicated for the treatment of Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA)

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) The recommended dose of KINERET for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 100 mg/day administered daily by subcutaneous injection. The dose should be administered at approximately the same time every day ( 2.1 ) Physicians should consider a dose of 100 mg of KINERET administered every other day for RA patients who have severe renal insufficiency or end stage renal disease (defined as creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, as estimated from serum creatinine levels) ( 2.4 ) Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) The recommended starting dose of KINERET is 1-2 mg/kg daily for NOMID patients. The dose can be individually adjusted to a maximum of 8 mg/kg daily to control active inflammation. ( 2.2 ) Physicians should consider administration of the prescribed KINERET dose every other day for NOMID patients who have severe renal insufficiency or end stage renal disease (defined as creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, as estimated from serum creatinine levels) ( 2.4 ) Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA) The recommended starting dose of KINERET is 1-2 mg/kg daily for patients with DIRA. The dose can be individually adjusted to a maximum of 8 mg/kg daily to control active inflammation. ( 2.3 ) Physicians should consider administration of the prescribed KINERET dose every other day for patients with DIRA who have severe renal insufficiency or end stage renal disease (defined as creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, as estimated from serum creatinine levels) ( 2.4 ) See full prescribing information for administration instructions ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Active Rheumatoid Arthritis The recommended dose of KINERET for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 100 mg/day administered daily by subcutaneous injection. Higher doses did not result in a higher response. The dose should be administered at approximately the same time every day. 2.2 Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) The recommended starting dose of KINERET is 1-2 mg/kg for NOMID patients. The dose can be individually adjusted to a maximum of 8 mg/kg daily to control active inflammation. Adjust doses in 0.5 to 1 mg/kg increments. Once daily administration is generally recommended, but the dose may be split into twice daily administrations. Each syringe is intended for a single use. A new syringe must be used for each dose. Any unused portion after each dose should be discarded. 2.3 Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA) The recommended starting dose of KINERET is 1-2 mg/kg daily for patients with DIRA. The dose can be individually adjusted to a maximum of 8 mg/kg daily to control active inflammation. Adjust doses in 0.5 to 1 mg/kg increments. Each syringe is intended for a single use. A new syringe must be used for each dose. Any unused portion after each dose should be discarded. 2.4 Renal Impairment Physicians should consider administration of the prescribed dose of KINERET every other day for patients who have severe renal insufficiency or end stage renal disease (defined as creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, as estimated from serum creatinine levels) [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 2.5 Administration Instructions on appropriate use should be given by the healthcare provider to the patient or caregiver. Patients or caregivers should not be allowed to administer KINERET until the patient or caregiver has demonstrated a thorough understanding of procedures and an ability to inject the product correctly. The prescribed dose of KINERET should be administered according to the instructions for use and any unused portions discarded. After administration of KINERET it is essential to follow the proper procedure for disposal of syringes and any residual drug. Recommend patients to rotate their injection sites to reduce the risk of injection site reactions and injection site amyloid deposits [see Warnings and precautions ( 5.5 )] . See the “Information for Patients” insert for detailed instructions on the handling and injection of KINERET. Do not use KINERET beyond the expiration date shown on the carton. Visually inspect the solution for particulate matter and discoloration before administration. There may be trace amounts of small, translucent-to-white amorphous particles of protein in the solution. The prefilled syringe should not be used if the solution is discolored or cloudy, or if foreign particulate matter is present. If the number of translucent-to-white amorphous particles in a given syringe appears excessive, do not use this syringe.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS KINERET is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to E coli -derived proteins, KINERET, or any components of the product [see Hypersensitivity Reactions ( 5.3 )] . Known hypersensitivity to E coli -derived proteins, Kineret, or to any component of the product. ( 4 )

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS In RA, discontinue use if serious infection develops. In KINERET-treated NOMID or DIRA patients, the risk of a disease flare when discontinuing KINERET treatment should be weighed against the potential risk of continued treatment. Do not initiate KINERET in patients with active infections. ( 5.1 ) Use in combination with Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blocking agents is not recommended ( 5.2 ) Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions and angioedema, and serious cutaneous reactions including Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) can occur; discontinue KINERET, treat promptly, and monitor until reaction resolves. Patients with DIRA may have an increased risk of allergic reactions, particularly in the first several weeks after starting KINERET treatment ( 5.3 ) The impact of treatment with KINERET on active and/or chronic infections and the development of malignancies is not known ( 5.4 ) Recommend patients to rotate injection sites to reduce the risk of injection site amyloid deposits ( 5.5 ) Live vaccines should not be given concurrently with KINERET ( 5.6 ) Neutrophil counts should be assessed prior to initiating KINERET treatment, and while receiving KINERET, monthly for 3 months, and thereafter quarterly for a period up to 1 year ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Serious Infections KINERET has been associated with an increased incidence of serious infections (2%) vs. Placebo (< 1%) in clinical trials in RA. Administration of KINERET in RA should be discontinued if a patient develops a serious infection. In KINERET treated NOMID and DIRA patients the risk of a disease flare when discontinuing KINERET treatment should be weighed against the potential risk of continued treatment. Treatment with KINERET should not be initiated in patients with active infections. The safety and efficacy of KINERET in immunosuppressed patients or in patients with chronic infections have not been evaluated. Drugs that affect the immune system by blocking tumor necrosis factor (TNF) have been associated with an increased risk of reactivation of latent tuberculosis (TB). It is possible that taking drugs such as KINERET that blocks IL-1 increases the risk of TB or other atypical or opportunistic infections. Health care providers should follow current CDC guidelines both to evaluate for and to treat possible latent tuberculosis infections before initiating therapy with KINERET. 5.2 Use with TNF Blocking Agents In a 24-week study of concurrent KINERET and etanercept therapy in RA patients, the rate of serious infections in the combination arm (7%) was higher than with etanercept alone (0%). The combination of KINERET and etanercept did not result in higher ACR response rates compared to etanercept alone [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . Use of KINERET in combination with TNF blocking agents is not recommended. 5.3 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions and angioedema, have been reported with KINERET. Serious cutaneous reactions, including Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS), have been reported in patients with autoinflammatory conditions treated with KINERET. If a severe hypersensitivity reaction occurs, immediately discontinue KINERET; treat promptly and monitor until signs and symptoms resolve. KINERET is the recombinant form of IL-1Ra that DIRA patients are lacking. Patients with DIRA may have an increased risk of allergic reactions, particularly in the first several weeks after starting KINERET treatment. Patients should be closely monitored during this time period. If a severe allergic reaction occurs, appropriate treatment should be initiated and discontinuation of KINERET should be considered. 5.4 Immunosuppression The impact of treatment with KINERET on active and/or chronic infections and the development of malignancies is not known [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 )] . 5.5 Amyloidosis Post-marketing cases of injection site amyloid deposits [see Postmarketing Experience ( 6.4 )] have been reported in NOMID patients after receiving high doses of Kineret injected subcutaneously into the same area of skin over long periods of time. Systemic AIL1RAP (IL-1 receptor antagonist protein) amyloidosis occurred in some of these patients with injection site amyloid deposits; these patients presented with proteinuria. Recommend patients to rotate their injection sites. In patients with confirmed injection site amyloid deposits, monitor proteinuria for systemic amyloidosis. 5.6 Immunizations In a placebo-controlled clinical trial (n = 126), no difference was detected in anti-tetanus antibody response between the KINERET and placebo treatment groups when the tetanus/diphtheria toxoids vaccine was administered concurrently with KINERET. No data are available on the effects of vaccination with other inactivated antigens in patients receiving KINERET. No data are available on either the effects of live vaccination or the secondary transmission of infection by live vaccines in patients receiving KINERET. Therefore, live vaccines should not be given concurrently with KINERET. 5.7 Neutrophil Count Patients receiving KINERET may experience a decrease in neutrophil counts. Neutrophil counts should therefore be assessed prior to initiating KINERET treatment, and while receiving KINERET, monthly for 3 months, and thereafter quarterly for a period up to 1 year. In the placebo-controlled studies, 8% of RA patients receiving KINERET had decreases in neutrophil counts of at least one World Health Organization (WHO) toxicity grade compared with 2% in the placebo control group. Nine KINERET-treated patients (0.4%) experienced neutropenia (ANC < 1 x 10 9 /L). This is discussed in more detail in the Adverse Reactions ( 6 ): Hematologic Events ( 6.1 ) section. In 43 NOMID patients followed for up to 60 months 2 patients experienced neutropenia that resolved over time during continued KINERET treatment. [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )]

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS No drug-drug interaction studies in human subjects have been conducted. Toxicologic and toxicokinetic studies in rats did not demonstrate any alterations in the clearance or toxicologic profile of either methotrexate or KINERET when the two agents were administered together. A higher rate of serious infections has been observed in RA patients treated with concurrent KINERET and etanercept therapy than in patients treated with etanercept alone. Use of KINERET in combination with TNF blocking agents is not recommended ( 7 ) 7.1 TNF Blocking Agents A higher rate of serious infections has been observed in patients treated with concurrent KINERET and etanercept therapy than in patients treated with etanercept alone [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Two percent of patients treated concurrently with KINERET and etanercept developed neutropenia (ANC < 1 x 10 9 /L). Use of KINERET in combination with TNF blocking agents is not recommended.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5%) are injection site reaction, worsening of rheumatoid arthritis, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, nausea, diarrhea, sinusitis, arthralgia, flu like-symptoms, and abdominal pain ( 6.1 ) NOMID The most common AEs during the first 6 months of treatment (incidence > 10%) are injection site reaction, headache, vomiting, arthralgia, pyrexia, and nasopharyngitis ( 6.2 ) DIRA The most common AEs are upper respiratory tract infections, rash, pyrexia, influenza like illness, and gastroenteritis ( 6.3 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Swedish Orphan Biovitrum at 1-866-547-0644 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience in RA The most serious adverse reactions were: Serious Infections – [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Neutropenia, particularly when used in combination with TNF blocking agents The most common adverse reaction with KINERET is injection-site reactions. These reactions were the most common reason for withdrawing from studies. The data described herein reflect exposure to KINERET in 3025 patients, including 2124 exposed for at least 6 months and 884 exposed for at least one year. Studies 1 and 4 used the recommended dose of 100 mg per day. The patients studied were representative of the general population of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Injection-site Reactions The most common and consistently reported treatment-related adverse event associated with KINERET is injection-site reaction (ISR). In Studies 1 and 4, 71% of patients developed an ISR, which was typically reported within the first 4 weeks of therapy. The majority of ISRs were reported as mild (72.6% mild, 24.1% moderate and 3.2% severe). The ISRs typically lasted for 14 to 28 days and were characterized by 1 or more of the following: erythema, ecchymosis, inflammation, and pain. Injection-site Reactions The most common and consistently reported treatment-related adverse event associated with KINERET is injection-site reaction (ISR). In Studies 1 and 4, 71% of patients developed an ISR, which was typically reported within the first 4 weeks of therapy. The majority of ISRs were reported as mild (72.6% mild, 24.1% moderate and 3.2% severe). The ISRs typically lasted for 14 to 28 days and were characterized by 1 or more of the following: erythema, ecchymosis, inflammation, and pain. Injection-site Reactions The most common and consistently reported treatment-related adverse event associated with KINERET is injection-site reaction (ISR). In Studies 1 and 4, 71% of patients developed an ISR, which was typically reported within the first 4 weeks of therapy. The majority of ISRs were reported as mild (72.6% mild, 24.1% moderate and 3.2% severe). The ISRs typically lasted for 14 to 28 days and were characterized by 1 or more of the following: erythema, ecchymosis, inflammation, and pain. Infections In Studies 1 and 4 combined, the incidence of infection was 39% in the KINERET-treated patients and 37% in placebo-treated patients during the first 6 months of blinded treatment. The incidence of serious infections in Studies 1 and 4 was 2% in KINERET-treated patients and 1% in patients receiving placebo over 6 months. The incidence of serious infection over 1 year was 3% in KINERET-treated patients and 2% in patients receiving placebo. These infections consisted primarily of bacterial events such as cellulitis, pneumonia, and bone and joint infections. Majority of patients (73%) continued on study drug after the infection resolved. No serious opportunistic infections were reported. Patients with asthma appeared to be at higher risk of developing serious infections when treated with KINERET (8 of 177 patients, 4.5%) compared to placebo (0 of 50 patients, 0%). In open-label extension studies, the overall rate of serious infections was stable over time and comparable to that observed in controlled trials. In clinical studies and postmarketing experience, cases of opportunistic infections have been observed and included fungal, mycobacterial and bacterial pathogens. Infections have been noted in all organ systems and have been reported in patients receiving KINERET alone or in combination with immunosuppressive agents. In patients who received both KINERET and etanercept for up to 24 weeks, the incidence of serious infections was 7%. The most common infections consisted of bacterial pneumonia (4 cases) and cellulitis (4 cases). One patient with pulmonary fibrosis and pneumonia died due to respiratory failure. Malignancies Among 5300 RA patients treated with KINERET in clinical trials for a mean of 15 months (approximately 6400 patient years of treatment), 8 lymphomas were observed for a rate of 0.12 cases/100 patient years. This is 3.6 fold higher than the rate of lymphomas expected in the general population, based on the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. 3 An increased rate of lymphoma, up to several fold, has been reported in the RA population, and may be further increased in patients with more severe disease activity. Thirty-seven malignancies other than lymphoma were observed. Of these, the most common were breast, respiratory system, and digestive system. There were 3 melanomas observed in Study 4 and its long-term open-label extension, greater than the 1 expected case. The significance of this finding is not known. While patients with RA, particularly those with highly active disease, may be at a higher risk (up to several fold) for the development of lymphoma, the role of IL-1 blockers in the development of malignancy is not known. Hematologic Events In placebo-controlled studies with KINERET, 8% of patients receiving KINERET had decreases in total white blood counts of at least one WHO toxicity grade, compared with 2% of placebo patients. Nine KINERET-treated patients (0.4%) developed neutropenia (ANC < 1 x 10 9 /L). 9 % of patients receiving KINERET had increases in eosinophil differential percentage of at least one WHO toxicity grade, compared with 3 % of placebo patients. Of patients treated concurrently with KINERET and etanercept 2% developed neutropenia (ANC < 1 x 10 9 /L). While neutropenic, one patient developed cellulitis which recovered with antibiotic therapy. 2% of patients receiving KINERET had decreases in platelets, all of WHO toxicity grade one, compared to 0% of placebo patients. Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions, angioedema, urticaria, rash, and pruritus have been reported with KINERET. Immunogenicity As with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. In Studies 1 and 4, from which data is available for up to 36 months, 49% of patients tested positive for anti-anakinra binding antibodies at one or more time points using a biosensor assay. Of the 1615 patients with available data at Week 12 or later, 30 (2%) tested positive for neutralizing antibodies in a cell-based bioassay. Of the 13 patients with available follow-up data, 5 patients remained positive for neutralizing antibodies at the end of the studies. No correlation between antibody development and adverse events was observed. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assays. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors, including sample handling, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to KINERET with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading. Lipids Cholesterol elevations were observed in some patients treated with KINERET. Other Adverse Events Table 1 reflects adverse events in Studies 1 and 4, that occurred with a frequency of ≥ 5% in KINERET-treated patients over a 6-month period. Table 1: Percent of RA Patients Reporting Adverse Events (Studies 1 and 4) Placebo KINERET 100 mg/day Preferred term (n = 733) (n = 1565) Injection Site Reaction 29% 71% Worsening of RA 29% 19% Upper Respiratory Tract Infections 17% 14% Headache 9% 12% Nausea 7% 8% Diarrhea 5% 7% Sinusitis 7% 7% Arthralgia 6% 6% Flu Like Symptoms 6% 6% Abdominal Pain 5% 5% 6.2 Clinical Study Experience in NOMID The data described herein reflect an open-label study in 43 NOMID patients exposed to KINERET for up to 60 months adding up to a total exposure of 159.8 patient years. Patients were treated with a starting dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg/day and an average maintenance dose of 3-4 mg/kg/day adjusted depending on the severity of disease. Among pediatric NOMID patients, doses up to 7.6 mg/kg/day have been maintained for up to 15 months. There were 24 serious adverse events (SAEs) reported in 14 of the 43 treated patients. The most common type of SAEs reported were infections [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Five SAEs were related to lumbar puncture, which was part of the study procedure. There were no permanent discontinuations of study drug treatment due to AEs. Doses were adjusted in 5 patients because of AEs; all were dose increases in connection with disease flares. The reporting frequency of AEs was highest during the first 6 months of treatment. The incidence of AEs did not increase over time, and no new types of AEs emerged. The most commonly reported AEs during the first 6 months of treatment (incidence >10%) were injection site reaction (ISR), headache, vomiting, arthralgia, pyrexia, and nasopharyngitis ( Table 2 ). The most commonly reported AEs during the 60-month study period, calculated as the number of events/patient years of exposure, were arthralgia, headache, pyrexia, upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, and rash. The AE profiles for different age groups <2 years, 2-11 years, and 12-17 years corresponded to the AE profile for patients ≥18 years, with the exception of infections and related symptoms being more frequent in patients <2 years. Infections The reporting rate for infections was higher during the first 6 months of treatment (2.3 infections/patient-year) compared to after the first 6 months (1.7 infections/patient year). The most common infections were upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, ear infections, and nasopharyngitis. There were no deaths or permanent treatment discontinuations due to infections. In one patient KINERET administration was temporarily stopped during an infection and in 5 patients the dose of KINERET was increased due to disease flares in connection with infections. Thirteen infections in 7 patients were classified as serious, the most common being pneumonia and gastroenteritis occurring in 3 and 2 patients, respectively. No serious opportunistic infections were reported. The reporting frequency for infections was highest in patients <12 years of age. Hematologic Events After start of KINERET treatment neutropenia was reported in 2 patients. One of these patients experienced an upper respiratory tract infection and an otitis media infection. Both episodes of neutropenia resolved over time with continued KINERET treatment. Injection Site Reactions In total, 17 injection site reactions (ISRs) were reported in 10 patients during the 60-month study period. Out of the 17 ISRs, 11 (65%) occurred during the first month and 13 (76%) were reported during the first 6 months. No ISR was reported after Year 2 of treatment. The majority of ISRs were reported as mild (76% mild, 24% moderate). No patient permanently or temporarily discontinued KINERET treatment due to injection site reactions. Immunogenicity The immunogenicity of KINERET in NOMID patients was not evaluated. Table 2. Most common (>10% of patients) treatment-emergent adverse events during the first 6 months of KINERET treatment Safety population (N=43) Total exposure in patient years= 20.8 Preferred term N (%) Number of events /patient year Injection site reaction 7 (16.3%) 0.5 Headache 6 (14.0%) 0.7 Vomiting 6 (14.0%) 0.6 Arthralgia 5 (11.6%) 0.6 Pyrexia 5 (11.6%) 0.4 Nasopharyngitis 5 (11.6%) 0.3 The most common adverse reactions occurring after the first 6-month period of treatment with KINERET (up to 60 months of treatment) included: arthralgia, headache, pyrexia, upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, and rash. 6.3 Clinical Study Experience in DIRA The safety data described in this section reflect exposure to KINERET in 9 patients with DIRA treated for up to 10 years in a natural history study (study 17-I-0016). Most patients received a starting dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg/day and thereafter doses were individually adjusted to reach a stable efficacious dose. The highest dose given was 7.5 mg/kg/day. Overall, the safety profile observed in patients with DIRA treated with KINERET was consistent with the safety profile in NOMID patients. There were 16 serious adverse events (SAEs) reported in 4 out of 9 treated patients. The most common type of SAEs reported (5 events in 2 patients) were infections [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . The most common adverse events in patients with DIRA were upper respiratory tract infections, rash, pyrexia, influenza like illness and gastroenteritis. There were no permanent discontinuations of KINERET treatment due to AEs. Infections There were 16 infections in 5 patients (reporting rate: 0.28 infections / patient year). The most common infections were upper respiratory tract infections, cellulitis and gastroenteritis. Hypersensitivity Reactions One patient with DIRA had a serious event of urticaria on day 10 of KINERET treatment [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Injection Site Reactions There was one report of injection site pain, which did not cause discontinuation of KINERET treatment. 6.4 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of KINERET. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Hepato-biliary disorders: elevations of transaminases, non-infectious hepatitis Hematologic events: thrombocytopenia, including severe thrombocytopenia (i.e platelet counts <10x10 9 /L) Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) [see Warnings & Precautions ( 5.3 )] injection site amyloid deposits [see Warnings & Precautions ( 5.5 )]

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from retrospective studies and case reports on KINERET use in pregnant women are insufficient to identify a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or maternal and fetal adverse events. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with active rheumatoid arthritis or Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS). In animal reproduction studies, subcutaneous administration of anakinra to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis demonstrated no evidence of fetal harm at doses up to 25 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Published data suggest the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with rheumatoid arthritis or CAPS is associated with increased disease activity. Adverse pregnancy outcomes include preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of gestation), low birth weight (<2500 grams), and small for gestational age at birth. Data Human Data The available data from retrospective studies and case reports of anakinra-exposed pregnancies have not identified an increased frequency or pattern of birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. An international multi-center retrospective study of pregnancy outcomes with interleukin-1 inhibitors reported on 23 anakinra-exposed pregnancies. There were 21 live births of healthy infants, 1 miscarriage, and 1 infant with left renal agenesis. The estimated background rate of detected renal malformations is 0.2-2% of all newborns. Another retrospective study reported on 10 anakinra-exposed pregnancies in women with CAPS. There were 9 live births, 1 miscarriage, and 1 fetal demise in a twin pregnancy. The surviving twin was born healthy. Overall, these data cannot definitively establish or exclude any anakinra-associated risks during pregnancy. Methodological limitations of these data include small sample size and the inability to control for confounders such as the timing of drug exposure, underlying maternal disease, and concomitant medication use. Animal Data Animal reproduction studies were conducted in rats and rabbits. In embryo-fetal development studies, anakinra was administered throughout the period of organogenesis at the subcutaneous doses of 12.5, 50, and 200 mg/kg/day to pregnant rats from gestation days (GD) 7 to 17 and pregnant rabbits from GD 6 to 18. In these studies, anakinra at doses up to 25 times the MRHD (on a mg/kg basis at maternal subcutaneous doses up to 200 mg/kg/day) revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus.