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IMAAVY - Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Patients With Generalized Myasthenia Gravis

Last Updated: 03/04/2026

SUMMARY

  • Please refer to the local labeling for relevant information regarding the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of IMAAVY.
  • In a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled trial, the median predose reduction from baseline in the total serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) after the loading dose was -74.6% at week 2 and -68.8% at week 24 in the IMAAVY group.1,2
    • Median predose reduction in antibody titers for anti- acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) were -65.1% vs -10.1% and -38.8% vs -4.4% for the IMAAVY and PBO groups, respectively.
    • In the ongoing, open-label extension (OLE) of the study, the mean percent change from baseline in the IgG level was -61.56 in the IMAAVY→IMAAVY + standard of care (SOC) group and -61.96 in the PBO→IMAAVY + SOC group at week 60.3 
  • In a phase 2, randomized, double-blind, PBO-controlled trial, dose-dependent reductions in total serum IgG levels were seen as early as week 1 after the first IMAAVY infusion, ranging from 42% at 5 mg/kg dose to 69% at 30 mg/kg or higher doses.4
  • In an ongoing, phase 2/3, open-label, uncontrolled clinical trial in adolescents (12 to <18 years of age), a reduction in median (interquartile range, IQR) serum IgG was observed from baseline (10.7 [8.9-13.1] g/L) to week 24 (3.2 [2.3-3.5] g/L) and week 72 (3.3 [2.8-4.3] g/L).5

CLINICAL DATA

VIVACITY-MG3 Study

Antozzi et al (2025)2 evaluated the efficacy and safety of IMAAVY in adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in a phase 3, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, PBO-controlled study.

Study Design/Methods

  • Patients (≥18 years of age) with anti- AChR, MuSK or low-density lipoprotein receptor 4 (LRP4) antibody-positive or seronegative (in all countries except France) gMG (Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America [MGFA] class IIa-IVb) were included in the study.1,2 
    • The safety analysis population included all randomized patients who received ≥1 dose (partial or complete) of any study treatment in the double-blind phase.
    • The efficacy analysis population included all patients from the safety analysis set who had anti-AChR, anti-MuSK, or anti-LRP4 antibody-positive gMG.
  • The study consisted of a ≤4 week screening phase, followed by a 24-week, double-blind, PBO-controlled treatment phase, a variable-duration, OLE phase, and a safety follow-up at 8 weeks after the last infusion.1,2,6 
    • Patients who withdrew or discontinued after receiving any amount of the study intervention were required to complete a safety follow-up visit at 8 weeks after the last dose.
  • Eligible patients were randomized (1:1) to receive either a loading dose of intravenous (IV) IMAAVY 30 mg/kg at week 0, followed by IV IMAAVY 15 mg/kg every 2 weeks (Q2W) or matching PBO through week 24 in addition to SOC therapy.
  • Patients entering the OLE phase continued to receive IMAAVY 15 mg/kg Q2W in addition to SOC.3 

Results

  • Overall, 196 patients (IMAAVY, n=98; PBO, n=98) were included in the full analysis set.1,2 
    • Of those patients, 153 patients were included in the primary efficacy analysis set (antibody-positive patients only). 
  • For baseline demographics, see Table: Baseline Demographics and Characteristics.

Baseline Demographics and Characteristics1,2
PBO
(n=76)

IMAAVY
(n=77)

Age, years, mean (SD)
52.3 (16.37)
52.5 (15.66)
Female, n (%)
42 (55)
50 (65)
MG-ADL total score, mean (SD)
9.0 (1.97)
9.4 (2.73)
QMG total score, mean (SD)
15.7 (4.92)
15.1 (4.78)
Duration of gMG, years, mean (SD)
8.9 (8.13)
6.9 (7.44)
Age of onset of gMG, years, mean (SD)
42.6 (18.7)
45.1 (17.3)
Antibody positive at screening, n (%)
   Anti-AChR+
71 (93.4)
63 (82)
   Anti-MuSK+
4 (5)
12 (16)
   Anti-LRP4+
1 (1)
2 (3)
Abbreviations: AChR, acetylcholine receptor; gMG, generalized myasthenia gravis; LRP4, low-density lipoprotein receptor 4; MG-ADL, Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living; MuSK, muscle-specific tyrosine kinase; PBO, placebo; QMG, Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis; SD, standard deviation.
Pharmacodynamic Activity
  • In the full analysis set, the median pre-dose (minimal) reduction in the total serum IgG from baseline after loading dose was -74.6% (IQR, -79.4 to -68.7) at week 2 and -68.8% (IQR, -75.3 to -62.2) at week 24 in the IMAAVY group.2
  • In the ongoing OLE, at week 60, the mean (standard error [SE]) percent change from baseline in the IgG level was -61.56 (2.297) in the IMAAVY→IMAAVY + SOC group and
    -61.96 (2.686) in the PBO→IMAAVY + SOC group. See Figure: Total IgG Reduction From Baseline (Seropositive Population).3 

Total IgG Reduction from Baseline (Seropositive Population)3 

Abbreviation: DB, double-blind; OL, open-label; PBO, placebo.  

  • No changes in total IgM, IgA, or IgE were observed during the double-blind phase.
  • The IMAAVY group showed greater median pre-dose reductions in anti-AChR (-65.1% vs -10.1%) and anti-MuSK (-38.8% vs -4.4%) antibody titers compared to the PBO group, respectively.See Table: Percent Change in Pathogenic IgG From Baseline to Week 24.

Percent Change in Pathogenic IgG From Baseline to Week 241
Pathogenic IgG
PBO
IMAAVY
n
Median, % (IQR)
n
Median, % (IQR)
Anti-AChR
50
-10.1 (-26.0, 5.8)
46
-65.1 (-78.7, -38.4)
Anti-MuSK
5
-4.4 (-23.2, -3.9)
9
-38.8 (-49.4, 4.0)
Abbreviations: AChR, acetylcholine receptor; IgG, immunoglobulin G; IQR, interquartile range; MuSK, muscle-specific tyrosine kinase; PBO, placebo.

Phase 2 VIVACITY-MG Study

Antozzi et al (2024)4 conducted a phase 2, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, PBO-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety, efficacy, PK, and PD of IMAAVY in adult patients with gMG who had an inadequate response to ongoing stable SOC therapy.

Study Design/Methods

  • Patients (≥18 years of age) with anti-AChR or anti-MuSK antibody-positive gMG (MGFA class II, III, or IVa) were included in the study.
  • The study included a 4-week screening period, followed by an 8-week, double-blind treatment period. Posttreatment follow-up assessment was performed for a period of 8 weeks.
  • In addition to SOC therapy, eligible patients were randomized (1:1:1:1:1) to receive IV infusions of IMAAVY 5 mg/kg once every 4 weeks (Q4W), 30 mg/kg Q4W, 60 mg/kg single dose, or 60 mg/kg Q2W or PBO Q2W (5% dextrose in water).
  • The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline to day 57 in the total MG-ADL score. The primary safety endpoint was the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), including SAEs and AEs of special interest.
  • Exploratory endpoints included PD activity of IMAAVY as measured by changes in concentrations of total IgG, IgG subclasses, IgA, IgM, and IgE, and autoantibodies (anti-AChR and anti-MuSK).

Results


Baseline Demographic Characteristics (ITT Population)4

PBO Q2W
(n=14)

IMAAVY
5 mg/kg Q4W
(n=14)

IMAAVY
30 mg/kg Q4W
(n=13)

IMAAVY
60 mg/kg Single Dose
(n=13)

IMAAVY
60 mg/kg Q2W
(n=14)

Combined
(n=54)

Age, years, median (range)
60.5
(25-83)

53.0
(29-81)

44.0
(24-74)

47.0
(24-74)

63.0
(27-76)

57.5
(24-83)

Female, n (%)
8.0 (57.1)
6.0 (42.9)
9.0 (69.2)
9.0 (69.2)
5.0 (35.7)
29 (53.7)
Time since symptom onset, years, mean (SD)
13.2 (9.8)
8.0 (8.6)
8.4 (7.2)
7.0 (7.9)
6.0 (5.8)
7.3 (7.3)
MG-ADL total score, mean (SD)
7.3 (2.8)
8.0 (2.8)
8.0 (2.6)
7.9 (2.8)
8.1 (3.3)
8.0 (2.8)
QMG total score, mean (SD)
17.6 (4.2)
15.9 (2.9)
17.1 (4.2)
16.1 (4.1)
16.9 (2.8)
16.5 (3.5)
MGFA class, n (%)
   IIa
2.0 (14.3)
2.0 (14.3)
2.0 (15.4)
3.0 (23.1)
2.0 (14.3)
9.0 (16.7)
   IIb
3.0 (21.4)
4.0 (28.6)
1.0 (7.7)
2.0 (15.4)
4.0 (28.6)
11.0 (20.4)
   IIIa
5.0 (35.7)
5.0 (35.7)
6.0 (46.2)
5.0 (38.5)
5.0 (35.7)
21.0 (38.9)
   IIIb
3.0 (21.4)
3.0 (21.4)
2.0 (15.4)
3.0 (23.1)
3.0 (21.4)
11.0 (20.4)
   IVa
1.0 (7.1)
0
2.0 (15.4)
0
0
2.0 (3.7)
Anti-AChR positive, n (%)
13.0 (92.9)
13.0 (92.9)
12.0 (92.3)
13.0 (100)
13.0 (92.9)
51.0 (94.4)
Anti-MuSK positive, n (%)
1.0 (7.1)
1.0 (7.1)
1.0 (7.7)
0
1.0 (7.1)
3.0 (5.6)
Abbreviations: AChR, acetylcholine receptor; ITT, intent-to-treat; MG-ADL, Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living; MGFA, Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America; MuSK, muscle-specific kinase; PBO, placebo; Q2W, every 2 weeks; Q4W, every 4 weeks; QMG, Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis; SD, standard deviation.
PK/PD Activity
  • A dose-dependent reduction in the serum total IgG level was observed with IMAAVY.
    • A maximum IgG reduction of 42%, 72%, 80%, and 83% was observed in the IMAAVY 5 mg/kg Q4W, 30 mg/kg Q4W, 60 mg/kg single dose, and 60 mg/kg Q2W groups, respectively.
    • Mean total IgG reduction from baseline was seen as early as 1 week after the first IMAAVY infusion, ranging from 42% at the 5 mg/kg dose to 69% at the 30 mg/kg or higher dose.
  • A similar reduction was observed with all IgG subclasses, with no changes in the total IgM, IgA, and IgE levels across the IMAAVY treatment groups.
  • A dose-dependent reduction in anti-AChR autoantibodies was seen across the IMAAVY treatment groups, corresponding to the reduction in the total IgG level. See Figure: Mean Percentage Change in Baseline IgG and AChR-Binding Antibody by Dosing Arm Over Time.

Mean Percentage Change in Baseline IgG and AChR-Binding Antibody by Dosing Arm Over Time4,a

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AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Abbreviations: AChR, acetylcholine receptor; IgG, immunoglobulin G; PBO, placebo; Q2W, every 2 weeks; Q4W, every 4 weeks.
Note: Dotted lines represent the IgG level, solid lines represent the AChR level, solid grey circles represent PBO, grey downward triangles represent nipocalimab-aahu administration, and noncolored triangles represent PBO administration.
aThe safety population includes all patients who received any dose of nipocalimab-aahu or PBO.

  • Post treatment serum samples from 54 patients treated with IMAAVY were evaluated for antidrug antibodies (ADAs). The incidence of ADA through day 113 (16 weeks) in the IMAAVY- and placebo-treated groups was reported in 22 (40.7%) patients and 1 (7.1%) patient, respectively.
    • Comparisons of median serum IMAAVY or medium serum IgG concentrations between ADA-positive and ADA-negative patients over time showed that the presence of ADA did not affect the PK or IgG lowering of IMAAVY.
  • Overall, 8 (14.8%) patients in the IMAAVY group were positive for neutralizing antibodies (Nabs).
    • The incidence of NAb was too low to assess its effect on PK or PD.

Vibrance-mg Study

Ramchandren et al (2022)7,8 is evaluating the safety, efficacy, PK, and PD of IMAAVY in children and adolescents aged 2 to <18 years with gMG who have an insufficient response to ongoing, stable SOC therapy in an ongoing, open-label, uncontrolled multicenter clinical trial. Cohort 1 will consist of adolescents (aged 12 to <18 years), and Cohort 2 will consist of children (aged 2 to <12 years).

Strober et al (2025)5 presented results from Cohort 1 through the active treatment phase (study day 1 through week 24) and long-term extension (LTE) phase with a clinical cutoff date of August 23, 2024.

Study Design/Methods

  • Adolescent patients, all with anti-AChR antibody positive gMG, were included in this analysis.
  • The study consists of a screening period of up to 4 weeks, followed by a 24-week, open-label, active treatment phase, an optional 48-week LTE phase, and a safety follow-up at 8 weeks after the last infusion.  
    • Patients who withdrew or discontinued after receiving any amount of the study intervention were required to complete a safety follow-up assessment at 8 weeks after the last dose.
  • All patients will receive an IMAAVY 30 mg/kg IV loading dose at week 0, followed by IMAAVY 15 mg/kg Q2W from week 2 to week 22 in addition to SOC therapy.
  • Patients entering the LTE phase will receive IMAAVY 15 mg/kg Q2W or IMAAVY 30 mg/kg Q4W (dosing at investigator’s discretion) in addition to SOC.
  • The primary efficacy endpoint is the effect of IMAAVY on the total serum IgG level at week 24.

Results

Baseline Demographics

Baseline Demographics and Disease Characteristics9
Characteristics
IMAAVY
(N=8)

Age, years, median (range)
13.5 (12-16)
Female, n (%)
7 (87.5)
MG-ADL total score, median (IQR)
3.5 (3.0-5.0)
QMG total score, median (IQR)
14.3 (10.5-15.8)
Duration of MG, years, median (range)
3.6 (0.8-11.5)
MGFA clinical classification, n (%)
   IIa
4 (50.0)
   IIIa
3 (37.5)
   IIIb
1 (12.5)
Note: The IQR represents the first quartile and third quartile of the data at each timepoint.
Abbreviations
: IQR, interquartile range; MG, myasthenia gravis; MG-ADL, Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living; MGFA, Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America; QMG, Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis.

Efficacy
  • IgG reduction was observed in adolescent patients treated with IMAAVY.
  • At the time of this analysis, of the 8 patients who had been enrolled, 7 completed the AT phase and 6 entered the LTE phase.
    • Reduction in median (IQR) serum IgG was observed from baseline (10.7 [8.9-13.1] g/L) to week 24 (3.2 [2.3-3.5] g/L) and week 72 (3.3 [2.8-4.3] g/L).
    • The median (IQR) percentage change from baseline (CFB) was -72.6% (-79.1 to -70.1) at week 2 and -73.3% (-78.7 to -62.8) at week 24. The effect was generally sustained in the LTE, with a median (IQR) CFB of -60.6% (-72.0 to 48.8) at week 72 (n=3). For details, see Figure: Median (IQR) Total Serum IgG Levels Over Time.

Median (IQR) Total Serum IgG Levels Over Time5

A graph with red line and numbers

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Note: The IQR represents the first quartile and third quartile of the data at each timepoint. Total IgG (g/L) values are presented up to the last visit at which IgG values were available for at least 3 patients.
Abbreviation: IgG, immunoglobulin; IQR, interquartile range; W, week.

Safety
  • During the study, there were no reports of adverse events (AEs) or serious adverse events (SAEs) leading to discontinuation reported in adolescent patients receiving IMAAVY. No treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) leading to death or AEs of special interest were reported in the study. For details, see Table: Summary of Treatment-Emergent AEs in AT and LTE Phases.
  • One patient reported with a SAE of worsened gMG after week 72 in LTE (at week 84).
  • Another patient reported an AE of influenza at ~week 30 that led to temporary treatment discontinuation.

Summary of Treatment-Emergent AEs in AT and LTE Phases5
Characteristic
AT Phase
(n=8)

LTE phase
(n=6)

Average duration of follow-up in weeks, mean (SD)
24.2 (3.5)
44.3 (29.3)
Patients with ≥1 TEAEs, n (%)
8 (100.0)
4 (66.7)
   Related TEAEs
3 (37.5)
1 (16.7)
Patients with SAEs, n (%)
0
1 (16.7)a
TEAEs leading to temporary discontinuation of study treatmentb, n (%)
0
1 (16.7)c
COVID-19 associated TEAEsd
2 (25.0)
0
Note: TEAE overview was presented beyond week 72. The AT phase was conducted over 24 weeks, followed by a 48-week LTE phase.
Abbreviations: AEs, adverse events; AT, active treatment; COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; LTE, long-term extension; SAEs, serious adverse events; SD, standard deviation; TEAEs, treatment-emergent adverse events.
aWorsened myasthenia gravis.
bNo TEAEs led to permanent discontinuation of study treatment during the AT or LTE phase.
cInfluenza.
dNo SAEs related to COVID-19 were reported during the AT and LTE phase.
eDefined as severe infections requiring systemic treatment or intervention, hypoalbuminemia (albumin <20 g/L), and opportunistic infections.

Literature Search

A literature search of MEDLINE®, EMBASE®, BIOSIS Previews®, and DERWENT® (and/or other resources, including internal/external databases) was conducted on 19 February 2026.

 

References

1 Vu T, Antozzi C, Ramchandren S, et al. Efficacy and safety of nipocalimab in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis - top line results from the double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized phase 3 Vivacity-MG3 study. Poster presented at: American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) Annual Meeting; October 15-18, 2024; Savannah, GA.  
2 Antozzi C, Vu T, Ramchandren S, et al. Supplement to: Safety and efficacy of nipocalimab in adults with generalised myasthenia gravis (Vivacity-MG3): a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Lancet Neurol. 2025;24(2):105-116.  
3 Antozzi C, Vu T, Ramchandren S, et al. Long-term safety and efficacy of nipocalimab in generalized myasthenia gravis: VIVACITY-MG3 open-label extension phase results. Poster presented at: 77th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN); April 5-9, 2025; San Diego, CA.  
4 Antozzi C, Guptill J, Bril V, et al. Safety and efficacy of nipocalimab in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis: results from the randomized phase 2 VIVACITY-MG study. Neurology. 2024;102(2):e207937.  
5 Strober J, Black S, Fitzgibbon M, et al. Safety and efficacy results of nipocalimab in adolescents with generalized myasthenia gravis during active-treatment and long-term extension phases: vibrance-mg phase 2/3 study. Poster presented at: American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) Annual Meeting; October 29-November 1, 2025; San Francisco, CA.  
6 Antozzi C, Vu T, Ramchandren S, et al. Safety and efficacy of nipocalimab in adults with generalised myasthenia gravis (Vivacity-MG3): a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Lancet Neurol. 2025;24(2):105-116.  
7 Ramchandren S, Black S, Sun H, et al. Vibrance-mg: clinical trial of nipocalimab in pediatric myasthenia gravis. Poster presented at: 8th European Academy of Neurology Congress; June 25-28, 2022; Vienna, Austria.  
8 Janssen Research & Development, LLC. A study of nipocalimab in children aged 2 to less than 18 years with generalized myasthenia gravis. In: ClinicalTrials.gov [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US). 2000- [cited 2024 December 16]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05265273 NLM Identifier: NCT05265273.  
9 Strober J, Black S, Ramchandren S, et al. Safety and effectiveness of nipocalimab in adolescent participants in the open label phase 2/3 Vibrance-mg clinical study. Poster presented at: American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) Annual Meeting; October 15-18, 2024; Savannah, GA.