“The pivotal studies were conducted in cynomolgus monkey, the only pharmacologically relevant species.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 2Source ↗
Why that species
Cross-reacts with cynomolgus IL-6R but not mouse or rat IL-6R
“Satralizumab showed cross-reactivity in cynomolgus monkey but not in mice or rats. Based on these data, monkey was selected as the relevant species for nonclinical testing of satralizumab.”
No surrogate; the clinical antibody was tested in cynomolgus monkeys (mouse homolog judged not feasible due to immunogenicity)
“Carcinogenicity studies of satralizumab were not conducted because satralizumab does not bind to rat or mouse IL-6R, and the use of a mouse homolog antibody was determined not to be feasible because of immunogenicity.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 41Source ↗