Somapacitan in Children Born SGA: 52-Week Efficacy, Safety, and IGF-I Response Results From the Phase 2 REAL5 Study

Anders Juul1,2, Philippe Backeljauw3, Michael Højby4

  • 1Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark.

Insights

Once-weekly somapacitan demonstrated sustained, dose-dependent growth in children born small for gestational age. The treatment showed similar efficacy, safety, and IGF-I response compared to daily growth hormone therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Growth Hormone Therapy
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Evaluating somapacitan, a novel weekly growth hormone (GH) derivative, for treating short children born small for gestational age (SGA).
  • Assessing the potential of a long-acting GH formulation to improve treatment adherence and outcomes in pediatric growth disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of once-weekly somapacitan versus daily GH in children born SGA.
  • To evaluate the total and bioactive insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) response to both treatment regimens.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, controlled phase 2 study (REAL5) involving 62 GH-naïve, prepubertal children born SGA.
  • Patients received weekly somapacitan (0.16-0.24 mg/kg) or daily GH (0.035-0.067 mg/kg) for 52 weeks.
  • Assessed height velocity, IGF-I levels, safety, and tolerability across treatment groups.

Main Results:

  • Somapacitan showed a dose-dependent increase in height velocity, with the highest dose (0.24 mg/kg/week) achieving 10.7 cm/year.
  • Total and bioactive IGF-I responses were comparable between somapacitan and daily GH groups.
  • All treatment groups exhibited similar safety and tolerability profiles.

Conclusions:

  • Once-weekly somapacitan achieves sustained, dose-dependent growth in children born SGA over 52 weeks.
  • Somapacitan at 0.24 mg/kg/week offers comparable efficacy, safety, and IGF-I response to daily GH (0.067 mg/kg/day).
  • Weekly somapacitan presents a viable therapeutic option for managing short stature in SGA children.
Abstract