Glybera

1 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ANNEX I 
 

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS 
 

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▼ This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of 
new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions. 
See section 4.8 for how to report adverse reactions. 
 
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT  
  
Glybera 3 × 1012 genome copies/ml solution for injection  
  
  
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION  
  
2.1 General description  
  
Alipogene tiparvovec contains the human lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene variant LPLS447X in a vector. 
The vector comprises a protein shell derived from adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (AAV1), the 
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, a woodchuck hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element 
and AAV2 derived inverted terminal repeats. Alipogene tiparvovec is produced using insect cells and 
recombinant baculovirus technology.  
  
  
2.2 Qualitative and quantitative composition  
  
Each vial of alipogene tiparvovec contains 1 extractable ml of solution, containing 3 x 1012 genome 
copies (gc).  
  
Each patient-specific pack contains a sufficient amount of vials to dose each patient with 1 x 1012 
LPLS447X gc/kg bodyweight.  
 
Excipient with known effect: 
This medicinal product contains 47.5 mg sodium per administration at 27 injection sites to 105.6 mg 
sodium per administration at 60 injection sites.  
  
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.   
  
  
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM  
  
Solution for injection.  
Clear, to slightly opalescent, colourless solution.  
  
  
4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS  
  
4.1 Therapeutic indications  
  
Glybera is indicated for adult patients diagnosed with familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPLD) 
and suffering from severe or multiple pancreatitis attacks despite dietary fat restrictions. The diagnosis 
of LPLD has to be confirmed by genetic testing. The indication is restricted to patients with detectable 
levels of LPL protein (see section 4.4).  
 
4.2 Posology and method of administration  
 
Glybera should only be used when the diagnosis of LPLD has been confirmed by an adequate genetic 
test (see section 5.1). 
 

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Glybera therapy must be prescribed by and administered under the supervision of a physician with 
expertise in treating LPLD patients and in gene therapy administration, in full consultation with the 
patient. During administration of Glybera appropriate medical treatment and supervision should 
always be readily available in case of an anaphylactic event following the administration.  
 
Posology  
The maximum total dose of Glybera for administration is 1 x 1012 gc/kg body weight.  
  
Glybera is authorised for single treatment only. No data on re-administration of Glybera are available, 
therefore Glybera should not be re-administered. 
  
Glybera is administered as a one-time series of intramuscular injections in the legs. The dose per 
injection site is 1.5 x 1012 gc, or 0.5 ml of solution for injection. For each injection site, one syringe of 
1 ml with clear volume marks of 0.5 ml must be used. Volumes per injection site must not exceed 0.5 
ml. Syringes must not be used more than once.  
 
The treatment should be monitored by measuring neutralising antibodies and T-Cell response against 
AAV1 and LPLS447X and T-Cell response at baseline as well as 6 and 12 months after treatment. 
 
To calculate the number of vials, the patient’s weight is determined to the nearest whole kg. The 
patient’s weight should be divided by 3, and rounded up to the next higher whole number. This is the 
number of vials that must be dispensed.   
 
To calculate the number of injection sites and the number of syringes, the patient’s weight is 
determined to the nearest whole kg. The patient’s weight should be divided by 3, then without 
rounding up this number multiplied by 2 and rounded up to the next higher whole number. This is the 
number of injection sites and the total number of syringes (each filled with 0.5ml) required for the 
patient’s treatment. 
 
Examples of typical dose schedules based on the body weight of patients are shown in the table below:  
  

Body weight 
(kg)  

Number of vials (1 mL)  Number of 1 ml 
syringes (each filled) 

with 0.5 ml) 

Number of injection 
sites  

40  14  27  27  
50  17  34  34  
60  20  40 40  
65  22  44  44  
70  24 47 47  
75  25  50 50  
80  27  54 54  
90  30  60 60  

  
From three days prior to and for 12 weeks following Glybera administration an immunosuppressive 
regimen should be administered: ciclosporin (3 mg/kg/day) and mycophenolate mofetil (2 x 1 g/day) is 
recommended.  
In addition, half an hour prior to Glybera injection an intravenous bolus of 1mg/kg of 
methylprednisolone should be administered (see section 4.4). 
  
Paediatric population  
The safety and efficacy of Glybera in children and adolescents below 18 years has not been 
established. No data are available.  
  
Elderly  
There is limited experience in the use of Glybera in elderly subjects. No dose adjustment of Glybera is 

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necessary in the elderly population.  
Dose of immunosuppressant may need to be adjusted. 
 
Renal impairment or hepatic impairment  
There is limited experience in the use of Glybera in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.  
No dose adjustment of Glybera is required. 
  
Method of administration  
Upon intramuscular injection, the patient will receive multiple injections of 0.5 ml (one injection per 
syringe), distributed over the muscles of both upper and lower legs, under aseptic conditions such as 
iodine. 
 
Spinal or regional anaesthesia is advised prior to intramuscular administration, due to the number of 
injections required. In case of contraindication for such procedure deep sedation is advised instead.  
  
Glybera should under no circumstances be administered intravascularly (see section 4.4). 
 
To ensure intramuscular injection, ultrasound or electrophysiological guidance of injections is advised.  
  
The instructions for use, handling and disposal are given in section 6.6.  
  
4.3 Contraindications  
  

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients of Glybera listed in section 
6.1. 

 
• Immunodeficiency 

 
• Patients with increased bleeding risk (such as thrombocytopenia) and muscle disease (such as 

myositis), must not be treated in view of the large number of intramuscular injections 
required. 
 

• Anti-platelet or other anti-coagulant medicinal products must not be used concomitantly with 
Glybera at the time of injection and for at least one week before or one day after the injection. 

 
• Oral contraceptive use (see section 4.6).  

 
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use  
  
This medicinal product contains genetically-modified organisms. Local biosafety guidelines applicable 
for such products should be followed (see section 6.6).  
  
Glybera should only be administered to patients with an LPL protein mass of at least 5% of normal. 
LPL protein mass should be determined by ELISA or equivalent methods. LPL protein mass should be 
measured in a blood sample from the patient against a control sample from healthy volunteers. 
 
Diet  
Treatment with Glybera does not eliminate attacks of acute pancreatitis. Patients are advised to 
continue to follow a low-fat diet and refrain from alcohol consumption.  
  
Diabetic patients  
Limited data are available in diabetic patients. Diabetes mellitus is common in patients who have the 
most severe symptoms of LPLD. The opportunity to treat diabetic patients suffering from LPLD 
should be carefully considered by the physician. 
  
Immunosuppressants (see section 5.2) 
Immediately prior to initiation of the immunosuppressant regimen and prior to Glybera injection the 

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patient must be checked for symptoms of active infectious disease of any nature, and in case of such 
infection the start of treatment must be postponed until after the patient has recovered.  
  
Thromboembolic events 
LPLD involves a state of hyperviscosity/hypercoagulability. Spinal anaesthesia and multiple 
intramuscular injections may further increase the risk of (thrombo) embolic events at and shortly after 
administration of Glybera. Assessment of each individual subject’s risk profile prior to Glybera 
administration is advised. Follow applicable local or international guidelines for prophylaxis (See also 
section 4.5).  
  
Cell and tissue donation  
Treated patients should not donate blood, organs, tissues and cells for transplantation. This 
information is also provided in the Glybera Patient’s Alert Card.  
 
Serum creatine kinase 
Recipients of Glybera may display a rise in serum creatine kinase activity that becomes evident about 
2 weeks after administration, peaks at around 8 weeks and then returns to baseline by week 26. One 
patient developed myoglobinuria in association with raised serum creatine kinase activity. 
 
Muscle biopsies obtained up to 52 weeks after administration of Glybera show an infiltrate of 
lymphocytes and macrophages. The long term consequences of this cellular infiltration are not known. 
 
Sodium content and potassium content 
This medicinal product contains 47.5 mg sodium per administration at 27 injection sites to 105.6 mg 
sodium per administration at 60 injection sites. To be taken into consideration by patients on a 
controlled sodium diet.  
The product contains less than 1 mmol (39 mg) potassium per administration of 27-60 injection sites ; 
i.e. essentially potassium-free. 
  
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction  
  
No interaction studies other than preclinical and clinical studies with mycophenolate mofetil and 
ciclosporin have been performed.  
  
Anti-platelet or other anti-coagulant medicinal products must not be used concomitantly with Glybera 
at the time of injection. Correction of bleeding parameters should be instituted prior to Glybera 
administration. Anti-platelet or other anti-coagulant medicinal products must not be taken for at least 
one week before the leg injections or one day after the injection (see section 4.3).  
 
Oral contraceptive use is contraindicated in LPLD patients (see section 4.3) as this may exacerbate the 
underlying disease. 
  
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation  
  
Contraception in males and females  
Women of childbearing potential must be advised to use reliable barrier contraception methods in 
accordance with the guidelines for immunosuppressants for a minimum of 12 months from the start of 
therapy (9 months following cessation of immunosuppressants). Therefore, use of barrier 
contraception methods for at least 12 months following Glybera administration is recommended. 
 
Oral contraceptive use is contraindicated in LPLD patients (see section 4.3) as this may exacerbate the 
underlying disease.  
   
Male patients, including vasectomised males, are advised to practise barrier contraception methods for 
at least 12 months following Glybera administration.  
  
Pregnancy  

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Very limited data on pregnancies exposed to Glybera is available. Animal studies do not indicate any 
harmful effects on pregnancy or embryonal/foetal development from Glybera (see section 5.3).  
Glybera should not be administered to pregnant women unless the possible benefit to the mother 
outweighs the possible risk to the foetus.  
  
Breast-feeding  
It is not known whether Glybera is excreted in human milk. Glybera should not be administered to 
women who are breast-feeding as long as breastfeeding is ongoing.  
  
Fertility  
No clinical data on the effect of Glybera on fertility are available. Effects on male and female fertility 
have not been evaluated in animal studies.  
  
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines  
  
Glybera has minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines¸ dizziness was commonly 
observed after Glybera administration (see section 4.8). Patients experiencing dizziness are advised to 
not drive or use machines. 
  
4.8 Undesirable effects  
  
Summary of the safety profile  
The most commonly reported adverse reaction is pain in extremity occurring in approximately one 
third of patients.  One patient was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism 7 weeks after therapy. Given 
the small patient population and size of the cohorts, captured adverse reactions and serious adverse 
reactions do not provide a complete perspective on the nature and frequency of these events.   
 
  
Tabulated list of adverse reactions  
Adverse reactions are listed below by MedDRA body system organ class and by frequency. Very 
common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to 
<1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from available data). Within each 
frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.  
  
 

MedDRA System 
Organ Class  

Very common  Common  

Metabolism and 
nutrition disorders  

  Decreased appetite  

Nervous system 
disorders  

Headache Burning sensation, Dizziness, Formication, 
Presyncope  

Vascular disorders    Hypertension  
Respiratory, thoracic 
and mediastinal 
disorders  

  Dyspnoea exertional, Pulmonary embolism  

Gastrointestinal 
disorders  

  Abdominal pain.Nausea, Constipation  

Skin and subcutaneous 
tissue disorders  

  Hair growth abnormal, Palmar-plantar 
erythrodysaesthesia syndrome, Rash  

Musculoskeletal and 
connective tissue 
disorders  

Pain in extremity  Arthritis, Limb discomfort, Muscle spasms, Muscle 
strain, Musculoskeletal stiffness, Myalgia, Muscle 
pain, Neck pain, Sensation of heaviness, Acute 
myositis and chronic myositis  

General disorders and 
administration site 
conditions   

Fatigue, 
Hyperthermia  

Chills, Injection site pain, Oedema peripheral, 
Pyrexia  

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Investigations Elevations in serum 
creatine kinase 
activity 

 

Injury, poisoning, and 
procedural 
complications  

Contusion Injection site discomfort, Injection site oedema, 
Injection site pruritus  

  
 
Immunogenicity  
An immune response was seen despite the use of immunosuppressants. 
In clinical trials with Glybera, antibodies against the adeno-associated virus (AAV) protein shell were 
present prior to treatment, in 18 out of 27 subjects; anti-AAV antibodies appeared or increased after 
Glybera administration, in all of the subjects. The clinical relevance of the antibody response is 
unknown (see section 4.2 on re-administration). 
No neutralising assay was used.  
  
T-cell responses against AAV were detected in approximately half of the subjects post therapy only. 
No T-cell response to LPL was detected in any subject.  
 
With the exception of a case of fever (39.9 °C) in study CT-AMT-011-01 which reversed within a day, 
no Glybera or immunosuppression related serious adverse events occurred. 
 
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions 
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It 
allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare 
professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system 
listed in Appendix V. 
  
4.9 Overdose  
  
Pre-clinical studies with doses ten times the recommended dose (1 x 1013 gc/kg) did not lead to any 
general systemic untoward signs or symptoms. Symptomatic and supportive treatment, as deemed 
necessary by the treating physician, is advised in case of overdose.  
In the event two doses are administered by mistake to the identical injection site this might lead to 
more local reaction such as bruising or sensitivity.  
Local pain or sensitivity may be managed by symptomatic treatment such as administration of local or 
systemic pain relievers.  
  
  
5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES  
  
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties  
  
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Lipid modifying agents, other lipid modifying agents, ATC code: 
C10AX10.  
  
Mechanism of action  
Glybera contains the human LPL gene variant LPL S447X in an adeno-associated virus serotype 1 
(AAV1) vector intended to target the muscle. Glybera is injected as a one-time series into the muscle 
of the lower extremities where it is taken up by myocytes. The elements of the vector were chosen 
such that expression of the LPL S447X gene is promoted, by co-opting the expression machinery of the 
cell and the myocytes produce the protein product of the transgene LPL S447X without the vector being 
able to reproduce itself. 
  
Pharmacodynamic effects  
Lipoprotein lipase is a key ‘first step’ enzyme in the metabolism of lipoproteins following fat intake 
with diet. In clinical studies a transient reduction in triglycerides for up to 12 weeks in individual 

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patients could be observed. Furthermore, Glybera allows expression of the LPL protein in injected 
muscle which is reflected by the improvement of postprandial chylomicron (CM) metabolism 
observed in a small subset of patients. 
 
Clinical efficacy and safety  
The clinical efficacy and safety of Glybera has been evaluated in three interventional clinical studies 
with AAV1-LPLS447X in LPLD subjects. 
  
Two of these clinical trials were preceded by prospective observational studies to assess fasting 
triglycerides (TG) level and symptoms and signs of LPLD in subjects maintained on a low fat diet. 
Strict compliance with dietary fat restriction was difficult.  
  
Standard genetic analysis (sequencing) was used in the clinical studies of Glybera.  An appropriate CE 
marked test or full gene sequencing should be used to confirm the diagnosis. 
 
Clinical trial CT-AMT-010-01  
AAV1-LPLS447X was administered to 8 LPLD patients in a 12-week, open label dose escalating study 
(1 x 1011 gc to 3 x 1011 gc per kg body weight i.m.). No drug-related serious adverse events occurred 
and no dose-limiting toxicity was observed. In half of the subjects a T-cell response to the vector was 
seen. Compared to pre-administration, a transient and variable reduction in median triglyceride levels 
was recorded for all patients.  
  
Clinical trial CT-AMT-011-01  
The aim of this open label, dose escalating study was to assess the safety profile and reduction of 
fasting plasma triglyceride (TG) levels after 12 weeks post Glybera administration in 14 LPLD 
patients. All patients were controlled on low fat diets in the 12-week main study period. The first 2 
patients enrolled received a dose of 3 x 1011 gc/kg, the next 4 patients received a dose of 3 x 1011 gc/kg 
with immunosuppressant regiment (oral ciclosporin and oral mycophenolate mofetil from the day after 
Glybera administration until Week 12) and the final 8 patients received a dose of 1 x 1012gc/kg with 
immunosuppressant regiment. T-cell responses were seen in roughly half of the patients without 
clinical sequelae. From the triglyceride data the 1 x 1012 gc/kg dose appears the most optimal.  
  
Clinical trial CT-AMT-011-02  
This is an open-label study of alipogene tiparvovec at a fixed dose of 1x1012 gc/ kg body weight 
administered by a single series of intramuscular injections. Five eligible subjects were included in the 
study with all subjects receiving alipogene tiparvovec. Subjects also received a daily oral dose of 3 
mg/kg/day cyclosporine and 2 g/day of mycophenolate mofetil starting three days before 
administration of alipogene tiparvovec through week 12. A single intravenous bolus of 
methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg bodyweight) was given 30 minutes prior to alipogene tiparvovec 
administration. One patient was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism 7 weeks after therapy. A 
transient reduction of triglycerides for up to 12 weeks in some individual patients has been observed. 
After this time, triglyceride levels reverted back to baseline. A demonstrable improvement of 
postprandial CM metabolism was shown in 5/5 patients up to week 14 and in 3/3 patients who were 
followed up to 52 weeks. 
  
All interventional studies continued into long term follow up studies. The patients in CT-AMT-010-01 
have been followed for up to 5 years (n=6) post therapy administration, those in CT-AMT-011-01 for 
up to 5 years (n=13), and those in CT-AMT-011-02 for up to 1 year (n=3).  
  
Muscle biopsies taken half a year post administration demonstrated long-term expression of the LPL 
gene and the presence of biologically active LPL protein.  
 
Clinical trial CT-AMT-11-03 
Study CT-AMT-011-03 was a combined retrospective and prospective study of subjects who had 
taken part in studies CT-AMT-10-01, CT-AMT-11-01, CT-AMT-11-02.  
In a follow-up period of up to 3 years after treatment, there was a decreasing trend in the incidence and 
severity of pancreatitis in the 12 patients who had multiple attacks during their life time.   

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Clinical trial CT-AMT-11-05 
Further follow-up of patients who took part in study CT-AMT-11-03 (to a median of 5.8 years after 
exposure to Glybera) has shown a reduction in hospital stay of 1 day per patient per year when 
compared to the same length of time prior to exposure. 
 
Paediatric population  
The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies with 
Glybera in all subsets of the paediatric population in the treatment of lipoprotein lipase deficiency (see 
section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).  
  
This medicinal product has been authorised under ‘exceptional circumstances’. This means that due to 
the rarity of the disease it has not been possible to obtain complete information on this medicinal 
product. The European Medicines Agency will review any new information which may become 
available every year and this SmPC will be updated as necessary.  
  
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties  
  
Glybera is expected to be degraded by endogenous protein and DNA catabolic pathways.  
  
Non-clinical biodistribution  
Following intramuscular administration of Glybera to mice, vector DNA was transiently detected in 
the circulation. Eight days after administration, high levels of vector DNA sequence were detected in 
injected muscle and the draining lymph nodes. Except for the site of injection, the highest vector DNA 
copy numbers were found in the liver and blood. The lowest number of copies was found in the brain, 
lung, heart and non-injected groups of muscle. In gonads and reproductive organs, vector DNA copies 
were found at low levels. After time, residual vector DNA levels remained high in the injected muscle 
and inguinal lymph nodes while decreasing steadily in the other organs. The levels of Glybera vector 
DNA found in gonads were measurable but lower than in other non-target organs.  
Immunosuppressant co-treatment did not influence the biodistribution pattern neither at low dose nor 
at high dose in mice. The biodistribution pattern was very similar in the other tested species (cats and 
rabbits).   
  
Clinical pharmacokinetics and shedding  
Shedding was assessed in the clinical studies by collecting saliva, urine and semen. In CT-AMT-011-
02 faeces was also collected. After administration of Glybera to the participants, the highest vector 
DNA concentrations were detected in the serum, with clearance by one to two logs per week.  
  
In saliva vector DNA was still detectable up to 12 weeks; in urine up to 10 weeks and in semen up to 
26 weeks. All but two patients received immunosuppressant for 12 weeks. There is the theoretical risk 
that the co-administration of the immunosuppressant regime leads to longer persistence of virus DNA 
in serum and as well to longer shedding in saliva, urine and semen.  
  
High levels of vector DNA were observed up to 12 months after dosing in the target tissue for 
Glybera, injected leg muscle, but not in non-injected muscle.  
  
Pharmacokinetics in special populations e.g. elderly/renal impairment etc.   
Glybera is injected directly into the target organ, skeletal muscle. Liver and kidney function, 
cytochrome P450 polymorphisms and ageing are not expected to influence the clinical efficacy or 
safety of Glybera.  
  
5.3 Preclinical safety data  
  
Upon injection, Glybera was well tolerated in all animal studies performed with no notable clinical 
signs. In mice local cellular infiltrates and signs of degeneration and regeneration without necrosis, 
were seen at the clinical dose in the injected muscle upon histopathological examination. These effects 
were dose-dependent but showed regression with time. As expected, all animals developed antibodies 

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to the AAV protein shell.  
  
Upon treatment four weeks prior to mating, no maternal, foetal and developmental toxicity was seen in 
mice. No vector DNA could be detected in the foetuses after treatment of either the females or the 
males prior to mating.  
  
Carcinogenicity studies have not been conducted. However in toxicity studies, no increase in tumour 
was identified. Although there is no fully adequate animal model to address the tumourigenic 
potential, the available toxicological data do not suggest any concern for tumourigenicity 
  
  
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS  
  
6.1 List of excipients  
  
Disodium phosphate anhydrous  
Potassium chloride  
Potassium dihydrogen phosphate   
Sodium chloride  
Sucrose  
Water for injections  
  
6.2 Incompatibilities  
  
In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal 
products. 
 
6.3 Shelf life  
  
18 months for frozen vials.  
  
Once thawed the medicinal product must be used immediately; if not used immediately, the vials 
should be stored in a refrigerator at 2ºC to 8ºC, and protected from light for a maximum of 8 hours.  
Once thawed, the medicinal product should not be re-frozen. 
If not stored in a refrigerator the medicinal product can be stored in syringes at not more than 25°C, 
and protected from light for a maximum of 8 hours. 
 
6.4 Special precautions for storage  
  
Store and transport vial frozen -25oC to -15oC. 
Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light. 
  
6.5 Nature and contents of container and special equipment for use, administration or 
implantation 
  
1 ml solution in a 2 ml vial (glass) with siliconised chlorobutyl, injection stopper and flip-off seal.  
  
Each preformed transparent sealed plastic casing contains either 2 or 3 individual vials with a liquid 
absorbing sheet. The final outer carton contains a variable number of casings according to the patient 
specific dose required.  
  
6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling  
 
Instructions for preparation and handling and disposal  
Refer to local biosafety guidelines applicable for handling and disposal of medicinal products 
containing genetically-modified organisms.  
  

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Work surfaces and material which have potentially been in contact with Glybera must be 
decontaminated with appropriate virucidal disinfectants with activity for non-enveloped viruses (such 
as hypochlorite and chlorine releasers) for at least 10 minutes.  
  
Preparation of Glybera for administration  
After the amount of Glybera to be administered has been calculated (see section 4.2) remove the 
correct number of single use vials from the freezer to thaw at room temperature (15oC to 25oC), 
approximately 30-45 minutes in advance of syringe filling.  
After thawing, each vial should be gently inverted twice to ensure even mixing. Vials should be 
visually inspected for particulate matter and colour. The clear to slightly opalescent and colourless 
solution must be free of visible particles. Only clear and colourless solutions without visible particles 
should be used. If a vial is showing damage, syringes for the injection should not be prepared and the 
injection procedure should be postponed and rescheduled. The Marketing Authorisation Holder should 
be informed immediately.  
  
Glybera is delivered in a patient-specific pack and will therefore contain the precise amount of vials 
per patient, calculated according to the patient’s weight.  
  
The calculated amount of syringes should be filled from the thawed vials, and they should be labelled 
and placed in a container protected from light suitable for transportation to the room where the patient 
will undergo the intramuscular injections.  
  
To avoid any injection of particles from the stopper due to two withdrawals, one needle for the 
withdrawal from the vial (to be left inside the stopper) and a separate needle for each syringe must be 
used. 
  
7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER  
  
uniQure biopharma B.V.  
Meibergdreef 61  
1105 BA Amsterdam  
The Netherlands  
  
  
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)   
  
 EU/1/12/791/001 
 
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION  
  
Date of first authorisation: 25 October 2012 
 
 
10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT 
 
Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu .  
  
  

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http://www.ema.europa.eu/


12 
 

  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ANNEX II 
 
A. MANUFACTURER OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE SUBSTANCE AND 

MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE 
 
B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE 
 
C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING 

AUTHORISATION 
 
D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND 

EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
E. SPECIFIC OBLIGATION TO COMPLETE POST-AUTHORISATION MEASURES 

FOR THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION UNDER EXCEPTIONAL 
CIRCUMSTANCES 

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A. MANUFACTURER OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE SUBSTANCE AND 
MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE 

 
Name and address of the manufacturer(s) of the biological active substance  
 
uniQure biopharma B.V. 
Meibergdreef 45 and 61  
1105 BA Amsterdam  
The Netherlands 
 
Name and address of the manufacturer(s) responsible for batch release 
 
uniQure biopharma B.V. 
Meibergdreef 61  
1105 BA Amsterdam 
The Netherlands 
 

 
B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE 
 
Medicinal product subject to restricted medical prescription (see Annex I: Summary of Product 
Characteristics, section 4.2). 
 
 
C.  OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING 

AUTHORISATION  
 
Pharmacovigilance system 
The MAH must ensure that the system of pharmacovigilance, presented in Module 1.8.1. of the 
Marketing Authorisation Application, is in place and functioning before and whilst the medicinal 
product is on the market. 
 
Periodic Safety Update Reports 
The requirements for submission of periodic safety update reports for this medicinal product are set 
out in the list of Union reference dates (EURD list) provided for under Article 107c(7) of Directive 
2001/83/EC and any subsequent updates published on the European medicines web-portal. The PSUR 
cycle for the medicinal product should follow a half-yearly cycle until otherwise agreed by the CHMP.  
 

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D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE EFFECTIVE 
USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 

 
Risk Management Plan (RMP) 
The MAH shall perform the pharmacovigilance activities detailed in the Pharmacovigilance Plan and 
the Efficacy Follow-up Plan as agreed in the Risk Management Plan presented in Module 1.8.2. of the 
Marketing Authorisation Application and any subsequent updates of the RMP agreed by the 
Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). 
 
As per the CHMP Guideline on Risk Management Systems for medicinal products for human use, the 
updated RMP should be submitted at the same time as the next Periodic Safety Update Report 
(PSUR). 
 
In addition, an updated RMP should be submitted 

• When new information is received that may impact on the current Safety Specification, 
Pharmacovigilance Plan or risk minimisation activities 

• Within 60 days of an important (pharmacovigilance or risk minimisation) milestone being 
reached 

• At the request of the European Medicines Agency. 
 
Obligation to conduct post-authorisation measure 
The MAH shall set up a disease registry to collect information on the epidemiology of the disease and 
the demographics, safety and effectiveness outcomes of patients with familial LPLD treated with 
Glybera. Details of the operation of the registry shall be agreed with the National Competent 
Authorities in each Member State. 
All patients treated with Glybera shall be enrolled in the registry. In addition, patients, who have been 
treated with Glybera in a clinical trial shall be enrolled in the registry at the end of the trial.  Doctors 
shall be encouraged also to enrol patients with familial LPLD who are not treated with Glybera. 
 
The MAH shall agree the details of a restricted access programme with the National Competent 
Authorities and must implement such programme nationally prior to launch. Glybera shall only be 
supplied if the healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of a patient have received the 
educational pack and if the prescriber confirms that the patient agrees to participate in the registry.  
 
The educational pack for healthcare professionals must be agreed with the National Competent 
Authorities prior to distribution and consist of the following components: 

- Product information (summary of product characteristics, patient information leaflet and 
patient alert card) 

- Educational materials for health care professionals 
- Educational materials for the patients 
- Patient’s events diary 

 
1) Educational material for Pharmacists including the following key safety elements: 

• Detailed guidelines for product receipt and storage, procedure for the preparation, handling 
and disposal of Glybera 

• Guidance to ensure that patients receive the Patient Alert Card included in the pack.   
  
2) Educational material for physicians and other healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of 

patients with Glybera including the following key safety elements: 
• Guidelines for the safe handling, administration and disposal of Glybera 
• Guidance on the selection of suitable patients for treatment with Glybera including: 

o the need for genetic testing to be performed prior to the initiation of treatment in order 
to identify the patients who are eligible for treatment 

o that patients should not be taking anti-platelet or other anti-coagulation medicinal 
products at the time of injection 

o the need to exclude infection before starting immunosuppressant treatment 
o the need for all patients to be entered into a long term surveillance programme 

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• The need for regional or spinal anaesthesia  
• Guidance on the need for immunosuppressive administration prior to and after treatment 
• Guidance on the need to measure immune response at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after 

treatment 
• Guidance on the prevention of risks associated with Glybera intramuscular injections, 

including the need for injections to be administered under ultrasound or electrophysiological 
guidance 

• Detailed instructions on the dose, number and localization of the injections 
• Guidance on the aftercare of the patient including monitoring for fever  
• Information on the use of Glybera and avoidance of pregnancy. 
• The need to provide the educational material to patients and request their informed consent to 

be enrolled into the registry prior to treatment 
• The need to advise patients on: 

o the need and duration of barrier contraception 
o not to donate organs nor blood nor cells 
o on the need to continue on a low-fat diet and avoid drinking alcohol  
o the necessity to carry the patient alert card, that is included in each pack, with them at 

all times  
o the use of the events diary 

 
• Details of the disease registry: 

o that enrolment is mandatory for patients treated with Glybera  
o that patients treated with Glybera in a clinical trial should be enrolled in the registry at 

the end of the trial 
o that, where possible, patients with familial LPLD who are not treated with Glybera 

should be enrolled. 
o the need to obtain the patient’s informed consent prior to treatment 
o how to enter patients in it – including those not treated with Glybera 

 
3) Educational materials for patients treated with Glybera including the following key safety elements: 

• Information on the treatment procedure with Glybera 
• Information about the signs and symptoms to be monitored after treatment including: 

o information on the signs and symptoms of a reduction/loss of efficacy 
o the use of the events diary and what should be recorded 

• Information on the need for long term follow-up for Glybera, including the registry  
• Information on the need to avoid pregnancy 
• Advice on the need and duration of barrier contraception 
• Not to donate organs nor blood nor cells 
• Advice on the need to continue on a low-fat diet and avoid drinking alcohol 
• The necessity to carry the patient alert card, that is included in each pack, with them at all 

times  
 
The MAH shall also provide a patient alert card in each medication pack, the text of which is included 
in Annex III. 
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E. SPECIFIC OBLIGATION TO COMPLETE POST-AUTHORISATION MEASURES 

FOR THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION UNDER EXCEPTIONAL 
CIRCUMSTANCES  

 
This being an approval under exceptional circumstances and pursuant to Article 14(8) of Regulation 
(EC) No 726/2004, the MAH shall conduct, within the stated timeframe, the following measures: 
 

Description Due date 
The MAH shall set up a long term surveillance programme/ disease 
registry to collect information on the epidemiology of the disease and the 
demographics, safety, and the effectiveness outcomes of patients treated 
with Glybera.  
 
The registry should be performed according to an agreed protocol. 
 
The patients enrolled in clinical studies (CT-AMT-010-01, CT-AMT 011-
01, CT-AMT 011-02) should be followed up in the LPLD registry. 
 
All patients treated with Glybera should be enrolled in the registry and 
systematic data collection carried out to enrich the database: 
1) on efficacy data such as biochemical markers as part of normal practice 
and frequency and severity of pancreatitis and  
2) on safety including immunogenicity against Glybera and LPL.  
3) Dietary diary and quality of life data should also be recorded. 
 
The diagnosis of LPLD has to be confirmed by genetic testing.  
15 years follow-up is recommended for every patient treated. 
 

Before launch of the 
product in each 
country 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PSUR/ annual 
reassessment 

Assessment of postprandial chylomicron metabolism in at least 12 
patients before 12 months and 24 months after treatment with Glybera to 
be chosen in addition to the patients included in study CT-AMT.011.02; 
and eight healthy subjects in the second study. 
Assessment of immune response at baseline, 6 months and 12 months in 
at least 12 newly treated patients. 
 
The studies should be performed according to an agreed protocol. 
 
The studies shall enroll at least 4 subjects per year starting in June 2015. 
 
Results from the study to be reviewed annually. 
 
 

 31 December 2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Re-evaluation of immune responses from all patients enrolled in study 
CT-AMT-011-01 by using a validated assay method should also be 
provided. 
 
The assay to be used in the study needs to be agreed.  

PSUR/ annual 
reassessment 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

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ANNEX III 

 
LABELLING AND PACKAGE LEAFLET 

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A. LABELLING 

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING 
 
OUTER CARTON   
 
Blue Box 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Glybera 3 × 1012 genome copies/ml solution for injection 
Alipogene tiparvovec 
 
 
2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE 
 
Each vial contains 1 extractable ml of solution containing 3 × 1012 genome copies (gc) of 
alipogene tiparvovec.  
 
 
3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS 
 
Potassium chloride 
Potassium dihydrogen phosphate 
Sodium chloride 
Disodium phosphate  
Sucrose 
Water for injections 
See package leaflet for further information. 
 
 
4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS 
 
Solution for injection 
Patient-specific pack containing sufficient amount of vials to dose each patient 
Liquid absorbing sheet is also contained.  
 
 
5. METHOD AND ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
Intramuscular use. 
Read the package leaflet before use. 
 
 
6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE 
STORED OUT OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN 
 
Keep out of the sight and reach of children. 
 
 
7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY 
 

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8. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
Shelf life after first opening in the syringes: 8 hours (if space permitted) 
 
 
9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS 
 
Store and transport vial frozen at -25°C to -15°C. 
Keep the vial in the outer carton in order protect from light. 
 
 
10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL 
PRODUCTS OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL 
PRODUCTS, IF APPROPRIATE 
 
This medicine contains genetically modified organisms.  
Unused medicine must be disposed of in compliance with the local rules for genetically 
modified organisms. 
 
 
11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
uniQure biopharma B.V. 
Meibergdreef 61, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 
 
 
12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER 
 
EU/1/12/791/001 
 
13. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Lot 
 
 
14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY 
 
Medicinal product subject to medical prescription. 
 
 
15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE 
 
 
16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE 
 
Justification for not including Braille accepted. 
 
17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - 2D BARCODE 

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2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included. 
 
18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – HUMAN READABLE DATA 
PC:  
SN:  
NN:  
 

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MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON BLISTERS OR STRIPS  
 
TRANSPARENT SEALED PLASTIC CASING LABEL (2 vial pack) 
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Glybera 3 × 1012 genome copies/ml solution for injection 
Alipogene tiparvovec 
 
 
2. NAME OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
uniQure biopharma B.V. 
 
 
3. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
 
 
4. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Lot 
 
 
5. OTHER 
 
Intramuscular use 
 
Read the package leaflet before use. 
 
Store frozen at -25°C to -15°C. 
 
This product contains genetically modified organisms. 
 
Pack size 2 vials 

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MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON BLISTERS OR STRIPS  
 
TRANSPARENT SEALED PLASTIC CASING LABEL (3 vial pack) 
 
 
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 
 
Glybera 3 × 1012 genome copies/ml solution for injection 
Alipogene tiparvovec 
 
 
2. NAME OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER 
 
uniQure biopharma B.V. 
 
 
3. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP  
 
 
4. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Lot 
 
 
5. OTHER 
 
Intramuscular use 
 
Read the package leaflet before use. 
 
Store frozen at -25°C to -15°C. 
 
This product contains genetically modified organisms. 
 
Pack size 3 vials 

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MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON SMALL IMMEDIATE PACKAGING 
UNITS 
 
VIAL LABEL 
 
  
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT AND ROUTE OF 

ADMINISTRATION 
 
Glybera 3 × 1012 genome copies/ml solution for injection 
Alipogene tiparvovec 
Intramuscular use 
 
 
2. METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION 
 
Read the package leaflet before use. 
 
 
3. EXPIRY DATE 
 
EXP 
 
 
4. BATCH NUMBER 
 
Lot  
 
 
5. CONTENTS BY WEIGHT, BY VOLUME OR BY UNIT 
 
1 ml 
 
6. OTHER 
 
 
Store frozen at -25°C to -15°C. 
 
This product contains GMO. 
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Patient Alert Card 
 

Information on the front: 
 
Glybera  
Patient Alert Card 
 
Individual lot number: 
Date of treatment: 
Doctor name: 
Doctor Phone: 
Patient Code number: 
 
Product manufacturer and license holder: 
uniQure biopharma B.V. 
Meibergdreef 61 
1105 BA Amsterdam 
The Netherlands 
 
Information on the back: 
Information for patients: Carry this card with you at all times! Present this card to health care 
professionals (doctor, nurse) upon consultation or hospitalization! 
 
 
Information for health care professionals: The holder of this card has received Glybera, a gene therapy 
medicinal product for familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency, containing genetically modified 
organisms. Glybera is authorised for single treatment only and should not be re-administered. When 
reporting possible adverse reactions, please include the individual lot number imprinted on the front of 
this card. The holder should not donate blood, organs or tissues and should use barrier contraception at 
least 12 months after Glybera treatment. 
 

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B. PACKAGE LEAFLET 

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Package leaflet: Information for the user 
 

Glybera 3 x 1012  genome copies /ml solution for injection 
Alipogene tiparvovec 

 
▼  This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new 
safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get. See the end of section 4 
for how to report side effects 
 
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you are given this medicine because it contains important 
information for you. 
 

- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again. 
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor. 
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effect not listed 

in the leaflet. 
- You have been given a patient card by your doctor. Read it carefully and follow the related 

instructions. 
- You should present this card to your health care professionals (doctor, nurse) upon 

consultation or hospitalisation. See section 4 
 
 
What is in this leaflet: 
 
1. What Glybera is and what it is used for 
2. What you need to know before you are given Glybera 
3. How Glybera is given to you 
4.  Possible side effects 
5. How to store Glybera 
6. Contents of the pack and other information 
 
1. What Glybera is and what it is used for 
 
Glybera contains alipogene tiparvovec, a gene therapy product that works by delivering a gene into the 
body to correct a genetic deficiency. It belongs to a group of medicines called lipid modifying agents. 
 
Glybera is used to treat a specific inherited condition known as “lipoprotein lipase deficiency 
(LPLD)”.  
 
Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a naturally occurring substance in the body (known as an enzyme) that 
controls the level of certain fats in the blood. In lipoprotein lipase deficiency, this enzyme is missing 
due to a genetic defect. People who are affected by this condition have a build up of very high fat 
levels in their blood (hyperchylomicronemia).  
 
Glybera is used to treat adult patients diagnosed with lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPLD) and 
suffering from severe or multiple pancreatitis attacks despite dietary fat restrictions. The diagnosis of 
LPLD has to be confirmed by genetic testing. Glybera will only be given to you if you show 
detectable levels of LPL protein in your blood.  
 
 
2. What you need to know before you are given Glybera 
 
Do not receive Glybera  

- if you are allergic to alipogene tiparvovec or to any of the other ingredients of Glybera (listed 
in section 6 ‘Further information’).  

- if your immune system does not work properly 
- if you have an increased bleeding risk and or muscle disease  

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- if you are taking oral contraceptives 
 

If any of the above applies to you, or if you are unsure of any of the above, please talk to your doctor 
before you receive Glybera.  

 
Warnings and precautions 

• It is important that you fully understand the benefits and risks associated with the 
treatment by discussing with your doctor  

• It is important that you tell your doctor if you have an active infection of any sort before you 
take the medicines you will be given to reduce your body’s defences (immunosuppressants) 
and before you receive Glybera. See also section 3, ‘How Glybera is used’. 

• Glybera is a gene therapy product. It contains genetically modified organisms. After treatment 
with Glybera do not donate blood, organs, tissues and cells for transplantation to avoid 
spreading cells that contain your medicine. 

• Tell your doctor if you are suffering from diabetes. 
• You should continue to follow a fat-restricted, alcohol-free diet. People diagnosed with 

lipoprotein lipase deficiency are advised to be careful with their diet, both before and after 
Glybera therapy; they should restrict their intake of ‘normal diet fats’ and should not drink 
alcohol. 

 
Additional monitoring tests 
Small amounts of blood will be drawn before treatment, 6 months and 12 months after treatment to 
measure how your body’s immune (defence) system is responding to the treatment with Glybera. 
 
Children and adolescents  
Glybera is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. 
 
Other medicines and Glybera 
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, 
including medicines obtained without a prescription. In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking the 
following before you are given Glybera: 

• A medicine impacting blood coagulation e.g. acetylsalicylic acid (e.g.aspirin), a substance 
present in many medicines used to relieve pain and lower fever, as well as medicines used to 
prevent blood clotting eg anticoagulants such as warfarin, heparin. These medicines should 
not be taken for at least one week before the leg injections or one day after you have had the 
injections. Taking these medicines before receiving or at the same time as receiving Glybera, 
may cause unnecessary bruising or bleeding from the injection sites. 

• Oral contraceptives (see section 2 ‘Do not receive Glybera’) 
 
Glybera with alcohol 
People diagnosed with lipoprotein lipase deficiency are advised to be careful with their diet, both 
before and after Glybera therapy; they should not drink alcohol. 
 
Pregnancy and breast-feeding 
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you might be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask 
your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using any medicine. 
 
Glybera is not usually recommended for use during pregnancy. There is very limited information 
about the safety of Glybera in pregnant women. 

• It is important to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are 
planning to get pregnant. Your doctor will weigh up the benefits to you against the risks to 
your baby of taking Glybera whilst you are pregnant. 

• Use appropriate barrier contraception such as condoms to avoid becoming pregnant during 
treatment and for at least 12 months after treatment. Do not take oral contraceptives as they 
have the potential to worsen your disease; Use condoms so that as little Glybera as possible 
may be passed to/from your partner. 

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• If you do become pregnant during treatment with Glybera, tell your doctor. 
 

It is not known whether Glybera passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended during 
treatment with Glybera.   
 
Male patients must use condoms for at least 12 months after injection with Glybera.  Using condoms 
will reduce the amount of Glybera that may be left in the woman’s body.  
 
Driving and using machines 
Dizziness was commonly observed after Glybera administration. You should consider this when 
driving or using machines. Talk to your doctor about this. 
 
Important information about some of the ingredients of Glybera 
Glybera contains sodium and potassium. The amount of sodium and potassium that you may receive 
depends on the number of injections that you need; your doctor will work this out depending on your 
weight. 
You need to take this into consideration if you are on a controlled sodium diet. 
This medicine contains potassium, less than 1 mmol (39 mg) per administration at 27 injection sites to 
60 injection sites, i.e. essentially ‘potassium-free’. 
 
 
3. How Glybera is given to you 
 
Glybera therapy will be overseen by a doctor who is specialised in the treatment of patients affected 
by your condition and will be administered to you by an appropriately qualified and trained doctor or 
nurse.  
 
Glybera will be given to you in a single therapy administration session in a hospital. At this time a 
series of injections (27 to 60 injections) into the muscles of both upper and lower legs will be given. 
The dose you will need is dependent on your weight and is calculated by your doctor.   
 
Due to the large number of individual injections that you will receive during the Glybera therapy 
session, you will be given either a regional anaesthetic into the spine (which will numb your legs 
only), or a more localised anaesthetic before you are given the Glybera injections. Your doctor will 
talk to you about the anaesthetic and how it will be given.  
 
After you have been given Glybera, you may notice that your legs have a yellow colour; this might 
occur in case iodine was used to clean (sterilise) your legs before you received the medicine. This will 
fade after a short time. You will need to stay in hospital for a few hours or overnight to make sure that 
you have not had any side effects from the medicine or the anaesthetic. 
 
Glybera should be administered to you in one treatment session only. Re-administration of Glybera 
after this first treatment session is not recommended.  
 
It is important that at the time of first Glybera administration, your body’s immune (defence) system is 
not activated. To avoid this, your doctor will also prescribe treatment that will suppress the immune 
system (known as immunosuppressants), starting 3 days before the day of injection with Glybera and 
for 12 weeks after. Examples of these immunosuppressants are ciclosporin, mycophenolate mofetil. In 
addition methylprednisolone might be administered half an hour prior to the Glybera administration. It 
is important that you take these medicines according to the instructions given. Do not stop taking these 
without talking to your doctor. 
 
Please ask your doctor for more information about the exact immunosuppressant medicine you will be 
taking. 
 
If you receive more Glybera than you should 
As this medicine is given to you by a doctor, it is unlikely that you will be given too much. If you 

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receive two doses in one injection site by mistake this might lead to more local reaction such as 
bruising or sensitivity. Your doctor will treat this appropriately.  
 
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 
 
 
4. Possible side effects 
 
Like all medicines, Glybera can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. 
Very common (may affects more than 1 in 10 people) 

• pain in leg(s) (pain in extremity) 
• raised body temperature  
• tiredness (fatigue) 
• headache 
• bruises in the upper and lower leg muscle due to the injections. They only last a short time. 
• Increased blood level of the muscle enzyme creatine kinase   

 
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) 

• abdominal pain 
• nausea 
• constipation 
• chills 
• fever 
• muscle pain and joint aches, pains and stiffness 
• difficulty breathing, chest pain on breathing in and palpitations which may be caused by 

blockage of the main blood vessel  of the lung  
• burning sensation 
• high blood pressure  
• sensation like that of insects crawling on (or under) the skin  
• water retention  
• decreased appetite 
• dizziness 
• skin rash 
• muscle spasms 
• light headedness 
• hair growth 
• injection site discomfort, swelling, rash and pain 

 
 
Side effects from your immunosuppressants 
In addition to being given Glybera, you will be given other medicines called immunosuppressants (see 
section 3 ‘How Glybera is used’). It is important that you ask your doctor about the side effects of 
these other medicines. Your doctor should give you a copy of the patient information leaflet (like this 
one) for the immunosuppressants you will need to take. Do not stop taking these without talking to 
your doctor. 
 
Reporting of side effects 
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects 
not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system 
listed in Appendix V. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of 
this medicine. 
 
 
5. How to store Glybera 
 

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyspnea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleuritic_chest_pain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palpitation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulmonary_artery
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightheadedness


31 
 

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. 
 
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label after ‘EXP’. The expiry date 
refers to the last day of that month. 
 
Vials must be stored and transported frozen at -25ºC to -15ºC. 
 
Store in the original package in order to protect from light. 
Once thawed, the medicinal product must be used immediately; if not used immediately, the vials 
should be stored in a refrigerator at 2ºC to 8ºC, and protected from light for a maximum of 8 hours.  
If not stored in a refrigerator the medicinal product can be stored in syringes at not more than 25°C, 
and protected from light for a maximum of 8 hours. 
This medicine contains genetically modified organisms and must be disposed of according to local 
rules for such medicines. 
 
 
6. Contents of the pack and other information 
 
What Glybera contains 
The active substance is alipogene tiparvovec.  
Each vial of alipogene tiparvovec contains 1 ml of solution, containing 3 x 1012 genome copies (gc).  
 
Each patient-specific pack contains a sufficient amount of vials to dose each patient with 1 x 1012  
gc/kg body weight. 
 
The other ingredients are, disodium phosphate, potassium chloride, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 
sodium chloride, sucrose, and water for injections.  
 
What Glybera looks like and contents of the pack 
Glybera is a clear to slightly opalescent, colourless solution for injection, supplied in a clear glass vial 
with a siliconised injection stopper and flip-off seal. 
Each preformed transparent sealed plastic casing contains either 2 or 3 individual vials with a liquid 
absorbing sheet. The patient-specific pack contains a variable number of casings based on the patient’s 
body weight. 
 
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer 
 
Marketing Authorisation Holder 
uniQure biopharma B.V., Meibergdreef 61, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 
 
Manufacturer 
uniQure biopharma B.V., Meibergdreef 61, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 
 
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing 
Authorisation Holder: 
 
België/Belgique/Belgien 
Chiesi SA/NV 
Tél/Tel: +32 2 788 42 00 

Lietuva 
Chiesi Pharmaceuticals GmbH  
Tel:  + 43 1 4073919 
 

България  
Chiesi Bulgaria EOOD 
Тел.: +359 29201205 
 

Luxembourg/Luxemburg  
Chiesi SA/NV 
Tél/Tel: +32 2 788 42 00 

Česká republika 
Chiesi CZ s.r.o. 
Tel: + 420 261221745 

Magyarország  
Chiesi Hungary Kft.  
Tel.:++36-1-429 1060 

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32 
 

 
Danmark  
Chiesi Pharma AB 
Tlf: +46 8 753 35 20 
 

Malta  
Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A  
Tel: + 39 0521 2791 

Deutschland 
Chiesi GmbH 
Tel: + 49 40 89724-0 
 

Nederland  
Chiesi Pharmaceuticals B.V. 
Tel: +31 0 70 413 20 80 

Eesti 
Chiesi Pharmaceuticals GmbH  
Tel:  + 43 1 4073919 
 

Norge 
Chiesi Pharma AB 
Tlf: +46 8 753 35 20 
 

Ελλάδα 
Chiesi Hellas AEBE 
Τηλ: + 30 210 6179763  
 

Österreich 
Chiesi Pharmaceuticals GmbH  
Tel:  + 43 1 4073919 
 

España 
Chiesi España, S.A 
Tel: + 34 93 494 8000 

Polska 
Chiesi Poland Sp. z.o.o. 
Tel.: +48 22 620 1421 
 

France 
Chiesi SAS 
Tél: + 33 1 47688899 
 

Portugal 
Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. 
Tel: + 39 0521 2791 
 

Hrvatska 
Chiesi Pharmaceuticals GmbH  
Tel:  + 43 1 4073919 
 

România 
Chiesi Romania S.R.L. 
Tel: + 40 212023642 

Ireland 
Chiesi Ltd  
Tel: + 44 0161 4885555 
 

Slovenija 
Chiesi Slovenija d.o.o. 
Tel: ++386-1-43 00 901 

Ísland 
Chiesi Pharma AB. 
Sími: +46 8 753 35 20 
 

Slovenská republika 
Chiesi Slovakia s.r.o. 
Tel: ++421 259300060 

Italia 
Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. 
Tel: + 39 0521 2791 
 

Suomi/Finland 
Chiesi Pharma AB 
Puh/Tel: : +46 8 753 35 20 

Κύπρος 
Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. 
Tηλ: + 39 0521 2791 

Sverige 
Chiesi Pharma AB 
Tel: +46 8 753 35 20 
 

Latvija 
Chiesi Pharmaceuticals GmbH  
Tel:  + 43 1 4073919 

United Kingdom 
Chiesi Ltd   
Tel: + 44 0161 4885555 
 

 
This leaflet was last revised in  
 
 
This medicine has been authorised under "exceptional circumstances”. This means that because of the 
rarity of this disease it has been impossible to get complete information on this medicine.  
The European Medicines Agency will review any new information on the medicine every year and 
this leaflet will be updated as necessary. 

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33 
 

 
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency website: 
http://www.ema.europa.eu 
There are also links to other websites about rare diseases and treatments. 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only: 
 
Glybera therapy must be prescribed by and administered under the supervision of a physician with 
expertise in treating LPLD patients and in gene therapy administration, in full consultation with the 
patient. During administration of Glybera appropriate medical treatment and supervision should 
always be readily available in case of an anaphylactic event following the administration.  
 
Posology  
The maximum total dose of Glybera for administration is 1 x 1012 gc/kg body weight.  
  
Glybera is authorised for single treatment only. No data on re-administration of Glybera are available, 
therefore Glybera should not be re-administered. 
  
Glybera is administered as a one-time series of intramuscular injections in the legs. The dose per 
injection site is 1.5 x 1012 gc, or 0.5 ml of solution for injection.  For each injection site, one syringe of 
1 ml with clear volume marks of 0.5 ml must be used. Volumes per injection site must not exceed 
0.5ml. Syringes must not be used more than once.  
  
The treatment should be monitored by measuring neutralising antibodies and T-Cell response against 
AAV1 and LPLS447X at baseline as well as 6 and 12 months after treatment. 
 
Glybera should only be used when the diagnosis of LPLD has been confirmed by an adequate genetic 
test. 
 
To calculate the number of vials, the patient’s weight is determined to the nearest whole kg. The 
patient’s weight should be divided by 3, and rounded up to the next higher whole number. This is the 
number of vials that must be dispensed.   
 
To calculate the number of injection sites and the number of syringes, the patient’s weight is 
determined to the nearest whole kg. The patient’s weight should be divided by 3, then without 
rounding up this number multiplied by 2 and rounded up to the next higher whole number. This is the 
number of injection sites and the total number of syringes (each filled with 0.5ml) needed to 
administer a volume of 0.5ml per injection site for the patient’s treatment. 
 
Examples of typical dose schedules based on the body weight of patients are shown in the table below:  
  

Body weight 
(kg)  

Number of vials (1 mL)  Number of 1ml syringes 
(each filled with 0.5ml) 

Number of injection 
sites  

40  14  27  27  
50  17  34  34  
60  20  40 40  
65  22  44  44  
70  24 47 47  
75  25  50 50  
80  27  54 54  
90  30  60 60  

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http://www.ema.europa.eu/


34 
 

  
From three days prior to and for 12 weeks following Glybera administration an immunosuppressive 
regimen should be administered: ciclosporin (3 mg/kg/day) and mycophenolate mofetil (2 x 1 g/day) is 
recommended.  
In addition, half an hour prior to Glybera injection an intravenous bolus of 1mg/kg of 
methylprednisolone should be administered. 
  
Paediatric population  
The safety and efficacy of Glybera in children and adolescents below 18 years has not been 
established. No data are available.  
  
Elderly  
There is limited experience in the use of Glybera in elderly subjects. No dose adjustment of Glybera is 
necessary in the elderly population.  
Dose of immunosuppressant may need to be adjusted. 
  
Renal impairment or hepatic impairment  
There is limited experience in the use of Glybera in patients with renal or hepatic impairment. 
No dose adjustment of Glybera is required. 
  
Method of administration  
Upon intramuscular injection, the patient will receive multiple injections of 0.5 ml (one injection per 
syringe), distributed over the muscles of both upper and lower legs, under aseptic conditions such as 
iodine. 
 
Spinal or regional anaesthesia is advised prior to intramuscular administration, due to the number of 
injections required. In case of contraindication for such procedure deep sedation is advised instead.  
  
Glybera should under no circumstances be administered intravascularly. 
 
To ensure intramuscular injection, ultrasound or electrophysiologic guidance of injections is advised.  
 
Instructions for use, handling and disposal 
Refer to local biosafety guidelines applicable for handling and disposal of medicinal products 
containing genetically-modified organisms. 
 
Work surfaces and material which have potentially been in contact with Glybera must be 
decontaminated with appropriate virucidal disinfectants with activity for non-enveloped viruses (such 
as hypochlorite and chlorine releasers) for at least 10 minutes. 
 
Preparation of Glybera for administration  
After the amount of Glybera to be administered has been calculated (see section posology)  remove the 
correct number of single use vials from the freezer to thaw at room temperature (15oC to 25oC), 
approximately 30-45 minutes in advance of syringe filling.  
 
After thawing, each vial should be gently inverted twice to ensure even mixing. Vials should be 
visually inspected for particulate matter and colour. The clear to slightly opalescent and colourless 
solution must be free of visible particles. Only clear and colourless solutions without visible particles 
should be used. If a vial is showing damage, syringes for the injection should not be prepared and the 
injection procedure should be postponed and rescheduled. The Marketing Authorisation Holder should 
be informed immediately. 
 
Glybera is delivered in a patient-specific pack and will therefore contain the precise amount of vials 
per patient, calculated according to the patient’s weight.  
 
The calculated amount of syringes should be filled from the thawed vials, and they should be labelled 
and placed in a container protected from light suitable for transportation to the room where the patient 

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35 
 

will undergo the intramuscular injections.  
 
To avoid any injection of particles from the stopper due to two withdrawals, one needle for the 
withdrawal from the vial (to be left inside the stopper) and a separate needle for each syringe must be 
used. 
 
 
 
 

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	SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
	A. MANUFACTURER OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE SUBSTANCE AND MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE
	B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE
	C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION
	D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
	E. SPECIFIC OBLIGATION TO COMPLETE POST-AUTHORISATION MEASURES FOR THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION UNDER EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES
	A. LABELLING
	B. PACKAGE LEAFLET