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Piasky (CROVALIMAB)
Piasky works by blocking the action of the Complement C5 protein, which is involved in the immune system's response to foreign substances.
Piasky (crovalimab) is a monoclonal antibody-based Complement C5 Inhibitor developed by Genentech Inc, currently owned by the same company. It is approved for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and has a half-life of 53.1 days with 83.0% bioavailability. Piasky is a patented medication with no generic manufacturers listed yet. The FDA approved it in 2025. Key safety considerations include its mechanism of action as a Complement C5 Inhibitor, which may increase the risk of infections.
At a glance
| Generic name | CROVALIMAB |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Genentech Inc |
| Drug class | Complement C5 Inhibitor [EPC] |
| Modality | Monoclonal antibody |
| Therapeutic area | Immunology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 2025 |
Mechanism of action
Crovalimab-akkz is a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds with high affinity to the complement protein C5, inhibiting its cleavage into C5a and C5b, preventing the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC). Crovalimab-akkz inhibits terminal complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis in patients with PNH.
Approved indications
- paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
Boxed warnings
- WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS PIASKY, a complement inhibitor, increases the risk of serious infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Life-threatening and fatal meningococcal infections have occurred in patients treated with complement inhibitors. These infections may become rapidly life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early. Complete or update vaccination for meningococcal bacteria (for serogroups A, C, W, Y, and B) at least 2 weeks prior to the first dose of PIASKY, unless the risks of delaying therapy with PIASKY outweigh the risk of developing a serious infection. Comply with the most current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for meningococcal vaccination in patients receiving a complement inhibitor. See Warnings and Precautions (5.1) for additional guidance on the management of the risk of serious infections caused by meningococcal bacteria. Patients receiving PIASKY are at increased risk for invasive disease caused by N. meningitidis , even if they develop antibodies following vaccination. Monitor patients for early signs of serious meningococcal infections and evaluate immediately if infection is suspected. Because of the risk of serious meningococcal infections, PIASKY is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called PIASKY REMS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . WARNING: SERIOUS MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. PIASKY increases the risk of serious and life-threatening infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis . Complete or update meningococcal vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to the first dose of PIASKY, unless the risks of delaying PIASKY outweigh the risks of developing a serious infection. Comply with the most current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for meningococcal vaccination in patients receiving a complement inhibitor ( 5.1 ). Patients receiving PIASKY are at increased risk for invasive disease caused by N. meningitidis , even if they develop antibodies following vaccination. Monitor patients for early signs of meningococcal infections and evaluate immediately if infection is suspected ( 5.1 ). PIASKY is available only through a restricted program called the PIASKY REMS ( 5.2 )
Common side effects
- Infusion-related reaction
- Respiratory tract infection
- Viral infection
- Type III hypersensitivity reaction
- Hyperuricemia
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Injection-related reaction
- Pneumonia
- Nasopharyngitis
- Urinary tract infection
- Peripheral edema
Drug interactions
- PIASKY
- eculizumab
- ravulizumab
Key clinical trials
- A Study Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Crovalimab in Pediatric Participants With Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) (PHASE3)
- A Study Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of Crovalimab as Adjunct Treatment in Prevention of Vaso-Occlusive Episodes (VOE) in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) (PHASE2)
- A Study to Evaluate Crovalimab in People With Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) (PHASE2)
- A Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Crovalimab Versus Eculizumab in Participants With Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) Not Previously Treated With Complement Inhibitors (PHASE3)
- Study to Assess Safety, Efficacy, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of Crovalimab in Healthy Volunteers and Participants With Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PHASE1,PHASE2)
- A Study Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Crovalimab in Participants With Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) Not Previously Treated With Complement Inhibition (PHASE3)
- A Study Evaluating the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Efficacy of Crovalimab Versus Eculizumab in Participants With Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) Currently Treated With Complement Inhibitors (PHASE3)
- A Study Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Crovalimab in Adult and Adolescent Participants With Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) (PHASE3)
Patents
| Patent | Expiry | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Biologic Exclusivity |
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
| FDA Orange Book | Patents + exclusivity |