Galcanezumab

Galcanezumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody developed by Eli Lilly and Company against human calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Although several small-molecule CGRP receptor antagonists have been developed, humanized monoclonal antibodies like galcanezumab are specifically designed to selectively bind to CGRP entities with high potency. Given this target specificity, lack of off-target toxicity, and characteristic proteolysis profile of immunoglobulin antibodies to not undergo metabolism by liver enzymes, galcanezumab possesses favourable and promising safety and tolerability. Galcanezumab was approved by the FDA in September 2018, and is indicated for the preventive treatment of migraine and the treatment of episodic cluster headache. It is unknown if galcanezumab has an effect on pregnancy outcomes. A pregnancy exposure registry has been established to evaluate the safety of this drug in pregnant women.

Galcanezumab is indicated in adults for the preventive treatment of migraine and the treatment of episodic cluster headache.