TheraRadar
Data updated: Mar 29, 2026

KUVAN

SAPROPTERIN DIHYDROCHLORIDE
Approved 2007-12-13

Kuvan (sapropterin dihydrochloride) is a phenylalanine hydroxylase activator indicated to reduce blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels. It is used in adult and pediatric patients one month of age and older who have hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) due to tetrahydrobiopterin- (BH4-) responsive Phenylketonuria (PKU). This medication is administered in conjunction with a Phe-restricted diet to manage the condition.

Source: FDA Label • BIOMARIN PHARM

How KUVAN Works

Kuvan is a synthetic form of BH4, which serves as the cofactor for the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). In a healthy system, PAH converts phenylalanine into tyrosine, but this enzyme activity is deficient or absent in patients with PKU. Treatment with this synthetic cofactor can activate residual PAH enzyme activity, improving the oxidative metabolism of phenylalanine and decreasing blood Phe levels.

3
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
2
Priority Reviews
18
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2007-12-13
Routes
ORAL
Dosage Forms
POWDER, TABLET

Companies

Active Ingredient: SAPROPTERIN DIHYDROCHLORIDE

KUVAN Approval History

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What KUVAN Treats

2 indications

KUVAN is approved for 2 conditions since its original approval in 2007. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Hyperphenylalaninemia
  • Phenylketonuria
Source: FDA Label
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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

KUVAN FDA Label Details

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Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

KUVAN ® is indicated to reduce blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels in adult and pediatric patients one month of age and older with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) due to tetrahydrobiopterin- (BH4-) responsive Phenylketonuria (PKU). KUVAN is to be used in conjunction with a Phe-restricted diet. KUVAN is a phenylalanine hydroxylase activator indicated to reduce blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels in adult and pediatric patients one month of age and older with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) due to tetrahydrobiopterin‑ (BH4‑) responsive Phenylketonuria (PKU). KUVAN is to be used in conjunction with a Phe‑restr...

KUVAN Patents & Exclusivity

Latest Patent: Apr 2033

Patents (12 active)

US9216178*PED Expires May 1, 2033
US9216178 Expires Nov 1, 2032
US7566462*PED Expires May 16, 2026
US8003126*PED Expires May 16, 2026
US7566462 Expires Nov 16, 2025
US8003126 Expires Nov 16, 2025
+ 2 more patents
Source: FDA Orange Book

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.