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biotecMAX™ 2023 Insight
Opdivo (nivolumab) in Combination with Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Accepts for Priority Review Bristol Myers Squibb’s Application for Opdivo (nivolumab) in Combination with Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy for the First-Line Treatment of Adult Patients with Unresectable or Metastatic...
12/05/2023 CATEGORY:
Application based on results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -901 trial showing significant survival improvement vs. standard-of-care gemcitabine plus cisplatin in cisplatin-eligible patients with untreated, unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma
If approved, the Opdivo-based regimen would be the first immunotherapy-chemotherapy combination approved for this patient population in the U.S.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration assigned a target action date of April 5, 2024
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Accepts for Priority Review Bristol Myers Squibb’s Application for Opdivo (nivolumab) in Combination with Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy for the First-Line Treatment of Adult Patients with Unresectable or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma
Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with cisplatin-based chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for adult patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, based on results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -901 trial. The FDA granted the application Priority Review status and assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of April 5, 2024.
“The FDA’s acceptance of our application for Opdivo in combination with cisplatin-based chemotherapy represents important progress toward addressing the unmet need for options that may offer durable responses and improved survival for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma. There remains a clear need for efficacious first-line treatment options that may potentially help improve outcomes for patients with this hard-to-treat disease,” said Dana Walker, M.D., M.S.C.E., vice president, global program lead, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers, Bristol Myers Squibb. “We look forward to working with the FDA throughout the review of this application and hope to bring the first immunotherapy-chemotherapy combination to these patients in the U.S. We want to offer a special thanks to the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -901 clinical trial.”
The filing was based on the results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -901 study, in which the combination showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful survival benefit over standard-of-care gemcitabine plus cisplatin in the treatment of this patient population. Opdivo in combination with cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by Opdivo monotherapy demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in the primary efficacy endpoints of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR). The OS and PFS data from CheckMate -901 were presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023. The safety profile was tolerable and consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual components of the regimen. No new safety concerns have been identified.
Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations have shown significant improvements in OS in Phase 3 clinical trials across multiple tumors, including metastatic urothelial carcinoma, advanced renal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma, metastatic melanoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
About CheckMate -901
CheckMate -901 is a Phase 3, randomized, open-label trial evaluating Opdivo in combination with Yervoy or Opdivo in combination with cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by Opdivo monotherapy compared to standard-of-care chemotherapy alone, in patients with untreated, unresectable or metastatic urothelial cancer.
In the CheckMate -901 study, evaluating Opdivo with cisplatin-based chemotherapy vs. standard-of-care chemotherapy, a total of 608 patients eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy were randomized to receive either Opdivo 360 mg in combination with cisplatin-based chemotherapy every three weeks followed by 480 mg/Q4 Opdivo monotherapy until disease progression or death up to a maximum of two years or chemotherapy alone. The primary endpoints of this study are overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The study is ongoing to assess Opdivo plus Yervoy vs. standard-of-care chemotherapy.
The OS and PFS outcomes for patients who are eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy are based on the final efficacy analyses of these endpoints.
About Urothelial Carcinoma
Bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the world, with more than 573,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Urothelial carcinoma, which most frequently begins in the cells that line the inside of the bladder, accounts for approximately 90% of bladder cancer cases. In addition to the bladder, urothelial carcinoma can occur in other parts of the urinary tract, including the ureters and renal pelvis. The majority of urothelial carcinomas are diagnosed at an early stage, but approximately 50% of patients who undergo surgery will experience disease progression and recurrence within two-to-three years post-surgery. Approximately 20% to 25% of patients with urothelial carcinoma develop metastatic disease. The poor durability of responses seen with chemotherapy alone in the first-line setting presents a major challenge in the treatment of metastatic disease, and there are limited treatment options in the second-line setting for patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research platforms uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.
Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients.
The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
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Bristol Myers gets priority review for urothelial cancer combination therapy
Dec. 05, 2023 7:30 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)LLY
By: Preeti Singh, SA News Editor
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) a priority review for its supplemental biologics license application of a combination therapy for patients with untreated, unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.
Bristol Myers' (BMY) Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with cisplatin-based chemotherapy is being studied as a first-line treatment for adult patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.
ORLADEYO® (berotralstat)
BioCryst Announces Approval of ORLADEYO® (berotralstat) by the National Administration of Drugs, Foods, and Medical Devices (ANMAT) in Argentina
November 29, 2023
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Nov. 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX) today announced that the National Administration of Drugs, Foods, and Medical Devices (ANMAT) in Argentina has granted approval for oral, once-daily ORLADEYO® (berotralstat) for the prophylaxis of hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older.
“We continue to make strides to bring ORLADEYO to patients living with HAE in Latin America in collaboration with our partner, Pint Pharma. We applaud ANMAT’s decision to grant approval to our oral, once-daily prophylactic therapy for HAE, which paves the way for patients living with HAE to receive ORLADEYO to help improve management of their HAE attacks,” said Charlie Gayer, chief commercial officer of BioCryst.
BioCryst has an exclusive collaboration with Pint Pharma GmbH to register and promote ORLADEYO in the pan-Latin America region. Under the terms of the agreement, Pint is responsible for obtaining and maintaining all marketing authorizations and for commercializing ORLADEYO in the region.
About ORLADEYO® (berotralstat)
ORLADEYO® (berotralstat) is the first and only oral therapy designed specifically to prevent attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older. One capsule of ORLADEYO per day works to prevent HAE attacks by decreasing the activity of plasma kallikrein.
U.S. Indication and Important Safety Information
INDICATION
ORLADEYO® (berotralstat) is a plasma kallikrein inhibitor indicated for prophylaxis to prevent attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older.
Limitations of use
The safety and effectiveness of ORLADEYO for the treatment of acute HAE attacks have not been established. ORLADEYO should not be used for the treatment of acute HAE attacks. Additional doses or dosages of ORLADEYO higher than 150 mg once daily are not recommended due to the potential for QT prolongation.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
An increase in QT prolongation was observed at dosages higher than the recommended 150 mg once-daily dosage and was concentration dependent.
The most common adverse reactions (≥10% and higher than placebo) in patients receiving ORLADEYO were abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, back pain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Berotralstat is a substrate of P-gp and BCRP. P-gp inducers (eg, rifampin, St. John’s wort) may decrease berotralstat plasma concentration, leading to reduced efficacy of ORLADEYO. The use of P-gp inducers is not recommended with ORLADEYO.
ORLADEYO at a dose of 150 mg is a moderate inhibitor of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. For concomitant medications with a narrow therapeutic index that are predominantly metabolized by CYP2D6 or CYP3A4, appropriate monitoring and dose titration is recommended. ORLADEYO at a dose of 300 mg is a P-gp inhibitor. Appropriate monitoring and dose titration is recommended for P-gp substrates (eg, digoxin) when coadministering with ORLADEYO.
The safety and effectiveness of ORLADEYO in pediatric patients <12 years of age have not been established.
There are insufficient data available to inform drug-related risks with ORLADEYO use in pregnancy. There are no data on the presence of berotralstat in human milk, its effects on the breastfed infant, or its effects on milk production.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-833-633-2279 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Please see full Prescribing Information.
About BioCryst Pharmaceuticals
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people living with complement-mediated and other rare diseases. BioCryst leverages its expertise in structure-guided drug design to develop first-in-class or best-in-class oral small-molecule and protein therapeutics to target difficult-to-treat diseases. BioCryst has commercialized ORLADEYO® (berotralstat), the first oral, once-daily plasma kallikrein inhibitor, and is advancing a pipeline of small-molecule and protein therapies. For more information, please visit www.biocryst.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
BioCryst announces approval of ORLADEYO (berotralstat) by Argentinean authority
Nov. 29, 2023 8:29 AM ET
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BCRX)
By: Jaskiran Singh, SA News Editor
- BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:BCRX) Wednesday announced that the National Administration of Drugs, Foods, and Medical Devices (ANMAT) in Argentina approved its ORLADEYO (berotralstat).
- An oral therapy, ORLADEYO (berotralstat) is designed to prevent attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older.
- BioCryst has an exclusive collaboration with Pint Pharma GmbH to register and promote ORLADEYO in the pan-Latin America region.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4041107-biocryst-announces-approval-of-orladeyo-berotralstat-by-argentinean-authorities
- BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BCRX)
- https://www.biocryst.com/
- https://orladeyo.com/
KAFTRIO® (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) in Combination With Ivacaftor
BackPDF Version Nov 23, 2023
European Commission Approves KAFTRIO® in Combination With Ivacaftor for the Treatment of Children With Cystic Fibrosis Ages 2 Through 5
-More than 1,200 children are newly eligible for a medicine that could treat the underlying cause of their disease-
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 23, 2023-- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced that the European Commission has granted approval for the label expansion of KAFTRIO® (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) in a combination regimen with ivacaftor for the treatment of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) ages 2 through 5 years old who have at least one F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene.
“In addition to data from clinical trials, long-term and real-world data have demonstrated the significant clinical benefit of KAFTRIO in eligible people living with CF, and today’s news means that young children across Europe can now benefit from this important medicine,” said Carmen Bozic, M.D., Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer, Vertex.
“As CF starts in early childhood and is a progressive disease, it is important to treat people with CF as early as possible. With the approval of KAFTRIO for children as young as 2 years, we can now treat young children with a medicine that has the potential to slow disease progression by addressing the underlying cause of the disease,” said Professor Marcus A. Mall, M.D., Head of the Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
As a result of existing reimbursement agreements in Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Latvia, and Sweden, eligible patients in these countries will have access to the expanded indication for KAFTRIO® (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) in a combination regimen with ivacaftor shortly following regulatory approval by the European Commission. Vertex will continue to work with reimbursement authorities across the European Union to ensure access for all eligible patients. In the U.K., following MHRA approval on November 15, 2023, and as a result of the existing reimbursement agreement between Vertex and the NHS, children ages 2 years and above in the U.K. have access to this expanded indication for KAFTRIO® (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) in a combination regimen with ivacaftor.
About Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare, life-shortening genetic disease affecting more than 88,000 people globally. CF is a progressive, multi-organ disease that affects the lungs, liver, pancreas, GI tract, sinuses, sweat glands and reproductive tract. CF is caused by a defective and/or missing CFTR protein resulting from certain mutations in the CFTR gene. Children must inherit two defective CFTR genes — one from each parent — to have CF, and these mutations can be identified by a genetic test. While there are many different types of CFTR mutations that can cause the disease, the vast majority of people with CF have at least one F508del mutation. CFTR mutations lead to CF by causing CFTR protein to be defective or by leading to a shortage or absence of CFTR protein at the cell surface. The defective function and/or absence of CFTR protein results in poor flow of salt and water into and out of the cells in a number of organs. In the lungs, this leads to the buildup of abnormally thick, sticky mucus, chronic lung infections and progressive lung damage that eventually leads to death for many patients. The median age of death is in the 30s, but with treatment, projected survival is improving.
About KAFTRIO® (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) in Combination With Ivacaftor
In people with certain types of mutations in the CFTR gene, the CFTR protein is not processed or folded normally within the cell, and this can prevent the CFTR protein from reaching the cell surface and functioning properly. KAFTRIO® (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) in combination with ivacaftor is an oral medicine designed to increase the quantity and function of the CFTR protein at the cell surface. Elexacaftor and tezacaftor work together to increase the amount of mature protein at the cell surface by binding to different sites on the CFTR protein. Ivacaftor, which is known as a CFTR potentiator, is designed to facilitate the ability of CFTR proteins to transport salt and water across the cell membrane. The combined actions of ivacaftor, tezacaftor and elexacaftor help hydrate and clear mucus from the airways.
KAFTRIO® (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) in combination with ivacaftor is approved in the European Union for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients aged 2 years and older who have at least one copy of the F508del mutation in the CFTR gene.
For complete product information, please see the Summary of Product Characteristics that can be found on www.ema.europa.eu.
U.S. INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR TRIKAFTA® (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor and ivacaftor)
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
TRIKAFTA (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor and ivacaftor) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients aged 2 years and older who have at least one copy of the F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene or another mutation that is responsive to treatment with TRIKAFTA. Patients should talk to their doctor to learn if they have an indicated CF gene mutation. It is not known if TRIKAFTA is safe and effective in children under 2 years of age.
Please click here to see the full U.S. Prescribing Information for TRIKAFTA (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor and ivacaftor).
About Vertex
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including APOL1-mediated kidney disease, acute and neuropathic pain, type 1 diabetes and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston, with international headquarters in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Latin America. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 14 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more about Vertex's history of innovation, visit www.vrtx.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter/X.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115231539/en/
Source: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Vertex bags EC nod for combination therapy to treat cystic fibrosis
Nov. 24, 2023 6:50 AM ET
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)
By: Preeti Singh, SA News Editor
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX) has gained approval from the European Commission for the label expansion of Kaftrio (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) plus ivacaftor to treat children with cystic fibrosis aged between two and five years.
The therapy is indicated for children who have at least one F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene.
DUPIXENT® ® (dupilumab) injection
Press Release: Dupixent® significantly reduced COPD exacerbations in second positive Phase 3 trial, accelerating FDA submission and confirming potential to become first approved biologic for this serious disease
November 27, 2023 Download PDF
Dupixent® significantly reduced COPD exacerbations in second positive Phase 3 trial, accelerating FDA submission and confirming potential to become first approved biologic for this serious disease
- NOTUS trial met its primary endpoint with overwhelming efficacy, showing Dupixent significantly reduced exacerbations by 34% compared to placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD with evidence of type 2 inflammation (ie, blood eosinophils ≥300 cells per μL), confirming results from the landmark BOREAS pivotal trial
- Dupixent rapidly and significantly improved lung function (139 mL in FEV1) compared to placebo (57 mL in FEV1) at 12 weeks
- Supplemental BLA submission planned by end of 2023
- Approximately 300,000 people in the U.S. alone live with uncontrolled COPD with evidence of type 2 inflammation; no new treatment approaches approved for more than a decade
Paris and Tarrytown, N.Y. November 27, 2023. The second Dupixent® (dupilumab) investigational Phase 3 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) trial (NOTUS) has shown that Dupixent significantly reduced (34%) exacerbations, confirming positive published results from the landmark Phase 3 BOREAS trial. The NOTUS trial also confirmed that treatment with Dupixent led to rapid and significant improvements in lung function by 12 weeks and were sustained at 52 weeks. The NOTUS trial evaluated the investigational use of Dupixent compared to placebo in adults currently on maximal standard-of-care inhaled therapy (triple therapy) with uncontrolled COPD and evidence of type 2 inflammation (i.e., blood eosinophils ≥300 cells per μL). These results were from an interim analysis and, given the overwhelming positive efficacy of the primary endpoint, will be considered the primary analysis of the trial. Sanofi and Regeneron plan to submit the data from this replicate trial, along with positive results from the Phase 3 BOREAS trial, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the end of the year.
Naimish Patel, M.D.
Head of Global Development, Immunology and Inflammation at Sanofi
“This is the first and only time an investigational biologic in COPD has shown a significant and clinically meaningful reduction in exacerbations in two Phase 3 trials and we are pleased that we can potentially deliver Dupixent faster to patients in need where no new advancements have been identified in over a decade. These data validate our belief that Dupixent has the potential to transform the treatment of moderate-to-severe COPD and given the significant unmet needs for patients with uncontrolled COPD, we are not stopping with Dupixent. Our second program in COPD, itepekimab, continues with data expected in 2025. If positive, Dupixent and itepekimab could emerge as treatments for approximately 80% of those suffering from moderate-to-severe COPD with recurrent exacerbations.”
Earlier this year, the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for Dupixent as an add-on maintenance treatment in adult patients with uncontrolled COPD associated with a history of exacerbations and an eosinophilic phenotype based on the positive results from BOREAS.
George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D.
Board Co-Chair, President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron
“We are highly encouraged by these remarkable results from NOTUS showing a 34% reduction in COPD exacerbations compared to placebo, confirming the unprecedented results from our first Phase 3 trial, BOREAS. These results demonstrate the important role of type 2 inflammation in yet another chronic and debilitating disease, and the ability of Dupixent to address this inflammation. We are working to submit these data rapidly to the FDA.”
The NOTUS trial included 935 adults who were current or former smokers aged 40 to 85 years and randomized to receive Dupixent (n=470) or placebo (n=465), which was added to maximal standard-of-care inhaled therapy. Patients receiving Dupixent compared to placebo experienced:
- 34% reduction in moderate or severe acute COPD exacerbations over 52 weeks (p=0.0002), the primary endpoint.
- Improved lung function from baseline by 139 mL at 12 weeks compared to 57 mL for placebo (p=0.0001), with the benefit versus placebo sustained at week 52 (115 mL for Dupixent versus 54 mL for placebo, p=0.0182), both of which were key secondary endpoints.
The safety results were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in its approved indications. Overall rates of adverse events (AE) were 67% for Dupixent and 66% for placebo. AEs more commonly observed with Dupixent (≥5% and ≥1% imbalance) compared to placebo included COVID-19 (9.4% Dupixent, 8.2% placebo), nasopharyngitis (6.2% Dupixent, 5.2% placebo), and headache (7.5% Dupixent, 6.5% placebo). AEs more commonly observed with placebo compared to Dupixent included COPD (7.8% placebo, 4.9% Dupixent). AEs leading to deaths were 2.6% for Dupixent and 1.5% for placebo.
Detailed results from the NOTUS trial are planned for presentation at a future scientific forum.
The efficacy results in NOTUS were consistent with the previously announced results in BOREAS. BOREAS results showed:
- 30% reduction in moderate or severe acute COPD exacerbations over 52 weeks (p=0.0005), the primary endpoint.
- Improved lung function from baseline by 160 mL at 12 weeks compared to 77 mL for placebo (p<0.0001), with the benefit versus placebo sustained through week 52 (p=0.0003).
The safety results in NOTUS were also consistent with those previously announced in BOREAS. Overall rates of AEs in BOREAS were 77% for Dupixent and 76% for placebo. AEs more commonly observed with Dupixent compared to placebo included headache (8.1% Dupixent, 6.8% placebo), diarrhea (5.3% Dupixent, 3.6% placebo) and back pain (5.1% Dupixent, 3.4% placebo). AEs more commonly observed with placebo compared to Dupixent included upper respiratory tract infection (9.8% placebo, 7.9% Dupixent), hypertension (6.0% placebo, 3.6% Dupixent) and COVID-19 (5.7% placebo, 4.1% Dupixent). AEs leading to deaths were 1.5% for Dupixent and 1.7% for placebo.
The European Medicines Agency is reviewing Sanofi and Regeneron’s application for Dupixent for the treatment of uncontrolled COPD with type 2 inflammation; this application is based on results from the BOREAS trial. Discussions with other regulatory authorities around the world are ongoing.
The safety and efficacy of Dupixent in COPD are currently under clinical investigation and have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About COPD
COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide and a life-threatening respiratory disease that damages the lungs and causes progressive lung function decline. Symptoms include persistent cough, breathlessness and excessive mucus production that may not only impair the ability to perform routine daily activities, but can also lead to anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. COPD is also associated with a significant health and economic burden due to recurrent acute exacerbations that require systemic corticosteroid treatment and/or lead to hospitalization or even death. Smoking and exposure to noxious particles are key risk factors for COPD, but even individuals who quit smoking can still develop or continue having the disease. In the U.S. alone, approximately 300,000 people live with uncontrolled COPD with evidence of type 2 inflammation.
About the Dupixent COPD Phase 3 Trial Program
NOTUS and BOREAS are replicate, randomized, Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy and safety of Dupixent in adults who were current or former smokers with moderate-to-severe COPD aged 40 to 85 years in NOTUS and 40 to 80 years in BOREAS. Enrolling a total of 1,874 patients, all patients in NOTUS and BOREAS had evidence of type 2 inflammation, as measured by blood eosinophils ≥300 cells per µL. Patients with a diagnosis or history of asthma were excluded from the trials.
During the 52-week treatment period, patients in NOTUS and BOREAS received Dupixent or placebo every two weeks added to a maximal standard-of-care inhaled triple therapy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), long-acting beta agonists (LABA), and long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA). Double maintenance therapy, which included LABA and LAMA, was allowed if ICS was contraindicated.
The primary endpoint for NOTUS and BOREAS evaluated the annualized rate of acute moderate or severe COPD exacerbations. Moderate exacerbations were defined as those requiring systemic steroids and/or antibiotics. Severe exacerbations were defined as those: requiring hospitalization; requiring more than a day of observation in an emergency department or urgent care facility; or resulting in death. Key secondary endpoints included change from baseline in lung function (assessed by pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume [FEV1]) at 12 and 52 weeks.
Data from BOREAS were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
About Sanofi and Regeneron’s COPD Clinical Research Program
Sanofi and Regeneron are motivated to transform the treatment paradigm of COPD by examining the role different types of inflammation play in the disease progression through the investigation of two potentially first-in-class biologics, Dupixent and itepekimab.
Dupixent inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and the program focuses on a specific population of people with evidence of type 2 inflammation. Itepekimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits interleukin-33 (IL-33), an initiator and amplifier of broad inflammation in COPD. Across both programs, four Phase 3 trials are ongoing and designed to inform next-generation treatments for people with COPD who might not have other options.
Itepekimab is currently under clinical investigation and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About Dupixent
Dupixent is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown significant clinical benefit and a decrease in type 2 inflammation in Phase 3 trials, establishing that IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases. These diseases include approved indications for Dupixent, such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and prurigo nodularis.
Dupixent has received regulatory approvals in one or more countries around the world for use in certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, CRSwNP, EoE or prurigo nodularis in different age populations. Dupixent is currently approved for one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries, including in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. Approximately 750,000 patients are being treated with Dupixent globally.
Dupilumab Development Program
Dupilumab is being jointly developed by Sanofi and Regeneron under a global collaboration agreement. To date, dupilumab has been studied across more than 60 clinical trials involving more than 10,000 patients with various chronic diseases driven in part by type 2 inflammation.
In addition to the currently approved indications, Sanofi and Regeneron are studying dupilumab in a broad range of diseases driven by type 2 inflammation or other allergic processes in Phase 3 trials, including pediatric EoE, chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic pruritus of unknown origin, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with evidence of type 2 inflammation and bullous pemphigoid. These potential uses of dupilumab are currently under clinical investigation, and the safety and efficacy in these conditions have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops, and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for 35 years by physician-scientists, Regeneron’s unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to numerous FDA-approved treatments and product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in Regeneron’s laboratories. Regeneron’s medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases, and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through its proprietary VelociSuite® technologies, such as VelocImmune®, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center®, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For additional information about Regeneron, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow Regeneron on LinkedIn.
About Sanofi
We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.
Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY
Sanofi reports positive Phase 3 data on Dupixent for COPD
Nov. 27, 2023 6:29 AM ET
By: Preeti Singh, SA News Editor
Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) on Monday reported positive data from a second Phase 3 trial of Dupixent (dupilumab) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Dupixent was found to significantly reduce COPD exacerbations by 34% compared to placebo, meeting the primary endpoint of the trial with "overwhelming" efficacy. The patients in the trial had moderate-to-severe COPD with evidence of type 2 inflammation.
Sanofi (SNY) and partner Regeneron (NASDAQ:REGN) plan to submit the data from this replicate trial, along with results from the first positive Phase 3 trial, to the U.S. FDA by the end of 2023.
Naimish Patel, head of global development, immunology and inflammation at Sanofi, said: "This is the first and only time an investigational biologic in COPD has shown a significant and clinically meaningful reduction in exacerbations in two Phase 3 trials and we are pleased that we can potentially deliver Dupixent faster to patients in need where no new advancements have been identified in over a decade."
Dupixent received breakthrough designation from the FDA earlier this year. Sanofi said this latest positive trial will accelerate its FDA submission and bring it closer to being the first approved biologic for COPD.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/4040233-sanofi-reports-positive-phase-3-data-on-dupixent-for-copd
BRUKINSA® (zanubrutinib) plus anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody obinutuzumab
BeiGene Receives European Commission Approval for BRUKINSA® (zanubrutinib) for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma
Nov 17, 2023 6:00 AM
BRUKINSA is the first and only BTK inhibitor approved for follicular lymphoma in the European Union
Approval was based on results from the ROSEWOOD trial in which BRUKINSA plus the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody obinutuzumab achieved higher overall response rate compared to obinutuzumab alone
BASEL, Switzerland & BEIJING & CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BeiGene, Ltd. (Nasdaq: BGNE; HKEX: 06160; SSE: 688235), a global biotechnology company, today announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for BRUKINSA® (zanubrutinib) in combination with obinutuzumab for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) who have received at least two prior lines of systemic therapy. This marks the fourth indication in the European Union (EU) for BRUKINSA, which is now approved to treat more patient populations in the EU than any other Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor.
“With this approval, we are excited to announce that BRUKINSA will become available as a treatment option for patients with follicular lymphoma in the European Union. BRUKINSA is now the first BTK inhibitor approved in this indication and has the broadest label of any medicine in its class globally,” said Mehrdad Mobasher, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Medical Officer, Hematology at BeiGene. “This milestone marks a significant advancement in our efforts to combat the disease by providing a new and effective treatment option to patients who have either failed to respond to initial therapies or have experienced a relapse.”
The EC approval is based on positive results from ROSEWOOD (NCT03332017), a global, randomized, open-label Phase 2 study of BRUKINSA plus obinutuzumab compared with obinutuzumab alone in 217 patients with R/R FL who received at least two prior lines of systemic therapy. In the study, the overall response rate was 69.0% in the BRUKINSA plus obinutuzumab arm versus 45.8% in the obinutuzumab arm (P = 0.0012), with a median follow-up of approximately 20 months. Responses were durable with 18-month landmark duration of response (DOR) of 69.3% in the BRUKINSA combination arm.
Additionally, the median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients treated with BRUKINSA plus obinutuzumab was 28.0 months, compared to 10.4 months for patients treated with only obinutuzumab (HR: 0.50 [95% CI: 0.33, 0.75]; P = 0.0007).
BRUKINSA plus obinutuzumab was generally well-tolerated, with safety results consistent with previous studies of both medicines.
“People living with follicular lymphoma often experience relapse and have poor responses to subsequent lines of therapy, making it imperative to improve outcomes,” said Pier Luigi Zinzani, M.D., Ph.D., Full Professor of Haematology at the Institute of Haematology “Seràgnoli,” University of Bologna, Italy. “The results from the ROSEWOOD trial demonstrated a significant clinical benefit of BRUKINSA plus obinutuzumab for patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. BRUKINSA is a chemotherapy-free, oral treatment option that can be a practice-changing option for eligible patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma.”
In addition to R/R FL, BRUKINSA is approved in the EU as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, for adult patients with marginal zone lymphoma who have received at least one prior anti-CD20-based therapy, and for adult patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia who have received at least one prior therapy, or in first-line treatment for patients unsuitable for chemo-immunotherapy.
Gerwin Winter, Senior Vice President, Head of Europe at BeiGene noted, “We have made great progress in making BRUKINSA available to eligible patients with hematological malignancies globally, and this approval is a testament to our continued commitment to bring this much needed treatment option to patients in Europe and around the world. We hope that this approval will have a positive impact on the lives of many people living with follicular lymphoma in the European Union and their families.”
BeiGene currently has submissions for BRUKINSA in R/R FL under review by regulatory authorities including in the United States (U.S.) and China. Additionally, BeiGene’s submission for BRUKINSA in R/R FL is under review by regulatory authorities in Canada, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom as part of the Access Consortium New Active Substance Work-sharing Initiative (NASWSI).
BRUKINSA is approved in more than 65 markets, including the U.S., China, EU, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, South Korea, and Switzerland in selected indications and under development for additional indications globally. Product information may differ from country to country. Prescribers should consult the product information approved in their respective countries. The global BRUKINSA development program includes more than 5,000 subjects enrolled to date in 29 countries and regions.
The Summary of Product Characteristics for BRUKINSA can be found here: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/brukinsa-epar-product-information_en.pdf
About Follicular Lymphoma
FL is the second most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), accounting for 22 percent of all NHL cases.i Across Europe, over 122,000 people each year are diagnosed with NHL.ii FL is a slow-growing cancer but can become more aggressive over time. While FL remains incurable, people with the condition can live a long time. The five-year survival rate is about 90 percent, and approximately half of people diagnosed with FL can live with the disease for nearly 20 years.iii,iv
About BRUKINSA® (zanubrutinib)
BRUKINSA is a small molecule inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) discovered by BeiGene scientists that is currently being evaluated globally in a broad clinical program as a monotherapy and in combination with other therapies to treat various B-cell malignancies. Because new BTK is continuously synthesized, BRUKINSA was specifically designed to deliver complete and sustained inhibition of the BTK protein by optimizing bioavailability, half-life, and selectivity. With differentiated pharmacokinetics compared to other approved BTK inhibitors, BRUKINSA has been demonstrated to inhibit the proliferation of malignant B cells within a number of disease relevant tissues.
About BeiGene
BeiGene is a global biotechnology company that is discovering and developing innovative oncology treatments that are more affordable and accessible to cancer patients worldwide. With a broad portfolio, we are expediting development of our diverse pipeline of novel therapeutics through our internal capabilities and collaborations. We are committed to radically improving access to medicines for far more patients who need them. Our growing global team of more than 10,000 colleagues spans five continents, with administrative offices in Basel, Beijing, and Cambridge, U.S. To learn more about BeiGene, please visit www.beigene.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter).
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231117524458/en/
Source: BeiGene, Ltd.
BeiGene's Brukinsa gets Europe approval for follicular lymphoma
Nov. 17, 2023 7:35 AM ET
By: Preeti Singh, SA News Editor
BeiGene (NASDAQ:BGNE) has received a green light in the EU for Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) to treat relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma.
Brukinsa was approved for use in combination with obinutuzumab in adult patients who have received at least two prior lines of systemic therapy.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/4038164-beigenes-brukinsa-gets-europe-approval-for-follicular-lymphoma
Wegovy® (semaglutide 2.4 mg)
08:31 11 November 2023 Announcement.pdf
Novo Nordisk A/S: Semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy®) cardiovascular outcomes data presented at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions and simultaneously published in New England Journal of Medicine
- Semaglutide 2.4 mg delivered a statistically significant 20% risk reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) with risk reductions demonstrated consistently across age, gender, ethnicity and starting body mass index (BMI).
- Beneficial effects were seen consistently across measured cardiovascular endpoints with semaglutide 2.4 mg.
- Risk reductions in MACE were evident soon after initiation, suggesting an effect of semaglutide 2.4 mg beyond weight loss alone.
Bagsværd, Denmark, 11 November 2023 – Novo Nordisk today announced the primary results of SELECT, its landmark phase 3 cardiovascular outcomes trial investigating the effects of once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy®) in adults with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) and overweight or obesity without diabetes at the American Heart Association (AHA) annual Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia. The data were simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). 1
Previously reported top-line results showed semaglutide 2.4 mg delivered a statistically significant 20% risk reduction in MACE over a period of up to five years versus placebo (HR: 0.80; 95% confidence interval: 0.72; 0.90, p<0.001). Today’s findings showed that risk reductions in MACE were achieved regardless of age, gender, ethnicity and starting body mass index (BMI).1 The results also demonstrated that the beneficial effects in MACE risk reduction were evident soon after treatment initiation, suggesting an effect that is more rapid than what would be expected if the cardiovascular effects were entirely mediated with the effects of semaglutide 2.4 mg on body weight reduction.1 This suggests that weight loss alone may not fully explain the benefits of semaglutide 2.4 mg in reducing the risk of MACE.1
Every year almost 18 million people die from CVD which is the leading cause of disability and death worldwide.2,3,4 While cardiovascular mortality has decreased over the past two decades, obesity-related cardiovascular deaths have increased significantly.5 Obesity leads to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and is associated with risk factors such as high blood pressure and inflammation.3,6
“For the first time, we have evidence that semaglutide 2.4 mg improves cardiovascular outcomes in at-risk patients with BMI of 27 and above with established CVD, without diabetes,” said Dr Michael Lincoff, lead study author, vice chair for research in the Cleveland Clinic Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, and a paid consultant for Novo Nordisk. “The three-point MACE risk reduction observed in SELECT suggests the potential for a new option in obesity treatment, addressing some of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide.”
Analyses of the three components in MACE showed that the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction or heart attack was reduced by 28% compared to placebo (HR: 0.72; 95% confidence interval: 0.61; 0.85), the risk of cardiovascular death was reduced by 15% (HR: 0.85; 95% confidence interval: 0.71; 1.01, not statistically significant over the length of the trial) and the risk of non-fatal stroke was reduced by 7% compared to placebo (HR: 0.93; 95% confidence interval: 0.74;1.15, not statistically significant over the length of the trial).1 In addition, beneficial effects were seen consistently across measured cardiovascular endpoints.1 The confirmatory secondary endpoints showed that the risk of composite heart failure events, comprising cardiovascular death, urgent heart failure visits and hospitalisations, was reduced by 18% compared to placebo (HR: 0.82; 95% confidence interval: 0.71; 0.96) and the risk of death from any cause was reduced by 19% compared to placebo (HR: 0.81; 95% confidence interval: 0.71; 0.93).1 As the result on cardiovascular death was not statistically significant over the length of the trial, the remaining secondary confirmatory endpoints were not tested for superiority due to hierarchical testing.1
The supportive secondary endpoints also showed beneficial effects of semaglutide 2.4 mg on other cardiovascular risk factors, including lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.1 While the trial was not designed as a weight loss trial, participants in the trial who received semaglutide still lost an average of 9.4% of total body weight which was sustained throughout the trial.1
“This landmark study builds on more than 20 years of research in obesity, a serious chronic disease associated with severe co-morbidities and outcomes. The results from SELECT will be instrumental in changing the way we perceive and treat obesity,” said Martin Lange, executive vice president and head of Development at Novo Nordisk. “These results represent a pivotal moment for people with obesity and the global scientific community as we look ahead to a new era of managing obesity and potentially reducing cardiovascular risks with semaglutide 2.4 mg.”
In the trial, semaglutide 2.4 mg appeared to have a safe and well-tolerated profile in line with previous semaglutide 2.4 mg trials.1,7,8
Novo Nordisk has filed for a label update of Wegovy® in the US and EU to include an indication for risk reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with a BMI of ≥27 kg/m2 and established cardiovascular disease. A decision is expected in 2024. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted priority review for the addition of the SELECT data to the label for Wegovy® in the US.
About SELECT
SELECT (Semaglutide Effects on Heart Disease and Stroke in Patients with Overweight or Obesity) was a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of semaglutide 2.4 mg versus placebo as an adjunct to standard of care for reducing the risk of MACE in people with established CVD with overweight or obesity with no prior history of diabetes.1
People included in the trial were aged ≥45 years with a BMI ≥27 kg/m2. Baseline demographics by age group show that 24% were aged 45-54, 38% aged 55-64, 30% aged 65-74 and 8% aged 75 years plus. By race or ethnicity, 84% of trial participants were white, 10% Hispanic or Latino, 8% Asian, 4% black and 3% other. The split between male and female participants was 72% and 28% respectively.1
The trial enrolled 17,604 adults and has been conducted in 41 countries at more than 800 investigator sites. SELECT was initiated in 2018 and is the largest trial Novo Nordisk has ever conducted.1
About Wegovy® (semaglutide 2.4 mg)
Wegovy® (once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist indicated as an adjunct to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obesity), adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition, and paediatric patients aged 12 years and older with an initial BMI at the 95th percentile or greater for age and gender (obesity)8. Wegovy® is launched in the US, Denmark, Norway, Germany, UK, Iceland and Switzerland.
About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases, built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 61,400 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Novo Nordisk details heart benefits of weight loss drug from Phase 3 trial
Nov. 11, 2023 10:25 AM ET
Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO), NONOFLLY
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor4 Comments
Novo Nordisk (NVO) announced Saturday that its FDA-approved weight loss therapy Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, led to cardiovascular benefits irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, and obesity level in a Phase 3 trial.
In August, the Danish drugmaker said that the trial called SELECT achieved its primary goal as the GLP-1 receptor agonist at 2.4 mg led to a 20% risk reduction from major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) such as stroke with a statistically significant effect.
UBRELVY® (ubrogepant)
November 16, 2023
Results Published in The Lancet Show UBRELVY® (ubrogepant) Reduces the Headache Phase of a Migraine Attack When Dosed During the Prodrome of Migraine
- More patients treated with UBRELVY® 100 mg during the prodrome avoided the development of moderate or severe headache within 24 hours post-dose vs. placebo in those who could identify prodrome symptoms that were reliably followed by headache 1
- UBRELVY is the first and only acute treatment for migraine that has demonstrated data in the prodrome phase in a Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- AbbVie is the only company with three prescription treatments designed to meet patient needs across the full spectrum of migraine
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced detailed results published in The Lancet evaluating the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of UBRELVY® (ubrogepant) 100 mg for the acute treatment of migraine when administered during the prodrome of a migraine attack. The Phase 3 study, PRODROME, showed that UBRELVY given during the prodrome (i.e., 1-6 hours before the predicted onset of headache pain) significantly reduced the likelihood of development of moderate or severe headache and reduced functional disability compared to placebo within 24 hours post-dose.1
The prodrome is the earliest of four phases of a migraine attack and consists of various symptoms, including sensitivity to light and/or sound, fatigue, and neck pain, that can be an early sign that the headache phase will follow.2,3 In people with migraine who experience a prodrome, symptoms can occur hours to days before the onset of headache. Treatment during the prodrome provides an opportunity to avoid the development or attenuate the severity of the headache phase of a migraine attack.4,5
"Migraine impacts nearly 40 million Americans and is a highly debilitating disease that can cause people to miss work, and time with friends and family. For patients who are able to identify prodromal symptoms, the ability to treat a migraine attack before the headache phase creates an opportunity to stop migraine attacks before they become fully debilitating," said Dawn Carlson, vice president, neuroscience development, AbbVie. "These data published in The Lancet demonstrate the important role of UBRELVY in treating migraine attacks early and reducing the overall burden of a migraine attack."
During the trial, patients with migraine who could identify prodromal symptoms that led to headache at least 75% of the time (N=518), were randomly assigned to double-blind crossover treatment. Study results demonstrated the following:
- Absence of moderate or severe intensity headache within 24 hours was achieved following 46% of qualifying prodrome events when treated with UBRELVY vs. 29% of placebo-treated events (P<0.0001).1
- Absence of moderate or severe intensity headache within 48 hours was achieved following 41% of qualifying prodrome events when treated with UBRELVY vs. 25% of placebo-treated events (P<0.0001).1
- More patients had normal function within the 24 hours after treatment of qualifying prodrome events with UBRELVY than after treatment with placebo [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.66, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1∙40–1∙96; P<0.0001].1
- Absence of headache of any intensity within 24 hours was achieved following 24% of qualifying prodrome events when treated with UBRELVY vs. 14% of placebo-treated events (P<0.0001).1
The safety population included 480 patients, and the efficacy analysis population included 477 patients.1 The most commonly reported prodrome symptoms in the study were sensitivity to light, fatigue, neck pain, sensitivity to sound and dizziness/lightheadedness.1 UBRELVY was well-tolerated with no new safety signals observed when administered during the prodrome.1 The most common side effects are nausea (UBRELVY: 5% vs. placebo: 3%), fatigue (UBRELVY: 3% vs. placebo: 2%), dizziness (UBRELVY: 2% vs. placebo: 3%), and somnolence (UBRELVY: 2% vs. placebo: 1%).
"As a neurologist, I have many patients who can describe the premonitory, or prodrome, symptoms of their migraine attacks, and previously we have not had adequate data for treatment options during this earliest phase," said Peter J. Goadsby, M.D., Ph.D., FRS, neurologist and professor at King's College London. "These new data speak directly to a gap in migraine treatment and the option to use ubrogepant."
About the PRODROME study
PRODROME (NCT04492020) was a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial that enrolled adults who experienced 2-8 migraine attacks with moderate-to-severe headache per month. Eligible patients treated 2 "qualifying prodrome events" in a crossover fashion. A qualifying prodrome event was defined as a migraine attack with prodromal symptoms in which the patient was confident a headache would follow within 1-6 hours. The primary endpoint was absence of moderate/severe intensity headache within 24 hours post-dose. Secondary endpoints were absence of moderate/severe intensity headache within 48 hours, ability to function normally over 24 hours, and absence of a headache of any intensity within 24 hours post-dose. Patients used an e-diary to record the presence and severity of symptoms at the time of each qualifying prodrome event.
About UBRELVY® (ubrogepant)
UBRELVY® is an orally administered calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist (gepant) for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults that is an option for a wide range of patients who experience migraine attacks. UBRELVY® is the first pill of its kind designed to directly block CGRP, a protein released during a migraine attack, from binding to its receptors.
What is UBRELVY® (ubrogepant)?
UBRELVY is a prescription medicine used for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults. UBRELVY is not used for migraine prevention.
About Migraine
Migraine is a complex neurological disease with recurrent attacks that are often incapacitating and characterized by severe, throbbing headache pain as well as compounding associated symptoms like extreme sensitivity to light, sound or nausea.2 It is highly prevalent, affecting more than 1 billion people worldwide, including nearly 40 million people in the United States alone, and is the highest cause of disability worldwide for people under 50 years of age.6-9
About AbbVie in Migraine
AbbVie is the only company with three prescription treatments designed to meet patient needs across the full spectrum of migraine to help patients living with this debilitating disease. At AbbVie, we are committed to empowering people living with migraine disease. We advance science that enables healthcare providers to care for people impacted across the spectrum of migraine. Through education and partnerships with the migraine community, we strive to help those with migraine navigate barriers to care, access effective treatments and reduce the impact of migraine on their lives.
About AbbVie in Neuroscience
At AbbVie, our commitment to preserve the personhood of those living with neurological and psychiatric disorders is unwavering. Every challenge in this uncharted territory makes us more determined and drives us harder to discover and deliver solutions for patients, care partners and clinicians. AbbVie's Neuroscience portfolio consists of approved therapies in neurological and psychiatric disorders, including bipolar I disorder, cervical dystonia, major depressive disorder, migraine, Parkinson's disease, post-stroke spasticity, schizophrenia and others, along with a robust pipeline.
We have a strong investment in neuroscience research, with our Foundational Neuroscience Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and our Neuroscience Discovery site in Ludwigshafen, Germany, where our research and resilience in these challenging therapeutic areas is yielding a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of neurological and psychiatric disorders, and identifying targets for potential disease-modifying therapeutics aimed at making a difference in people's lives.
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
SOURCE AbbVie
AbbVie reports positive data for migraine drug candidate
Nov. 16, 2023 7:25 AM ET
By: Preeti Singh, SA News Editor1 Comment
- AbbVie's (NYSE:ABBV) Ubrelvy drug has shown potential to significantly reduce the headache phase of a migraine attack when dosed during the early phase.
- Results published in the The Lancet show that more patients treated with Ubrelvy 100 mg during the prodrome phase avoided the development of moderate or severe headache within 24 hours post-dose compared to placebo in those who could identify prodrome symptoms that were reliably followed by headache.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4037523-abbvie-reports-positive-data-for-migraine-drug-candidate
- AbbVie Inc. (ABBV)
- https://www.abbvie.com/
- https://www.ubrelvy.com/
XARELTO® (rivaroxaban) Plus Aspirin
New VOYAGER PAD Analyses Reinforce Benefit of XARELTO® (rivaroxaban) Plus Aspirin Across High-Risk and Complex Patient Populations with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Data presentations at AHA 2023 Meeting reinforce treatment with XARELTO® plus aspirin consistently reduces major cardiovascular events (MACE) as well as major adverse limb events (MALE) in complex patients with PAD
Janssen continues commitment to supporting PAD patients with ongoing research to help understand this undertreated and underdiagnosed disease1
NOVEMBER 14, 2023
TITUSVILLE, NJ, November 14, 2023 –
The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson today announced data from two new analyses from the Phase 3 VOYAGER PAD clinical trial reinforcing the benefit of XARELTO® (rivaroxaban [2.5 mg twice daily plus aspirin 100 mg once daily]) over standard of care (aspirin alone). Data from the two analyses demonstrate the role of XARELTO® in treating both high-risk and fragile patients and those with and without comorbid coronary artery diseases (CAD). Results were presented at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) 2023 Scientific Sessions, hosted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 11-13, 2023.
“These analyses reinforce the consistency of the favorable benefit-risk profile of XARELTO® plus aspirin for patients with vascular disease, regardless of comorbidity. For example, patients categorized as ‘fragile’ are often undertreated due to concerns about benefit-risk, particularly with antithrombotic treatments,” said Marc P. Bonaca*, M.D., Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado. “We hope the ongoing wealth of data coming from VOYAGER PAD presented at AHA offers clinicians the information they need to support shared decision-making in prescribing XARELTO® plus aspirin as the standard of care for their PAD patients, including those who are high-risk or complex.”
Impact of XARELTO® plus Aspirin on Total Vascular Events in Fragile Patients with PAD
Fragile patients with PAD can be at a heightened risk for MALE, defined as a composite of acute limb ischemia (ALI) and major amputation. In this analysis, fragile patients are defined as age greater than 75 years, or weight less than 50 kg or baseline eGFR less than 50 mL/min/1.732. XARELTO® plus aspirin (2.5 mg twice daily plus aspirin 100 mg once daily) was shown to be effective in reducing the occurrence of MALE in both fragile and non-fragile patients, compared to placebo (aspirin alone). In fragile patients treated with XARELTO® plus aspirin, 6.2% of patients experienced a MALE compared to 10.3% of patients treated with placebo. In non-fragile patients, 7.9% of patients treated with XARELTO® plus aspirin experienced a MALE compared to 9.7% of patients treated with placebo.
XARELTO® plus aspirin also reduced the occurrence of total vascular events in fragile patients over time, with an absolute rate of 82.1 events per 100 patients at three years compared to 99.3 events per 100 patients in those treated with placebo at three years. A similar benefit was also seen in non-fragile patients, with a rate of 70.4 events per 100 patients at three years in those treated with XARELTO® plus aspirin compared to 81.6 events per 100 patients in those treated with placebo at three years. Importantly, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) major bleeding was consistent in both the fragile and non-fragile treatment groups. XARELTO® plus aspirin demonstrated a consistent, numerical increase in TIMI major bleeding for both the fragile (HR 1.66; 95% CI 0.87-3.19) and the non-fragile (HR 1.37; 95% CI 0.83-2.24, p-interaction 0.65) patients.
Role of XARELTO® Plus Aspirin on Myocardial Infarction in Patients with PAD with and without Concomitant CAD Following Lower Extremity Revascularization (LER)
Following LER, patients with PAD are four times more likely to experience acute limb ischemia, or a rapid decrease in lower limb blood flow, which is often associated with long hospitalizations and high incidences of amputation, disability, and death unless appropriate treatment is given.2 Patients with PAD are also at a heightened risk of MACE, defined as myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke, or cardiovascular death. In this analysis, 14.1% of patients with PAD and CAD treated with XARELTO® plus aspirin experienced a MACE versus 17.6% of patients treated with placebo (aspirin alone). In patients with PAD only, 11% of patients treated with XARELTO® plus aspirin experienced a MACE versus 9.8% of patients treated with placebo. Overall, XARELTO® plus aspirin showed a consistent benefit in reducing MACE in patients with and without CAD.
In this analysis, patients with CAD (HR 2.23; CI 1.10-4.53) and patients without CAD (HR 1.15; CI 0.72-1.84) had higher rates of TIMI major bleeding with XARELTO® plus aspirin compared to placebo plus aspirin. The rates of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and fatal bleeding were similar across both patient groups. Overall, the safety of XARELTO® plus aspirin in patients with PAD was consistent regardless of CAD with no significant interactions.
“At Janssen, we work tirelessly to bring the latest research and clinical practice insights to healthcare providers and their patients to help improve cardiovascular care for all,” said Avery Ince, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President, Medical Affairs, Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC. “These new findings continue to support the use of XARELTO® with its positive benefit-risk profile in many types of patients, including those who are high-risk and considered harder to treat.”
In August 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an expanded PAD indication for XARELTO® (2.5 mg twice daily plus aspirin 75 - 100 mg once daily) to include patients following a recent LER due to symptomatic PAD. XARELTO® acts on a dual pathway inhibition (DPI) approach to target both clotting mechanisms, thrombin and platelet activation.
About VOYAGER PAD
The Phase 3 VOYAGER PAD study included 6,564 patients from 542 sites across 34 countries worldwide. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio and received either the XARELTO® (rivaroxaban [2.5 mg twice daily plus aspirin 100 mg once daily]) (n=3,286) or aspirin alone (100 mg once daily) (n=3,278). Patients were stratified by revascularization procedure type (endovascular vs. surgical) and use of clopidogrel, which was administered at the treating physician’s discretion. Patients were followed for a median of 28 months.
The VOYAGER PAD study met its primary efficacy and principal safety endpoints, demonstrating the XARELTO® plus aspirin was superior to aspirin alone in reducing the risk of major adverse limb and cardiovascular events (composite outcome of acute limb ischemia, major amputation for vascular causes, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or cardiovascular death) by 15 percent in patients with symptomatic PAD after lower-extremity revascularization. The benefit of adding XARELTO® to aspirin was apparent early, was consistent among major subgroups and continued to accrue over time. There was no significant increase in thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) major bleeding observed in patients treated with the XARELTO® plus aspirin compared to aspirin alone (Kaplan-Meier estimate at three years 2.65% vs. 1.87%, respectively).
About XARELTO® (rivaroxaban)
XARELTO® is a prescription medicine used to:
- reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in adults who have a medical condition called atrial fibrillation that is not caused by a heart valve problem. With atrial fibrillation, part of the heart does not beat the way it should. This can lead to the formation of blood clots, which can travel to the brain, causing a stroke, or to other parts of the body
- treat blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE)
- reduce the risk of blood clots from happening again in adults who continue to be at risk for DVT or PE after receiving treatment for blood clots for at least 6 months
- help prevent a blood clot in the legs and lungs of adults who have just had hip or knee replacement surgery
- help prevent blood clots in certain adults hospitalized for an acute illness and after discharge, who are at risk of getting blood clots because of the loss of or decreased ability to move around (mobility) and other risks for getting blood clots, and who do not have a high risk of bleeding
XARELTO® is used with low dose aspirin to:
- reduce the risk of serious heart problems, heart attack and stroke in adults with coronary artery disease (a condition where the blood supply to the heart is reduced or blocked)
- reduce the risk of a sudden decrease in blood flow to the legs, major amputation, serious heart problems or stroke in adults with peripheral artery disease (a condition where the blood flow to the legs is reduced) and includes adults who have recently had a procedure to improve blood flow to the legs
XARELTO® is used in children to:
- treat blood clots or reduce the risk of blood clots from happening again in children from birth to less than 18 years, after receiving at least 5 days of treatment with injectable or intravenous medicines used to treat blood clots
- help prevent blood clots in children 2 years and older with congenital heart disease after the Fontan procedure
XARELTO® was not studied and is not recommended in children less than 6 months of age who:
- were less than 37 weeks of growth (gestation) at birth
- had less than 10 days of oral feeding, or
- had a body weight of less than 5.7 pounds (2.6 kg)
- https://www.xarelto-us.com/
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., at 1-800-JANSSEN (1-800-526-7736).
Please read full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warnings, and Medication Guide for XARELTO®.
Trademarks are those of their respective owners. Janssen and Bayer together are developing rivaroxaban.
About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
At Janssen, we’re creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We’re the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Oncology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary Hypertension and Retina.
Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us at @JNJInnovMed and @JanssenUS Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC, is a Johnson & Johnson company.
JNJ Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/jnj/dividend-history
biotecMAX™ 2023 Insight
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus bevacizumab
Imfinzi plus bevacizumab met primary endpoint for progression-free survival in liver cancer eligible for embolisation in EMERALD-1 Phase III trial
PUBLISHED9 November 2023
First global Phase III trial to show improved clinical outcome for systemic therapy in combination with transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) in this setting
Positive high-level results from the EMERALD-1 Phase III trial showed AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) in combination with transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) and bevacizumab demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) versus TACE alone in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) eligible for embolisation. The trial continues to follow the secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS).
Liver cancer, of which HCC is the most common type, is the third-leading cause of cancer death with an estimated 900,000 people worldwide diagnosed each year.1,2 Approximately 20-30% of patients are eligible for embolisation, a procedure that blocks the blood supply to the tumour and can also deliver chemotherapy or radiation therapy directly to the liver.3-9 Despite being the standard of care in this setting, most patients who receive embolisation experience rapid disease progression or recurrence.10-14
Dr. Riccardo Lencioni, Professor and Director of the Cancer Imaging Program in the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology of Pisa University Hospital in Pisa, Italy, and principal investigator in the trial, said: “Patients with liver cancer eligible for embolisation experience high rates of progression or recurrence and do not have the opportunity for early intervention with effective systemic therapy. These results for durvalumab plus bevacizumab have the potential to reshape the treatment of this complex disease with a poor prognosis by showing for the first time that adding an immunotherapy combination to TACE significantly improves progression-free survival.”
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “These positive results for Imfinzi-based treatment in EMERALD-1 may bring the potential of immunotherapy to patients with earlier stages of liver cancer. We look forward to discussing these data with regulatory authorities and seeing the survival data mature over time, which will be important as we aim to bring this novel treatment option to patients.”
The safety profiles for Imfinzi and TACE plus bevacizumab were consistent with the known profile of each medicine, and there were no new safety findings.
The data will be presented at a forthcoming medical meeting and shared with regulatory authorities.
AstraZeneca has an extensive clinical development programme further assessing Imfinzi across multiple gastrointestinal (GI) cancer settings, including in combination with bevacizumab in adjuvant HCC (EMERALD-2) and in combination with Imjudo (tremelimumab), lenvatinib and TACE in embolisation-eligible HCC (EMERALD-3).
Notes
Liver cancer
Liver cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death and the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.1-2 Asia holds more than 70% of the world’s new liver cancer cases.15 About 75% of all primary liver cancers in adults are HCC.1 Between 80-90% of all patients with HCC also have cirrhosis.16 Chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis are associated with inflammation that over time can lead to the development of HCC.16 Immunotherapy is a proven treatment modality in HCC with approved options available for patients in later-line settings.17
EMERALD-1
EMERALD-1 is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi plus TACE concurrently, followed by Imfinzi with or without bevacizumab until progression versus TACE alone in a total of 616 patients with unresectable HCC eligible for embolisation.
The trial was conducted in 157 centres across 18 countries, including in North America, Australia, Europe, South America and Asia. The primary endpoint was PFS for Imfinzi and TACE plus bevacizumab versus TACE alone, and secondary endpoints include PFS for Imfinzi plus TACE, overall survival, patient-reported outcomes and objective response rate.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour's immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi is approved in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) in locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC) and in combination with Imjudo (tremelimumab) in unresectable HCC in the US, EU, Japan and many other countries based on the TOPAZ-1 and HIMALAYA Phase III trials, respectively.
In addition to its indications in GI cancers, Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy and the global standard of care in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiation therapy based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. Additionally, Imfinzi is approved in combination with a short course of Imjudo and chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC in the US, EU and Japan based on the POSEIDON Phase III trial. Imfinzi is approved in previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in a small number of countries.
Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 200,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several GI cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and other solid tumours. In 2023, AstraZeneca announced positive results for Phase III trials including combinations with Imfinzi in ovarian (DUO-O) and endometrial (DUO-E) cancers, as well as in resectable NSCLC (AEGEAN).
In addition to the EMERALD programme across multiple liver cancer settings, AstraZeneca has ongoing registrational trials investigating Imfinzi in resectable gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers (MATTERHORN) and in locally advanced oesophageal cancer (KUNLUN). In June 2023, Imfinzi added to standard-of-care neoadjuvant chemotherapy met a key secondary endpoint of pathologic complete response in the MATTERHORN Phase III trial.
AstraZeneca in GI cancers
AstraZeneca has a broad development programme for the treatment of GI cancers across several medicines and a variety of tumour types and stages of disease. In 2020, GI cancers collectively represented approximately 5.1 million new cancer cases leading to approximately 3.6 million deaths.18
Within this programme, the Company is committed to improving outcomes in gastric, liver, biliary tract, oesophageal, pancreatic and colorectal cancers.
In addition to its indications in BTC and HCC, Imfinzi is being assessed in combinations, including with Imjudo, in liver, oesophageal and gastric cancers in an extensive development programme spanning early to late-stage disease across settings.
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate, is approved in the US and several other countries for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer and is being assessed in colorectal cancer. Enhertu is jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
Lynparza (olaparib), a first-in-class PARP inhibitor, is approved the US and several other countries for the treatment of BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer. Lynparza is developed and commercialised in collaboration with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc. inside the US and Canada).
AstraZeneca also recently entered into a global exclusive license agreement with KYM Biosciences Inc. for AZD0901. AZD0901 is a potential first-in-class antibody drug conjugate targeting Claudin 18.2, a promising therapeutic target in gastric cancer, currently in Phase I development.
AstraZeneca in immuno-oncology (IO)
AstraZeneca is a pioneer in introducing the concept of immunotherapy into dedicated clinical areas of high unmet medical need. The Company has a comprehensive and diverse IO portfolio and pipeline anchored in immunotherapies designed to overcome evasion of the anti-tumour immune response and stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumours.
AstraZeneca aims to reimagine cancer care and help transform outcomes for patients with Imfinzi as a single treatment and in combination with Imjudo as well as other novel immunotherapies and modalities. The Company is also exploring next-generation immunotherapies like bispecific antibodies and therapeutics that harness different aspects of immunity to target cancer.
AstraZeneca is boldly pursuing an innovative clinical strategy to bring IO-based therapies that deliver long-term survival to new settings across a wide range of cancer types. With an extensive clinical programme, the Company also champions the use of IO treatment in earlier disease stages, where there is the greatest potential for cure.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca succeeds in Phase 3 trial for liver cancer drug combo
Nov. 09, 2023 6:54 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)RHHBY, RHHBF
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) announced Thursday that its anti-PD-L1 agent Imfinzi (durvalumab) as a combination therapy reached the main goal in a Phase 3 trial for patients with liver cancer who are eligible for a medical procedure known as embolization.
The company already markets Imfinzi for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, in combination with the human monoclonal antibody Imjudo (tremelimumab).
Citing data from its EMERALD-1 Phase 3 trial, the British drugmaker said that HCC patients who received Imfinzi as a combination regimen indicated an improvement in the trial's primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS).
EMERALD-1 enrolled 616 patients who received the experimental therapy with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and bevacizumab, a cancer drug marketed by Roche (OTCQX:RHHBY) as Avastin.
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)RHHBY, RHHBF
Zepbound™ (tirzepatide)
FDA Approves Lilly's Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) for Chronic Weight Management, a Powerful New Option for the Treatment of Obesity or Overweight with Weight-Related Medical Problems
November 8, 2023 Download PDF
Adults taking Zepbound in a clinical trial lost on average 48 lb. at the highest dose
Zepbound is the first and only approved treatment activating two incretin hormone receptors, GIP and GLP-1, to tackle an underlying cause of excess weight
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Eli Lilly and Company's (NYSE: LLY) Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) injection, the first and only obesity treatment of its kind that activates both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone receptors. Zepbound is indicated for adults with obesity (with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater), or those who are overweight (with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater) and also have weight-related medical problems such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea or cardiovascular disease, to lose weight and keep it off. It should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Zepbound should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines, and it has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis, or with severe gastrointestinal disease, including severe gastroparesis.
"Obesity is a chronic disease that can result in serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Despite our knowledge of obesity as a treatable, chronic disease, people living with obesity still face many challenges in their health and weight management journey," said Joe Nadglowski, president and chief executive officer of the Obesity Action Coalition. "New treatment options bring hope to the many people with obesity who struggle with this disease and are seeking better options for weight management."
The approval was based on results from the phase 3 SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT-2 trials. In SURMOUNT-1, a study in 2,539 adults with obesity, or excess weight and weight-related medical problems not including diabetes, people taking Zepbound as an adjunct to diet and exercise experienced substantial weight loss compared with placebo at 72 weeks. At the highest dose (15 mg), people taking Zepbound lost on average 48 lb., while at the lowest dose (5 mg), people lost on average 34 lb. (compared to 7 lb. on placebo).
Additionally, 1 in 3 patients taking Zepbound at the highest dose lost over 58 lb. (25% of body weight), compared to 1.5% on placebo, according to data not controlled for type 1 error. The average starting weight was 231 lb.
While not approved to treat these conditions, in a clinical trial, people who dieted, exercised and took Zepbound for the treatment of obesity or overweight with weight-related medical problems observed changes in cholesterol and reductions in blood pressure and waist size.
"Unfortunately, despite scientific evidence to the contrary, obesity is often seen as a lifestyle choice – something that people should manage themselves," said Dr. Leonard Glass, senior vice president global medical affairs, Lilly Diabetes and Obesity. "For decades, diet and exercise have been a go-to, but it's not uncommon for a person to have tried 20-30 times to lose weight with this approach. Research now shows that the body may respond to a calorie-deficit diet by increasing hunger and reducing feelings of fullness, making weight loss more difficult. Lilly is aiming to eliminate misperceptions about this disease and transform how it can be managed."
Zepbound use may be associated with gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe. The most commonly reported adverse events (observed in ≥ 5% of clinical trial participants) were nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, injection-site reactions, fatigue, hypersensitivity reactions, eructation, hair loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease.1 In studies, most nausea, diarrhea and vomiting occurred when people increased their dose – but the effects generally decreased over time. In studies, gastrointestinal side effects were more common in people taking Zepbound than people taking placebo, and people taking Zepbound were more likely than those on placebo to stop treatment because of these side effects. The label for Zepbound includes a Boxed Warning regarding thyroid C-cell tumors. Zepbound is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, and in patients with known serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or any of the excipients in Zepbound. See Important Safety Information below and full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
"Far too many hurdles continue to prevent people living with obesity from accessing obesity treatments that could lead to significant weight loss," said Mike Mason, executive vice president and president, Lilly Diabetes and Obesity. "Broader access to these medicines is critical, which is why Lilly is committed to working with healthcare, government and industry partners to ensure people who may benefit from Zepbound can access it."
Zepbound is expected to be available in the U.S. by the end of the year in six doses (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg) at a list price of $1,059.87, which is approximately 20% lower than semaglutide 2.4 mg injection for weight loss. List price does not reflect the typical out-of-pocket cost to patients given insurance coverage and discounts. Lilly is putting a commercial savings card program in place that will help people who may benefit from Zepbound better access it.
- People who are commercially insured with coverage for Zepbound may be eligible to pay as low as $25 for a 1-month or 3-month prescription.
- People who are commercially insured without coverage for Zepbound may be eligible to pay as low as $550 for a 1-month prescription of Zepbound, approximately 50% lower than the list price.
People may begin using the savings card program in the days following product availability at U.S. pharmacies. To learn more about these programs, or to sign up to receive the latest news, please visit www.Zepbound.lilly.com. Terms and conditions apply.
Tirzepatide is also under regulatory review for weight management in Europe, China, the United Kingdom and several additional markets.
Click here to view the Zepbound product image.
Click here to view the Zepbound logo.
About the SURMOUNT clinical trial program
The SURMOUNT phase 3 global clinical development program for tirzepatide in chronic weight management began in late 2019 and has enrolled more than 5,000 people with obesity or overweight across six registration studies, four of which are global studies. SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT-2 were submitted to the FDA and demonstrated tirzepatide significantly reduced body weight compared with placebo in people living with obesity or overweight, with or without type 2 diabetes.
About Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) injection1
Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) injection is FDA-approved as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), or overweight (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2) with at least one weight-related comorbid condition. Zepbound is the first and only FDA-approved obesity treatment that activates both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone receptors.
INDICATION AND SAFETY SUMMARY WITH WARNINGS
Zepbound™ (ZEHP-bownd) is an injectable prescription medicine that may help adults with obesity, or with excess weight (overweight) who also have weight-related medical problems, lose weight and keep it off. It should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- Zepbound contains tirzepatide and should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective when taken with other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal weight loss products. It is not known if Zepbound can be used in people who have had pancreatitis. It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children under 18 years of age.
Learn more
Zepbound is a prescription medicine. For more information, call 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979) or go to www.zepbound.lilly.com.
This summary provides basic information about Zepbound but does not include all information known about this medicine. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about Zepbound and how to take it. Your healthcare provider is the best person to help you decide if Zepbound is right for you.
ZP CON CBS 08NOV2023
Zepbound™ and its delivery device base are registered trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
About Lilly
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 51 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. P-LLY
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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly wins FDA approval for weight loss therapy
Nov. 08, 2023 12:23 PM ET
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY), NVO, NONOF
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday greenlighted Eli Lilly’s (NYSE:LLY) GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist Zepbound as a treatment for weight loss.
- Accordingly, the injection known as tirzepatide in generic terms will be indicated in the U.S. for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition such as diabetes, the regulator said in a statement.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4033132-eli-lilly-stock-gains-fda-nod-obesity-drug?mailingid=33300268&messageid=2900&serial=33300268.15874&utm_campaign=rta-stock-news&utm_content=link-1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=seeking_alpha&utm_term=33300268.15874
- Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)
- https://www.lilly.com/
- https://www.mounjaro.com/
- www.zepbound.lilly.com.
CAMZYOS® (mavacamten)
Bristol Myers Squibb to Present Data from Innovative Cardiovascular Portfolio at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2023
11/06/2023 CATEGORY:
New clinical analyses and real-world data continue to demonstrate the benefit of treatment with CAMZYOS ® (mavacamten) for patients with symptomatic obstructive HCM
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that research across the company’s cardiovascular franchise will be presented at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) annual Scientific Sessions, taking place November 11-13, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Clinical trial data to be featured include new analyses of the effectiveness of CAMZYOS® (mavacamten) in patients with and without gene variants from the Phase 3 EXPLORER-HCM study, as well as new real-world analyses of patients with symptomatic New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) receiving CAMZYOS in clinical practice.
The Bristol Myers Squibb-Pfizer Alliance will also provide new data describing disparity in oral anticoagulant utilization patterns among commercially insured patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) with high stroke risk by geographic region and race in the U.S.
“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to showcase new clinical and real-world analyses across our cardiovascular franchise, which support our commitment to develop medicines that address the global burden of cardiovascular disease,” said Roland Chen, Senior Vice President, Head of Development, Immunology, Cardiovascular & Neurology. “These data at the AHA Scientific Sessions continue to demonstrate the benefit that treatment with CAMZYOS provides for a broad spectrum of patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in clinical studies as well as in clinical practice.”
Key presentations include:
- An exploratory subgroup analysis of the Phase 3 EXPLORER-HCM study analyzing treatment effectiveness with CAMZYOS for patients with and without sarcomere gene variants.
- Findings from an analysis of an EXPLORER-HCM study assessing the relationship between patient-reported KCCQ and physician-assessed NYHA class to enhance understanding of KCCQ scores and aid shared decision-making process of patients and physicians in clinical practice.
- A retrospective cohort study of claims data from commercial specialty pharmacies demonstrating high real-world adherence to CAMZYOS in >600 patients with symptomatic obstructive HCM in the United States.
- An analysis of Medicare claims data from 2016 to 2020 investigating evidence of diagnosis-related disparities in patients over 65 with HCM specifically relating to race/ethnicity and county-level disparities.
- About CAMZYOS ® (mavacamten)
CAMZYOS® (mavacamten) is the first and only cardiac myosin inhibitor approved in the U.S., indicated for the treatment of adults with symptomatic New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) to improve functional capacity and symptoms, and in the European Union, indicated for the treatment of symptomatic (NYHA, class II-III) obstructive HCM in adult patients. It has also received regulatory approvals on five continents including in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Macau, Singapore, South Korea, and Switzerland. CAMZYOS is an allosteric and reversible inhibitor selective for cardiac myosin. CAMZYOS modulates the number of myosin heads that can enter “on actin” (power-generating) states, thus reducing the probability of force-producing (systolic) and residual (diastolic) cross-bridge formation. Excess myosin actin cross-bridge formation and dysregulation of the super-relaxed state are mechanistic hallmarks of HCM. CAMZYOS shifts the overall myosin population towards an energy-sparing, recruitable, super-relaxed state. In HCM patients, myosin inhibition with CAMZYOS reduces dynamic left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction and improves cardiac filling pressures. - https://www.camzyos.com/
- Further information is available at www.CAMZYOSREMS.com or by telephone at 1-833-628-7367.
Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING and Medication Guide.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb-Pfizer Collaboration
The Bristol Myers Squibb-Pfizer Alliance (the Alliance) is committed to driving education and awareness about atrial fibrillation and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE). With long-standing cardiovascular leadership, global scale and expertise in this field, the Alliance strives to implement global, research-driven approaches to illuminate and address the unmet needs around strokes related to non-valvular atrial fibrillation, which are often fatal or debilitating. Through collaborations with non-profit organizations, the Alliance aims to provide patients, healthcare professionals and decision makers with the information they need to understand and take appropriate action on risk factors associated with stroke and other cardiovascular conditions.
BMY Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/bmy/dividend-history
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin
FDA Approves Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin as Treatment for Patients With Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer
November 1, 2023 6:45 am ET
Approval based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-966 trial, which demonstrated significant overall survival benefit in these patients versus chemotherapy alone
Approval marks sixth gastrointestinal cancer indication for KEYTRUDA-based regimens in the US
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, for the treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC). The approval was based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-966 trial, in which KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the study’s primary endpoint of overall survival (OS), reducing the risk of death by 17% (HR=0.83 [95% CI, 0.72-0.95]; one-sided p=0.0034) compared to chemotherapy alone at the trial’s pre-specified final analysis for OS. Median OS was 12.7 months (95% CI, 11.5-13.6) for KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy versus 10.9 months (95% CI, 9.9-11.6) for chemotherapy alone. This approval marks the sixth indication for KEYTRUDA in gastrointestinal cancers.
Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue and can affect more than one body system simultaneously. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur at any time during or after treatment with KEYTRUDA, including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis, dermatologic reactions, solid organ transplant rejection, and complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions. Early identification and management of immune-mediated adverse reactions are essential to ensure safe use of KEYTRUDA. Based on the severity of the adverse reaction, KEYTRUDA should be withheld or permanently discontinued and corticosteroids administered if appropriate. KEYTRUDA can also cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions. Based on its mechanism of action, KEYTRUDA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. For more information, see “Selected Important Safety Information” below.
“Cancers of the biliary tract can be highly aggressive tumors, underscoring the need for additional treatment options for the growing number of patients facing this challenging disease,” said Dr. Robin Kate Kelley, professor of clinical medicine in the division of hematology/oncology, University of California, San Francisco. “Today's approval of pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy offers patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer a new immunotherapy regimen that has demonstrated the potential to help these patients live longer.”
“Many patients with biliary tract cancer are diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic disease, at which point they are not eligible for surgery and face poor survival outcomes with limited treatment options,” said Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of late-stage oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “With this approval, Merck is proud to offer a new treatment option to certain patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer, and their healthcare providers, that has shown an overall survival benefit compared to chemotherapy alone.”
Study design and additional data supporting the approval
KEYNOTE-966 is a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04003636) evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin for the treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic BTC who had not received prior systemic therapy in the advanced disease setting. The trial enrolled 1,069 patients.
Patients were randomized (1:1) to KEYTRUDA (200 mg) on Day 1 plus gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2) and cisplatin (25 mg/m2) on Day 1 and Day 8 every three weeks (n=533), or placebo on Day 1 plus gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2) and cisplatin (25 mg/m2) on Day 1 and Day 8 every three weeks (n=536). Study medications were administered via intravenous infusion. Treatment continued until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. For KEYTRUDA, treatment continued for a maximum of 35 cycles (or approximately 24 months). For gemcitabine, treatment could be continued beyond eight cycles, while for cisplatin, treatment could be administered for a maximum of eight cycles. Administration of KEYTRUDA with chemotherapy was permitted beyond RECIST-defined disease progression if the patient was clinically stable and considered by the investigator to be deriving clinical benefit. Assessment of tumor status was performed at baseline and then every six weeks through 54 weeks, followed by every 12 weeks thereafter.
The major efficacy outcome measure was OS. Additional efficacy outcome measures were progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) according to RECIST v1.1, modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of five target lesions per organ.
At the trial’s pre-specified final analysis for PFS and ORR, KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 14% (HR=0.86 [95% CI, 0.75-1.00]) compared to chemotherapy alone. Median PFS was 6.5 months (95% CI, 5.7-6.9) for KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy versus 5.6 months (95% CI, 5.1-6.6) for chemotherapy alone; however, this result did not reach statistical significance at this analysis. The ORR for KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy was 29% (95% CI, 25-33), with a complete response (CR) rate of 2.1% (n=11) and a partial response (PR) rate of 27% (n=142), and the ORR for chemotherapy alone was 29% (95% CI, 25-33), with a CR rate of 1.3% (n=7) and a PR rate of 27% (n=146). At the trial’s pre-specified final analysis for OS, median DOR was 8.3 months (95% CI, 6.9-10.2) for KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy (n=156) versus 6.8 months (95% CI, 5.7-7.1) for chemotherapy alone (n=152).
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was six months (range, 1 day to 28 months). KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 15% of patients. The most common adverse reaction resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA (≥1%) was pneumonitis (1.3%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 55% of patients; the most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) were decreased neutrophil count (18%), decreased platelet count (10%), anemia (6%), decreased white blood count (4%), pyrexia (3.8%), fatigue (3.0%), cholangitis (2.8%), increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (2.6%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (2.5%) and biliary obstruction (2.3%).
In the KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy arms, there was a difference of ≥5% incidence in adverse reactions between patients who received KEYTRUDA versus placebo for pyrexia (26% vs. 20%), rash (21% vs. 13%), pruritus (15% vs. 10%) and hypothyroidism (9% vs. 2.6%). There were no clinically meaningful differences in incidence of Grade 3-4 toxicity between arms.
There was a difference of ≥5% incidence in laboratory abnormalities between patients who received KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy for decreased lymphocytes (69% vs. 61%). There were no clinically meaningful differences in incidence of Grade 3-4 toxicity between arms.
About biliary tract cancer
Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a group of rare and highly aggressive cancers in the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. Biliary tract cancer is the second most common type of primary liver cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accounting for approximately 15% of all liver cancers. In the U.S., there are about 20,000 patients diagnosed with BTC each year. Biliary tract cancer is most frequently diagnosed in patients between 50 and 70 years old, and approximately 70% of BTC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Patients diagnosed with BTC face a very poor prognosis, with a five-year relative survival rate of 2-3% for those diagnosed with advanced disease and 9-11% for those diagnosed across all stages.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD- L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Biliary Tract Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic biliary tract carcinoma (BTC).
Pediatric Use
In KEYNOTE-051, 173 pediatric patients (65 pediatric patients aged 6 months to younger than 12 years and 108 pediatric patients aged 12 years to 17 years) were administered KEYTRUDA 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks. The median duration of exposure was 2.1 months (range: 1 day to 25 months).
Adverse reactions that occurred at a ≥10% higher rate in pediatric patients when compared to adults were pyrexia (33%), leukopenia (31%), vomiting (29%), neutropenia (28%), headache (25%), abdominal pain (23%), thrombocytopenia (22%), anemia (17%), decreased lymphocyte count (13%), and decreased white blood cell count (11%).
Additional Selected KEYTRUDA Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) NSCLC in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma:
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval of this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase (mut/Mb)] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
About the Merck Access Program for KEYTRUDA
At Merck, we are committed to supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines. Merck provides multiple programs to help appropriate patients who are prescribed KEYTRUDA have access to our anti-PD-1 therapy. The Merck Access Program provides reimbursement support for patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including information to help with out-of-pocket costs and co-pay assistance for eligible patients. More information is available by calling 855-257-3932 or visiting www.merckaccessprogram-keytruda.com.
About Merck’s Patient Support Program for KEYTRUDA
Merck is committed to helping provide patients and their caregivers support throughout their treatment with KEYTRUDA. The KEY+YOU Patient Support Program provides a range of resources and support. For further information and to sign up, eligible patients may call 85-KEYTRUDA (855-398-7832) or visit www.keytruda.com.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck therapy shows improved survival in certain kidney cancer patients
Nov. 01, 2023 6:51 AM ET
By: Preeti Singh, SA News Editor
Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced on Wednesday positive trial result for its KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) anti-PD-1 therapy.
KEYTRUDA is an immunotherapy that may treat certain cancers by working with the immune system. In a Phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 trial, the therapy met its secondary endpoint of improvement in overall survival (OS) compared to placebo in patients with renal cell carcinoma at a higher risk of recurrence following surgery.
renibotulinumtoxinE (BoNT/E)
October 24, 2023
Allergan Aesthetics Announces Positive Topline Results from Two Pivotal Phase 3 Studies of TrenibotulinumtoxinE (BoNT/E) for the Treatment of Glabellar Lines
–All primary and secondary endpoints were met for both Phase 3 studies (M21-500 and M21-508).
–Results support BoNT/E as a novel botulinum neurotoxin serotype E characterized by a rapid onset of action as early as 8 hours after administration (earliest assessment time) and short duration of effect within 2-3 weeks.
–If approved, BoNT/E will be the first neurotoxin of its kind available to patients.
IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company (NYSE: ABBV), today announced positive topline results from two pivotal Phase 3 clinical studies evaluating trenibotulinumtoxinE (BoNT/E) for the treatment of moderate to severe glabellar lines (M21-500 and M21-508). The Phase 3 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies evaluated the safety and efficacy of BoNT/E versus placebo in a total of 947 adult subjects with moderate to severe glabellar lines located between the eyebrows in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Subjects were either toxin-naïve or previously treated with neurotoxins and were evaluated over 12 weeks with up to two treatments of BoNT/E.
"BoNT/E is a first-in-class, short-acting neurotoxin in development, and these results demonstrate its potential to bring true innovation to the aesthetics industry," said Darin Messina, Ph.D., senior vice president, aesthetics R&D, AbbVie. "We are very pleased by these results, which provide strong evidence in support of BoNT/E's clinical profile and highlight significant progress within our next-generation toxin pipeline program."
The primary endpoints of both pivotal Phase 3 studies demonstrated statistical significance for improvement with BoNT/E versus placebo (p<0.0001) in glabellar line severity on the Facial Wrinkle Scale (FWS) from baseline at day 7 (based on both subject and investigator assessments). All tested secondary endpoints, including patient-reported outcomes on overall treatment satisfaction, demonstrated statistical significance, favoring improvement with BoNT/E versus placebo. The onset of efficacy (i.e., at least 2-grade FWS improvement from baseline) was demonstrated at 8 hours after drug administration (the earliest assessment time) and efficacy duration was observed for 2-3 weeks after drug administration.
Treatment-emergent adverse events for BoNT/E were similar to placebo, both as a single treatment and up to two consecutive treatments.
"New patients considering facial aesthetic treatments may prefer a shorter-acting toxin with quick onset for their first treatment," said Cheryl Burgess, MD, FAAD, lead clinical investigator for one of the Phase 3 studies. "Treatment with a product differentiated by a rapid onset of effect and short duration of action could offer these patients a different option compared to currently available neurotoxins, and I see the potential for BoNT/E to help grow the toxin experience for the new patient population in my practice."
Additional study results will be submitted for presentation at future medical meetings. A Phase 3 open-label safety study is ongoing, with results expected later this year.
About Allergan Aesthetics
At Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, we develop, manufacture, and market a portfolio of leading aesthetics brands and products. Our aesthetics portfolio includes facial injectables, body contouring, plastics, skin care, and more. Our goal is to consistently provide our customers with innovation, education, exceptional service, and a commitment to excellence, all with a personal touch. For more information, visit www.allerganaesthetics.com
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
SOURCE AbbVie
AbbVie Allergan reports positive Phase 3 data for new wrinkle treatment
Oct. 24, 2023 10:29 AM ET
By: Val Brickates Kennedy, SA News Editor
AbbVie’s (NYSE:ABBV) Allergan Aesthetics reported positive topline results from two Phase 3 studies for its wrinkle therapy trenibotulinumtoxinE, or BoNT/E, in the treatment of moderate-to-severe glabellar lines between the eyebrows.
TIVDAK® (tisotumab vedotin-tftv)
US Food and Drug Administration accepts for review AstraZeneca’s Supplemental Biologics License Application for self-administration of FluMist Quadrivalent
PUBLISHED24 October 2023
Potential to be the first and only self-administered flu vaccine
AstraZeneca’s Supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for the approval of a self- or caregiver-administered option for FluMist Quadrivalent, a needle-free nasal spray, has been accepted for review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If approved, FluMist will be the first flu vaccine available to be self-administered by eligible patients or administered by caregivers, adding an additional option to be vaccinated against influenza.
The sBLA is supported by a usability study which confirmed that individuals over 18 years of age could self-administer or administer FluMist to eligible patients 2-49 years of age when given instructions for use without any additional guidance. FluMist, which is sprayed into the nose, has extensive data demonstrating comparable effectiveness and acceptable safety relative to other flu vaccines.
The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date, the FDA’s date for a regulatory decision, is expected during the first quarter of 2024. If approved at that time, FluMist is anticipated to be available for self-administration in the US for the 2024/2025 flu season.
Ravi Jhaveri, MD, Division Head, Infectious Disease; Virginia H. Rogers Professor in Infectious Diseases, Professor of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, USA said: “A self-administered option for FluMist Quadrivalent would leverage the unique attributes of the product, providing a convenient new choice for individuals and families who want to protect their loved ones against flu. Vaccination rates for children and adults under 50 years of age declined in the 2022-2023 flu season, highlighting a need for more accessible solutions. The ability for individuals and parents to choose where to administer an injection-free flu vaccine could help increase access and, subsequently, vaccination rates, and greatly benefit those most impacted by this serious and contagious respiratory illness.”
Iskra Reic, Executive Vice President, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, AstraZeneca, said: “For more than 20 years, FluMist Quadrivalent has served as a critical public health tool as the only intranasal flu vaccine providing protection to communities around the world. FluMist now has the potential to be the first and only self-administered flu vaccine, which could revolutionise flu vaccination. Our ambition is for FluMist to be ordered directly to people’s homes, providing an innovative, more accessible option for individuals, families and communities.”
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus, which can cause serious complications to some groups, such as people 65 years and older, young children, and people with certain health conditions.
Notes
Influenza
On average, about 8% of the US population gets sick from flu each season, with a range of between 3% and 11%, depending on the season.1 Children 5 to 17 years of age represent 39% of acute respiratory infection medical visits, even though they only make up about 22% of the US population.2 The impact of influenza extends to work and school, as 47% of days of school missed are due to the illness and working caregivers miss 1-2 days of work to care for household members.3
FluMist Quadrivalent Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine
FluMist Quadrivalent is a quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), which is administered as a nasal spray for the prevention of influenza. FluMist Quadrivalent can be used in appropriate children and adults 2 through 49 years of age. FluMist Quadrivalent is an Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended flu vaccine option. FluMist Quadrivalent was originally approved in the US in 2003 and since then almost 200 million doses have been distributed around the world.
https://www.flumistquadrivalent.com/
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca.
FDA accepts AstraZeneca's sBLA for self-administration of flu vaccine
Oct. 24, 2023 7:52 AM ET
By: Preeti Singh, SA News Editor
- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday accepted for review AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) supplemental biologics license application for a self-administration option of its Flumist Quadrivalent influenza vaccine.
- The vaccine, which can be used in people 2 through 49 years old, is sprayed into the nose to help protect against the viral infection.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4023275-fda-accepts-astrazenecas-sbla-for-self-administration-of-flu-vaccine?mailingid=33122640&messageid=2900&serial=33122640.7272&utm_campaign=rta-stock-news&utm_content=link-1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=seeking_alpha&utm_term=33122640.7272
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
- https://www.flumistquadrivalent.com/
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Groundbreaking EV-302 Trial Significantly Extends Overall Survival and Progression-Free Survival in Patients Treated with PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in First-Line Advanced Bladder Cancer
10/22/2023
– Risk of death was reduced by 53% in patients treated with enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab compared to chemotherapy –
– Enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab improved median overall survival by more than 15 months vs. chemotherapy –
– Results will form the basis of global regulatory submissions –
BOTHELL, Wash. & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE:4503 “Astellas”) today announced results from the Phase 3 EV-302 clinical trial (also known as KEYNOTE-A39) for PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) versus chemotherapy. The combination improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) with statistically significant and clinically meaningful results in patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC). The findings were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023 as part of the Presidential Session (Abstract #LBA6).
The EV-302 study met its dual primary endpoints of OS and PFS, compared to platinum and gemcitabine chemotherapy. Patients treated with enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab experienced:
- Median OS of 31.5 months (95% CI: 25.4-NR) compared to 16.1 months (95% CI: 13.9-18.3) in the chemotherapy arm.
- Significantly prolonged OS, reducing the risk of death by 53% compared to treatment with chemotherapy (Hazard Ratio [HR]=0.47; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.38-0.58; P<0.00001).
- An Independent Data Monitoring Committee determined that OS crossed the pre-specified efficacy boundary at interim analysis.
- Median PFS of 12.5 months (95% CI: 10.4-16.6) compared to 6.3 months (95% CI: 6.2-6.5) in the chemotherapy arm.
- 55% reduction in the risk of cancer progression or death compared to treatment with chemotherapy (HR=0.45; 95% CI: (0.38-0.54); P<0.00001).
- Consistent OS results across all pre-defined subgroups, including cisplatin eligibility and PD-L1 expression level.
The most common (≥3%) Grade 3 or higher adverse events (AEs) related to treatment with enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab were rash maculo-papular, hyperglycemia, neutropenia, peripheral sensory neuropathy, diarrhea, and anemia. The safety results in EV-302 are consistent with those previously reported with this combination in EV-103 in cisplatin-ineligible patients with la/mUC. No new safety issues were identified.
Please see Important Safety Information at the end of this press release, including BOXED WARNING for PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv).
Roger Dansey, M.D., President, Research and Development, Seagen
“The combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab, if approved, represents a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer. The results of this historic trial presented today show improvements in overall survival and progression free survival not previously achieved in a broad population of patients.”
Ahsan Arozullah, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Vice President, Head of Oncology Development, Astellas
“The remarkable findings presented today demonstrate that the combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab could offer longer survival and more time without disease progression for patients with advanced urothelial cancer. The presentation of this data is an important milestone for this patient population, and we look forward to continued discussions with regulatory authorities as we work to expedite bringing this therapy to those who need it most.”
Thomas Powles, M.R.C.P., M.D., Professor of Genitourinary Oncology at Queen Mary University of London; Director, Barts Cancer Center, London; EV-302 Primary Investigator
“An advanced urothelial cancer diagnosis is difficult for patients and their families, and physicians have limited treatment options for these patients. The results of this Phase 3 trial are unlike any we have seen so far and open a new chapter in advanced urothelial cancer treatment. This presents a great opportunity for this medicine to make a meaningful impact on advanced urothelial cancer patients, who face an urgent need for new therapies.”
Among secondary endpoints, results demonstrated a 68% confirmed objective response rate (ORR) (95% CI: 63.1-72.1, P<0.00001) in patients treated with enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab, versus an ORR of 44% (95% CI: 39.7-49.2) in patients treated with chemotherapy. In the enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab arm, 29.1% of patients experienced a complete response, and 38.7% of patients experienced a partial response, compared with 12.5% and 32.0% in the chemotherapy arm, respectively. The median duration of response (DOR) was not reached in the enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab arm, versus 7 months (95% CI: 6.2-10.2, P<0.00001) in the chemotherapy arm.
The EV-302 trial is an open-label, randomized, controlled Phase 3 study, evaluating enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated la/mUC. The study enrolled 886 patients with previously untreated la/mUC who were eligible for cisplatin- or carboplatin-containing chemotherapy regardless of PD-L1 status. Patients were randomized to receive either enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab or chemotherapy. The dual primary endpoints of this trial are OS and PFS per RECIST v1.1 by blinded independent central review (BICR). Secondary endpoints include ORR per RECIST v1.1 by BICR, DOR per RECIST v1.1 by BICR, and safety.
The EV-302 trial is intended to serve as the basis for global submissions and as the confirmatory trial for the U.S. accelerated approval of this combination. In April 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an accelerated approval to PADCEV in combination with KEYTRUDA for the treatment of adult patients with la/mUC who are not eligible to receive cisplatin-containing chemotherapy based on tumor response rate and durability of response from the EV-103 trial. The EV-302 trial is part of an extensive program evaluating this combination in multiple stages of urothelial cancer and other solid tumors. Topline results of the EV-302 trial were announced in September 2023.
About Bladder and Urothelial Cancer
- Urothelial cancer, or bladder cancer, begins in the urothelial cells, which line the urethra, bladder, ureters, renal pelvis, and some other organs.1
- If bladder cancer has spread to surrounding organs or muscles, it is called locally advanced disease. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it is called metastatic disease. 2
- Globally, approximately 573,000 new cases of bladder cancer and 212,000 deaths are reported annually.3
- It is estimated that approximately 82,290 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2023.4
- It is estimated that approximately 200,000 people in Europe and 24,000 people in Japan are diagnosed with bladder cancer annually. 5,6
- Urothelial cancer accounts for 90% of all bladder cancers and can also be found in the renal pelvis, ureter, and urethra. 2
- Approximately 12% of cases are locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer at diagnosis.7
Ongoing Investigational Trials
The EV-302 trial (NCT04223856) is an open-label, randomized, controlled Phase 3 study, evaluating the impact of treatment with enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC) who were eligible for cisplatin- or carboplatin-containing chemotherapy regardless of PD-L1 status.
The EV-103 trial (NCT03288545) is an ongoing, multi-cohort, open-label, multicenter Phase 1b/2 study investigating enfortumab vedotin alone or in combination with pembrolizumab and/or chemotherapy in first- or second-line settings in patients with la/mUC and in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).
Enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab is being investigated in an extensive program in multiple stages of urothelial cancer, including two Phase 3 clinical trials in MIBC in EV-304 (NCT04700124, also known as KEYNOTE-B15) and EV-303 (NCT03924895, also known as KEYNOTE-905). The use of enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab in second-line urothelial cancer and in MIBC has not been proven safe or effective.
The EV-202 trial (NCT04225117) is an ongoing, multi-cohort, open-label, multicenter Phase 2 study investigating enfortumab vedotin alone in patients with previously treated advanced solid tumors. This study also has a cohort that is investigating enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with previously untreated recurrent/ metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
About PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is directed against Nectin-4, a protein located on the surface of cells and highly expressed in bladder cancer.8 Nonclinical data suggest the anticancer activity of PADCEV is due to its binding to Nectin-4-expressing cells, followed by the internalization and release of the anti-tumor agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) into the cell, which result in the cell not reproducing (cell cycle arrest) and in programmed cell death (apoptosis).9
Indication
PADCEV®, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who:
- have previously received a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor and platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- are ineligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy and have previously received one or more prior lines of therapy.1
PADCEV, in combination with pembrolizumab, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.1
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
For more information, please see the U.S. full Prescribing Information including BOXED WARNING for PADCEV here .
About Seagen
Founded 25 years ago, Seagen Inc. is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes targeted cancer therapeutics, with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) at our core. Our colleagues work together with urgency to improve and extend the lives of people living with cancer. An ADC technology trailblazer, approximately one-third of FDA-approved and marketed ADCs use Seagen technology. Seagen is headquartered in Bothell, Washington and has locations in California, Canada, Switzerland and across Europe. For additional information, visit seagen.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About Astellas
Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+® healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.
About the Seagen, Astellas and Merck Collaboration
Seagen and Astellas entered a clinical collaboration agreement with Merck to evaluate the combination of Seagen’s and Astellas’ PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with previously untreated metastatic urothelial cancer. KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
Source: Seagen Inc.
Seagen/ Astellas succeed in Phase 3 trial for bladder cancer therapy
Oct. 23, 2023 2:25 PM ET
Seagen Inc. (SGEN), PFE, ALPMY, MRKALPMF, BCYC
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor2 Comments
Following its M&A deal with Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), Seagen (NASDAQ:SGEN) marked another session of gains on Monday as Wall Street reacted to Phase 3 data for its Astellas (OTCPK:ALPMY)-partnered antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), Padcev, in bladder cancer.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/4022963-seagen-astellas-post-phase-3-win-bladder-cancer-therapy
Seagen Inc. (SGEN), PFE, ALPMY, MRK
TIVDAK® (tisotumab vedotin-tftv)
TIVDAK® (tisotumab vedotin-tftv) Significantly Prolonged Overall Survival in Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Cervical Cancer Compared with Chemotherapy in Global Phase 3 innovaTV 301 Trial
10/22/2023
TIVDAK demonstrated superior overall survival, progression-free survival and objective response rate compared to chemotherapy in late-breaking results presented at ESMO 2023 congress
Results from innovaTV 301 intended to serve as pivotal confirmatory trial for U.S. accelerated approval and to support global regulatory applications
BOTHELL, Wash., & COPENHAGEN, Denmark--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) and Genmab A/S (Nasdaq: GMAB) announced results today from the Phase 3 innovaTV 301 randomized global trial, which showed treatment with TIVDAK demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 30% reduction in the risk of death in recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer patients with disease progression on or after first-line therapy, compared with chemotherapy (HR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.54-0.89, p=0.00381). Data were presented during the Presidential Symposium at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023.
“Patients with cervical cancer have few treatment options once their cancer comes back or spreads after initial treatment,” said Ignace B. Vergote, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder of European Network of Gynaecological Oncological Trial groups (ENGOT), and lead investigator on the innovaTV 301/ENGOT cx-12/GOG 3057 clinical trial. “The positive data, seen in a representative patient population of recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, demonstrate the potential for TIVDAK to reshape clinical practice and provide hope for patients who need a new treatment option.”
TIVDAK demonstrated the following results compared with chemotherapy across primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints:
- Overall survival (OS) was statistically significantly prolonged with TIVDAK, demonstrating a 30% reduction in the risk of death compared with chemotherapy (Hazard ratio [HR]: 0.70 [95% CI: 0.54, 0.89], p=0.00381).
- Progression-free survival (PFS) results were statistically significant with TIVDAK, demonstrating a 33% reduction in the risk of disease worsening or death compared with chemotherapy (HR: 0.67 [95% CI, 0.54-0.82], p<0.0001).
- The confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was also statistically significantly improved with TIVDAK (17.8%) compared with chemotherapy (5.2%); odds ratio: 4.0 [95% CI, 2.1-7.6], p<0.0001). All the complete responses were seen in the TIVDAK arm, defined as patients with no detectable evidence of a tumor over a specified time period.
- The disease control rate (DCR), defined as the percentage of patients who achieved complete response, partial response, or stable disease, was 75.9% (95% CI, 70.1-80.0) in the TIVDAK arm compared with 58.2% (95% CI, 51.8-64.4) in the chemotherapy arm.
The safety profile of TIVDAK in innovaTV 301 was consistent with its known safety profile as presented in the U.S. prescribing information, and no new safety signals were observed.
The U.S. Prescribing Information for TIVDAK includes a BOXED WARNING for Ocular Toxicity as well as the following Warnings and Precautions: peripheral neuropathy, hemorrhage, pneumonitis, severe cutaneous adverse reactions, and embryo-fetal toxicity.
Please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
In innovaTV 301, treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurring in patients with TIVDAK were generally low grade and manageable with supportive care and dose modifications. The proportion of patients who experienced TRAEs of grade 3 or higher with chemotherapy was 45.2% compared with TIVDAK (29.2%), and grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events of special interest with TIVDAK were peripheral neuropathy (5.2%), ocular events (3.2%), and bleeding events (0.8%).
The results of innovaTV 301, a global, randomized, open-label Phase 3 trial, add to the previous results of innovaTV 204, which served as the basis for the accelerated approval of TIVDAK in the U.S. Subject to discussions with regulatory authorities, the results from innovaTV 301 are intended to serve as the confirmatory trial for the U.S. accelerated approval and support potential global regulatory applications.
“Recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer is a devastating disease,” said Roger Dansey, M.D., President of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer at Seagen. “In this study, TIVDAK was proven to extend the lives of patients with advanced cervical cancer, demonstrating its value as the first-ever antibody drug conjugate approved in the U.S. for this hard-to-treat patient population.”
“We are excited to share the results of the innovaTV 301 trial, which demonstrated benefit in prolonging survival in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer compared with chemotherapy,” said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Genmab. “Together with our partners at Seagen, we look forward to discussing the results of this pivotal confirmatory trial with regulatory authorities with a view to potentially delivering TIVDAK to more patients in need of alternative treatment options in the future.”
About Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer remains a disease with high unmet need despite advances in effective vaccination and screening practices to prevent and diagnose pre-/early-stage cancers for curative treatment. Recurrent and/or metastatic cervical cancer is a particularly devastating and mostly incurable disease; up to approximately 16% of adults with cervical cancer are diagnosed with metastatic disease at diagnosis2,3 and, for adults diagnosed at earlier stages who receive treatment, up to 61% will experience disease recurrence and progress to metastatic cervical cancer.4 It is estimated that in 2023, more than 13,960 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. and 4,310 adults will die from the disease.5
About the innovaTV 301 Trial
The innovaTV 301 trial (NCT04697628) is a global, randomized, open-label Phase 3 trial evaluating TIVDAK® (tisotumab vedotin-tftv) versus investigator’s choice of single agent chemotherapy (topotecan, vinorelbine, gemcitabine, irinotecan, or pemetrexed) in 502 patients (n=253 TIVDAK; n=249 chemotherapy) with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer who received no more than two prior systemic regimens, with a median survival follow-up of 10.8 months (95% CI, 10.3-11.6). The treatment arms were balanced for demographics and disease characteristics, and reflective of the real-world patient population in advanced cervical cancer.
Patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with squamous cell, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous histology, and disease progression during or after treatment with a standard of care systemic chemotherapy doublet or platinum-based therapy (if eligible) are included. The main efficacy outcome measure is overall survival. The key secondary endpoints are progression-free survival and objective response rate, as assessed by the investigator, as well as safety and quality of life outcomes.
The study was conducted by Seagen in collaboration with Genmab, European Network of Gynaecological Oncological Trial Groups (ENGOT, study number ENGOT cx-12) and the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) Foundation (study number GOG 3057). For more information about the Phase 3 innovaTV 301 clinical trial and other clinical trials with tisotumab vedotin, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About TIVDAK® (tisotumab vedotin-tftv)
TIVDAK® (tisotumab vedotin-tftv) is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of Genmab’s human monoclonal antibody directed to tissue factor (TF) and Seagen’s ADC technology that utilizes a protease-cleavable linker that covalently attaches the microtubule-disrupting agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) to the antibody. Determination of TF expression is not required. Nonclinical data suggest that the anticancer activity of TIVDAK is due to the binding of the ADC to TF-expressing cancer cells, followed by internalization of the ADC-TF complex, and release of MMAE via proteolytic cleavage. MMAE disrupts the microtubule network of actively dividing cells, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death. In vitro, TIVDAK also mediates antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.
In September 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for TIVDAK in adult patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy. TIVDAK is the first and only approved ADC for the treatment of these patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy.
Indication
TIVDAK is indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
Please see full prescribing information, including BOXED WARNING for TIVDAK here .
About Seagen
Founded 25 years ago, Seagen Inc. is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes targeted cancer therapeutics, with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) at our core. Our colleagues work together with urgency to improve and extend the lives of people living with cancer. An ADC technology trailblazer, approximately one-third of FDA-approved and marketed ADCs use Seagen technology. Seagen is headquartered in Bothell, Washington and has locations in California, Canada, Switzerland and across Europe. For additional information, visit www.seagen.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About Genmab
Genmab is an international biotechnology company with a core purpose guiding its unstoppable team to strive towards improving the lives of patients through innovative and differentiated antibody therapeutics. For more than 20 years, its passionate, innovative and collaborative team has invented next-generation antibody technology platforms and leveraged translational research and data sciences, which has resulted in a proprietary pipeline including bispecific T-cell engagers, next-generation immune checkpoint modulators, effector function enhanced antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates. To help develop and deliver novel antibody therapies to patients, Genmab has formed 20+ strategic partnerships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. By 2030, Genmab’s vision is to transform the lives of people with cancer and other serious diseases with Knock-Your-Socks-Off (KYSO™) antibody medicines.
Established in 1999, Genmab is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark with locations in Utrecht, the Netherlands, Princeton, New Jersey, U.S. and Tokyo, Japan. For more information, please visit Genmab.com and follow us on Twitter.com/Genmab.
About the Seagen and Genmab Collaboration
Tisotumab vedotin is being co-developed by Genmab and Seagen, under an agreement in which the companies share costs and profits for the product on a 50:50 basis.
Source: Seagen Inc.
Oct 22, 2023 at 4:30 PM CEST
Seagen, Genmab update Phase 3 data for uterine cancer therapy
Oct. 23, 2023 2:58 PM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
- Seagen (NASDAQ:SGEN) and Danish biotech Genmab A/S (GMAB) announced updated results from a Phase 3 trial for their antibody-drug conjugate Tivdak in patients with cervical cancer on Sunday.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4022996-seagen-genmab-update-phase-3-data-uterine-cancer-drug
- Genmab A/S (GMAB), SGEN, ZLAB
- https://www.seagen.com/
- https://www.genmab.com/
- https://www.tivdak.com/
VOXZOGO® (vosoritide)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves BioMarin's VOXZOGO® (vosoritide) for Children Under 5 Years with Achondroplasia
Oct 20, 2023
Expanded Indication in the U.S. Now Includes Children of all ages with Achondroplasia
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN), a global biotechnology company dedicated to transforming lives through genetic discovery, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for VOXZOGO® (vosoritide) to increase linear growth in pediatric patients with achondroplasia with open epiphyses (growth plates). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on an improvement in annualized growth velocity. Previously, VOXZOGO was indicated for children who were 5 years of age and older. This expanded indication now includes children of all ages with open growth plates.
"We are pleased that VOXZOGO is now available for children of all ages with achondroplasia," said Hank Fuchs, M.D., president of Worldwide Research and Development at BioMarin. "We are grateful for the collaboration of the achondroplasia community, physicians, and the children and their families who have played a crucial role in advancing this clinical program. We also look forward to further understanding the potential role of VOXZOGO in other genetic short stature conditions, including hypochondroplasia."
"VOXZOGO is the only approved treatment for children with achondroplasia. Until now, it has only been approved in the U.S. for children aged 5 and older with open growth plates," said William Wilcox, M.D., professor of human genetics at Emory University. "I am delighted that VOXZOGO is now approved for younger children where we hope to have potentially greater impact by starting treatment earlier and, as a result, a much longer treatment window."
BioMarin conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of VOXZOGO in children aged 5 and under (Study 111-206). Based on the results of this trial, together with evidence from the adequate and well controlled Phase 3 study in pediatric patients aged 5 years and older (Study 111-301), safety and effectiveness of VOXZOGO have been established in pediatric patients of all ages for the improvement in linear growth in children with achondroplasia with open epiphyses. The overall safety profile of VOXZOGO in children under 5 years of age was similar to that seen in older children.
Data from an open-label, long-term Phase 2 extension study was recently presented at the 2023 European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Meeting in September. Over a four-year period, children aged 2 years and above who received VOXZOGO exhibited a mean (average) height Z-score improvement of 1.1 to 1.4 standard deviations (95% CI limits from 0.46 to 1.93) and a mean height gain of 6.3 to 7.8 centimeters (cm) (95% CI limits from 2.98 to 10.40 cm) when compared to untreated children with achondroplasia of the same age and sex. In addition, children under the age of 2 years, treated with VOXZOGO for three years, had a mean height Z-score improvement of 0.8 to 1.0 standard deviations (95% CI limits from 0.37 to 1.59) and a height gain between 3.5 and 3.9 cm (95% CI limits from 1.57 to 6.16 cm).
Since the introduction of VOXZOGO in 2021, the company has seen strong patient demand for the medicine worldwide. BioMarin has recently been able to secure increased fill-finish commitments in 2024 and beyond to meet this additional demand. There are approximately 800 children under 5 with achondroplasia in the U.S.
VOXZOGO is currently approved in Europe in children with achondroplasia who are 2 years of age and older with open growth plates. In September, the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending marketing authorization to expand the indication for VOXZOGO for injection to treat children with achondroplasia aged 4 months and older whose epiphyses are not closed. A final approval decision, typically consistent with the CHMP recommendation, is expected from the European Commission later this year.
VOXZOGO is also approved in Japan in children from birth who have achondroplasia with open growth plates. In addition, it is approved in Brazil in children who are 6 months and older with open growth plates as well as in Australia in children with achondroplasia who are 2 years of age and older with open growth plates.
Orphan Drug Designation in Hypochondroplasia
VOXZOGO also recently received orphan drug designation from the FDA for the treatment of hypochondroplasia, a genetic condition caused by a mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene and characterized by impaired bone growth. While similar to achondroplasia, people with hypochondroplasia typically present with milder disproportionality and less severe short stature compared to achondroplasia.
BioMarin plans to initiate a pivotal development program in hypochondroplasia later this year.
About VOXZOGO (vosoritide) for Injection
In children with achondroplasia, endochondral bone growth, an essential process by which bone tissue is created, is negatively regulated due to a gain of function mutation in FGFR3. VOXZOGO, a C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) analog, acts as a positive regulator of the signaling pathway downstream of FGFR3 to promote endochondral bone growth.
VOXZOGO is approved in the U.S. and indicated to increase linear growth in children with achondroplasia with open epiphyses. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on an improvement in annualized growth velocity. Continued approval may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s). To fulfill this post-marketing requirement, BioMarin intends to use the ongoing open-label extension studies compared to available natural history.
Patient Support Accessing VOXZOGO
To reach a BioMarin RareConnections® Case Manager, please call, toll-free, 1-833-VOXZOGO (1-833-869-9646) or e-mail VOXZOGOSupport@biomarin-rareconnections.com. For more information about VOXZOGO, please visit www.voxzogo.com. For additional information regarding this product, please contact BioMarin Medical Information at medinfo@bmrn.com.
About Achondroplasia
Achondroplasia, the most common form of skeletal dysplasia leading to disproportionate short stature in humans, is characterized by slowing of endochondral ossification, which results in disproportionate short stature and disordered architecture in the long bones, spine, face, and base of the skull. This condition is caused by a change in the FGFR3 gene, a negative regulator of bone growth.
More than 80% of children with achondroplasia have parents of average stature and have the condition as the result of a spontaneous gene mutation. The worldwide incidence rate of achondroplasia is about one in 25,000 live births. VOXZOGO is being tested in children whose growth plates are still "open," typically those under 18 years of age. Approximately 25% of people with achondroplasia fall into this category.
VOXZOGO U.S. Important Safety Information
What is VOXZOGO used for?
- VOXZOGO is a prescription medicine used to increase linear growth in children with achondroplasia and open growth plates (epiphyses).
- VOXZOGO is approved under accelerated approval based on an improvement in annualized growth velocity. Continued approval may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
What is the most important safety information about VOXZOGO?
- VOXZOGO may cause serious side effects including a temporary decrease in blood pressure in some patients. To reduce the risk of a decrease in blood pressure and associated symptoms (dizziness, feeling tired, or nausea), patients should eat a meal and drink 8 to 10 ounces of fluid within 1 hour before receiving VOXZOGO.
What are the most common side effects of VOXZOGO?
- The most common side effects of VOXZOGO include injection site reactions (including redness, itching, swelling, bruising, rash, hives, and injection site pain), high levels of blood alkaline phosphatase shown in blood tests, vomiting, joint pain, decreased blood pressure, and stomachache. These are not all the possible side effects of VOXZOGO. Ask your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects, and about any side effects that bother the patient or that do not go away.
How is VOXZOGO taken?
- VOXZOGO is taken daily as an injection given under the skin, administered by a caregiver after a healthcare provider determines the caregiver is able to administer VOXZOGO. Do not try to inject VOXZOGO until you have been shown the right way by your healthcare provider. VOXZOGO is supplied with Instructions for Use that describe the steps for preparing, injecting, and disposing VOXZOGO. Caregivers should review the Instructions for Use for guidance and any time they receive a refill of VOXZOGO in case any changes have been made.
- Inject VOXZOGO 1 time every day, at about the same time each day. If a dose of VOXZOGO is missed, it can be given within 12 hours from the missed dose. After 12 hours, skip the missed dose and administer the next daily dose as usual.
- The dose of VOXZOGO is based on body weight. Your healthcare provider will adjust the dose based on changes in weight following regular check-ups.
- Your healthcare provider will monitor the patient's growth and tell you when to stop taking VOXZOGO if they determine the patient is no longer able to grow. Stop administering VOXZOGO if instructed by your healthcare provider.
What should you tell the doctor before or during taking VOXZOGO?
- Tell your doctor about all of the patient's medical conditions including
- If the patient has heart disease (cardiac or vascular disease), or if the patient is on blood pressure medicine (anti-hypertensive medicine).
- If the patient has kidney problems or renal impairment.
- If the patient is pregnant or plans to become pregnant. It is not known if VOXZOGO will harm the unborn baby.
- If the patient is breastfeeding or plans to breastfeed. It is not known if VOXZOGO passes into breast milk.
- Tell your doctor about all of the medicines the patient takes, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
You may report side effects to BioMarin at 1-866-906-6100. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see additional safety information in the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.
About BioMarin
Founded in 1997, BioMarin is a global biotechnology company dedicated to transforming lives through genetic discovery. The company develops and commercializes targeted therapies that address the root cause of genetic conditions. BioMarin's unparalleled research and development capabilities have resulted in eight transformational commercial therapies for patients with rare genetic disorders. The company's distinctive approach to drug discovery has produced a diverse pipeline of commercial, clinical, and pre-clinical candidates that address a significant unmet medical need, have well-understood biology, and provide an opportunity to be first-to-market or offer a substantial benefit over existing treatment options. For additional information, please visit www.biomarin.com.
BioMarin® and VOXZOGO® are registered trademarks of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.
SOURCE BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.
FDA approves use of BioMarin drug Voxzogo in children under 5
Oct. 20, 2023 5:21 PM ET
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN)
By: Val Brickates Kennedy, SA News Editor
BioMarin (NASDAQ:BMRN) said it has received FDA approval of its supplemental New Drug Application for its drug Voxzogo to increase linear growth in children with achondroplasia with open growth plates.
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN)
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Detailed Results from Phase 3 CABINET Pivotal Trial Evaluating Cabozantinib in Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors Presented at ESMO 2023
October 22, 2023 PDF Version
– Cabozantinib compared with placebo reduced the risk of disease progression or death in patients with pancreatic NET and in patients with extra-pancreatic NET –
– Exelixis will discuss the results with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration –
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2023-- Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL) today announced detailed results from CABINET, a phase 3 pivotal trial evaluating cabozantinib (CABOMETYX®) compared with placebo in two cohorts of patients with previously treated neuroendocrine tumors: one cohort of patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) and a second cohort of patients with advanced extra-pancreatic NET (epNET). The study met the primary objective for each cohort, demonstrating that cabozantinib provided dramatic improvements in median progression-free survival (PFS) for the patients in the pNET and epNET cohorts. The data are being presented today at 8:40 a.m. CET during the Proffered Paper Session – NETs and Endocrine Tumours at the 2023 European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress (LBA53) by the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. CABINET is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of National Institutes of Health, and is led by the NCI-funded Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology and conducted by the NCI-funded National Clinical Trials Network Group.
“Although progress has been made in recent years, there remains a critical need for new and effective therapies for patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors. Given that there is no standard treatment for patients with progressive disease, these results showing notable improvements in progression-free survival are highly encouraging for patients and their physicians,” said Jennifer Chan, M.D., M.P.H., study chair for the CABINET trial and Clinical Director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center and Director of the Program in Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine Tumors at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “I am pleased to present these important findings at ESMO today, as they underscore the potential of cabozantinib as a much-needed new treatment option for this disease, which is rising in incidence.”
As announced in August, CABINET was stopped and unblinded early due to the dramatic improvement in efficacy observed at an interim analysis, per a unanimous recommendation of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). The DSMB based their vote on data from interim analyses of PFS using local radiology assessments. Ancillary analyses were conducted using local and central assessments of patients enrolled through June 2023.
Results from the CABINET study presented today at ESMO demonstrate that treatment with cabozantinib resulted in compelling improvements in PFS based both on local review and on independent blinded central radiology review. In the pNET cohort, at a median follow-up of 16.7 months, median PFS based on local radiology review was 11.4 months for patients receiving cabozantinib compared with 3.0 months for patients receiving placebo (stratified hazard ratio [HR]: 0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14-0.49; p<0.0001). The HR for PFS based on blinded independent central radiology review was 0.25 (95% CI: 0.12-0.54; p<0.0001). In the epNET cohort, at a median follow-up of 13.9 months, median PFS based on local radiology review was 8.3 months in patients receiving cabozantinib compared with 3.2 months for patients receiving placebo (stratified HR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.30-0.66; p<0.0001). The HR for PFS based on blinded independent central radiology review was 0.50 (95% CI: 0.32-0.79; p<0.0001).
The safety profile of cabozantinib observed in each cohort was consistent with its known safety profile; no new safety signals were identified.
For patients with advanced NET, treatment options include somatostatin analogs, targeted therapy, Lu-177 dotatate, which is a form of peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy, or chemotherapy. Over half of patients in each cohort received prior everolimus or prior Lu-177 dotatate.
“We are pleased to share these details of cabozantinib in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors who have limited treatment options,” said Amy Peterson, M.D., Executive Vice President, Product Development & Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer, Exelixis. “We look forward to discussing these findings with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration so that we may potentially bring an active therapy to patients with these aggressive, difficult-to-treat cancers.”
About CABINET (A021602)
CABINET (Randomized, Double-Blinded Phase III Study of CABozantinib versus Placebo In Patients with Advanced NEuroendocrine Tumors After Progression on Prior Therapy) is sponsored by the NCI, part of the National Institutes of Health, and is being led and conducted by the NCI-funded Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology with participation from the NCI-funded National Clinical Trials Network as part of Exelixis’ collaboration through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the NCI’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program.
CABINET is a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 3 pivotal trial that enrolled a total of 290 patients in the U.S. Patients were randomized 2:1 to cabozantinib or placebo in two separate cohorts (pNET, n=93; epNET, n=197). The epNET cohort included patients with the following primary tumor sites: gastrointestinal (GI) tract, lung, unknown and other. Each cohort was randomized separately and had its own statistical analysis plan. Patients must have had measurable disease per RECIST 1.1 criteria and must have experienced disease progression after at least one U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved line of prior therapy other than somatostatin analogs. The primary endpoint in each cohort was PFS per RECIST 1.1 by retrospective independent central review. Upon confirmation of disease progression, patients were unblinded, and those receiving placebo were permitted to cross over to open-label therapy with cabozantinib. Secondary endpoints included overall survival, radiographic response rate and safety. More information about this trial is available at ClinicalTrials.gov.
About Neuroendocrine Tumors (NET)
NET are cancers that begin in the specialized cells of the body’s neuroendocrine system.1 These cells have traits of both hormone-producing endocrine cells and nerve cells.1 In the U.S., more than 12,000 people are diagnosed with NET each year and approximately 171,000 people are living with the disease.2 The number of people diagnosed with NET each year has been increasing.2 NET are classified as functional or non-functional.1 Functional NET release peptide hormones that can cause debilitating symptoms and necessitate treatment, while symptoms of non-functional NET are related primarily to tumor growth.1,3,4 Most NET take years to develop and grow slowly, but some grow quickly, especially after progression on standard therapy.5
NET can develop in any part of the body, but most commonly start in the GI tract or in the lungs, where they have historically been referred to as carcinoid tumors and are more recently called epNET.5 The five-year survival rates for advanced GI-NET and lung carcinoid tumors are 68% and 55%, respectively.6,7 Less commonly, NET can also start in the pancreas, where they tend to be more aggressive, with a five-year survival rate of only 23% for advanced disease.8,9 Surgery to remove the tumor and prevent it from spreading is the typical first approach to treatment.10 For more advanced disease, options include somatostatin analogs, targeted therapy and peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy.10
About CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
In the U.S., CABOMETYX tablets are approved for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC); for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib; for patients with advanced RCC as a first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab; and for adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) that has progressed following prior VEGFR-targeted therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory or ineligible. CABOMETYX tablets have also received regulatory approvals in the European Union and additional countries and regions worldwide. In 2016, Exelixis granted Ipsen Pharma SAS exclusive rights for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib outside of the U.S. and Japan. In 2017, Exelixis granted exclusive rights to Takeda for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib for all future indications in Japan. Exelixis holds the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize cabozantinib in the U.S.
CABOMETYX is not indicated as a treatment for NET.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information
https://www.cabometyx.com/downloads/CABOMETYXUSPI.pdf.
About Exelixis
Exelixis is a globally ambitious oncology company innovating next-generation medicines and regimens at the forefront of cancer care. Powered by bi-coastal centers of discovery and development excellence, we are rapidly evolving our product portfolio to target an expanding range of tumor types and indications with our clinically differentiated pipeline of small molecules, antibody-drug conjugates and other biotherapeutics. This comprehensive approach harnesses decades of robust investment in our science and partnerships to advance our investigational programs and extend the impact of our flagship commercial product, CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib). Exelixis is driven by a bold scientific pursuit to create transformational treatments that give more patients hope for the future. For information about the company and its mission to help cancer patients recover stronger and live longer, visit www.exelixis.com, follow @ExelixisInc on X (Twitter), like Exelixis, Inc. on Facebook and follow Exelixis on LinkedIn.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231020586023/en/
Source: Exelixis, Inc.
Exelixis reports positive results for Cabometyx in treating neuroendocrine tumors
Oct. 23, 2023 1:17 PM ET
By: Val Brickates Kennedy, SA News Editor
Exelixis (NASDAQ:EXEL) reported results from a Phase 3 study for its drug Cabometyx, also known as cabozantinib, in the treatment of patients with certain neuroendocrine tumors.
Jemperli (dostarlimab) plus chemotherapy
30 October 2023
Issued: London, UK
For media and investors only
Phase III RUBY trial of Jemperli (dostarlimab) plus chemotherapy meets endpoint of overall survival in patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer
- Statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival benefit observed in the overall population in the trial
- Dostarlimab plus chemotherapy is the only immuno-oncology combination regimen to show an overall survival benefit in this patient population
GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced positive headline results from a planned analysis of Part 1 of the RUBY/ENGOT-EN6/GOG3031/NSGO phase III trial investigating Jemperli (dostarlimab) plus standard-of-care chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel), followed by dostarlimab as a single agent, compared to placebo plus chemotherapy followed by placebo in adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. The trial met its primary endpoint of overall survival (OS), demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit in the overall patient population.
A clinically meaningful OS benefit was observed in both prespecified subpopulations in the trial: mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) and mismatch repair proficient (MMRp)/microsatellite stable (MSS) patient subgroups. OS is one of two primary endpoints in the RUBY Part 1 trial. Previously, the trial met its other primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), demonstrating a 72% and 36% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death observed in the dMMR/MSI-H population (HR: 0.28 [95% CI: 0.16-0.50]) and overall patient population (HR: 0.64 [95% CI: 0.51–0.80]), respectively1.
Hesham Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Global Head Oncology, R&D, GSK, said: “With today’s headline results from Part 1 of the phase III RUBY trial, dostarlimab plus chemotherapy has become the only immuno-therapy combination to show a survival benefit in this broader patient population in this treatment setting. We look forward to sharing detailed results of this analysis with regulatory authorities and the larger scientific community.”
Full results from this latest analysis from the trial will be published in a medical journal and presented at an upcoming scientific meeting.
The safety and tolerability profile of dostarlimab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel was generally consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual agents. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (≥ 25%) in patients receiving dostarlimab plus chemotherapy were nausea, alopecia, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, anemia, arthralgia, constipation, diarrhoea and myalgia.
Currently, Jemperli has regulatory approvals in a certain subset of patients with endometrial cancer based on the previously reported positive results for the primary endpoint of progression-free survival in Part 1 of the RUBY trial. In July 2023, Jemperli received FDA approval in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by Jemperli as a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). Jemperli was also approved in the United Kingdom in October 2023 in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with dMMR/MSI-H primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and who are candidates for systemic therapy. The application remains under review in the European Union (EU), Australia, Canada, Switzerland and Singapore.
About endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer is found in the inner lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecologic cancer in developed countries, with approximately 417,000 new cases reported each year worldwide2, and incidence rates are expected to rise by almost 40% between 2020 and 2040.3,4 Approximately 15-20% of patients with endometrial cancer will be diagnosed with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis.5
About RUBY
RUBY is a two-part global, randomised, double-blind, multicentre phase III trial of patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Part 1 is evaluating dostarlimab plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by dostarlimab versus carboplatin-paclitaxel plus placebo followed by placebo. Part 2 is evaluating dostarlimab plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by dostarlimab plus niraparib versus placebo plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by placebo.
The dual-primary endpoints in Part 1 are investigator-assessed PFS based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours v1.1 and OS. The statistical analysis plan included pre-specified analyses of PFS in the dMMR/MSI-H and ITT populations and OS in the overall population. Pre-specified exploratory analyses of PFS and OS in the MMRp/MSS population and OS in the dMMR/MSI-H populations were also performed. RUBY Part 1 included a broad population, including histologies often excluded from clinical trials and had approximately 10% of patients with carcinosarcoma and 20% with serous carcinoma. In Part 2, the primary endpoint is investigator-assessed PFS. Secondary endpoints in Part 1 and Part 2 include PFS per blinded independent central review, overall response rate, duration of response, disease control rate, patient-reported outcomes, and safety and tolerability.
About Jemperli (dostarlimab)
Jemperli is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)-blocking antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor and blocks its interaction with the PD-1 ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2.6
In the US, Jemperli is indicated in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by Jemperli as a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), and as a single agent for adult patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer, as determined by a US FDA-approved test, that has progressed on or following a prior platinum-containing regimen in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation. The sBLA supporting the indication in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA. Jemperli is also indicated in the US for patients with dMMR recurrent or advanced solid tumours, as determined by a US FDA-approved test, that have progressed on or following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. The latter indication is approved in the US under accelerated approval based on tumour response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication in solid tumours may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).
Jemperli was discovered by AnaptysBio, Inc. and licensed to TESARO, Inc., under a collaboration and exclusive license agreement signed in March 2014. The collaboration has resulted in three monospecific antibody therapies that have progressed into the clinic. These are: Jemperli (GSK4057190), a PD-1 antagonist; cobolimab, (GSK4069889), a TIM-3 antagonist; and GSK4074386, a LAG-3 antagonist. GSK is responsible for the ongoing research, development, commercialisation, and manufacturing of each of these medicines under the agreement.
Important Information for Jemperli in the EU
Indication
Jemperli is indicated as monotherapy for treating adult patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer that has progressed on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing regimen.
Refer to the Jemperli EMA Reference Information for a full list of adverse events and the complete important safety information in the EU.
GSK in oncology
GSK is committed to maximising patient survival through transformational medicines, with a current focus on breakthroughs in immuno-oncology and tumor-cell targeting therapies, and development in haematologic malignancies, gynaecologic cancers and other solid tumours.
About GSK
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com.
GSK Phase 3 trial for Jemperli succeeds in endometrial cancer
Oct. 30, 2023 7:08 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- GSK (NYSE:GSK) announced Monday that its PD-1-blocking antibody Jemperli (dostarlimab) reached the primary endpoint of overall survival as a combination therapy in a Phase 3 trial for endometrial cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4026154-gsk-phase-3-trial-jemperli-succeeds-endometrial-cancer
- GSK plc (GSK), ANAB
- https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/
- https://jemperli.com/
Tarlatamab
AMGEN PRESENTS NEW TARLATAMAB DATA IN SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER
Tarlatamab Delivered an Encouraging Objective Response Rate of 40% and Median Overall Survival of 14.3 Months in Patients with Advanced SCLC
Late-Breaking Data Presented at ESMO and Published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)
Tarlatamab is an Investigational Delta-Like Ligand 3 (DLL3) Targeting BiTE® Molecule
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Oct. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced results from the global Phase 2 DeLLphi-301 study, evaluating tarlatamab, an investigational delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) targeting BiTE® (bispecific T-cell engager) molecule, in patients with advanced stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who had failed two or more prior lines of treatment. The data are being presented today at 3:20 PM CEST at a Proffered Paper session as a late-breaking oral presentation (LBA92) during the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023 in Madrid, Spain, with publication in the New England Journal of Medicine.
With a median follow-up of 10.6 months, an intention-to-treat analysis that included 100 patients at the selected 10 mg dose for tarlatamab demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR; primary endpoint) of 40% (97.5% Confidence Interval (CI): 29, 52). For key secondary endpoints, median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 4.9 months (95% CI: 2.9, 6.7) and median overall survival (mOS) was 14.3 months (95% CI: 10.8, NE). Median response duration was not reached. Of the patients who responded to treatment with tarlatamab at 10 mg dose, 58% experienced at least six months of response and 55% of responses were ongoing at data cutoff.
"Small cell lung cancer has represented one of the greatest challenges in cancer treatment, where there has been little progress against this deadly tumor type in decades," said David M. Reese, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. "The tarlatamab results show the potential for this BiTE® molecule in a common solid tumor. We look forward to discussing these potentially registrational data with regulatory authorities."
There were no new safety signals observed compared to Phase 1 study. Discontinuations due to treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were infrequent (4%). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) reported among patients in the tarlatamab 10 mg group, were cytokine release syndrome (CRS; 49%), pyrexia (38%), decreased appetite (25%) and dysgeusia (24%). CRS was largely confined to the first and second dose, predominantly grade 1 or 2 and were generally managed with supportive care. At the tarlatamab 10 mg dose, grade 3 CRS was low (0%) and grade 3 immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) and associated neurologic events were not observed (0%). There were no reported grade 4 or 5 cases for either of these two adverse events.
"In the current third-line treatment of SCLC, patients face a dire prognosis, with response rates ranging between 14 and 21 percent and median overall survival less than six months," said Luis Paz-Ares, M.D., Ph.D., chairman, Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Doce de Octubre; Head, Lung Cancer Unit, National Oncology Research Center (CNIO); associate professor, Universidad Complutense.
About Tarlatamab
Tarlatamab is an investigational, targeted immunotherapy engineered by Amgen researchers that brings a patient's own T cells in close proximity to SCLC cells by binding both CD3 on T cells and DLL3 on SCLC cells. This results in the formation of an immunological synapse with lysis of the cancer cell.1,2 DLL3 represents an exciting therapeutic target for patients with SCLC, as approximately 85% to 94% of patients have expression of DLL3 on the cell surface of SCLC cells, with minimal expression in normal cells.3,4,5
In a Phase 1 study, tarlatamab showed responses in 23.0% of patients with encouraging durability in heavily pre-treated patients with SCLC.
Amgen is currently investigating tarlatamab in multiple trials, including DeLLphi-304, a Phase 3 study comparing tarlatamab versus standard of care chemotherapy in second-line treatment of SCLC that is enrolling patients. Amgen has plans to initiate two additional Phase 3 studies of tarlatamab in earlier settings of SCLC.
About Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
SCLC is one of the most aggressive and devastating solid tumors with a median survival of approximately 12 months following initial therapy and a 7% five-year relative survival rate across all stages 6,7,8 Of the 2.2M+ patients diagnosed with lung cancer worldwide each year, SCLC comprises 15% of cases.9,10
Despite initial high response rates to platinum-based first-line chemotherapy, patients quickly develop resistance to second-line and subsequent therapies and face a median time of survival of 10 to 12 months after diagnosis.11 Furthermore, there are currently no approved therapeutic options in the third-line treatment of SCLC.
About Tarlatamab Clinical Trials
Amgen's robust tarlatamab development program includes the DeLLphi clinical trials, which evaluate tarlatamab as a monotherapy and as part of combination regimens in earlier stages of SCLC.
Tarlatamab is being investigated in multiple studies, including DeLLphi-301, a potentially registrational Phase 2 study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of tarlatamab in third-line or later relapsed/refractory SCLC.
Additional clinical studies underway include DeLLphi-302, a Phase 1b combination study evaluating tarlatamab in combination with an anti-PD-1 therapy in second-line or later SCLC; DeLLphi-303, a Phase 1b study investigating tarlatamab in combination with standard of care therapies in first-line SCLC; and DeLLphi-304, a randomized Phase 3 trial comparing tarlatamab monotherapy with standard of care therapy in patients with SCLC who have relapsed following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.12 Amgen also plans to initiate two additional Phase 3 studies of tarlatamab in earlier settings of SCLC.
For more information, please visit www.tarlatamabclinicaltrials.com.
About BiTE® Technology
BiTE® (bispecific T-cell engager) technology is a targeted immuno-oncology platform that is designed to engage patient's own T cells to any tumor-specific antigen, activating the cytotoxic potential of T cells to eliminate detectable cancer. The BiTE immuno-oncology platform has the potential to treat different tumor types through tumor-specific antigens. The BiTE platform has a goal of leading to off-the-shelf solutions, which have the potential to make innovative T cell treatment available to all providers when their patients need it. Amgen is advancing more than a dozen BiTE molecules across a broad range of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, further investigating BiTE technology with the goal of enhancing patient experience and therapeutic potential. To learn more about BiTE technology, visit https://www.amgenoncology.com/bite-platform.html.
About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also part of the Nasdaq-100 index. In 2023, Amgen was named one of "America's Greatest Workplaces" by Newsweek, one of "America's Climate Leaders" by USA Today and one of the "World's Best Companies" by TIME.
For more information, visit Amgen.com and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Threads.
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SOURCE Amgen
Amgen posts Phase 2 data for targeted immunotherapy in lung cancer
Oct. 20, 2023 1:29 PM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) announced Friday that its Phase 2 DeLLphi-301 study for bispecific T-cell engager tarlatamab showed an objective response rate of 40% in a Phase 2 trial for patients with small cell lung cancer.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/4022519-amgen-posts-phase-2-data-immunotherapy-lung-cancer
biotecMAX™ 2023 Insight
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) co-formulated with Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20)
Phase 3 CheckMate -67T Trial of Subcutaneous Nivolumab (nivolumab and hyaluronidase) Meets Co-Primary Endpoints in Advanced or Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
10/19/2023CATEGORY:
Subcutaneous nivolumab demonstrates noninferior pharmacokinetics (co-primary endpoints) and objective response rate (key secondary endpoint) compared to intravenous Opdivo (nivolumab)
In the first ever disclosure for the subcutaneous formulation of Opdivo, the CheckMate -67T Phase 3 trial demonstrates activity in advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Company plans to engage in discussions with health authorities regarding next steps for submission and approval of subcutaneous nivolumab across multiple indications
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the Phase 3 CheckMate -67T noninferiority trial evaluating the subcutaneous formulation of Opdivo (nivolumab) co-formulated with Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20) (herein referred to as “subcutaneous nivolumab”) compared to intravenous (IV) Opdivo in patients with advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) who have received prior systemic therapy met its co-primary pharmacokinetics endpoints and key secondary endpoint. Subcutaneousnivolumab demonstrated noninferiority of Cavgd28 (time-averaged Opdivo serum concentration over 28 days) and Cminss (trough serum concentration at steady state) compared to IV Opdivo, the study’s co-primary endpoints. Additionally, subcutaneous nivolumab showed a noninferior objective response rate (ORR) as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) vs. IV Opdivo, a key secondary endpoint. The safety profile of subcutaneous nivolumab was consistent with the IV formulation.
“Intravenous Opdivo has helped transform the treatment of several solid tumor types over the past decade, but there remains a need for additional administration options to address treatment burden on patients and improve efficiencies in healthcare systems,” said Gina Fusaro, Ph.D., vice president, global program lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “We are delighted that the results of CheckMate -67T demonstrate that subcutaneous nivolumab delivers noninferior pharmacokinetics, in addition to objective response rate and safety data consistent with IV Opdivo. We believe this new option, given as a single injection administered in less than five minutes, could transform the treatment experience for both patients and physicians.”
The company will complete a full evaluation of the available CheckMate -67T trial data and work with investigators to present the results at an upcoming medical conference. The company also looks forward to discussing next steps for subcutaneous nivolumab with health authorities across multiple indications. Study follow-up is ongoing to assess additional secondary efficacy and safety endpoints.
Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -67T clinical trial.
About CheckMate -67T
CheckMate -67T is a Phase 3 randomized, open-label trial evaluating subcutaneous administration of Opdivo co-formulated with Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase, rHuPH20, or subcutaneous nivolumab (nivolumab and hyaluronidase) compared to intravenous (IV) Opdivo, in patients with advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) who have received prior systemic therapy. This trial presents an opportunity to potentially bring a subcutaneous formulation of Opdivo to patients. A total of 495 patients were randomized to either subcutaneous nivolumab or IV Opdivo. The co-primary endpoints of the trial are time-averaged serum concentration over 28 days (Cavgd28) and trough serum concentration at steady-state (Cminss) of subcutaneous nivolumab vs. IV Opdivo. Objective response rate (ORR) is a key secondary endpoint.
About Renal Cell Carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults, accounting for more than 431,000 new cases and 179,000 deaths worldwide each year. RCC is approximately twice as common in men as in women, with the highest rates of the disease in North America and Europe. Clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common form of RCC, affecting about 7 out of 10 people with RCC. The five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with metastatic, or advanced, kidney cancer is 14% and five-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for those with localized disease that can be resected are just over 50%.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research platforms uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.
Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
Clinical Trials and Patient Populations
Checkmate 227–previously untreated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9LA–previously untreated recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in combination with YERVOY and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy by histology; Checkmate 649–previously untreated advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction and esophageal adenocarcinoma; Checkmate 577–adjuvant treatment of esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer; Checkmate 238–adjuvant treatment of patients with completely resected Stage III or Stage IV melanoma; Checkmate 76K–adjuvant treatment of patients 12 years of age and older with completely resected Stage IIB or Stage IIC melanoma; Checkmate 274–adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 275–previously treated advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Attraction-3–esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648–previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648—previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 040–hepatocellular carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 743–previously untreated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 037–previously treated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 066—previously untreated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 067–previously untreated metastatic melanoma, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 017–second-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 057–second-line treatment of metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 816–neoadjuvant non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy; Checkmate 141–recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; Checkmate 025–previously treated renal cell carcinoma; Checkmate 214–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9ER–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with cabozantinib; Checkmate 205/039–classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Bristol Myers succeeds in Phase 3 trial for subcutaneous Opdivo
Oct. 19, 2023 7:49 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY), HALO
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) announced Thursday that its Phase 3 CheckMate-67T trial evaluating a subcutaneous version of Opdivo cancer therapy against its intravenous version reached the main goals.
- The open-label trial evaluated the PD-1 inhibitor, co-formulated with Halozyme’s (NASDAQ:HALO) ENHANZE drug delivery technology, against IV Opdivo as a second-line option in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4021921-bristol-myers-succeeds-phase-3-trial-subcutaneous-opdivo
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
- https://www.bms.com/
- https://www.opdivo.com/
- https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/bmy/dividend-history
Soliris (eculizumab)
Soliris approved in China for the treatment of adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)
PUBLISHED18 October 2023
Approval exemplifies commitment to broadening access for patients living with rare diseases globally
Soliris (eculizumab) has been approved in China for the treatment of adult patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive (Ab+). Soliris is the first and only complement inhibitor approved for the treatment of NMOSD in China.1
The approval by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China was based on results from the Phase III PREVENT trial.1 In the trial, Soliris met the primary endpoint of prolonging the time to first adjudicated relapse and reducing the risk of relapse. At 48 weeks, 98 percent of patients treated with Soliris were relapse free compared to 63 percent of patients receiving placebo (relative risk reduction, 94.2%; hazard ratio=0.058; 95% CI: 0.017–0.197; p<0.0001).1 Additionally, 96 percent of patients treated with Soliris remained relapse free at 144 weeks during PREVENT compared to 45 percent of patients treated with placebo.1
NMOSD is a rare and debilitating autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS), including the spine and optic nerves.2-4 Most people living with NMOSD experience unpredictable relapses, characterised by a new onset of neurologic symptoms or worsening of existing neurologic symptoms, which tend to be severe and recurrent and may result in permanent disability.5-7 The diagnosed prevalence of adults with NMOSD in China is estimated at approximately 27,000, based on extrapolation of available data.8
Xu Yan, MD, PhD, Chief Physician of the Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Deputy Leader of the Neuroimmunology Group of the Neurology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, said: “The Phase III PREVENT trial established the safety and efficacy of C5 inhibition in reducing the frequency of relapses that can lead to severe and long-term disability for people living with NMOSD. With nearly all patients in the trial achieving relapse-free status at 48 weeks, today’s approval marks a fundamental shift in the care of NMOSD in China.”
Marc Dunoyer, Chief Executive Officer, Alexion, said: “Patients with NMOSD and their families should not have to live in fear of the next relapse and potential complications. We are proud to bring our first-in-class C5 inhibitor Soliris to the NMOSD community in China, reflecting our commitment to transforming the lives of people living with rare neurological diseases and expanding access to our medicines around the world.”
The safety and tolerability profile of Soliris in the PREVENT trial were consistent throughout both the primary treatment period and the open-label extension. The most common adverse events (AEs) were upper respiratory tract infection, headache, nasopharyngitis and nausea.9
Soliris is available in China for the treatment of adults and children with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) as well as adults with refractory generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG). Soliris is also approved for multiple indications in many countries around the world.
AstraZeneca established a rare disease business unit in China in September 2021. In the future, the company aims to continue introducing more innovative medicines in China, targeting the complement system and beyond, for the treatment of rare diseases, including PNH, aHUS, gMG, NMOSD, hypophosphatasia, immunoglobulin A nephropathy, lupus nephritis and amyloidosis.
Notes
NMOSD
NMOSD is a rare disease in which the immune system is inappropriately activated to target healthy tissues and cells in the CNS.2,3 Approximately three-quarters of people with NMOSD are anti-AQP4 Ab+, meaning they produce antibodies that bind to a specific protein, aquaporin-4 (AQP4).10 This binding can inappropriately activate the complement system, which is part of the immune system and is essential to the body’s defence against infection, to destroy cells in the optic nerve, spinal cord and brain.2,11,12
NMOSD most commonly affects women and begins in the mid-30s. Men and children may also develop NMOSD, but it is even more rare.13,14 People with NMOSD may experience vision problems, intense pain, loss of bladder/bowel function, abnormal skin sensations (e.g., tingling, prickling or sensitivity to heat/cold) and impact on coordination and/or movement.4-8,15,16 Most people living with NMOSD experience unpredictable relapses, also known as attacks. Each relapse can result in cumulative disability including vision loss, paralysis and sometimes premature death.5-7 NMOSD is a distinct disease from other CNS diseases, including multiple sclerosis. The journey to diagnosis can be long, with the disease sometimes misdiagnosed.17-19
PREVENT Phase III Trial and Open-Label Extension
PREVENT was a global Phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Soliris in adults with anti-AQP4 Ab+ NMOSD. The trial enrolled 143 patients across North America, Argentina, Europe and Asia. Participants were required to have a confirmed NMOSD diagnosis with a positive anti-AQP4 antibody test, at least two relapses in the 12 months prior to the screening visit or three relapses in the previous 24 months, at least one of which occurred in the previous 12 months and an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 7 or less. Patients were allowed to receive stable maintenance dose of protocol permitted supportive immune suppressive therapies for relapse prevention.20
Patients were randomised 2:1 to receive Soliris or placebo and initially received 900 mg of Soliris or placebo weekly for four weeks starting on Day 1 followed by 1200 mg of Soliris or placebo every two weeks starting at Week 4. The primary endpoint was the time to first on-trial relapse as confirmed by an independent adjudication committee. Secondary endpoints included adjudicated annualised relapse rate, quality-of-life measures and EDSS score.20
Patients who completed the PREVENT trial or who experienced an adjudicated relapse during the trial were eligible to continue into a long-term extension period and receive Soliris for up to an additional 5.5 years. 95% (119/124) of eligible patients enrolled in the open label extension, of which 78 continued to receive Soliris and 41 were switched from placebo to Soliris.21
Soliris
Soliris (eculizumab) is a first-in-class C5 complement inhibitor. The medication works by inhibiting the C5 protein in the terminal complement cascade, a part of the body’s immune system. When activated in an uncontrolled manner, the terminal complement cascade over-responds, leading the body to attack its own healthy cells. Soliris is administered intravenously every two weeks, following an introductory dosing period.
Soliris is approved in the US, EU, Japan and China for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome.
Additionally, Soliris is approved in Japan and the EU for the treatment of certain adult and paediatric patients with gMG and in the US and China for certain adults with gMG.
Further, Soliris is approved in the US, EU, Japan and China for the treatment of certain adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
Soliris is not indicated for the treatment of patients with Shiga-toxin E. coli-related haemolytic uraemic syndrome.
Alexion
Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, is the group within AstraZeneca focused on rare diseases, created following the 2021 acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. As a leader in rare diseases for more than 30 years, Alexion is focused on serving patients and families affected by rare diseases and devastating conditions through the discovery, development and commercialisation of life-changing medicines. Alexion focuses its research efforts on novel molecules and targets in the complement cascade and its development efforts on haematology, nephrology, neurology, metabolic disorders, cardiology and ophthalmology. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Alexion has offices around the globe and serves patients in more than 50 countries.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca.
AZN Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/azn/dividend-history
Mounjaro® tirzepatide injection, solution
Lilly's tirzepatide shows additional 21.1% weight loss after 12 weeks of intensive lifestyle intervention, for a total mean weight loss of 26.6% from study entry over 84 weeks
October 15, 2023 Download PDF
The full results of the SURMOUNT-3 trial were published in Nature Medicine and simultaneously presented at ObesityWeek® 2023
INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Detailed results from Eli Lilly and Company's (NYSE: LLY) phase 3 SURMOUNT-3 clinical trial evaluating tirzepatide in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities, excluding type 2 diabetes, were published in Nature Medicine and simultaneously presented at ObesityWeek® 2023. Tirzepatide met both co-primary endpoints for the efficacy estimandi and treatment-regimenii estimand, demonstrating superiority to placebo during the 72-week double-blind treatment period.
SURMOUNT-3 evaluated the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide compared to placebo for 72 weeks after a 12-week intensive lifestyle intervention lead-in period that included a low-calorie diet, exercise and frequent counseling sessions. The trial randomized adults with obesity or overweight who had at least 5% body weight reduction by the end of the 12-week lead-in period to placebo or tirzepatide. At study entry, the mean body weight was 241.4 lb. (109.5 kg). At the end of the 12-week lead-in period, participants achieved 6.9% (7.6 kg or 16.8 lb.) mean weight loss. In a co-primary endpoint, following the lead-in period, participants taking tirzepatide achieved an additional 21.1% mean weight loss. In a secondary endpoint, participants achieved a total mean weight loss of 26.6% (29.2 kg or 64.4 lb.) from study entry over 84 weeks. Participants on placebo achieved a total mean weight loss of 3.8% (4.1 kg or 9.0 lb.) from study entry over 84 weeks.
"In this study, people who added tirzepatide to diet and exercise saw greater, longer-lasting weight reduction than those taking placebo," said Jeff Emmick, MD, Ph.D., senior vice president, product development, Lilly. "While intensive lifestyle intervention is an important part of obesity management, these results underscore the difficulty some people face maintaining weight loss with diet and exercise alone."
The overall safety profile of tirzepatide in SURMOUNT-3 was similar to previously reported SURMOUNT and SURPASS trials. The most commonly reported adverse events in SURMOUNT-3 were gastrointestinal-related and generally mild to moderate in severity. The most frequent events reported by those on tirzepatide compared with placebo, respectively, were nausea (39.7% vs. 14.0%), diarrhea (31.0% vs. 9.2%), constipation (23.0% vs. 6.8%), COVID-19 (23.0% vs. 25.3%) and vomiting (18.1% vs. 1.4%). Adverse events led to discontinuation of study treatment in 10.5% of participants taking tirzepatide and 2.1% taking placebo.
About SURMOUNT-3 and the SURMOUNT clinical trial program1
SURMOUNT-3 (NCT04657016) was a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled trial comparing the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide to placebo for 72 weeks after a 12-week intensive lifestyle intervention lead-in period in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities, excluding type 2 diabetes. The trial enrolled 806 participants across the U.S., including Puerto Rico, Argentina and Brazil to a lead-in period with intensive lifestyle intervention. After 12 weeks, 579 participants achieved at least 5% body weight reduction and were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive tirzepatide or placebo. The co-primary objectives of the study were to demonstrate that tirzepatide is superior in percent change in body weight from randomization and percentage of participants achieving ≥5% body weight reduction from randomization at 72 weeks compared to placebo.
SURMOUNT-3 utilized a maximum tolerated dose of 10 mg or 15 mg once-weekly. The starting dose of 2.5 mg tirzepatide was increased by 2.5 mg every four weeks until maximum tolerated dose was achieved. Participants who tolerated 15 mg continued on 15 mg as their maximum tolerated dose. Participants who tolerated 10 mg but did not tolerate 15 mg continued on 10 mg as their maximum tolerated dose.
The SURMOUNT phase 3 global clinical development program for tirzepatide in chronic weight management began in late 2019 and has enrolled more than 5,000 people with obesity or overweight across six registration studies, four of which are global studies. The primary period of SURMOUNT-1 was completed in 2022 and SURMOUNT-2 was completed in the first half of 2023. Topline data for SURMOUNT-3 and SURMOUNT-4 were announced on July 27, 2023; full results for SURMOUNT-4 were presented this month at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting (EASD 2023).
About tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist. Tirzepatide is a single molecule that activates the body's receptors for GIP and GLP-1, which are natural incretin hormones. Both GIP and GLP-1 receptors are found in areas of the human brain important for appetite regulation. Tirzepatide has been shown to decrease food intake and modulate fat utilization. Tirzepatide is under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for adults living with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. It is also being studied as a potential treatment for people with obesity and/or overweight with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Studies of tirzepatide in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in morbidity/mortality in obesity (MMO) are also ongoing.
Tirzepatide was approved as Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) by the FDA on May 13, 2022. Mounjaro is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
About Lilly
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 51 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/news or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. P-LLY.
INDICATION AND SAFETY SUMMARY WITH WARNINGS
Mounjaro® (mown-JAHR-OH) is an injectable medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose).
- It is not known if Mounjaro can be used in people who have had inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Mounjaro is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes. It is not known if Mounjaro is safe and effective for use in children under 18 years of age.
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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly reports full phase 3 trial data of Mounjaro for weight loss
Oct. 16, 2023 6:21 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor37 Comments
Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) reported full results from a phase 3 trial of its drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) to treat obesity or overweight in Nature Medicine and also presented it at the ObesityWeek 2023 conference.
Mounjaro, which was approved in in the U.S. in May 2022, is an injectable medicine, used with diet and exercise, to improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes. The drug is currently under review in the U.S. and EU for adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities.
In July, the company had reported results from the SURMOUNT-3 and SURMOUNT-4 trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) + chemotherapy
Neoadjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy Provides Benefits for Patients with Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Across PD-L1 Expression Levels with Three-Year Follow Up in CheckMate -816 Trial
10/17/2023 CATEGORY:
Regardless of PD-L1 expression levels, neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy showed a greater reduction in the risk of disease recurrence, progression or death than chemotherapy alone
Exploratory analyses from the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial will be shared in a late-breaking oral presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2023
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced three-year follow-up results from exploratory analyses of the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial, demonstrating sustained event-free survival (EFS) and promising overall survival (OS) trends with three cycles of Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), regardless of PD-L1 expression levels. Neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy also showed improvements in pathologic complete response (pCR) and major pathologic response (MPR) over chemotherapy alone in PD-L1 ≥1% and <1% patient populations. The safety profile of the Opdivo-based regimen was consistent across all PD-L1 subgroups. These results will be featured in a late-breaking oral presentation at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023 on October 23, 2023, from 8:45 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. EDT / 14:45 to 15:55 CEST (Abstract #LBA57).
“The three-year results with neoadjuvant nivolumab with chemotherapy are a continuation of the statistically significant and clinically meaningful results we have seen with this regimen in the treatment of resectable non-small cell lung cancer, and they provide hope for patients that they may achieve long-term benefit,” said Mariano Provencio Pulla, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain. “It is encouraging to see that this neoadjuvant immunotherapy combination has demonstrated improvements across efficacy measures, regardless of PD-L1 expression levels, including within the PD-L1 negative subgroup that faces high unmet needs and represents approximately 40% of the study population. The CheckMate -816 data clearly indicate the potential for better outcomes for patients with this regimen than chemotherapy alone.”
With a median follow-up of 41.4 months in the CheckMate -816 trial, exploratory analyses showed:
- OS: While OS remains immature at this follow-up, promising OS trends were seen in both PD-L1 ≥1% and <1% patient populations. For patients with tumor PD-L1 expression ≥1%, Opdivo with chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 63% (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.37; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.20 to 0.71). Three-year OS rates favored neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy over chemotherapy alone at 85% vs. 66%, respectively. In patients with PD-L1 <1%, Opdivo with chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 19% (HR 0.81; 95% CI: 0.48 to 1.36), with three-year OS rates being 71% vs. 60%.
- EFS: Among patients with tumor PD-L1 expression ≥1%, three-year EFS rates were 72% with neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy vs. 47% with chemotherapy alone (HR 0.46; 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.77). In patients with tumor PD-L1 expression <1%, EFS rates were 42% with the combination vs. 39% with chemotherapy (HR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.57 to 1.35).
- pCR: In patients with PD-L1 ≥1%, pCR rates were 32.6% with neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy compared to 2.2% with chemotherapy alone. For those with PD-L1 <1%, pCR rates were 16.7% vs. 2.6%, respectively.
- MPR: Among patients with PD-L1 ≥1%, MPR rates with neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy were 44.9% vs. 5.6% with chemotherapy. For patients with PD-L1 <1%, MPR rates were 29.5% with the Opdivo-based regimen and 14.3% with chemotherapy alone.
- Definitive Surgery: Definitive surgery rates with Opdivo with chemotherapy vs. chemotherapy were 84% vs. 74% in patients with tumor PD-L1 expression ≥1% and 81% vs. 77% in patients with tumor PD-L1 expression <1%. Of these, complete resection was achieved in 91% vs. 82% and 79% vs. 76% of cases, respectively.
“At ESMO this year, we are presenting data from several trials across stages and treatment settings in non-small cell lung cancer, including two studies in resectable disease. This is an area of research that we are heavily committed to, as it presents an important opportunity to treat cancer at earlier stages when the tumor is most responsive to treatment and the patient’s immune system is most intact,” said Abderrahim Oukessou, M.D., vice president, thoracic cancers global program lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “We are thrilled to see consistent results with the neoadjuvant regimen of Opdivo with chemotherapy from the CheckMate -816 study, regardless of PD-L1 expression, which build on the benefits we have already seen that led to multiple approvals of this combination globally. We want to sincerely thank every patient and investigator involved in the clinical trial.”
Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations have shown improved efficacy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant or perioperative treatment of four earlier-stage tumor types, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal/gastroesophageal junction cancer and melanoma.
About CheckMate -816
CheckMate -816 is a Phase 3 randomized, open label, multi-center trial evaluating Opdivo with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone as neoadjuvant treatment in patients with resectable stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (per the 7th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control staging criteria), regardless of PD-L1 expression. For the primary analysis, 358 patients were randomized to receive either Opdivo 360 mg plus histology-based platinum doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles, or platinum doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles, followed by surgery. The primary endpoints of the trial are event-free survival and pathologic complete response. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, major pathologic response, and time to death or distant metastases.
About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common types of lung cancer, representing up to 84% of diagnoses. Non-metastatic cases account for the majority of NSCLC diagnoses (approximately 60%, with up to half of these being resectable), and the proportion is expected to grow over time with enhanced screening programs. While many non-metastatic NSCLC patients are cured by surgery, 30% to 55% develop recurrence and die of their disease despite resection, contributing to a need for treatment options administered before surgery (neoadjuvant) and/or after surgery (adjuvant) to improve long-term outcomes.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research platforms uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.
Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
Clinical Trials and Patient Populations
Checkmate 227—previously untreated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9LA–previously untreated recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in combination with YERVOY and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy by histology; Checkmate 649–previously untreated advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction and esophageal adenocarcinoma; Checkmate 577–adjuvant treatment of esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer; Checkmate 238– adjuvant treatment of patients with completely resected Stage III or Stage IV melanoma; Checkmate 76K– adjuvant treatment of patients 12 years of age and older with completely resected Stage IIB or Stage IIC melanoma; Checkmate 274–adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 275–previously treated advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Attraction-3–esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648—previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648—previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 040–hepatocellular carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 743–previously untreated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 037–previously treated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 066—previously untreated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 067–previously untreated metastatic melanoma, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 017–second-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 057–second-line treatment of metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 816–neoadjuvant non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy; Checkmate 141–recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; Checkmate 025– previously treated renal cell carcinoma; Checkmate 214–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9ER–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with cabozantinib; Checkmate 205/039–classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
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OPDIVO® (nivolumab) + chemotherapy
Bristol Myers Squibb to Showcase Data Demonstrating Improved Outcomes in Earlier Stages of Cancer, Durable Long-Term Benefits with Opdivo-Based Regimens, and Addressing High Unmet Needs in Multiple Tumor Types at ESMO 2023
10/12/2023 CATEGORY:
First presentation of results from CheckMate -901 show survival benefit with Opdivo (nivolumab) + chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are eligible for cisplatin-based therapies; selected for ESMO Presidential Symposium
First presentation of results from CheckMate - 77T demonstrate benefit with perioperative regimen of neoadjuvant Opdivo + chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant Opdivo in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer; selected for ESMO Presidential Symposium
Data to be presented reinforce benefits of Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations in both earlier stages of cancer and advanced disease
Additional data demonstrate potential of repotrectinib in patients with NTRK-positive advanced solid tumors
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced the presentation of data from over 55 Bristol Myers Squibb-sponsored, investigator-sponsored, and collaboration studies across our oncology portfolio in more than 10 tumor types at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023 to be held from October 20-24 in Madrid, Spain. Data from the Phase 3 CheckMate -901 and CheckMate -77T studies have been selected for presentation in Presidential Symposium sessions.
Data to be presented support the role of Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations in both earlier and metastatic stages of multiple cancer types, especially in patient groups with high unmet needs. Additional data will highlight the potential of repotrectinib in patients with TKI-naïve and -pretreated NTRK-positive solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as the benefit of treatment with Opdualag, the dual immunotherapy fixed-dose combination of the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab and the LAG-3-blocking antibody relatlimab, in advanced melanoma.
“We are eager to share research during this year’s ESMO Congress on our immunotherapies and targeted therapies in both metastatic disease and earlier stages of several tumor types, including bladder cancer, melanoma and lung cancer,” said Samit Hirawat, M.D., executive vice president, chief medical officer, Global Drug Development, Bristol Myers Squibb. “These new data highlight our leading development program for Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations in earlier stages of cancer, as well as our commitment to meeting the challenging treatment needs of cancer patients by both continuing to study the potential of our existing medicines as well as advancing new assets that may target cancer’s vulnerabilities more precisely.”
Key data highlighting approved or investigational therapies from Bristol Myers Squibb at ESMO 2023 include:
- First presentation of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) data from the Phase 3 CheckMate -901 trial of Opdivo in combination with cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by Opdivo monotherapy in the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma demonstrating survival benefits over standard-of-care cisplatin-based chemotherapy. CheckMate -901 is the first Phase 3 trial with an immunotherapy-based combination to demonstrate a survival benefit compared to standard-of-care cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of this patient population. These data will be presented at the Presidential Symposium on Sunday, October 22.
- First presentation of data from the Phase 3 CheckMate -77T trial of the perioperative regimen of neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant Opdivo in patients with resectable stage IIA to IIIB NSCLC. CheckMate -77T is the second positive Phase 3 trial of an Opdivo-based combination for the treatment of non-metastatic NSCLC. These data will be presented at the Presidential Symposium on Saturday, October 21.
- Late-breaking results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 study of neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy showing improved clinical benefit according to PD-L1 expression status in patients with resectable NSCLC. Additional CheckMate -816 results will also be presented showing efficacy benefits with Opdivo plus Yervoy in resectable NSCLC.
- Updated results from the registrational TRIDENT-1 trial demonstrating clinical benefit with repotrectinib in patients with NTRK-positive advanced solid tumors, including NSCLC, who often develop resistance to existing therapies.
- Seven-year efficacy results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -238 trial of adjuvant Opdivo in resected stage III/IV melanoma pointing to sustained benefits and reinforcing BMS’ leadership in earlier stages of melanoma.
- Subgroup data from the Phase 2/3 RELATIVITY-047 trial showing consistent benefit across subgroups with the company’s third distinct checkpoint inhibitor Opdualag (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw) in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced melanoma.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research platforms uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.
Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
OPDIVO U.S. INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
Clinical Trials and Patient Populations
Checkmate 227—previously untreated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9LA–previously untreated recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in combination with YERVOY and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy by histology; Checkmate 649–previously untreated advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction and esophageal adenocarcinoma; Checkmate 577–adjuvant treatment of esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer; Checkmate 238– adjuvant treatment of melanoma; Checkmate 274–adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 275– previously treated advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Attraction-3–esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648—previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648—previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 040–hepatocellular carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 743–previously untreated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 037–previously treated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 066—previously untreated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 067–previously untreated metastatic melanoma, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 017–second-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 057–second-line treatment of metastatic non- squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 816–neoadjuvant non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy; Checkmate 141–recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; Checkmate 025–previously treated renal cell carcinoma; Checkmate 214–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9ER–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with cabozantinib; Checkmate 205/039–classical Hodgkin lymphoma
OPDUALAG U.S. INDICATION
Opdualag™ (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw) is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information for OPDUALAG.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
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KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) with Chemotherapy
FDA Approves KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for Treatment of Patients With Resectable (T≥4 cm or N+) NSCLC in Combination With Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment, Then Continued as a Single Agent as Adjuvant Treatment After Surgery
October 16, 2023 7:00 pm ET
Approval marks the sixth NSCLC indication for KEYTRUDA and builds upon Merck’s progress in earlier stages of certain cancers across our oncology portfolio
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, for the treatment of patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 centimeters [cm] or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery. With this approval, KEYTRUDA has six indications in NSCLC, across both metastatic and earlier stages of NSCLC.
The approval was based on data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-671 trialevaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery and continued adjuvant treatment with KEYTRUDA as a single agent, for patients with resectable stage II, IIIA or IIIB (N2) NSCLC per the American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth edition (AJCC 8th edition). In the study, the KEYTRUDA regimen demonstrated statistically significant improvements in event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS), the study’s dual primary endpoints, versus neoadjuvant placebo plus chemotherapy followed by adjuvant placebo alone. The EFS results, which were from the first interim analysis, were published in June 2023 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The detailed OS results will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023 in Madrid, Spain, on October 20, 2023.
Adverse reactions occurring in patients with resectable NSCLC receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy, given as neoadjuvant treatment and continued as single agent adjuvant treatment, were generally similar to those occurring in patients across tumor types receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy.
Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue and can affect more than one body system simultaneously. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur at any time during or after treatment with KEYTRUDA, including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis, dermatologic reactions, solid organ transplant rejection, and complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions. Early identification and management of immune-mediated adverse reactions are essential to ensure safe use of KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab). Based on the severity of the adverse reaction, KEYTRUDA should be withheld or permanently discontinued and corticosteroids administered if appropriate. KEYTRUDA can also cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions. Based on its mechanism of action, KEYTRUDA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. For more information, see “Selected Important Safety Information” below.
“There remains a need for treatment options to improve outcomes for patients with earlier stages of non-small cell lung cancer,” said Dr. Heather Wakelee, principal investigator for KEYNOTE-671, thoracic medical oncologist and professor of medicine at Stanford University and past president of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). “This important milestone has the potential to change the current treatment paradigm for resectable non-small cell lung cancer that is greater than four centimeters or has lymph node involvement, by offering an immunotherapy-based regimen that has demonstrated statistically significant improvements in overall survival and event-free survival compared to a placebo and chemotherapy regimen.”
“KEYTRUDA continues to change the way non-small cell lung cancer is treated across earlier and metastatic disease regardless of PD-L1 expression,” said Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of late-stage oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “This approval marks a pivotal moment for the lung cancer community by providing certain patients with earlier stages of non-small cell lung cancer and healthcare providers with an important new treatment option.”
The approval marks the sixth NSCLC indication for KEYTRUDA. The five other indications for KEYTRUDA in NSCLC include:
1) in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations;
2) in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC;
3) as a single agent for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations and is stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or metastatic;
4) as a single agent for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA; and
5) as a single agent for adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Study design
KEYNOTE-671 is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03425643) evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by surgery and continued adjuvant treatment with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) as a single agent, versus placebo plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by resection and adjuvant placebo, in patients with resectable stage II, IIIA or IIIB (N2) NSCLC per the AJCC eighth edition. Patients were enrolled regardless of tumor PD-L1 expression. Patients with active autoimmune disease that required systemic therapy within two years of treatment, a medical condition that required immunosuppression or a history of interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis that required steroids were ineligible. Randomization was stratified by stage (II vs. III), tumor PD-L1 expression (TPS ≥50% or <50%), histology (squamous vs. nonsquamous), and geographic region (East Asia vs. non-East Asia).
The study enrolled 797 patients who were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either:
- Neoadjuvant KEYTRUDA 200 mg intravenously (IV) every three weeks on Day 1 in combination with cisplatin 75 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 and either pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 or gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 IV on Days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle for up to four cycles. Within 4-12 weeks following surgery, KEYTRUDA (200 mg) was administered every three weeks for up to 13 cycles, or;
- Neoadjuvant placebo IV every three weeks on Day 1 in combination with cisplatin 75 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 and either pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 or gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 IV on Days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle for up to four cycles. Within 4‑12 weeks following surgery, placebo was administered every three weeks for up to 13 cycles.
Treatment with KEYTRUDA or placebo continued until completion of the treatment (17 cycles), disease progression that precluded definitive surgery, disease recurrence in the adjuvant phase, disease progression for those who did not undergo surgery or had incomplete resection and entered the adjuvant phase, or unacceptable toxicity. Assessment of tumor status was performed at baseline, Week 7, and Week 13 in the neoadjuvant phase and within four weeks prior to the start of the adjuvant phase. Following the start of the adjuvant phase, assessment of tumor status was performed every 16 weeks through the end of Year 3, and then every six months thereafter. The trial was not designed to isolate the effect of KEYTRUDA in each phase (neoadjuvant or adjuvant) of treatment.
The main efficacy outcome measures were OS and investigator-assessed EFS. Additional efficacy outcome measures were pathological complete response (pCR) rate and major pathological response (mPR) rate as assessed by blinded independent pathology review (BIPR).
Eighty-one percent of patients in the KEYTRUDA in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy arm had definitive surgery compared to 76% of patients in the placebo in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy arm.
About lung cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In 2020 alone, there were more than 2.2 million new cases and approximately 1.8 million deaths from lung cancer globally. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for about 81% of all cases. In the U.S., the overall five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with lung cancer is 25%, which is a 21% improvement over the last five years. Improved survival rates are due, in part, to advances in diagnostic and surgical procedures, as well as the introduction of new therapies. However, screening and early detection remain an important unmet need, as 44% of lung cancer cases are not found until they are advanced. Only 5.8% of people in the U.S. who are eligible were screened for lung cancer.
About Merck’s research in lung cancer
Merck is advancing research aimed at transforming the way lung cancer is treated, with a goal of improving outcomes for patients affected by this deadly disease. Through nearly 200 clinical trials evaluating more than 36,000 patients around the world, Merck is at the forefront of lung cancer research. In NSCLC, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) has six approved U.S. indications (see indications below) and is approved for advanced disease in more than 95 countries. Among Merck’s research efforts are trials focused on evaluating KEYTRUDA in earlier stages of lung cancer as well as identifying new combinations and coformulations with KEYTRUDA.
About Merck’s early-stage cancer clinical program
Finding cancer at an earlier stage may give patients a greater chance of long-term survival. Many cancers are considered most treatable and potentially curable in their earliest stage of disease. Building on the strong understanding of the role of KEYTRUDA in later-stage cancers, Merck is studying KEYTRUDA in earlier disease states, with approximately 20 ongoing registrational studies across multiple types of cancer.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) NSCLC in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
See additional selected indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Information
if KEYTRUDA requires interruption or discontinuation, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic immunosuppressants in patients whose adverse reactions are not controlled with corticosteroid therapy.
Additional Indications for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy. KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
About the Merck Access Program for KEYTRUDA
At Merck, we are committed to supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines. Merck provides multiple programs to help appropriate patients who are prescribed KEYTRUDA have access to our anti-PD-1 therapy. The Merck Access Program provides reimbursement support for patients receiving KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), including information to help with out-of-pocket costs and co-pay assistance for eligible patients. More information is available by calling 855-257-3932 or visiting https://www.merckaccessprogram-keytruda.com/.
About Merck’s Patient Support Program for KEYTRUDA
Merck is committed to helping provide patients and their caregivers support throughout their treatment with KEYTRUDA. The KEY+YOU Patient Support Program provides a range of resources and support. For further information and to sign up, eligible patients may call 85-KEYTRUDA (855- 398-7832) or visit www.keytruda.com.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
FDA grants expanded approval for Merck's lung cancer drug Keytruda
Oct. 16, 2023 7:20 PM ET
By: Val Brickates Kennedy, SA News Editor
The FDA has granted expanded approval for Merck’s (NYSE:MRK) oncology drug Keytruda in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC.
Keytruda, also known as pembrolizumab, was approved as a neoadjuvant and post-surgical adjuvant for patients with resectable NSCLC, according to Bloomberg.
European Commission Approves KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as Adjuvant Treatment for Adults With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer at High Risk of Recurrence Following Complete Resection and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy
October 16, 2023 6:45 am ET
Decision marks fifth approval for KEYTRUDA in lung cancer in the EU
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, as a monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are at high risk of recurrence following complete resection and platinum-based chemotherapy.
BRAFTOVI® (encorafenib) and MEKTOVI® (binimetinib)
U.S. FDA Approves Pfizer’s BRAFTOVI® + MEKTOVI® for BRAF V600E-Mutant Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Thursday, October 12, 2023 - 06:45am View pdf Open in tab
BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI now gives adult patients with BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer a new personalized treatment option
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved BRAFTOVI® (encorafenib) + MEKTOVI® (binimetinib) for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test.1BRAF V600Emutations can be assessed from either plasma or tumor tissue using the FoundationOne Liquid CDx or the FoundationOne CDx FDA-approved companion diagnostic tests, respectively.
“Today’s approval builds on our long-standing commitment to deliver innovative, personalized medicines to patients with lung cancer. By pursuing precision medicines that target a patient’s specific type of cancer, we are leveraging our deep understanding of tumor biology to help address the underlying cause of disease,” said Chris Boshoff, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Oncology Research and Development Officer and Executive Vice President at Pfizer. “Since its initial FDA approval in 2018, BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI combination therapy has helped thousands of people living with BRAF V600E- or V600K-mutant unresectable or metastatic melanoma.2 We look forward to helping even more patients with our BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI targeted combination therapy.”
The FDA’s approval is based on data from the ongoing Phase 2 PHAROS clinical trial (NCT03915951), an open-label, multicenter, single‑arm study examining BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI combination therapy in both treatment-naïve and previously treated patients with BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic NSCLC.
“BRAF V600E mutations identify a unique subtype of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that presents an actionable biomarker that precision medicines like BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI combination therapy can help address,” said Gregory Riely, M.D., Ph.D., Vice Chair, Clinical Research in the Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and PHAROS investigator. “The PHAROS trial demonstrated that these patients could benefit from BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI targeted therapy regardless of their prior treatment history. Given the specific efficacy and safety profile, patients and providers now have another option to help personalize treatment plans based on individual risk factors and preferences.”
The PHAROS study met its major efficacy outcome measures of objective response rate (ORR), as assessed by independent review committee (IRC), and duration of response (DOR) in both treatment groups. For treatment-naïve patients (n=59), ORR was 75% (95% CI: 62, 85), and 59% of the patients responded for at least 12 months. Median DOR was not estimable (NE) for this group at the time of data cutoff. For previously treated patients (n=39), ORR was 46% (95% CI: 30, 63), and 33% of the patients responded for at least 12 months. Median DOR was 16.7 months (95% CI: 7.4, NE). These data were presented earlier this year at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO).3
The most common (≥25%) all-causality adverse reactions observed in the PHAROS trial were fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, vomiting, abdominal pain, visual impairment, constipation, dyspnea, rash, and cough. A total of 17% of patients experienced an adverse reaction that resulted in permanent discontinuation of MEKTOVI and 16% experienced an adverse event that resulted in permanent discontinuation of BRAFTOVI. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 38% of patients. Serious adverse reactions occurring in ≥2% of patients included hemorrhage (6%), diarrhea (4.1%), anemia, dyspnea, pneumonia (3.1% each), arrhythmia, device-related infection, edema, myocardial infarction, and pleural effusion (2% each). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 2% of patients, including intracranial hemorrhage and myocardial infarction (1% each).
BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI is also FDA-approved for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test. BRAFTOVI is FDA-approved, in combination with cetuximab, for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test, after prior therapy.
Pfizer has exclusive rights to BRAFTOVI and MEKTOVI in the U.S., Canada, and all countries in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has exclusive rights to commercialize both products in Japan and South Korea, Medison has exclusive rights in Israel, and Pierre Fabre has exclusive rights in all other countries, including Europe and Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan and South Korea).
The PHAROS trial is conducted with support from Pierre Fabre.
About BRAF V600E-mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer and the number one cause of cancer-related death around the world.4 NSCLC accounts for approximately 80-85% of all lung cancers.5
Certain lung cancers are linked to acquired genetic abnormalities like a BRAF V600E mutation. By using biomarkers to identify a person’s particular tumor type, treatment can become more personalized and effective, since the molecular makeup of a person’s cancer often determines how they respond to different therapies.
A BRAF V600E mutation occurs in approximately 2% of NSCLC cases.6 It stimulates tumor cell growth and proliferation by altering the MAP kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Targeting components of this pathway could potentially help inhibit tumor growth and proliferation caused by BRAF mutations.7
Precision medicine is increasingly being developed for NSCLC patients with genetic changes, such as BRAF mutations, that can be detected using biomarker tests.8,9 In recent years, more widespread use of biomarker testing and targeted therapies have been associated with improvements in population-level NSCLC mortality.10
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
BRAFTOVI® (encorafenib) and MEKTOVI® (binimetinib) are kinase inhibitors indicated for use in combination for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test.
BRAFTOVI is indicated, in combination with cetuximab, for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test, after prior therapy.
BRAFTOVIand MEKTOVI are kinase inhibitors indicated for use in combination for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test.
Limitations of Use: BRAFTOVI is not indicated for treatment of patients with wild-type BRAF melanoma, wild-type BRAF CRC, or wild-type BRAF NSCLC.
About Pfizer Oncology
At Pfizer Oncology, we are committed to advancing medicines wherever we believe we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with cancer. Today, we have an industry-leading portfolio of 24 approved innovative cancer medicines and biosimilars across more than 30 indications, including breast, genitourinary, colorectal, blood and lung cancers, as well as melanoma.
About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients’ Lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.Pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.Pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011089993/en/
Source: Pfizer Inc.
Ruxolitinib Cream (Opzelura®)
Incyte Announces New Data For Ruxolitinib Cream (Opzelura®) In Children With Atopic Dermatitis
October 13, 2023 at 10:30 AM EDT PDF Version
- In the TRuE-AD3 trial, children (age ≥2 to <12 years old) with atopic dermatitis (AD) treated with ruxolitinib cream achieved significant efficacy, as defined by the Investigator’s Global Assessment-treatment success (IGA-TS), following eight weeks of treatment
- In a second study, treatment with ruxolitinib cream over eight weeks under maximum-use conditions was well tolerated in children (age ≥2 to <12 years)
- Data were shared at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2023
WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 2023-- Incyte (Nasdaq:INCY) today announced expanded results from the pivotal Phase 3 TRuE-AD3 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib cream (Opzelura®) in children (age ≥2 to <12 years) with atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common type of eczema. These data were presented today in a late-breaking oral presentation (Abstract #6746; Session: D3T01.3I: Late Breaking News) at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2023, held from October 11-14 in Berlin. Additionally, results from a Phase 1 open-label maximum-use trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of ruxolitinib cream in children (age ≥2 to <12 years) treated under maximum-use conditions over an 8-week trial period were featured as an ePoster at the EADV Congress 2023.
Data from the TRuE-AD3 study, which build upon previously announced topline results, showed the study met its primary endpoint with significantly more patients treated with ruxolitinib cream (0.75% and 1.5%) achieving Investigator’s Global Assessment Treatment Success (IGA-TS) than patients treated with vehicle control (non-medicated cream). IGA-TS is defined as an IGA score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) with at least a two-point improvement from baseline at Week 8. In addition, secondary endpoints such as time to NRS4 (≥4-point improvement in itch Numerical Rating Scale [NRS] score) and patients demonstrating at least a 75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI75) at Week 8 were also achieved.
"The TRuE-AD3 data presented today at EADV reinforce the strong safety and efficacy profile of ruxolitinib cream and its potential to treat younger age groups,” said Jim Lee, M.D., Group Vice President, Inflammation & AutoImmunity, Incyte. “There is still a significant medical need for a nonsteroidal topical treatment that provides rapid and effective control of the signs and symptoms of AD in children.”
Additional key findings from the TRuE-AD3 study include:
- Fifty-six percent (56.5%) of patients treated with ruxolitinib cream 1.5% and 36.6% treated with ruxolitinib cream 0.75% achieved IGA-TS at Week 8 (P<=0.0001 for both) compared to 10.8% of patients treated with vehicle.
- More than half (67.2%/51.5%) of patients treated with ruxolitinib cream (1.5% and 0.75% respectively) achieved EASI75 compared to those treated with vehicle at Week 8 (15.4%; P<0.0001 for both).
- In patients 6 to <12 years old, NRS4 was achieved by 43.4% (1.5% treatment arm) and 37.5% (0.75% treatment arm) of patients at Week 8 compared to those treated with vehicle (29.7%).
- Median time to NRS4 was 13.0/11.0 days (1.5% and 0.75% respectively) compared to 23.0 days for vehicle (hazard ratio, 1.74/1.77; P<0.05 for both).
- The mean steady-state plasma concentrations (Css) of ruxolitinib at Week 8 were 23.2 nM (1.5% ruxolitinib cream) and 11.3 nM (0.75% ruxolitinib cream), which are well below 281 nM (the level above which bone-marrow suppression may be induced1), suggesting meaningful systemic JAK inhibition is highly unlikely.
- Ruxolitinib cream was well tolerated with no serious infections, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), malignancies or thromboses reported during the 8-week vehicle-controlled period. The most common treatment-related adverse event observed in the ruxolitinib cream arms was application site pain (2.7% vs 0% in vehicle arm).
Results from the maximum-use trial (MUsT) in children (age ≥2 to <12 years) with at least 35% of their body surface area affected by AD showed ruxolitinib cream was well tolerated, with efficacy results consistent with data from an adolescent and adult maximum-use study and a pilot pharmacokinetics (PK)/safety pediatric study2,3.
Key findings from the MUsT study include:
- About 20% (20.7%) of patients treated with ruxolitinib cream 1.5% reported treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) through Week 8; none were serious or led to treatment interruption or discontinuation. No TEAEs suggestive of systemic JAK inhibition were reported.
- The mean (SD) Css of ruxolitinib cream through Week 4 was 98.2 (148) nM, which is well below 281 nM, suggesting meaningful systemic JAK inhibition is highly unlikely.
- Approximately 54% of patients achieved an IGA of 0 or 1 and approximately 73% achieved NRS4 by Week 4.
Opzelura is indicated for the topical short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate AD in non-immunocompromised patients 12 years of age and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies, or when those therapies are not advisable.
“AD is a chronic immune-mediated disease that impacts about 13 percent of children in the U.S., yet there remains a need for new treatment options to help this age group manage this difficult to treat skin condition,” said Dr. Lawrence Eichenfield, Chief of Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. “As a clinician, I have been extremely pleased with the results achieved by many of my adolescent and adult patients with AD prescribed ruxolitinib cream, and I am excited about the potential to have a safe, well tolerated and effective non-steroidal topical treatment option available to my pediatric patients in the future.”
AD – the most common type of eczema – is a chronic skin disease, which in the U.S. affects an estimated 2-3 million patients ages 2-11 and more than 21 million people 12 years of age and older4,5. It is characterized by inflammation and itch. Signs and symptoms include irritated and itchy skin that can cause red lesions that may ooze and crust. People with AD are also more susceptible to bacterial, viral and fungal infections6.
More information regarding the EADV Congress 2023 can be found at https://eadvcongress2023.org/.
About TRuE-AD3
TRuE-AD3 (NCT04921969) is a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled Phase 3 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib cream compared to vehicle (non-medicated cream) in children with atopic dermatitis (AD). The study enrolled over 300 patients (age ≥2 to <12 years) diagnosed with AD for at least three months and who were candidates for topical therapy.
Patients with an Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score of 2 to 3 (a measure of disease severity), and with AD on 3% to 20% of their Body Surface Area (BSA; excluding scalp) were randomized 2:2:1 to receive ruxolitinib cream 0.75% administered twice daily (BID); ruxolitinib cream 1.5% BID; or vehicle (non-medicated cream) BID. Patients who successfully completed an efficacy assessment at Week 8 were offered participation in the 44-week long-term safety treatment extension period with their same treatment group (ruxolitinib cream 0.75% or 1.5% BID). Patients initially randomized to vehicle cream were re-randomized (1:1) in a blinded manner to one of the active treatment groups.
The primary endpoint of TRuE-AD3 is the proportion of patients achieving an Investigator’s Global Assessment Treatment Success (IGA-TS), defined as an IGA score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) with at least a two-point improvement from baseline at Week 8. Secondary endpoints include: the proportion of patients achieving at least a 75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI75) – another measurement of disease extent and severity – the proportion of patients (age ≥6 to <12 years) with at least a 4-point improvement in the itch numerical rating scale (NRS4 at Week 8 and time to achieve NRS4). The study is also tracking the frequency, duration and severity of adverse events associated with the use of ruxolitinib cream.
For more information about the study, please visit https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04921969.
About MUsT (NCT05034822)
The MUsT pediatric maximum-use study (NCT05034822) is a Phase 1 open-label trial evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), efficacy and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) of ruxolitinib cream after topical application twice daily (BID) in children over a 52-week treatment period.
Children ages ≥2 to <12 years old with an atopic dermatitis (AD) diagnosis for >three months, an Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score of 3 (moderate) or 4 (severe), with AD on ≥35% of their body surface area (BSA; excluding scalp) and with an itch Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score of ≥4 (for patients 6 to <12 years of age) were eligible. Patients enrolled applied ruxolitinib cream 1.5% twice daily (BID) to baseline lesions for four weeks (maximum use trial period), then only to active lesions for an additional four weeks (treatment extension period), for a total treatment period of eight weeks. Eligible patients were offered the option to continue into a 44-week long-term safety (LTS) period continuing this regimen as-needed to active lesions. All study patients will have a 30-day safety follow-up visit.
The primary outcome measure of the pediatric maximum-use study is the number of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs), defined as any adverse event reported for the first time or worsening of a pre-existing event after first application of ruxolitinib cream. Secondary outcome measures included concentration of ruxolitinib in plasma, steady-state plasma concentration (Css) of ruxolitinib and accumulation ratio of ruxolitinib between plasma concentrations at one hour post application.
For more information about the study, please visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05034822.
About Opzelura® (ruxolitinib) Cream 1.5%
Opzelura, a novel cream formulation of Incyte’s selective JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib, approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for the topical treatment of nonsegmental vitiligo in patients 12 years of age and older, is the first and only treatment for repigmentation approved for use in the United States. Opzelura is also approved in the U.S. for the topical short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) in non-immunocompromised patients 12 years of age and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies, or when those therapies are not advisable. Use of Opzelura in combination with therapeutic biologics, other JAK inhibitors, or potent immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine or cyclosporine, is not recommended.
In Europe, Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream 15mg/g is approved for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo with facial involvement in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age.
Incyte has worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of ruxolitinib cream, marketed in the United States as Opzelura.
Opzelura is a registered trademark of Incyte.
To learn more, visit the Dermatology section of Incyte.com.
About Incyte
Incyte is a Wilmington, Delaware-based, global biopharmaceutical company focused on finding solutions for serious unmet medical needs through the discovery, development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics. For additional information on Incyte, please visit Incyte.com and follow @Incyte.
Incyte says study evaluating efficacy of ruxolitinib cream in children met primary endpoint
Oct. 13, 2023 11:28 AM ET
Incyte Corporation (INCY)By: Jaskiran Singh, SA News Editor
Biopharmaceutical Incyte (NASDAQ:INCY) Friday announced that the phase 3 TRuE-AD3 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib cream, Opzelura, in children between ages 2 - 12 with atopic dermatitis met its primary endpoint.
Data from the TRuE-AD3 study showed the study met its primary endpoint, with significantly more patients treated with ruxolitinib cream (0.75% and 1.5%) achieving Investigator’s Global Assessment Treatment Success than patients treated with non-medicated cream.
In addition, secondary endpoints such as time to NRS4 (≥4-point improvement in itch Numerical Rating Scale [NRS] score) and patients demonstrating at least a 75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index at week 8 were also achieved.
Upadacitinib (RINVOQ®)
October 12, 2023
AbbVie Announces Upadacitinib (RINVOQ®) Met the Primary Endpoint in Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Vitiligo as Program Advances to Phase 3
- At week 24, upadacitinib met the primary endpoint of percent change from baseline in Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI) with 11 mg and 22 mg doses versus placebo in adults with non-segmental vitiligo (NSV)1
- At week 52, the percent reduction from baseline in F-VASI was numerically greater than results at week 24 for all upadacitinib doses1,2
- The safety profile was consistent with the known safety profile for upadacitinib1,2
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced that its Phase 2b study evaluating upadacitinib (RINVOQ®) in adults with non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) met the primary endpoint of percent change from baseline in the Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI) at week 24 with the 11 mg and 22 mg doses versus placebo.1 The percent reduction from baseline in F-VASI at week 52 was numerically greater than results at week 24 for all upadacitinib doses.2 No new safety signals were identified beyond the known safety profile for upadacitinib. Based on these data, AbbVie is advancing its clinical program of upadacitinib in vitiligo to Phase 3.
"There is a high unmet need in vitiligo, with no systemic treatment options approved, leaving patients frustrated in seeking options for re-pigmentation of the skin," said Roopal Thakkar, M.D., senior vice president, development and regulatory affairs and chief medical officer, AbbVie. "We will continue to apply our significant experience in advancing research and driving innovation in treatments for immune-mediated diseases, including underserved diseases with high burden on patients, such as vitiligo."
At week 24, upadacitinib achieved the primary endpoint of percent change from baseline (%CFB) in F-VASI with 11 mg and 22 mg doses versus placebo. F-VASI is a tool that measures re-pigmentation of the face and is used to assess the extent of re-pigmentation and treatment response in clinical trials.3 Higher response rates were also observed with upadacitinib versus placebo in secondary endpoints, including F-VASI 75 (≥75% reduction from baseline in F-VASI) at week 24 with the 11 mg and 22 mg doses and Total Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (T-VASI) 50 (≥50% reduction from baseline in T-VASI) at Week 24 with the 22 mg dose.
The mean percent reduction from baseline in F-VASI was numerically greater at week 52 than results at week 24 for all upadacitinib dose groups.2 In addition, response rates observed for F-VASI 75 and T-VASI 50 at week 52 were numerically greater than those at week 24 for all upadacitinib dose groups.2
About the Phase 2 Study in Vitiligo1,2
The 52-week, Phase 2b multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (NCT04927975) comprises two periods. Enrolled patients were aged 18–66 years with NSV, a Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI) of 1.1 and a Total Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (T-VASI) of 22, both mean scores at baseline. In period one, 185 patients (18 to 65 years old) were randomly assigned to once-daily upadacitinib 22 mg (N=43), upadacitinib 11 mg (N=47), upadacitinib 6 mg (N=49), or placebo (N=46) for 24 weeks of treatment. 166 patients (89.7%) continued to a 28-week blinded extension (period two). In period two, patients receiving upadacitinib during period one continued their respective regimens (upadacitinib 22 mg, N=33; upadacitinib 11 mg, N=45; upadacitinib 6 mg, N=45); patients who received placebo in period one were pre-assigned to receive either upadacitinib 11 mg (N=21) or upadacitinib 22 mg (N=22) in period 2.
About RINVOQ® (upadacitinib)8
Discovered and developed by AbbVie scientists, RINVOQ is a JAK inhibitor with seven approved indications and is currently being studied in several immune-mediated diseases.7,8 In human cellular assays, RINVOQ preferentially inhibits signaling by JAK1 or JAK1/3 with functional selectivity over cytokine receptors that signal via pairs of JAK2.8 The relevance of inhibition of specific JAK enzymes to therapeutic effectiveness and safety is not currently known.
Use of upadacitinib in vitiligo is not approved and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by regulatory authorities.
EU Indications and Important Safety Information about RINVOQ® (upadacitinib)8
Indications
Rheumatoid arthritis
RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adult patients who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). RINVOQ may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate.
Psoriatic arthritis
RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adult patients who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to one or more DMARDs. RINVOQ may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate.
Axial spondyloarthritis
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA)
RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adult patients with objective signs of inflammation as indicated by elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), who have responded inadequately to nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS, radiographic axial spondyloarthritis)
RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to conventional therapy.
Atopic dermatitis
RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults and adolescents 12 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy.
Ulcerative colitis
RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who have had an inadequate response, lost response or were intolerant to either conventional therapy or a biologic agent.
Crohn's disease
RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who have had an inadequate response, lost response or were intolerant to either conventional therapy or a biologic agent.
Important Safety Information
Contraindications
RINVOQ is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to the active substance or to any of the excipients, in patients with active tuberculosis (TB) or active serious infections, in patients with severe hepatic impairment, and during pregnancy.
About AbbVie in Dermatology
For more than a decade, AbbVie has worked to uncover new solutions and improve care for people with serious skin diseases, including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, hidradenitis suppurativa and atopic dermatitis. With a broad clinical trial program, we continue to actively research and adapt to the evolving needs of the dermatology community and advance our pipeline to help people achieve their treatment goals and live beyond their skin disease. For more information, visit AbbVie in dermatology.
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
SOURCE AbbVie
AbbVie hits main goal in Phase 2 trial for Rinvoq in vitiligo
Oct. 12, 2023 8:01 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
- AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) announced Thursday that its blockbuster arthritis therapy, Rinvoq (upadacitinib), reached the main goal in a mid-stage trial for adults with vitiligo.
- The 52-week Phase 2b trial was designed to evaluate the JAK inhibitor in 185 patients aged 18–66 with non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) across two periods.
- At week 24, upadacitinib at 11 mg and 22 mg doses met the primary endpoint versus placebo based on the percent change from baseline in the Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI), a clinical measure used to assess treatment response.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4020009-abbvie-succeeds-phase-2-trial-rinvoq-vitiligo
- AbbVie Inc. (ABBV)
- https://www.abbvie.com/
- https://www.rinvoq.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Met Primary Endpoint of Disease-Free Survival (DFS) in Certain Patients With Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma (MIUC) After Surgery
October 5, 2023 7:00 am ET
KEYTRUDA significantly improved DFS as adjuvant therapy versus observation for patients with localized MIUC and locally advanced urothelial carcinoma
First positive study for KEYTRUDA as adjuvant therapy for these patients
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the Phase 3 AMBASSADOR (A031501) trial (KEYNOTE-123) evaluating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, met one of its dual primary endpoints of disease-free survival (DFS) for the adjuvant treatment of patients with localized muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) and locally advanced urothelial carcinoma versus observation. At a pre-specified interim analysis review conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee, KEYTRUDA demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in DFS versus observation in these patients after surgery. The trial will continue to evaluate its other dual primary endpoint of overall survival (OS). The safety profile of KEYTRUDA in this trial was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies; no new safety signals were identified. Results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and discussed with regulatory authorities.
“Up to half of patients with bladder cancer who undergo surgery will experience recurrence within a year, underscoring the need for new treatment options in the adjuvant setting,” said Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of late-stage oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “These positive results highlight the potential of KEYTRUDA to prevent recurrence after surgery for patients with localized muscle-invasive or locally advanced urothelial carcinoma.”
This trial was sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology designed and led the trial with funding from the NCI and participation from all the National Clinical Trials Network Groups. Merck provided funding and support through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between Merck and NCI.
Merck has an extensive clinical development program evaluating KEYTRUDA as monotherapy and in combination with other anti-cancer therapies across all stages of bladder cancer, including non-muscle-invasive, muscle-invasive and metastatic. Phase 3 studies in muscle-invasive bladder cancer include the KEYNOTE-866 trial, as well as the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-B15 and Phase 3 KEYNOTE-905 trials, which are being conducted in collaboration with Seagen and Astellas.
About A031501 AMBASSADOR/KEYNOTE-123
AMBASSADOR (A031501, KEYNOTE-123) is a randomized, open-label Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03244384) evaluating KEYTRUDA versus observation for the adjuvant treatment of patients with localized MIUC and locally advanced urothelial carcinoma. The dual primary endpoints are OS and DFS, and secondary endpoints include OS and DFS in PD-L1 positive and negative patients. The trial enrolled 702 patients who were randomized to receive KEYTRUDA (200 mg intravenously every three weeks for up to 18 cycles) or undergo observation.
About bladder cancer
It is estimated that approximately 82,290 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2023, and approximately 7% of bladder cancer cases are locally advanced at diagnosis. Globally, there were approximately 573,000 new cases. Muscle-invasive bladder cancer is bladder cancer that has spread into the deep muscle of the bladder wall, and locally advanced urothelial cancer is cancer that begins in the urothelial cells and has spread from where it started to nearby tissue or lymph nodes. Despite surgery, up to 50% of patients with bladder cancer experience recurrence within 12 months.
About Merck’s early-stage cancer clinical program
Finding cancer at an earlier stage may give patients a greater chance of long-term survival. Many cancers are considered most treatable and potentially curable in their earliest stage of disease. Building on the strong understanding of the role of KEYTRUDA in later-stage cancers, Merck is studying KEYTRUDA in earlier disease states, with more than 25 ongoing registrational studies across multiple types of cancer.
About K EYTRUDA®(pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Pediatric Use
In KEYNOTE-051, 161 pediatric patients (62 pediatric patients aged 6 months to younger than 12 years and 99 pediatric patients aged 12 years to 17 years) were administered KEYTRUDA 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks. The median duration of exposure was 2.1 months (range: 1 day to 24 months).
Adverse reactions that occurred at a ≥10% higher rate in pediatric patients when compared to adults were pyrexia (33%), vomiting (30%), leukopenia (30%), upper respiratory tract infection (29%), neutropenia (26%), headache (25%), and Grade 3 anemia (17%).
Additional Indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy. KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.