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Results support ongoing IMerge Phase 3 clinical trial.
Data from MEDALIST showed significant clinical benefit of Reblozyl in treating anemia in adults with myelodysplastic syndromes.
MENLO PARK, Calif., August 8, 2019 — Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN) today announced the opening of patient screening and enrollment for the Phase 3 portion of IMerge to evaluate imetelstat, a first-in-class telomerase inhibitor, in lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
“The start of the Phase 3 portion of IMerge is a significant milestone for Geron and imetelstat,” said John A. Scarlett, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are hopeful that the Phase 3 will confirm the encouraging results from the Phase 2 portion, and that imetelstat could become a much-needed treatment alternative for patients with lower risk MDS.”
IMerge is a two-part Phase 2/3 clinical trial of imetelstat in transfusion dependent patients with lower risk MDS who are relapsed after or refractory to erythroid stimulating agents (ESAs). The Phase 3 portion is planned to enroll approximately 170 patients in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to test the hypothesis that imetelstat improves the rate of red blood cell transfusion independence (TI). The trial is planned to be conducted at multiple medical centers globally, including North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia. The primary efficacy endpoint is 8-week TI rate, which is defined as the proportion of patients achieving transfusion independence during any consecutive eight weeks since entry into the trial. Key secondary endpoints include the rate of transfusion independence lasting at least 24 weeks, or 24-week TI rate, durability of transfusion independence and the amount and relative change in transfusions.
Many key aspects from the Phase 2 portion of IMerge remain the same for the Phase 3 portion. A target patient population of non-del(5q) lower risk MDS patients who are naïve to treatment with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) and lenalidomide was identified from the Phase 2 portion, and will be enrolled in the Phase 3. In addition, the primary and secondary endpoints, the dose and schedule of imetelstat administration and many of the clinical sites remain the same as in the Phase 2. Recently reported Phase 2 data highlighted the meaningful and durable transfusion independence, disease-modifying activity, and efficacy responses across MDS patient subgroups potentially achievable with imetelstat treatment.
Based upon current planning assumptions, Geron expects top-line results for the IMerge Phase 3 trial to be available by mid-year 2022.
To learn more about IMerge and whether the study is enrolling patients in your area, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of diverse blood disorders that develop because bone marrow cells do not mature into healthy blood cells. Many patients develop chronic anemia, the predominant clinical problem in lower risk MDS, and become dependent on red blood cell transfusions. There are approximately 60,000 people living with the disease in the United States.
About Imetelstat
Imetelstat is a novel, first-in-class telomerase inhibitor exclusively owned by Geron and being developed in hematologic myeloid malignancies. Early clinical data suggest imetelstat may have disease-modifying activity through the suppression of malignant progenitor cell clone proliferation, which allows potential recovery of normal hematopoiesis. Ongoing clinical studies of imetelstat consist of IMerge, a Phase 2/3 trial in lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and IMbark, a Phase 2 trial in Intermediate-2 or High-risk myelofibrosis.
Imetelstat has been granted Fast Track designation by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with transfusion dependent anemia due to non-del(5q) lower risk MDS who are refractory or resistant to an erythroid stimulating agent.
About Geron
Geron is a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and potential commercialization of a first-in-class telomerase inhibitor, imetelstat, in hematologic myeloid malignancies. For more information about Geron, visit www.geron.com.
Use of Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements
made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such statements, include, without limitation, those regarding: (i) that the Phase 3 portion of IMerge is planned to enroll approximately 170 patients and is planned to be conducted at multiple medical centers globally; (ii) that Geron expects top-line results for the IMerge Phase 3 trial to be available by mid-year 2022; (iii) that imetelstat may have disease-modifying activity; (iv) that imetelstat may potentially be commercialized; (v) that the Company is hopeful that the Phase 3 IMerge results will confirm the encouraging results from the Phase 2;
(vi) that recently reported Phase 2 IMerge data highlighted the meaningful and durable transfusion independence, disease-modifying activity, and efficacy responses across MDS patient subgroups potentially achievable with imetelstat treatment; and (vii) other statements that are not historical facts, constitute forward looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties, include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to: (i) whether the Company is able to overcome all the clinical, safety, efficacy, operational, technical, scientific, intellectual property, manufacturing and regulatory challenges to enable: a) 170 patients to be enrolled and for multiple medical centers globally to participate in the Phase 3 portion of IMerge and b) the eventual commercialization of imetelstat; (ii) whether regulatory authorities permit the further development and commercialization of imetelstat on a timely basis, or at all, without any clinical holds; (iii) whether imetelstat is demonstrated to be safe and efficacious in the Phase 3 IMerge clinical trial and other clinical trials; (iv) whether any future efficacy or safety results may cause the benefit-risk profile of imetelstat to become unacceptable; (v) whether the Company will be able to successfully retain and recruit key personnel to support its development plans; (vi) whether imetelstat actually demonstrates disease-modifying activity in patients; (vii) whether the Company is able to complete full study enrollment, sufficient treatment and follow-up of patients to assess the primary and secondary endpoints, and conduct necessary analyses to evaluate the benefit-risk profile of imetelstat in lower risk MDS to reach Phase 3 IMerge top-line results by mid-year 2022; and (viii) whether imetelstat has adequate patent protection and freedom to operate. Additional information on the above risks and uncertainties and additional risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are contained in Geron’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading “Risk Factors,” including Geron’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, and the facts and assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements may change. Except as required by law, Geron disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future information, events or circumstances.
CONTACT:
Suzanne Messere
Investor and Media Relations
investor@geron.com
media@geron.com
CG Capital
877-889-1972
Submission to EMA follows Biologics Licensing Application submission to U.S. FDA earlier this month
SUMMIT, N.J. & CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) and Acceleron Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: XLRN) today announced that Celgene has submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for luspatercept for the treatment of adult patients with very low to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)-associated anemia who have ring sideroblasts, require red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and have received or are not eligible for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and for the treatment of adult patients with beta-thalassemia-associated anemia who require RBC transfusions. Luspatercept is an investigational erythroid maturation agent that regulates late-stage red blood cell maturation.
The safety and efficacy results provided in the application are from the pivotal phase 3 studies MEDALIST and BELIEVE, evaluating the ability of luspatercept to effectively address anemia associated with MDS and beta-thalassemia, respectively.
“As a first-in-class erythroid maturation agent, luspatercept has the potential to become an important therapeutic option for patients with these serious diseases by treating the associated anemia and reducing the burden of transfusions,” said Jay Backstrom, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for Celgene. “We, along with our partners at Acceleron, now look forward to the regulatory process as we strive to deliver luspatercept to patients in need.”
Luspatercept is an investigational therapy that is not approved for any use in any country.
About Luspatercept
Luspatercept is a first-in-class erythroid maturation agent (EMA) that regulates late-stage red blood cell maturation. Acceleron and Celgene are jointly developing luspatercept as part of a global collaboration. A phase 3 trial (COMMANDS) in ESA-naïve, lower-risk MDS patients, the BEYOND phase 2 trial in non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia, and a phase 2 trial in myelofibrosis are ongoing. For more information, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About MEDALIST
MEDALIST is a phase 3, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study evaluating the safety and efficacy of luspatercept in adults with very low-, low-, or intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). All patients were RBC transfusion dependent and were either refractory or intolerant to prior erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) therapy or were ESA naïve with endogenous serum erythropoietin ≥ 200 U/L and had no prior treatment with disease modifying agents. The median age of the patients enrolled in the trial was 71 years in the luspatercept treatment group and 72 years in the placebo group. Median transfusion burden in both treatment arms was 5 RBC units/8 weeks. 229 patients were randomized to receive either luspatercept 1.0 mg/kg (153 patients) or placebo (76 patients) by subcutaneous injection once every 21 days. The study was conducted at 65 sites in 11 countries.
About BELIEVE
BELIEVE is a phase 3, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study comparing luspatercept + best supportive care (BSC) versus placebo + BSC in adults with beta-thalassemia patients who require regular RBC transfusions. The median age of the patients was 30 years in both treatment arms. 336 patients were randomized to receive either luspatercept 1.0 mg/kg (224 patients) or placebo (112 patients) by subcutaneous injection every 21 days for up to 48 weeks. Crossover to the luspatercept treatment groups was allowed after unblinding based on the recommendation of an independent Data Safety Monitoring Committee; patients treated with luspatercept will be followed for up to 3 years. The study was conducted at 65 sites in 15 countries.
About Celgene
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through next-generation solutions in protein homeostasis, immuno-oncology, epigenetics, immunology and neuro-inflammation. For more information, please visit www.celgene.com.
Follow Celgene on Social Media: Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
About Acceleron
Acceleron is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutics to treat serious and rare diseases. The Company’s leadership in the understanding of TGF-beta biology and protein engineering generates innovative compounds that engage the body’s ability to regulate cellular growth and repair.
Acceleron focuses its research and development efforts in hematologic, neuromuscular, and pulmonary diseases. In hematology, the Company and its global collaboration partner, Celgene, are developing luspatercept for the treatment of chronic anemia in myelodysplastic syndromes, beta-thalassemia, and myelofibrosis. Acceleron is also advancing its neuromuscular program with ACE-083, a locally-acting Myostatin+ agent in Phase 2 development in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and is conducting a Phase 2 pulmonary program with sotatercept in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
For more information, please visit www.acceleronpharma.com. Follow Acceleron on Social Media: @AcceleronPharma and LinkedIn.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include those regarding the potential benefits of, and plans relating to the collaboration between Acceleron and Celgene; the potential of luspatercept as a therapeutic drug; and the benefit of each company’s strategic plans and focus. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “possible,” “hope” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from current expectations and beliefs. For example, there can be no guarantee that luspatercept will be successfully developed or complete necessary clinical phases. Forward-looking statements in this press release could also be affected by risks and uncertainties relating to a number of other important factors, including: results of clinical trials, including subsequent analysis of existing data and new data received from ongoing and future studies; the content and timing of decisions made by the U.S. FDA and other regulatory authorities, investigational review boards at clinical trial sites and publication review bodies; the ability to obtain and maintain requisite regulatory approvals and to enroll patients in planned clinical trials; the ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for luspatercept; the ability to maintain key collaborations; and general economic and market conditions. These and other risks are described in greater detail under the caption “Risk Factors” included in each company’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to Celgene includes risk factors related to the proposed transaction between Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene, such as, but not limited to, the risks that: management’s time and attention is diverted on transaction related issues; disruption from the transaction makes it more difficult to maintain business, contractual and operational relationships; and Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene or the combined company is unable to retain key personnel. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and neither company has any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
Hyperlinks are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. Neither Celgene nor Acceleron bears responsibility for the security or content of external websites or websites outside of their respective control.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190426005205/en/
Celgene Corporation
Investors:
+1-908-673-9628
ir@celgene.com
or
Media:
+1-908-673-2275
media@celgene.com
Acceleron Pharma Inc.
Investors:
Todd James, IRC, (617) 649-9393
Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
or
Media:
Matt Fearer, (617) 301-9557
Director, Corporate Communications
Source: Celgene Corporation and Acceleron Pharma Inc.
Eurasian Hematology Oncology Group
Istanbul, Turkey
08-11 October 2019
Results showed significant improvement in red blood cell transfusion independence compared to placebo
Safety profile generally consistent with previously published data
Regulatory submissions planned in the United States and Europe in the first half of 2019
SUMMIT, N.J. and CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (June 28, 2018) — Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) and Acceleron Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: XLRN) today announced results from a phase III, randomized, double-blind, multi-center clinical study (MEDALIST). Luspatercept achieved a highly statistically significant improvement in the primary endpoint of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence of at least 8 consecutive weeks during the first 24 weeks compared to placebo.
MEDALIST evaluated the efficacy and safety of luspatercept versus placebo in patients with IPSS-R very low, low or intermediate risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with chronic anemia and refractory to, intolerant of, or ineligible for treatment with an erythropoietin-stimulating agent (ESA), ring sideroblastpositive and require frequent RBC transfusions.
In addition to achieving the primary endpoint of the study, luspatercept also met the key secondary endpoint of demonstrating a highly statistically significant improvement in RBC transfusion independence of at least 12 consecutive weeks during the first 24 weeks. Modified hematologic improvement-erythroid (IWG mHI-E), a meaningful secondary endpoint, was also achieved.
Adverse events observed in the study were generally consistent with previously published data.
“This result from the phase III MEDALIST trial demonstrates the potential clinical benefit of luspatercept as an erythroid maturation agent for the treatment of chronic anemia in patients with low-to-intermediate risk MDS,” said Jay Backstrom, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for Celgene. “Based on these results, we look forward to preparing the dossier for global regulatory submissions and also investigating the clinical potential of luspatercept in ESA-naïve, low-to-intermediate risk MDS patients through the initiation of our phase III COMMANDS study.”
“We are truly encouraged by the top-line results of MEDALIST and the potential to benefit the tens of thousands of patients suffering from low-to-intermediate risk MDS worldwide. We would like to thank the patients and investigators involved in the trial,” said Habib Dable, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acceleron. “With other ongoing research in beta-thalassemia and myelofibrosis, we remain committed to exploring the potential of luspatercept to address a range of anemia-related diseases.”
Data from MEDALIST will be submitted to a future medical meeting in 2018. The companies plan to submit regulatory applications in the United States and Europe in the first half of 2019.
Luspatercept is not approved for any indication in any geography.
About Luspatercept
Luspatercept is a first-in-class erythroid maturation agent (EMA) that is believed to regulate late-stage red blood cell maturation. Acceleron and Celgene are jointly developing luspatercept as part of a global collaboration. Phase III clinical trials continue to evaluate the safety and efficacy of luspatercept in patients with MDS (the MEDALIST trial) and in patients with beta-thalassemia (the BELIEVE trial). A Phase III trial is being planned in first-line, lower-risk, MDS patients (the COMMANDS trial). The BEYOND Phase II trial in non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia and a Phase II trial in myelofibrosis are ongoing. For more information, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About Celgene
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through next-generation solutions in protein homeostasis, immuno-oncology, epigenetics, immunology and neuro-inflammation. For more information, please visit www.celgene.com. Follow Celgene on Social Media: @Celgene, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
About Acceleron
Acceleron is a Cambridge-based, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutics to treat serious and rare diseases. The Company’s leadership in the understanding of TGF-beta biology and protein engineering generates innovative compounds that engage the body’s ability to regulate cellular growth and repair.
Acceleron focuses its research and development efforts in hematologic, neuromuscular, and pulmonary diseases. In hematology, the Company and its global collaboration partner, Celgene, are developing luspatercept for the treatment of chronic anemia in myelodysplastic syndromes, beta-thalassemia, and myelofibrosis. Acceleron is also advancing its neuromuscular franchise with two distinct Myostatin+ agents, ACE-083 and ACE-2494, and a pulmonary program with sotatercept in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
For more information, please visit www.acceleronpharma.com. Follow Acceleron on Social Media: @AcceleronPharma and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include those regarding the potential benefits of, and plans relating to the collaboration between Acceleron and Celgene; the potential of luspatercept as a therapeutic drug; and the benefit of each company’s strategic plans and focus. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “possible,” “hope” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such statementsare subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from current expectations and beliefs. For example, there can be no guarantee that any product candidate will be successfully developed or complete necessary preclinical and clinical phases, that the results of any clinical study will be predictive for other clinical studies of the same product candidate, or that development of any of product candidates will successfully continue. There can be no guarantee that any positive developments will result in stock price appreciation. Management’s expectations and, therefore, any forward-looking statements in this press release could also be affected by risks and uncertainties relating to a number of other important factors, including: results of clinical trials and preclinical studies, including subsequent analysis of existing data and new data received from ongoing and future studies; the content and timing of decisions made by the U.S. FDA and other regulatory authorities, investigational review boards at clinical trial sites and publication review bodies; the ability to obtain and maintain requisite regulatory approvals and to enroll patients in planned clinical trials; unplanned cash requirements and expenditures; competitive factors; the ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for any product candidates ; the ability to maintain key collaborations; and general economic and market conditions. These and other risks are described in greater detail under the caption “Risk Factors” included in each company’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and neither company has any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
Hyperlinks are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. Neither Celgene nor Acceleron bears responsibility for the security or content of external websites or websites outside of their respective control.
Contacts:
Celgene Corporation
Investors: +1-908-673-9628
ir@celgene.com
Media:
+1-908-673-2275
media@celgene.com
Acceleron Pharma Inc.
Todd James, IRC, (617) 649-9393
Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
or
Candice Ellis, 617-649-9226
Manager, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
or
Media: Matt Fearer, 617-301-9557 Director, Corporate Communications
– Quizartinib is the first FLT3 inhibitor to demonstrate improved overall survival compared with chemotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with FLT3-ITD mutations, a very aggressive form of the disease associated with poor prognosis
– There is high unmet medical need in relapsed/refractory AML as available treatment options are limited; currently, there are no approved targeted therapies for patients with relapsed/refractory FLT3-ITD- mutated AML
– Results of the global, randomized, phase 3 study, QuANTUM-R, will form the basis of worldwide regulatory submissions for quizartinib, the lead investigational agent in the AML Franchise of Daiichi Sankyo
– QuANTUM-R results support an ongoing comprehensive development program for quizartinib including the QuANTUM-First trial and multiple combination studies
Read Press Release here https://www.daiichisankyo.com/
40.3% Overall Response Rate (ORR) with Median Duration of Response of 5.8 Months and 19.3% Complete Response (CR) Rate with Median Duration of Response of 8.8 Months in Patients With a CR
Overall Safety Profile was Consistent with Previously Reported Data
Simultaneous Online Publications of Clinical and Translational Data Presented in Journal Blood
CHICAGO – – (BUSINESS WIRE) – – Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) and Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AGIO) today announced new efficacy and safety data from the ongoing Phase 1 dose-escalation and expansion study evaluating investigational oral IDHIFA® (enasidenib) in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML) and an isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2) mutation. IDHIFA is an investigational first-in-class, oral, targeted inhibitor of the mutant IDH2 enzyme, which demonstrated an overall response rate of 40.3 percent, including a complete response rate of 19.3 percent in the study. The data were presented in an oral session at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting and simultaneously published online in the journa Blood.*
“The updated results, including duration of response, from the Phase 1 study reinforce the potential for enasidenib as a first-in-class therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory AML and an IDH2 mutation,” said Michael Pehl, President, Hematology/Oncology at Celgene. “Patients have very few treatment options for relapsed or refractory AML, so we are eager to advance this potential targeted therapy as quickly as possible.”
As of April 15, 2016, a total of 239 patients with advanced hematologic malignances and an IDH2 mutation were enrolled into the Phase 1 study, of which 176 patients had R/R AML. Data reported include patients receiving enasidenib at total daily doses ranging from 50 mg to 650 mg in the dose-escalation arm and 100 mg once daily in the Phase 1 expansion arms. A maximum tolerated dose was not reached. The median age of the patients enrolled in the study is 70 (ranging from 19-100). Patients with R/R AML received a median of two prior lines of therapy (ranging from one to 14).
The overall safety profile observed for enasidenib was consistent with previously reported data. Twenty-four percent of patients had treatment-related serious adverse events (SAEs), notably IDH differentiation syndrome (8%), leukocytosis (4%), tumor lysis syndrome (3%) and hyperbilirubinemia (2%). The most common treatment-emergent AEs were nausea (46%) hyperbilirubinemia (45%), diarrhea (40%) and fatigue (40%).
Data from 176 R/R AML patients with an IDH2 mutation demonstrated a 40.3 percent (71 of 176 patients) overall response rate, which was the primary endpoint of the study. Further, the complete response rate was 19.3 percent (34 of 176 patients). Median duration of response was 5.8 months [95% CI 3.9, 7.4] for all patients who responded and 8.8 months [95% CI 6.4, NR] for patients who achieved a CR. Median time to first response was 1.9 months (0.5-9.4) and median time to CR was 3.8 months (0.5-11.2). Median overall survival (OS) for R/R AML patients as observed in the study was 9.3 months [95% CI 8.2, 10.9]. Additional results including qualitative improvement in response over time, improvement in hematological parameters over time, OS for patients achieving a CR and transfusion independence were also reported.
“In addition to the complete response in this study, we also observed changes in responses and hematologic parameters over time,” said Eytan Stein, M.D., lead investigator and attending physician in the leukemia service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “This suggests that differentiation of myeloblasts – made possible by inhibition of mutated IDH2 – may drive the clinical efficacy of enasidenib.”
“Targeting IDH mutations is thought to allow for the differentiation of malignant cells and introduces a new paradigm in the treatment of AML,” said Chris Bowden, M.D., chief medical officer of Agios. “These data show that IDH inhibition plays an important role in segments of AML and will continue to inform our research into this novel class of potential therapies.”
Additional Data Available – IDH Differentiation Syndrome & Translational Analyses
A separate analysis of IDH-inhibitor-associated differentiation syndrome (IDH-DS) associated with enasidenib was also presented as a poster discussion during the ASCO meeting and detailed the findings of an independent Differentiation Syndrome Review Committee (DSRC). The committee reviewed investigator reported IDH-DS cases and determined that 13 of the 27 potential cases were consistent with IDH-DS (11.9% of 109 patients). These data demonstrate that the signs and symptoms of IDH-DS are recognizable. IDH-DS represents a novel clinical finding in patients with mutated IDH2 AML treated with enasidenib, and is likely due to its purported mechanism of action, differentiation of leukemic cells.
In addition to the clinical data publication, additional analyses describing the mechanism of action of enasidenib were also published online in Blood. An analysis of patient samples confirmed that the preclinical efficacy and mechanism of action of mutated IDH2 inhibition by enasidenib is through differentiation of AML cells. The authors conclude that the data provide insights into enasidenib resistance to inform future mechanism-based combination treatment studies.
Clinical Development
Enasidenib continues to be studied in the following ongoing clinical trials:
The New Drug Application (NDA) for IDHIFA is currently under Priority Review with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory AML with an IDH2 mutation. The NDA has been given a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of Aug. 30, 2017.
Ivosidenib (AG-120, wholly owned by Agios) is an investigational, oral, targeted inhibitor of the mutant IDH1 enzyme.
About AG221-C-001
Study AG221-C-001 includes three parts: a Phase 1 dose escalation, a part 1 (Phase 1) expansion and a Phase 2 expansion.
The Phase 1 dose escalation study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose and recommended Phase 2 dose, and to evaluate efficacy and safety of enasidenib (AG-221/CC-90007) in subjects with advanced hematologic malignancies with an IDH2 mutation. The Part 1 expansion further evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of enasidenib in subjects with R/R AML, untreated AML, myelodysplastic syndrome or other advanced hematologic malignancies with an IDH2 mutation. Based on the clinical activity observed in R/R AML subjects, the Phase 2 expansion was designed to assess efficacy of enasidenib at recommended 100 mg daily dose and to further evaluate safety in subjects with R/R AML and with IDH2 mutation. The study was not designed or statistically powered to reach a conclusion on OS. A phase 3 randomized controlled trial with OS as a primary endpoint has been initiated.
About Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
AML, a cancer of blood and bone marrow characterized by rapid disease progression, is the most common acute leukemia affecting adults. Undifferentiated blast cells proliferate in the bone marrow rather than mature into normal blood cells. AML incidence significantly increases with age, and according to the American Cancer Society, the median age of onset is 66. The vast majority of patients do not respond to chemotherapy and progress to relapsed/refractory AML. The five-year survival rate for AML is approximately 20 to 25 percent. IDH2 mutations are present in about 8 to 19 percent of AML cases.
About Agios
Agios is focused on discovering and developing novel investigational medicines to treat cancer and rare genetic diseases through scientific leadership in the field of cellular metabolism. In addition to an active research and discovery pipeline across both therapeutic areas, Agios has multiple first-in-class investigational medicines in clinical and/or preclinical development. All Agios programs focus on genetically identified patient populations, leveraging our knowledge of metabolism, biology and genomics. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.agios.com.
About Celgene
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through next-generation solutions in protein homeostasis, immuno-oncology, epigenetics, immunology and neuro-inflammation. For more information, please visit www.celgene.com. Follow Celgene on Social Media: @Celgene, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
About Agios/Celgene Collaboration
IDHIFA® (enasidenib) and AG-881 are part of Agios’ global strategic collaboration with Celgene Corporation focused on cancer metabolism. Under the terms of the 2010 collaboration agreement, Celgene has worldwide development and commercialization rights for IDHIFA. Agios continues to conduct clinical development activities within the IDHIFA development program and is eligible to receive reimbursement for those development activities and up to $95 million in remaining payments assuming achievement of certain milestones and royalties on net sales. Celgene and Agios intend to co-commercialize IDHIFA in the U.S. Celgene will reimburse Agios for costs incurred for its co-commercialization efforts.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “will,” “outlook” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are made. Neither Celgene nor Agios undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond each company’s control. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of the impact of a number of factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports of each company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Hyperlinks are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. Neither Celgene nor Agios bears any responsibility for the security or content of external websites.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170606006331/en/
Celgene
Investors:
+1-908-673-9628
ir@celgene.com
or
Media:
+1-908-673-2275
media@celgene.com
or
Agios
Investors:
Kendra Adams, 617-844-6407
Senior Director, Investor & Public Relations
Kendra.Adams@agios.com
or
Renee Leck, 617-649-8299
Senior Manager, Investor & Public Relations
Renee.Leck@agios.com
or
Media:
Holly Manning, 617-844-6630
Associate Director, Corporate Communications
Holly.Manning@agios.com
Source: Celgene Corporation
News Provided by Acquire Media
CELGENE AND AGIOS ANNOUNCE COLLABORATIONS WITH ABBOTT FOR
DIAGNOSTIC IDENTIFICATION OF IDH MUTATIONS IN AML
Companion diagnostic technology to be utilized with enasidenib (AG-221/CC-90007) and AG-120 development programs for relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
Approximately 20% of AML patients have an IDH mutation
SUMMIT, NJ and Cambridge, Mass. – (Oct. 12, 2016) – Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) and Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AGIO) today announced each company has entered into collaboration agreements with Abbott (NYSE: ABT), a leader in diagnostic technologies, to develop and commercialize companion diagnostic tests on Abbott’s m2000 RealTime System to identify isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Celgene is currently developing enasidenib (AG-221/CC-90007), an IDH2 mutant inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory AML who have an IDH2 mutation. Agios is developing AG-120, an IDH1 mutant inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory AML who have an IDH1 mutation.
IDH1 and IDH2 mutations occur in approximately 20% of AML patients. An article published online this week in the journal Leukemia (Medeiros, Leukemia 2016) concluded that advances in the understanding of the genetics underlying myeloid malignancies are driving an era of development for targeted treatments such as IDH mutant inhibitors. The authors recommend that IDH mutational analysis should become part of the routine AML diagnostic workup and repeated at relapse to identify patients who may be eligible for targeted investigational treatments currently under clinical study.
“AML is a complex and heterogeneous disease, making it difficult to treat,” said Han Myint, M.D., Vice President, Global Medical Affairs, Myeloid for Celgene. “IDH mutations lead to aberrant DNA methylation, causing a block in myeloid differentiation that leads to disease progression. Molecular profiling is important to identify genomic mutations which may have prognostic and potential treatment implications for patients with AML.”
Abbott’s m2000rt RealTime System, is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instrument designed to enable clinical laboratories to automate PCR and results analysis, simplifying the complex and manual steps often associated with molecular diagnostics. Both Celgene and Agios have incorporated this screening into clinical trial designs, including the recently initiated Phase 3 IDHENTIFY trial comparing enasidenib with conventional therapy in older patients with an IDH2 mutation and relapsed or refractory AML (NCT02577406).
“The field of personalized medicine is advancing at a rapid pace for a broad range of medical conditions, especially within hematology-oncology,” said Chris Bowden, M.D., chief medical officer at Agios. “Our collaboration with Abbott will provide a test to help identify AML patients with IDH mutations who are in need of treatment options.”
The m2000 system has not been FDA cleared or approved for use with enasidenib or AG-120.
Enasidenib and AG-120 have not been approved for any use in any country.
About Celgene
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through next-generation solutions in protein homeostasis, immuno-oncology, epigenetics, immunology and neuro-inflammation. For more information, please visit www.celgene.com. Follow Celgene on Social Media: @Celgene, Pinterest, LinkedIn, FaceBook and YouTube.
About Agios
Agios is focused on discovering and developing novel investigational medicines to treat cancer and rare genetic metabolic disorders through scientific leadership in the field of cellular metabolism. In addition to an active research and discovery pipeline across both therapeutic areas, Agios has multiple first-in-class investigational medicines in clinical and/or preclinical development. All Agios programs focus on genetically identified patient populations, leveraging our knowledge of metabolism, biology and genomics. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.agios.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “will,” “outlook” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are made. Neither Celgene nor Agios undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond each company’s control. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of the impact of a number of factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports of each company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
# # #
Contacts:
For Celgene:
Investors:
(908) 673-9628 investors@celgene.com
Media:
(908) 673-2275 media@celgene.com
For Agios:
Kendra Adams, 617-844-6407
Senior Director, Investor & Public Relations
Kendra.Adams@agios.com
Renee Leck, 617-649-8299
Senior Manager, Investor & Public Relations
Renee.Leck@agios.com
Contacts:
For Celgene:
Investors:
(908) 673-9628
investors@celgene.com
Media:
(908) 673-2275
media@celgene.com
For Sage:
Media: (206) 667-3192
CELGENE CORPORATION AND SAGE BIONETWORKS ANNOUNCE TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION TO DEVELOP OBSERVATIONAL STUDY USING THE APPLE RESEARCHKIT FRAMEWORK
Observational study to examine the burden of chronic anemia in myelodysplastic syndromes and beta-thalassemia
SUMMIT, NJ and SEATTLE, Wash.– (Oct. 18, 2016) – Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) and Sage Bionetworks today announced a collaboration to develop an iPhone application utilizing the Apple ResearchKit framework to improve the understanding of the burden of disease for patients living with chronic anemia due to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or beta-thalassemia.
Smartphone-based apps like Sage Bionetworks’ mPower for Parkinson’s disease are increasingly being utilized as a tool by clinical study researchers to collect and analyze increasing volumes of patient-reported data in order to better capture and understand disease burden better and to improve therapeutic developments. Smartphone clinical study apps also enable the return communication of important study information to the patient participants.
“We stand at a point where technology is unlocking the ability to capture patient reported outcomes,” said Michael Pehl, President, Hematology & Oncology for Celgene. “Through our collaboration with Sage Bionetworks and the evolving capability of smartphones and wearables as robust data collection devices, we believe we will be able to provide important new insights for patients with MDS and beta-thalassemia. We are pleased to be working alongside Sage Bionetworks and the patient community on this important project.”
Celgene and Sage Bionetworks have chosen to address chronic anemia caused by myelodysplastic syndromes and beta-thalassemia. These diseases impose a great burden on affected individuals that is difficult to understand and quantify, and typically have clinical endpoints outside traditional measures. The collaboration seeks to move to a paradigm where this and other information like physiological testing are collected on a multi-dimensional and regular basis.
Already a leader in MDS, Celgene is currently developing three assets in the clinic across myelodysplastic syndromes and beta-thalassemia (CC-486, luspatercept, and enasidenib (AG-221/CC-90007)).
In addition to helping collect difficult to quantify data, the new mobile study will collect neurological assessments of patients using cognitive testing software from BrainBaseline, a leading technology for the self-assessment of cognitive performance. The app will also be an important channel for two-way communication and support for patients living with their disease – allowing them to understand their physical functioning and other symptoms of anemia.
Dr. Lara Mangravite, President of Sage Bionetworks stated, “We are thrilled to partner with Celgene to explore the use of sensor-based technologies to quantify the daily burden of disease in patients with chronic anemia. This is a first of its kind exploration from which we hope to gain insights that can be used to understand the impact of chronic anemia.”
Celgene and Sage Bionetworks are working closely with the MDS Foundation (www.mds-foundation.org) and Cooleys Anemia Foundation (www.thalassemai.org) in defining the right elements for capture in the application to ensure patient relevance and applicability.
About Celgene
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through next-generation solutions in protein homeostasis, immuno-oncology, epigenetics, immunology and neuro-inflammation. For more information, please visit www.celgene.com. Follow Celgene on Social Media: @Celgene, Pinterest, LinkedIn, FaceBook and YouTube.
About Sage Bionetworks (www.sagebase.org)
Sage Bionetworks is a nonprofit biomedical research organization, founded in 2009, with a vision to promote innovations in personalized medicine by enabling a community-based approach to scientific inquiries and discoveries. In pursuit of this Mission, Sage Bionetworks is working with others to assemble an information Commons for biomedicine that (1) is supported by an open compute space (Synapse: www.synapse.org), (2) supports open research collaborations and innovative DREAM Challenges, and (3) empowers citizens and patients with the tools to partner with researchers and share their data through Sage’s BRIDGE platform (http://sagebase.org/bridge/) in order to drive the research studies that matter most to them.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “will,” “outlook” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are made. Celgene undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond Celgene’s control. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of the impact of a number of factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in Celgene’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
NEWTOWN, Pa., March 21, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Onconova Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ONTX), a clinical- stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel products to treat cancer, today announced the enrollment of the first European patient in Salzburg, Austria for the Phase 3 INSPIRE trial for IV rigosertib as a treatment for higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) following failure of hypomethylating agent (HMA) therapy. The first patient in this global trial was enrolled at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in December 2015.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., September 22, 2016 – Syros Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SYRS) announced today that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase 2 clinical trial of its lead drug candidate, SY-1425, a first-in-class selective retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) agonist, in genomically defined subsets of patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) identified using a novel biomarker discovered by its gene control platform.
Current Status: Part 1 recruitment complete; Part 2 is not yet open for recruitment. For additional details, refer to the Geron press release (12Sep2016) at http://ir.geron.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=67323&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2201055.
Janssen Research & Development, LLC is conducting a Phase 2/3 clinical study referred to as “IMerge”, with the study drug Imetelstat, which is a first-in-class telomerase inhibitor. With its novel mechanism of action, Imetelstat may provide clinical benefit to MDS patients. In this study, Imetelstat is administered as a 2-hour intravenous infusion every 28 days.
IMerge is a study for people with MDS who need blood transfusions due to anemia (low red blood cell counts). People with low or intermediate-1 risk MDS that has relapsed or is refractory to Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs) treatment are enrolled in the study. This study is being conducted at multiple hospitals and institutions around the world, in approximately 80 sites globally.
For more information about this clinical study, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02598661).
Treatment with lenalidomide (Revlimid) improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared with placebo after 24 weeks for low to intermediate risk patients with non-deletion 5q myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), according to a secondary endpoint analysis of the MDS-005 trial presented at the 2015 International MDS Symposium.
Results from MDS-005, originally presented at the 2014 ASH Annual Meeting, demonstrated that significantly more patients treated with lenalidomide achieved red blood cell transfusion independence (RBC-TI) of at least 56 days compared with placebo (26.9% [43/160 patients] vs 2.5% [2/79 patients]; P <.001), the primary endpoint of the multicenter randomized placebo-controlled study.
Based on the results of MDS-005, Celgene plans to submit a regulatory filing with the FDA in the second half of 2015.
In the current analysis, presented by Valeria Santini, MD, HRQoL was assessed as a secondary endpoint using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 questionnaire at baseline, every 12 weeks thereafter, and at discontinuation.
The questionnaire gathered data on fatigue, dyspnea, physical functioning, emotional functioning and global quality of life from 122 patients who received lenalidomide and 56 who received placebo. All patients included in the study had low or intermediate risk, transfusion dependent MDS that was non-del-5q, and were unresponsive or refractory to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.
Patients underwent a baseline HRQoL assessment. At week 12, mean changes in HRQoL scores from baseline were not significantly different between treatment arms for the preselected domains. However, by week 24, HRQoL score changes favored lenalidomide versus placebo for all preselected domains. After adjusting for baseline scores, improvement was statistically significant for emotional functioning (P = .047) but not other domains.
“This analysis provides new insights into the clinical results of lenalidomide in non-del-5q patients,” said Santini. “We now have a better understanding of how achievement of transfusion independence impacts quality of life measures.”
RBC-TI of at least 8 weeks was associated with significant improvement (P <.01) across all preselected domains, with improvements also exceeding the prespecified threshold for clinically meaningful change.
In the study, the most common adverse events associated with lenalidomide were related to myelosuppression, including neutropenia (64.4% vs 11.4%) and thrombocytopenia (39.4% vs 7.6%). Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 61.9% and 12.7% in the lenalidomide and placebo groups, respectively, and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 35.6% versus 3.8%.
The FDA granted lenalidomide Subpart H approval in 2005 for patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to low or intermediate-1 risk MDS associated with a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality. The drug is currently only available under a special restricted distribution program. The Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program is designed to avoid embryo-fetal exposure to lenalidomide, as the drug is linked to birth defects or death of unborn babies. Risk impacts both women and men, as lenalidomide can pass into human semen.
In 2006 lenalidomide was approved for use in combination with dexamethasone in patients with multiple myeloma who have received one prior therapy. In February 2015, the FDA expanded this multiple myeloma indication to include use in combination with dexamethasone in newly diagnosed patients. The drug also received approval for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma in 2013 for use in patients whose disease has relapsed or progressed after two prior therapies, one of which included bortezomib (Velcade).
Santini V, Almeida A, Giagounidis A, et al. The effect of lenalidomide on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with MDS: results from the MDS-005 trial. Leukemia Research. 2015;39:1s (suppl; abstr 116).
View original publication of article
Program to Focus Initially on Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Multiple Myeloma
Studies Planned to Start in Second Half 2015
BOUDRY, Switzerland–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Celgene International II Sàrl, a wholly owned subsidiary of Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) today announced that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with MedImmune Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca PLC, to develop and commercialize an anti-PD-L1 inhibitor, MEDI4736, for hematologic malignancies. Approximately 1.75 million patients globally suffer from blood cancer and many are in need of new treatment options.
MEDI4736 is a human monoclonal antibody directed against programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), which helps tumors avoid detection by the immune system. Tumor cells use PD-L1 to turn off the immune system just as it begins to mount a response against them. MEDI4736 helps turn the immune system back on, allowing it to continue its attack on cancer.
“The potential of rationally combining immunotherapies such as MEDI4736 with existing and novel hematology compounds creates new opportunities for patients with blood cancers to live longer, better lives,” said Jacqualyn A. Fouse, Ph.D., President, Global Hematology and Oncology for Celgene. “This strategic collaboration leverages the deep expertise of AstraZeneca/MedImmune in immuno-oncology along with the experience of Celgene in the study and treatment of blood cancers. This collaboration advances Celgene’s already deep, diverse scientific platform to include checkpoint inhibitors, an area of significant promise in hematology.”
Dr. Bahija Jallal, Executive Vice President at MedImmune, said: “We are excited about our strategic collaboration with Celgene, a globally recognized leader in treatments for hematological cancers. This agreement is a great example of how we are accelerating the development of medical innovation in our portfolio in collaboration with other experts, in order to bring life-enhancing new medicines to patients faster. Together with Celgene, we are designing a programme for our anti-PD-L1 that will explore its full clinical potential as a game-changing treatment that could activate the patients’ immune system to fight and change the course of blood cancers in this area of high unmet need.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Celgene will collaborate with AstraZeneca to develop the anti-PD-L1 antibody MEDI4736 in hematology and make an upfront payment of $450 million. Celgene will lead clinical development across all new clinical trials within the collaboration and be responsible for all costs associated with these trials until December 31, 2016, after which it is responsible for 75% of these costs. Celgene will also be responsible for the global commercialization of approved MEDI4736 indications in hematology, and will receive royalty rates starting at 70 percent of worldwide sales from all uses in hematology. Royalty rates will decrease gradually to 50 percent over a period of four years after the first date of commercial sales. This collaboration agreement will become effective upon the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under all applicable antitrust laws.
This strategic collaboration will initially focus on the development of MEDI4736 as combination therapy with Celgene’s pipeline of products and other novel agents for hematologic disorders. Over time, the collaboration could expand to include other assets.
MEDI4736 is not approved in any country for any indication.
About MEDI4736
MEDI4736 is a human monoclonal antibody directed against programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), which helps tumors avoid detection by the immune system. MEDI4736 is currently being evaluated in several disease states, including lung, melanoma and head and neck cancer.
About Hematologic Malignancies
The World Health Organization estimates that 1.75 million patients had a hematologic malignancy in 2012. These diseases include lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes. The global incidence of blood cancers continues to rise. By 2030, the incidence of blood cancer overall is predicted to rise by 46 percent, and that of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma by 50 and 60 percent, respectively.
About Celgene
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein regulation. For more information, please visit www.celgene.com. Follow us on Twitter @Celgene, and on Pinterest and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “will,” “outlook” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of the impact of a number of factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in Celgene Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
All registered trademarks are owned by Celgene Corporation.
NICE has issued final draft guidance recommending lenalidomide (also known as Revlimid and marketed by Celgene) as an option, for treating myelodysplastic syndromes.
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), which are diagnosed in around 2000 people each year in England, are a group of bone marrow disorders characterised by the underproduction of one or more types of blood cells due to dysfunction of the marrow. MDS can lead to life threatening disease including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), as well as anaemia and increased risk of bleeding and infections.
This appraisal focused on the use of lenalidomide for treating people with a specific type of MDS that is characterised by a chromosomal abnormality called an isolated deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality. At the moment the main treatment option for people with the particular kind of MDS considered in this appraisal is best supportive care including regular blood transfusions.
Commenting on the final draft guidance, Sir Andrew Dillon, NICE chief executive, said: “The committee heard from clinical experts that lenalidomide is an effective therapy. Celgene – who market lenalidomide – worked with us to provide enough evidence to make it possible for us to recommend it for this group of people.
“Celgene provided a revised analyses and further information on their proposal for a reduction in the cost of the drug to the NHS (patient access scheme).”
Celgene’s patient access scheme involves the NHS paying for lenalidomide treatment for up to 26 monthly cycles. The company will provide the drug free of charge for those people who receive more than 26 monthly cycles.
The draft guidance is now with consultees, who have the opportunity to appeal against it. Until NICE issues final guidance, NHS bodies should make decisions locally on the funding of specific treatments.
Important new survey started by EHA – the European Haematology Association. EHA is interested in finding out if certain medicines are not available in some parts of the country – or in some parts of Europe. Patients, Caregivers, and Healthcare professionals are encouraged to complete this survey. The information from this survey will educate European policy makers to take measures that will help provide effective medicines that are not affordable or are not marketed in specific countries.
Having trouble explaining Myelodysplastic Syndromes in terms your loved ones can understand? This new episode of the health and wellness program HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND can help explain it for you. If you would like to receive your FREE DVD, please call 609-298-1035 or 800-637-0839 or email dmurray@devmdsfound.org
Under the aegis of the MDS Foundation, the International Working Group for Prognosis in MDS generated an improved method analyzing MDS patient prognosis more precisely than the initial IPSS.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved Revlimid® for the treatment of MDS patients with transfusion-dependent anemia associated with the del(5q) chromosomal abnormality.
Under the aegis of the MDS Foundation, the International Working Group for Prognosis in MDS (IWG-PM) analyzed clinical features and outcome data from over 7000 patients and generated a method analyzing MDS patient prognosis more precisely than the initial IPSS. Novel components of this prognostic system include: five rather than three cytogenetic prognostic subgroups with specific and new classifications of a number of less common cytogenetic subsets, splitting the low marrow blast percentage value, and depth of cytopenias. In addition to the major prognostic variables of marrow blasts, cytogenetics and peripheral cytopenias, additive features for survival include patient age, performance status, serum ferritin and LDH. The IPSS-R calculator tool is accessible through the following URLs : https://www.mds-foundation.org/ipss-r-calculator/index.php or http://www.ipss-r.com. An iPhone App for the IPSS-R calculator tool is also accessible through the Apple Store (enter MDS IPSS-R). This IPSS-R should prove beneficial for predicting the clinical outcomes of untreated MDS patients and aiding design and analysis of clinical trials in this disease. Data for both calculator tools are derived from the article: Greenberg P, Tuechler H, Schanz J, et al, Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) for Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Blood 120: 2454-2465, 2012.
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http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/22-3283911/myelodysplastic-syndromes-foundation.aspx
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View the MDS Supplement in the American Journal of Medicine. This supplement is supported by Celgene Corporation. These articles are available on the internet through open access, allowing interested parties to download the entire supplement for free.
