On November 10, 2017 Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Allergan plc. (NYSE:AGN) reported that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a positive opinion for the Marketing Authorization of ABP 215, a biosimilar to Avastin (bevacizumab) (Press release, Amgen, NOV 10, 2017, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2316169 [SID1234521930]). ABP 215 has been recommended for approval for the treatment of certain types of cancer, including in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy for metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum; in combination with paclitaxel for metastatic breast cancer; in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); in combination with erlotinib for unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-squamous NSCLC; in combination with interferon alfa-2a for advanced and/or metastatic renal cell cancer; in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, carboplatin and gemcitabine, and paclitaxel, topotecan, or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for advanced, platinum-sensitive, or platinum-resistant recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer; and in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin, or alternatively, paclitaxel and topotecan for persistent, recurrent, or metastatic carcinoma of the cervix.
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"ABP 215 has the potential to provide healthcare professionals and appropriate patients across Europe access to high-quality, targeted cancer therapy," said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. "The positive CHMP opinion for ABP 215 marks the first time a bevacizumab biosimilar has been recommended for approval in the European Union, which is an exciting milestone for Amgen."
Amgen and Allergan are committed to developing high-quality biosimilars with a robust analytic and clinical package. The Marketing Authorization Application for ABP 215 was based on a comprehensive data package that demonstrated ABP 215 and bevacizumab are highly similar, with no clinically meaningful differences in terms of the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity between the products. Clinical studies included results from a Phase 3 trial in patients with non-squamous NSCLC.
"This positive opinion underscores our commitment with Amgen to bringing biosimilars to market to help patients with difficult-to-treat cancers," said David Nicholson, chief research and development officer at Allergan. "We are encouraged by the progress Amgen and Allergan have made in developing biosimilars in critical disease areas and look forward to providing important medicines to patients in the future."
The CHMP positive opinion will now be reviewed by the European Commission (EC), which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union (EU). If approved, a centralized marketing authorization will be granted that will be valid in the 28 countries that are members of the EU. Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as members of the European Economic Area (EEA), will take corresponding decisions on the basis of the decision of the EC.
In September 2017, ABP 215 became the first anti-cancer biosimilar, as well as the first bevacizumab biosimilar, to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is approved in the U.S. with the brand name MVASI (bevacizumab-awwb). Amgen and Allergan are collaborating on the development and commercialization of four oncology biosimilars. Amgen has a total of 10 biosimilars in its portfolio, one of which has been approved by the EC.
About ABP 215 in the European Union
ABP 215 is being developed as a biosimilar to bevacizumab. Once approved in the EU, ABP 215 will be indicated in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy for metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum; in combination with paclitaxel for metastatic breast cancer; in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent NSCLC; in combination with erlotinib for unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-squamous NSCLC; in combination with interferon alfa-2a for advanced and/or metastatic renal cell cancer; in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, carboplatin and gemcitabine, and paclitaxel, topotecan, or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for advanced, platinum-sensitive, or platinum-resistant recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer; and in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin, or alternatively, paclitaxel and topotecan for persistent, recurrent, or metastatic carcinoma of the cervix. Indications in the U.S., EU and other regions vary due to regional differences.
About MVASI (bevacizumab-awwb) in the U.S.
MVASI is a biosimilar to bevacizumab, a recombinant immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inhibits the interaction of VEGF with its receptors, VEGF receptor-1 and VEGF receptor-2, thus inhibiting establishment of new blood vessels necessary for the maintenance and growth of solid tumors.
MVASI is indicated for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), with intravenous 5-fluorouracil–based chemotherapy for first- or second-line treatment.
MVASI is indicated for the treatment of mCRC, with fluoropyrimidine- irinotecan- or fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for second-line treatment in patients who have progressed on a first-line bevacizumab-containing regimen. MVASI is not indicated for adjuvant treatment of colon cancer.
MVASI is indicated for the treatment of non-squamous NSCLC, with carboplatin and paclitaxel for first line treatment of unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic disease.
MVASI is indicated for the treatment of glioblastoma, as a single agent for adult patients with progressive disease following prior therapy.
The effectiveness of bevacizumab products in glioblastoma is based on an improvement in objective response rate. There are no data demonstrating an improvement in disease-related symptoms or increased survival with bevacizumab products.
MVASI is indicated for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma with interferon alfa.
MVASI is indicated for the treatment of cervical cancer, in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin or paclitaxel and topotecan in persistent, recurrent, or metastatic disease.
MVASI is currently not available commercially. This is not an offer for sale. The following information is derived from the approved label in the U.S.
MVASI U.S. Important Safety Information
Boxed WARNINGS
Gastrointestinal (GI) Perforations
The incidence of gastrointestinal perforation, some fatal, in bevacizumab product-treated patients ranges from 0.3-3.2%. Fatal outcome was reported in <1% of bevacizumab-treated patients. Discontinue MVASI in patients with gastrointestinal perforation.
Surgery and Wound Healing Complications
The incidence of wound healing and surgical complications, including serious and fatal complications, is increased in bevacizumab product-treated patients. Discontinue MVASI in patients with wound dehiscence. The appropriate interval between termination of bevacizumab products and subsequent elective surgery required to reduce the risks of impaired wound healing/wound dehiscence has not been determined. Discontinue at least 28 days prior to elective surgery. Do not initiate MVASI for at least 28 days after surgery and until the surgical wound is fully healed.
Hemorrhage
Severe or fatal hemorrhage, including hemoptysis, gastrointestinal bleeding, central nervous system hemorrhage, epistaxis, and vaginal bleeding occur up to 5-fold more frequently in patients receiving bevacizumab products. Across indications, the incidence of grade ≥3 hemorrhagic events among patients receiving bevacizumab ranged from 0.4% to 6.9%. Do not administer MVASI to patients with serious hemorrhage or recent hemoptysis (≥1/2 tsp of red blood). Discontinue MVASI in patients with serious hemorrhage (ie, requiring medical intervention).
Additional serious adverse events
Additional serious and sometimes fatal adverse events with increased incidence in the bevacizumab product-treated arm vs control included
GI fistulae (up to 2% in metastatic colorectal cancer)
Non-GI fistulae (<1% in trials across various indications; 1.8% in a cervical cancer trial)
Arterial thromboembolic events (grade ≥3, 2.6%)
Proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome, <1%)
Additional serious adverse events with increased incidence in the bevacizumab product-treated arm vs control included
GI-vaginal fistulae occurred in 8.3% of patients in a cervical cancer trial
Venous thromboembolism (grade 3-4, up to 10.6%) in patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer treated with chemotherapy and bevacizumab product
Hypertension (grade 3-4, 5%-18%)
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) (<0.5%)
Infusion reactions with the first dose of bevacizumab product-treated patients were uncommon (<3%), and severe reactions occurred in 0.2% of patients
Inform females of reproductive potential of the risk of ovarian failure prior to starting treatment with MVASI
Pregnancy warning
Based on the mechanism of action and animal studies, bevacizumab products may cause fetal harm
Advise female patients that MVASI may cause fetal harm, and to inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy
Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with MVASI and for 6 months after the last dose of MVASI
Advise nursing women that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with MVASI
MVASI may impair fertility
Most Common Adverse Events
Across indications, the most common adverse reactions observed in bevacizumab product-treated patients at a rate of >10% and at least twice the control arm rate were: epistaxis, headache, hypertension, rhinitis, proteinuria, taste alteration, dry skin, rectal hemorrhage, lacrimation disorder, back pain, exfoliative dermatitis
Across all studies, bevacizumab product was discontinued in 8.4% to 21% of patients because of adverse reactions.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, at www.Amgen.com.