On March 23, 2018 Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) reported that its partner Ipsen has received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), for CABOMETYX (cabozantinib) 20 mg, 40 mg and 60 mg for the first-line treatment of adults with intermediate- or poor-risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (Press release, Exelixis, MAR 23, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2339440 [SID1234525469]). The positive CHMP opinion will now be reviewed by the European Commission, which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union.

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"This positive CHMP opinion represents a significant step forward in helping to address an unmet need for patients in Europe with intermediate- or poor-risk advanced RCC, who often fare poorly and are in need of new therapies to better control their disease," said Michael M. Morrissey, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Exelixis. "This is an important milestone in our collaboration with Ipsen as we work together to bring CABOMETYX to more patients with advanced kidney cancer and as we continue to study its potential in additional types of cancer."

Under the terms of the Collaboration and License Agreement with Ipsen, Exelixis is eligible to receive a milestone payment of $50 million for the approval of the first-line treatment of advanced RCC, of which approximately $46 million will be recognized as collaboration revenue in the first quarter 2018. This milestone will be paid by Ipsen within 70 days after notification of the approval decision by the European Commission.

CABOMETYX was approved in the European Union in September 2016 for the treatment of advanced RCC in adults following prior vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy. The CHMP recommendation to expand the indication is based on results of the CABOSUN trial, which met its primary endpoint of improving progression-free survival (PFS) compared with sunitinib in patients with previously untreated advanced RCC determined to be intermediate- or poor-risk by the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) criteria. In December 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved CABOMETYX for the expanded indication of patients with advanced RCC based on the results from the CABOSUN trial.

Please see Important Safety Information below and full U.S. prescribing information at View Source

About the CABOSUN Study

On May 23, 2016, Exelixis announced that the phase 2 CABOSUN study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared with sunitinib in patients with advanced intermediate- or poor-risk RCC as determined by investigator assessment. The CABOSUN study was conducted by The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology and was sponsored by the National Cancer Institute-Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (NCI-CTEP) under the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Exelixis for the development of cabozantinib. These results were first presented by Dr. Toni Choueiri at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2016 Congress, and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (Choueiri, JCO, 2016).1 In June 2017, a blinded independent radiology review committee (IRC) confirmed that cabozantinib provided a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in the primary efficacy endpoint of investigator-assessed PFS. Results from the IRC review were presented by Dr. Toni Choueiri at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2017 Congress.

CABOSUN was a randomized, open-label, active-controlled phase 2 trial that enrolled 157 patients with advanced RCC determined to be intermediate- or poor-risk by the IMDC criteria. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive cabozantinib (60 mg once daily) or sunitinib (50 mg once daily, 4 weeks on followed by 2 weeks off). The primary endpoint was PFS. Secondary endpoints included overall survival, objective response rate and safety. Eligible patients were required to have locally advanced or metastatic clear-cell RCC, ECOG performance status 0-2 and had to be intermediate- or poor-risk per the IMDC criteria (Heng, JCO, 2009).2 Prior systemic treatment for RCC was not permitted.

About Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

The American Cancer Society’s 2018 statistics cite kidney cancer as among the top ten most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer among both men and women in the U.S.3 Clear cell RCC is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults.4 If detected in its early stages, the five-year survival rate for RCC is high; for patients with advanced or late-stage metastatic RCC, however, the five-year survival rate is only 12 percent, with no identified cure for the disease.3 Approximately 30,000 patients in the U.S. and 68,000 globally require treatment, and an estimated 14,000 patients in the U.S. each year are in need of a first-line treatment for advanced kidney cancer.5

The majority of clear cell RCC tumors have lower than normal levels of a protein called von Hippel-Lindau, which leads to higher levels of MET, AXL and VEGF.6,7 These proteins promote tumor angiogenesis (blood vessel growth), growth, invasiveness and metastasis.8,9,10,11 MET and AXL may provide escape pathways that drive resistance to VEGF receptor inhibitors.7,8

About CABOMETYX (cabozantinib)

CABOMETYX tablets are approved in the United States for the treatment of patients with advanced RCC. CABOMETYX tablets are also approved in the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Australia, Switzerland and South Korea for the treatment of advanced RCC in adults who have received prior VEGF-targeted therapy. Ipsen also submitted to the EMA the regulatory dossier for cabozantinib as a treatment for first-line advanced RCC in the European Union on August 28, 2017; on March 23, 2018, the CHMP provided a positive opinion for CABOMETYX for the first-line treatment of intermediate- or poor-risk advanced RCC. In 2016, Exelixis granted Ipsen exclusive rights for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib outside of the United States and Japan. In 2017, Exelixis granted exclusive rights to Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib for all future indications in Japan, including RCC.

Please see Important Safety Information below and full U.S. prescribing information at View Source

U.S. Important Safety Information

Hemorrhage: Severe and fatal hemorrhages have occurred with CABOMETYX. In two RCC studies, the incidence of Grade ≥ 3 hemorrhagic events was 3% in CABOMETYX-treated patients. Do not administer CABOMETYX to patients that have or are at risk for severe hemorrhage.
Gastrointestinal (GI) Perforations and Fistulas: In RCC studies, fistulas were reported in 1% of CABOMETYX-treated patients. Fatal perforations occurred in patients treated with CABOMETYX. In RCC studies, gastrointestinal (GI) perforations were reported in 1% of CABOMETYX-treated patients. Monitor patients for symptoms of fistulas and perforations, including abscess and sepsis. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who experience a fistula which cannot be appropriately managed or a GI perforation.
Thrombotic Events: CABOMETYX treatment results in an increased incidence of thrombotic events. In RCC studies, venous thromboembolism occurred in 9% (including 5% pulmonary embolism) and arterial thromboembolism occurred in 1% of CABOMETYX-treated patients. Fatal thrombotic events occurred in the cabozantinib clinical program. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop an acute myocardial infarction or any other arterial thromboembolic complication.
Hypertension and Hypertensive Crisis: CABOMETYX treatment results in an increased incidence of treatment-emergent hypertension, including hypertensive crisis. In RCC studies, hypertension was reported in 44% (18% Grade ≥ 3) of CABOMETYX-treated patients. Monitor blood pressure prior to initiation and regularly during CABOMETYX treatment. Withhold CABOMETYX for hypertension that is not adequately controlled with medical management; when controlled, resume CABOMETYX at a reduced dose. Discontinue CABOMETYX for severe hypertension that cannot be controlled with anti-hypertensive therapy. Discontinue CABOMETYX if there is evidence of hypertensive crisis or severe hypertension despite optimal medical management.
Diarrhea: In RCC studies, diarrhea occurred in 74% of patients treated with CABOMETYX. Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 11% of patients treated with CABOMETYX. Withhold CABOMETYX in patients who develop intolerable Grade 2 diarrhea or Grade 3-4 diarrhea that cannot be managed with standard antidiarrheal treatments until improvement to Grade 1; resume CABOMETYX at a reduced dose.
Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE): In RCC studies, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) occurred in 42% of patients treated with CABOMETYX. Grade 3 PPE occurred in 8% of patients treated with CABOMETYX. Withhold CABOMETYX in patients who develop intolerable Grade 2 PPE or Grade 3 PPE until improvement to Grade 1; resume CABOMETYX at a reduced dose.
Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS), a syndrome of subcortical vasogenic edema diagnosed by characteristic finding on MRI, occurred in the cabozantinib clinical program. Perform an evaluation for RPLS in any patient presenting with seizures, headache, visual disturbances, confusion or altered mental function. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop RPLS.
Embryo-fetal Toxicity may be associated with CABOMETYX. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during CABOMETYX treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.
Adverse Reactions: The most commonly reported (≥25%) adverse reactions are: diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, hypertension, PPE, weight decreased, vomiting, dysgeusia, and stomatitis.
Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: If concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors cannot be avoided, reduce the CABOMETYX dosage.
Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: If concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inducers cannot be avoided, increase the CABOMETYX dosage.
Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed while taking CABOMETYX and for 4 months after the final dose.
Hepatic Impairment: In patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment, reduce the CABOMETYX dosage. CABOMETYX is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information View Source

On March 23, 2018 Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) reported that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) provided a positive opinion for Cabometyx (cabozantinib) 20, 40, 60 mg for the first-line treatment of adults with intermediate- or poor- risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC).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).

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Alexandre Lebeaut, Executive Vice President, R&D and Chief Scientific Officer said: "Today’s positive opinion from the CHMP is important news for patients with previously untreated advanced renal cell carcinoma, who can shortly benefit from Cabometyx as a new first-line treatment option. Following the evidence of its clinical value after a prior VEGF-targeted treatment, we are pleased to be able to expand the benefit of Cabometyx for treatment-naïve patients with aRCC. We would like to sincerely thank the patients and their families as well as all health care providers who took part in the CABOSUN trial and have contributed to advancing therapies to address a high unmet need in first-line treatment of intermediate- and poor-risk patients with aRCC.."

The positive CHMP opinion follows EMA approval in 2016 for the treatment of aRCC after prior VEGF-targeted therapy. The CHMP positive opinion was based on the CABOSUN trial, which demonstrated that cabozantinib prolongs progression-free survival (PFS) in treatment-naive aRCC patients with intermediate- or poor-risk. Cabozantinib is the first and only monotherapy to demonstrate superior clinical efficacy over sunitinib in treatment-naïve aRCC patients with intermediate- or poor-risk.

The detailed recommendations for the use of this product will be described in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), to be made available once the European Commission decision is issued.

About the CABOSUN study

On May 23, 2016, Exelixis announced that CABOSUN met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared with sunitinib in patients with intermediate- or poor-risk aRCC per IMDC (International Metastatic RCC Carcinoma Database Consortium) criteria as determined by investigator assessment. CABOSUN was conducted by The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology as part of Exelixis’ collaboration with the NCI-CTEP. These results were first presented by Dr. Toni Choueiri at the meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2016, and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (Choueiri, JCO, 2017).[i]

On June 19 2017 Exelixis announced that the analysis of the review by a blinded independent radiology review committee (IRC) has confirmed the primary efficacy endpoint results of investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) from the CABOSUN randomized phase 2 trial of cabozantinib as compared with sunitinib in patients with previously untreated advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with intermediate- or poor-risk disease per the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) criteria. Per the IRC analysis, cabozantinib demonstrated a clinically meaningful and statistically significant reduction in the rate of disease progression or death as measured by PFS. The incidence of adverse events (any grade) and the incidence of grade 3 or 4 adverse events between cabozantinib and sunitinib were comparable.

CABOSUN is a randomized, open-label, active-controlled phase II trial that enrolled 157 patients with aRCC determined to be intermediate- or poor-risk per IMDC criteria. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive cabozantinib (60 mg once daily) or sunitinib (50 mg once daily, four weeks on followed by two weeks off). The primary endpoint was PFS. Secondary endpoints included overall survival and objective response rate. Eligible patients were required to have locally advanced or metastatic clear-cell RCC, ECOG performance status 0-2, and had to be intermediate- or poor-risk per IMDC criteria (Heng, JCO, 2009).[ii] Prior systemic treatment for RCC was not permitted.

About advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

With the incidence predicted to rise 22% by 2020, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) threatens to become one of the fastest growing cancers in the world.[iii] Targeted therapies including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of the VEGF receptor (VEGFR) introduced a decade ago, significantly transformed the treatment landscape of aRCC.[iv]

The American Cancer Society’s 2017 statistics cite kidney cancer as one of the top ten most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer among both men and women in the U.S.[v] Clear cell RCC is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults.[vi] If detected in its early stages, the five-year survival rate for RCC is high. For patients with advanced- or late-stage metastatic RCC, however, the five-year survival rate is only 12% with no identified cure for the disease.[vii] Approximately 30,000 patients in the U.S. and 68,000 globally require treatment.[viii]

The majority of clear cell RCC tumors have lower than normal levels of a protein called von Hippel-Lindau, which leads to higher levels of MET, AXL, and VEGF.[ix]–[x] These proteins promote tumor angiogenesis (blood vessel growth), growth, invasiveness, and metastasis.[xi], [xii], [xiii], [xiv] MET and AXL may provide escape pathways that drive resistance to VEGFR inhibitors. xii – xv

About CABOMETYX (cabozantinib)

Cabometyx is an oral small molecule inhibitor of receptors, including VEGFR, MET, AXL and RET. In preclinical models, cabozantinib has been shown to inhibit the activity of these receptors, which are involved in normal cellular function and pathologic processes such as tumor angiogenesis, invasiveness, metastasis and drug resistance.

In February of 2016, Exelixis and Ipsen jointly announced an exclusive licensing agreement for the commercialization and further development of cabozantinib indications outside of the United States, Canada and Japan. This agreement was amended in December of 2016 to include commercialization rights for Ipsen in Canada. On April 25, 2016, the FDA approved Cabometyx tablets for the treatment of patients with advanced RCC who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy and on September 9, 2016, the European Commission approved Cabometyx tablets for the treatment of advanced RCC in adults who have received prior vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy in the European Union, Norway and Iceland. Cabometyx is available in 20 mg, 40 mg or 60 mg doses. The recommended dose is 60 mg orally, once daily.

On September 8, 2017, Ipsen announced that the EMA validated the application for cabozantinib as a treatment for first-line advanced RCC in the European Union; on March 22 2018, the CHMP issued a positive opinion for this indication.

On March 23, 2018 Eisai Co., Ltd. and Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, reported that the multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor LENVIMA (lenvatinib mesylate) has been approved in Japan for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Press release, Merck & Co, MAR 23, 2018, View Source [SID1234525467]). This is the first approval worldwide for LENVIMA for the indication of unresectable HCC and the first new systemic therapy to be approved in Japan for the front line treatment of HCC in approximately 10 years. Additionally, this is the first regulatory approval for LENVIMA under the global strategic collaboration agreement executed in March 2018 between Eisai and Merck for the co-development and co-commercialization of LENVIMA.

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This approval was based on a phase 3 clinical study (Study 304/REFLECT study) conducted by Eisai investigating LENVIMA as a first-line treatment in patients with unresectable HCC. In this study, LENVIMA demonstrated statistically significant non-inferiority of overall survival (OS) (13.6 months) compared to sorafenib (12.3 months) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.79-1.06). Additionally, LENVIMA showed highly statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements as compared to sorafenib in the secondary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 0.66, 95% CI=0.57-0.77, p<0.00001), time to progression (TTP) (HR 0.63, 95% CI=0.53-0.73, p<0.00001), and objective response rate (ORR) (LENVIMA 24% versus sorafenib 9%, p<0.00001). Furthermore, LENVIMA helped to delay deterioration in several quality of life (QOL) and symptom domains (pre-specified secondary endpoint), including in areas such as pain and diarrhea, compared to sorafenib (nominal p-value<0.05).

In this study, the five most common adverse events observed in the LENVIMA arm were hypertension (42%), diarrhea (39%), decreased appetite (34%), weight loss (31%) and fatigue (30%), which is consistent with the known safety profile of LENVIMA.

Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with approximately 750,000 deaths per year estimated globally. Additionally, approximately 780,000 cases are newly diagnosed each year, about 80 percent of which occur in Asia, including Japan and China. HCC accounts as the primary reason for 85 percent to 90 percent of liver cancer cases. It is estimated that there are approximately 42,000 HCC patients in Japan, with approximately 26,000 deaths every year. To date, treatment options for unresectable HCC have been limited, and the prognosis is very poor, emphasizing that this is an area of high unmet medical need.

"With the approval of this additional indication of unresectable HCC for LENVIMA, we are proud to be able to deliver the first new front-line systemic therapy treatment option for HCC in Japan in approximately 10 years, and expect this will contribute to HCC treatment," said Dr. Takashi Owa, Eisai Oncology Business Group Chief Medicine Creation Officer. "Eisai will continue with its efforts in oncology research and development in order to deliver hopes for a potential cure for cancer to patients and their families."

"Today’s approval is an important first for LENVIMA and a significant first regulatory event under our collaboration with Eisai," said Dr. Roy Baynes, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Development, Chief Medical Officer, Merck Research Laboratories. "We congratulate Eisai on the approval of this new indication and look forward to working together to bring this important treatment option to patients."

Having received approval of this indication, Eisai will receive a development milestone payment from Merck. There are no changes to Eisai’s consolidated financial results forecasts for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 based on the receipt of this milestone payment.

LENVIMA Product Details in Japan (underlined parts have been added)

1) Product name

LENVIMA Capsule 4 mg

2) Generic name

Lenvatinib mesylate

3) Indication

Unresectable thyroid cancer, unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

4) Dosage and Administration

Unresectable thyroid cancer

The usual adult dose is 24 mg as lenvatinib administered orally once a day. The dose may be reduced depending on the condition of the individual patient.

Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

The usual adult dose is an amount of lenvatinib in accordance with body weight administered orally once a day. For adults weighing 60 kg and over, the dose should be 12 mg. For adults weighing less than 60 kg, the dose should be 8 mg. The dose may be reduced depending on the condition of the individual patient.

About LENVIMA (lenvatinib mesylate) capsules, 10 mg and 4 mg

Discovered by Eisai, LENVIMA is an orally administered multiple receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor with a novel binding mode that selectively inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors (VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and VEGFR3) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors (FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3 and FGFR4) in addition to other pathway-related RTKs (including the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor PDGFRα; KIT; and RET) involved in tumor angiogenesis, tumor progression and modification of tumor immunity.

Currently, LENVIMA is approved as a treatment for refractory thyroid cancer in over 50 countries, including the United States, Japan, in Europe and Asia. Additionally, Eisai has obtained approval for the agent in combination with everolimus as a treatment for renal cell carcinoma (second-line) in over 40 countries, including the United States and in Europe. In Europe, the agent was launched under the brand name Kisplyx for renal cell carcinoma.

Outside of Japan, Eisai has submitted applications for an indication covering hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States and Europe (July 2017), China (October 2017), Taiwan (December 2017) and other countries

On March 23, 2018 Clovis Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLVS) reported that the European Union’s (EU) European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion recommending the granting of a conditional marketing authorization for Rubraca as monotherapy treatment of adult patients with platinum sensitive, relapsed or progressive, BRCA mutated (germline and/or somatic), high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who have been treated with two or more prior lines of platinum based chemotherapy, and who are unable to tolerate further platinum based chemotherapy (Press release, Clovis Oncology, MAR 23, 2018, View Source [SID1234525457]).

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The European Marketing Authorization application for the treatment indication was based on objective response rate and duration of response results from two multicenter, single-arm, open-label clinical trials, Study 10 and ARIEL2, in women with advanced BRCA mutant ovarian cancer who had progressed after two or more prior chemotherapies.

"The recommendation to approve Rubraca as monotherapy is welcome news, as once approved it will offer a new treatment option for women with advanced, recurrent ovarian cancer who have BRCA mutant platinum sensitive disease and are unsuitable for platinum based chemotherapy. In this analysis, we observed many women benefiting from extended progression-free survival with acceptable tolerability," said Dr. Rebecca Kristeleit, Clinical Senior Lecturer and Consultant Medical Oncologist, University College London/University College London Hospitals UK. "These are really important data demonstrating meaningful efficacy and a new non-chemotherapy treatment option for this group of patients who have already been exposed to a number of chemotherapy regimens."

Ovarian cancer is the sixth deadliest cancer amongst women in Europe, where more than 65,000 women are diagnosed annually.i Ovarian cancer is challenging to treat, and most women will relapse after surgery and chemotherapy. The 80 to 85 percent of women diagnosed in the later stages of the disease (III and IV) have particularly poor outcomes.ii Approximately one in four women with ovarian cancer have a germline or somatic BRCA mutation,iii and new treatment options are needed to treat unique patient populations.

"We are extremely pleased to have received a positive recommendation for approval for Rubraca in an ovarian cancer treatment indication, and we look forward to receiving the formal approval from the European Commission in second quarter 2018," said Patrick J. Mahaffy, President and CEO of Clovis Oncology. "This is great news for women living with this difficult disease who often have limited options available. In addition, this opinion from CHMP paves the way for the review of Rubraca in the ovarian cancer maintenance indication, based on the ARIEL3 data. We intend to file a variation to the Marketing Authorization (MA) in June, with a potential recommendation for approval in the broader maintenance indication by the end of 2018."

Pending approval for the treatment indication, Clovis plans to submit the variation to the MA based on data from the phase 3 ARIEL3 clinical trial, which found that rucaparib significantly improved progression-free survival in all ovarian cancer patient populations studied. ARIEL3 is a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of rucaparib that enrolled 564 women with platinum-sensitive, high-grade ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. The primary efficacy analysis evaluated three prospectively defined molecular sub-groups in a step-down manner: 1) BRCA mutant (BRCAmut+); 2) HRD positive (HRD+) inclusive of BRCA mutant; and finally, 3) the intent-to-treat population, or all patients treated in ARIEL3. The study achieved its primary endpoint of improved PFS by investigator review in each of three populations. The variation to the MA will be directed at the broader intent-to-treat or "all comers" population.

About Rubraca (rucaparib)

Rubraca is an oral, small molecule inhibitor of PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3 being developed in ovarian cancer as well as several additional solid tumor indications. Studies open for enrollment or under consideration include ovarian, prostate, breast, gastroesophageal, pancreatic, lung and bladder cancers. Clovis holds worldwide rights for Rubraca.

In the United States, Rubraca is approved on an accelerated basis as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with deleterious BRCA mutation (germline and/or somatic) associated advanced ovarian cancer, who have been treated with two or more chemotherapies, and selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for Rubraca. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. In December 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the Company’s supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Rubraca for a second-line or later maintenance treatment indication in ovarian cancer based on the ARIEL3 data. The FDA granted Priority Review status to the application with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of April 6, 2018.

Rubraca is an unlicensed medical product outside of the U.S.

On March 23, 2018 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 980, a biosimilar to Herceptin (trastuzumab) (Press release, Amgen, MAR 23, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2339486 [SID1234525391]). ABP 980 has been recommended for approval for the treatment of the same three types of cancer as Herceptin is approved for in the European Union (EU), including HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, HER2-positive early breast cancer and HER2-positive metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction.

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"The positive opinion issued by the CHMP for ABP 980 marks an important step for our biosimilar portfolio, as it’s our second oncology biosimilar to reach this important milestone, and further underscores our commitment to providing the oncology community access to high-quality cancer therapies," said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. "We look forward to continuing our work with Allergan and European regulatory authorities to bring additional options to patients with cancer."

The Marketing Authorization Application for ABP 980 was supported by analytical, pharmacokinetic and clinical data, as well as pharmacology and toxicology data. The Phase 3 comparative efficacy, safety and immunogenicity study was conducted in adult female patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer.

"We are committed to providing patients with important medicines to help them fight cancer," said David Nicholson, chief research and development officer at Allergan. "The CHMP’s positive opinion for the marketing authorization of ABP 980 reinforces its potential to increase physician choice and patient access to an important biologic."
The CHMP positive opinion will now be reviewed by the European Commission (EC), which has the authority to approve medicines for the 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 EC’s decision.

Amgen and Allergan are collaborating on the development and commercialization of four oncology biosimilars. Amgen has a total of 10 biosimilars in its portfolio, two of which have been approved by the EC.
About ABP 980

ABP 980 is being developed as a biosimilar to trastuzumab, a recombinant DNA-derived humanized monoclonal immunoglobulin G1 kappa antibody approved in many regions for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing early breast cancer, adjuvant breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer and metastatic gastric cancer. The active ingredient of ABP 980 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that has the same amino acid sequence as trastuzumab. ABP 980 has the same pharmaceutical dosage form and same strength after reconstitution as trastuzumab. Amgen and Allergan also submitted a Biologics License Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ABP 980 in 2017.