Blueprint Medicines Data Highlight Clinical Leadership in Systemic Mastocytosis at AACR Annual Meeting 2021

On April 11, 2021 Blueprint Medicines Corporation (NASDAQ: BPMC) reported that multiple presentations across the company’s leading systemic mastocytosis (SM) program are being reported at the virtual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2021 (Press release, Blueprint Medicines, APR 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234577847]). The presentations focus on registrational PATHFINDER trial data of AYVAKIT (avapritinib) in advanced SM, PIONEER Part 1 data highlighting the impact of AYVAKIT on skin manifestations of SM, and Phase 1 trial data for BLU-263, a next-generation KIT D816V inhibitor. Blueprint Medicines is developing AYVAKIT for advanced and non-advanced SM, and BLU-263 to further address the range of patient needs in non-advanced SM and other mast cell disorders.

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"Data reported at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) reflect our commitment to transform treatment for patients living with systemic mastocytosis," said Becker Hewes, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Blueprint Medicines. "In the PATHFINDER trial, AYVAKIT had high response rates consistent with EXPLORER trial data, reinforcing the profound clinical benefits that can be achieved by precisely targeting the underlying driver of disease. For BLU-263, data in healthy volunteers showed a well-tolerated safety profile and support our plans to initiate the Phase 2/3 HARBOR study, which expands our development efforts into a broader population of patients with non-advanced SM. We are currently on the precipice of our first potential approval in advanced SM, and we are committed to working closely with the SM community so we may meet the needs of patients as quickly as possible."

AYVAKIT – Highlights from the Registrational Phase 2 PATHFINDER Trial

In a pre-specified interim analysis from the PATHFINDER trial, 32 patients who primarily received a starting dose of 200 mg once daily were evaluable for response, as of a data cutoff date of June 23, 2020. Combined with Phase 1 EXPLORER trial results, these data support Blueprint Medicines’ marketing applications in advanced SM under review in the U.S. and Europe. Overall, 75 percent (95% CI: 57%, 89%) of patients had a confirmed response, which was defined as complete remission with full or partial recovery of peripheral blood counts (CR/CRh), partial remission or clinical improvement. The median time to response was two months, and all responses were ongoing at a median follow-up of 10.4 months. The CRh rate was 19 percent, with a median time to CRh of 5.6 months. These results show that responses deepened over time at a rate consistent with the EXPLORER trial.

AYVAKIT led to robust and durable benefits across a number of additional clinical activity measures. In new patient-reported outcomes data, AYVAKIT showed a statistically significant reduction in total symptom score after 40 weeks (p<0.001), as measured by the Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis Symptom Assessment Form. Treatment with AYVAKIT resulted in robust improvements in patient-reported quality of life, based on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire. Across multiple measures of mast cell burden, AYVAKIT showed profound reductions in serum tryptase, bone marrow mast cells, KIT D816V allele burden and spleen volume.

Consistent with previously disclosed data, AYVAKIT was generally well-tolerated in 62 patients enrolled in the PATHFINDER trial, and most adverse events (AEs) were reported as Grade 1 or 2. The most common AEs (≥15 percent) were peripheral edema, periorbital edema, thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Three patients (5 percent) discontinued AYVAKIT due to treatment-related AEs, and most patients (84 percent) have remained on treatment as of the data cutoff date.

"These data reinforce the potential of avapritinib to improve the standard of care for patients with advanced systemic mastocytosis, a disease characterized by organ damage due to mast cell infiltration," said Daniel DeAngelo, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Division of Leukemia at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. "I am highly encouraged by the rapid and durable responses shown across multiple measures of mast cell burden, patient-reported symptoms as well as quality of life. Furthermore, avapritinib was generally well-tolerated, with 5 percent of patients discontinuing due to treatment-related adverse events. Since avapritinib is able to selectively target the primary driver of the disease, it has the potential to fundamentally change the outlook for patients with advanced SM."

AYVAKIT – Statistically Significant Reductions of Aberrant CD30-Positive Mast Cells in Skin Lesions Shown in Phase 2 PIONEER Trial

In non-advanced SM, skin symptoms frequently persist and can severely impact quality of life. To assess the effects of AYVAKIT on mast cell burden in skin lesions, skin biopsies were obtained at baseline and week 12 in Part 1 of the PIONEER trial. Immunohistochemistry tests were performed to determine the proportion of aberrant mast cells in skin tissue, based on expression of CD25, CD30 and other transmembrane receptors observed in SM. Skin lesional tissue at baseline had more CD30-positive than CD25-positive mast cells. Following 12 weeks of treatment, AYVAKIT significantly reduced the proportion of aberrant CD30-positive mast cells in skin lesions compared to placebo (p=0.0082), as of a data cutoff date of December 4, 2020. These data expand on previously reported results showing the impact of AYVAKIT on skin manifestations of SM, and suggest that CD30 may be an important biomarker of aberrant mast cells in SM-related skin lesions.

BLU-263 – Safety and Pharmacokinetics Profile from Phase 1 Trial in Healthy Volunteers

A placebo-controlled, Phase 1 trial evaluated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of BLU-263 in healthy volunteers. This AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) presentation reported on single ascending dose cohorts (15 to 200 mg doses) and multiple ascending dose cohorts (25 to 100 mg once-daily doses for ten consecutive days), as of a data cutoff date of November 9, 2020. BLU-263 was well-tolerated across all doses studied, and all AEs were reported as Grade 1. Pharmacokinetic data showed dose-dependent increases in systemic exposure of BLU-263, with the half-life of BLU-263 supporting once-daily dosing. Based on these results, the company plans to evaluate BLU-263 at doses ranging from 25 to 100 mg once daily in Part 1 of the Phase 2/3 HARBOR trial in patients with non-advanced SM, which the company plans to initiate in mid-2021.

Copies of Blueprint Medicines data presentations from the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) annual meeting are available in the "Science—Publications and Presentations" section of the company’s website at www.BlueprintMedicines.com.

Conference Call Information

Blueprint Medicines will host a live webcast on Monday, April 12, 2021 beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET to review data for multiple research- and clinical-stage programs presented at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) annual meeting. To access the live call, please dial (855) 728-4793 (domestic) or (503) 343-6666 (international) and refer to conference ID 5548976. A webcast of the conference call will be available under "Events and Presentations" in the Investors & Media section of Blueprint Medicines’ website at View Source The archived webcast will be available on Blueprint Medicines’ website approximately two hours after the conference call and will be available for 30 days following the call.

About SM

SM is a rare disease driven by the KIT D816V mutation. Uncontrolled proliferation and activation of mast cells result in chronic, severe and often unpredictable symptoms for patients across the spectrum of SM. The vast majority of those affected have non-advanced (indolent or smoldering) SM, with debilitating symptoms that lead to a profound, negative impact on quality of life. A minority of patients have advanced SM, which encompasses a group of high-risk SM subtypes including aggressive SM, SM with an associated hematological neoplasm and mast cell leukemia. In addition to mast cell activation symptoms, advanced SM is associated with organ damage due to mast cell infiltration and poor survival.

Debilitating symptoms, including anaphylaxis, maculopapular rash, pruritis, diarrhea, brain fog, fatigue and bone pain, often persist across all forms of SM despite treatment with a number of symptomatic therapies. Patients often live in fear of severe, unexpected symptoms, have limited ability to work or perform daily activities, and isolate themselves to protect against unpredictable triggers. Currently, there are no approved therapies for the treatment of SM that selectively inhibit D816V mutant KIT.

About AYVAKIT (avapritinib)

AYVAKIT (avapritinib) is a kinase inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) harboring a PDGFRA exon 18 mutation, including PDGFRA D842V mutations. For more information, visit www.AYVAKIT.com. This medicine is approved in Europe under the brand name AYVAKYT for the treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic GIST harboring the PDGFRA D842V mutation, and in China for the treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic PDGFRA exon 18 mutant GIST.

AYVAKIT/AYVAKYT is not approved for the treatment of any other indication, including SM, in the U.S. by the FDA, in Europe by the European Commission or in China by the National Medical Products Administration, or for any indication in any other jurisdiction by any other health authority.

Blueprint Medicines is developing AYVAKIT globally for the treatment of advanced and non-advanced SM. The FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation to AYVAKIT for the treatment of advanced SM, including the subtypes of aggressive SM, SM with an associated hematological neoplasm and mast cell leukemia, and for the treatment of moderate to severe indolent SM.

To learn about ongoing or planned clinical trials, contact Blueprint Medicines at [email protected] or 1-888-BLU-PRNT (1-888-258-7768). Additional information is available at www.pioneertrial.com or www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Blueprint Medicines has an exclusive collaboration and license agreement with CStone Pharmaceuticals for the development and commercialization of AYVAKIT in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Blueprint Medicines retains development and commercial rights for AYVAKIT in the rest of the world.

About BLU-263

BLU-263, a next-generation KIT D816V inhibitor, has the potential to expand the reach of KIT D816V-targeted therapy to a broad population of patients with non-advanced SM and related mast cell disorders. BLU-263 was designed to target D816V mutant KIT with similar sub-nanomolar potency as AYVAKIT, enhanced selectivity and minimal central nervous system penetration. BLU-263 was developed based on learnings from the AYVAKIT clinical program. The initial focus of the BLU-263 development program is non-advanced SM.

BeiGene Presents Clinical Data on Sitravatinib in Combination with Tislelizumab at the AACR Annual Meeting 2021

On April 11, 2021 BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ: BGNE; HKEX: 06160), a commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing innovative medicines worldwide, reported that clinical data on its anti-PD-1 antibody tislelizumab, in combination with the investigational spectrum-selective kinase inhibitor sitravatinib being jointly developed with Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. (Mirati), were presented in two oral presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2021 (Press release, BeiGene, APR 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234577843]). Data presented at the meeting were from two cohorts of a Phase 1b trial (NCT03666143), in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma who were refractory or resistant to PD-1/L1 inhibitors and in patients with advanced platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC).

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BeiGene has an exclusive collaboration and license agreement with Mirati for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of sitravatinib in Asia (excluding Japan), Australia, and New Zealand.

"From the results presented today, we believe that sitravatinib in combination with tislelizumab could potentially provide clinical benefit to patients with advanced solid tumors, which supports our plan to further evaluate this innovative combination in our ongoing clinical trials. In addition, we are excited about the preliminary antitumor activity observed in patients with PD-1/L1 resistant or refractory melanoma," commented Yong (Ben) Ben, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Immuno-Oncology at BeiGene. "As we continue to follow these patients and complete enrollment in this trial, we are excited to expand our knowledge of this novel combination in the hope that it will lead to a combination therapy that can help more patients around the world in the fight against cancer."

This open-label, multicohort, Phase 1b trial was designed to evaluate safety/tolerability and preliminary antitumor activity of sitravatinib in combination with tislelizumab in advanced solid tumors. The primary endpoint of the trial was safety/tolerability of the combination; key secondary endpoints include investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and progression-free survival (PFS) per RECIST v1.1; overall survival (OS) was also assessed.

Results in Patients with Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma Refractory or Resistant to PD-1/L1 Inhibitors

"Checkpoint inhibitors have changed the treatment of advanced melanoma, but a significant proportion of patients do not benefit from PD-1 inhibitors due to primary or innate resistance. In this Phase 1b trial, we’re glad to see that the combination of sitravatinib and tislelizumab was generally well-tolerated and demonstrated encouraging preliminary antitumor activity in patients with PD-1/L1 resistant melanoma," commented Chuanliang Cui, Professor at Beijing Cancer Hospital in China.

At the time of data cutoff on October 13, 2020, a total of 25 patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma who were refractory or resistant to anti-PD-1/L1 antibodies and had not received other prior immunotherapy had been enrolled in cohort G of the Phase 1b trial, including 12 with cutaneous subtype, seven with acral subtype, and four with mucosal subtype. At the time of data cutoff, 16 patients (64%) remained on study treatment. With a median follow-up time of 5.5 months, results included:

All 25 patients (100%) experienced at least one treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) of any grade, with the most common (≥20%) being increased alanine transaminase (ALT; 76%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST; 68%), increased blood cholesterol (56%), hypertriglyceridemia (52%), hypothyroidism (48%), weight decreased (48%), increased blood creatine kinase (BCK; 40%), diarrhea (40%), increased gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT; 40%), proteinuria (40%), increased blood bilirubin (BB; 36%), abnormal electrocardiogram T wave (36%), hypertension (36%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (32%), increased CK-myocardial band isozyme (CK-MB; 28%), hyperuricemia (28%), upper abdominal pain (24%), vomiting (24%), and hypokalemia (20%);
Twelve patients (48%) experienced at least one Grade ≥3 TEAE, with the most common (≥5%) being hypertension (12%), increased ALT (8%), and increased GGT (8%);
One patient (4%) experienced a serious TEAE of anal abscess, associated with sitravatinib;
Treatment discontinuation due to TEAEs occurred in two patients (8%), with one discontinuing tislelizumab due to vaginal hemorrhage (unrelated to tislelizumab) and the other sitravatinib due to increased BCK (related to sitravatinib);
Dose interruptions and reductions of sitravatinib occurred in 18 patients (72%) and 13 patients (52%), respectively;
All 25 patients were evaluable for efficacy and the confirmed ORR was 24% (95% CI: 9.4, 45.1), including six partial responses (PRs), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 88% (95% CI: 68.8, 97.5); and
The media duration of response (DoR) was not reached, and the investigator-assessed median PFS was 6.7 months (95% CI: 4.07, not evaluable).
Results in Patients with Advanced PROC

"It’s common to see patients with ovarian cancer become refractory or resistant to platinum-based therapy after receiving the current standard of care. The combination of sitravatinib and tislelizumab was generally well tolerated and showed promising antitumor activity among patients with advanced PROC, including those who were heavily pretreated. While the sample size is relatively small, we look forward to further evaluating this novel combination in PROC," said Jeffrey Goh, MBBS, FRACP, Medical Oncologist at Icon Cancer Centre in Australia.

At the time of data cutoff on October 13, 2020, a total of 60 patients with recurrent PROC who had no prior exposure to anti-PD-1/L1 antibodies had been enrolled in cohort E of the Phase 1b trial and 13 of them (22%) remained on study treatment. These patients received a median of four (range: 1, 11) prior regimens. With a median follow-up time of six months, results included:

Fifty-eight patients (97%) experienced at least one TEAE of any grade, with the most common (≥20%) being diarrhea (67%), nausea (57%), fatigue (48%), hypertension (40%), decreased appetite (37%), vomiting (37%), abdominal pain (35%), constipation (33%), increased ALT (30%), urinary tract infection (27%), increased AST (20%), dysphonia (20%), headache (20%), and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (20%);
Forty-one patients (68%) experienced at least one Grade ≥3 TEAE, with the most common (≥10%) being hypertension (18%) and abdominal pain (12%);
Forty-two patients (70%) experienced at least one serious TEAE;
Treatment discontinuation due to TEAEs occurred in 23 patients (38%), with nine patients (15%) discontinuing tislelizumab and 14 (23%) sitravatinib;
Dose interruptions and reductions of sitravatinib occurred in 50 patients (83%) and 30 patients (50%), respectively, and dose interruption of tislelizumab occurred in one patient (2%);
Four fatal TEAEs were reported, with none considered related to study treatment;
Among the 53 patients who were evaluable for efficacy, the confirmed ORR was 26% (95% CI: 15.3, 40.3), including 14 PRs, and the DCR was 77% (95% CI: 63.8, 87.7);
The median DoR was 4.7 months (95% CI: 2.8, not estimable); and
The median PFS and OS was 4.1 months (95% CI: 4.0, 5.1) and 12.9 months (95% CI: 6.3, 17.2), respectively.
About Sitravatinib

Sitravatinib is an investigational, spectrum-selective receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor that can potentially stimulate the body’s immune response to fight cancer. Sitravatinib targets the VEGFR and TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MERTK) receptor families, which are implicated in orchestrating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Inhibiting these receptors has been shown to stimulate an anti-tumor immune response and potentially re-sensitize patients to checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy in patients who previously developed resistance to CPI therapy. By targeting specific RTKs with sitravatinib, the immunosuppressive TME is converted to an immune-supportive TME, and combining with CPI therapy may help regain an immune response potentially overcoming resistance to CPI therapy. Sitravatinib is being evaluated in multiple clinical trials, including the Phase 3 SAPPHIRE study, in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who are resistant to CPI therapy, and certain patients who are naïve to CPI therapy.

For more information visit www.mirati.com/science.

About Tislelizumab

Tislelizumab (BGB-A317) is a humanized IgG4 anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody specifically designed to minimize binding to FcγR on macrophages. In pre-clinical studies, binding to FcγR on macrophages has been shown to compromise the anti-tumor activity of PD-1 antibodies through activation of antibody-dependent macrophage-mediated killing of T effector cells. Tislelizumab is the first drug from BeiGene’s immuno-oncology biologics program and is being developed internationally as a monotherapy and in combination with other therapies for the treatment of a broad array of both solid tumor and hematologic cancers.

The China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has granted tislelizumab full approval for first-line treatment of patients with advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in combination with chemotherapy. Tislelizumab has also received conditional approval from the NMPA for the treatment of patients with classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cHL) who received at least two prior therapies, and for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) with PD-L1 high expression whose disease progressed during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. Full approval for these indications is contingent upon results from ongoing randomized, controlled confirmatory clinical trials.

In addition, three supplemental Biologics License Applications for tislelizumab have been accepted by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the NMPA and are under review for first-line treatment of patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC in combination with chemotherapy, for the second- or third-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who progressed on prior platinum-based chemotherapy, and for previously treated unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Currently, 16 potentially registration-enabling clinical trials are being conducted in China and globally, including 13 Phase 3 trials and three pivotal Phase 2 trials.

In January 2021, BeiGene and Novartis entered into a collaboration and license agreement granting Novartis rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize tislelizumab in North America, Europe, and Japan.

Tislelizumab is not approved for use outside of China.

About the Tislelizumab Clinical Program

Clinical trials of tislelizumab include:

Phase 3 trial comparing tislelizumab with docetaxel in the second- or third-line setting in patients with NSCLC (NCT03358875);
Phase 3 trial comparing tislelizumab to salvage chemotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (NCT04486391);
Phase 3 trial in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (NCT03967977);
Phase 3 trial of tislelizumab in combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with advanced squamous NSCLC (NCT03594747);
Phase 3 trial of tislelizumab in combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC (NCT03663205);
Phase 3 trial of tislelizumab in combination with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment for patients with NSCLC (NCT04379635);
Phase 3 trial of tislelizumab combined with platinum and etoposide versus placebo combined with platinum and etoposide in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (NCT04005716);
Phase 3 trial comparing tislelizumab with sorafenib as first-line treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; NCT03412773);
Phase 2 trial in patients with previously treated unresectable HCC (NCT03419897);
Phase 2 trial in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial bladder cancer (NCT04004221);
Phase 3 trial comparing tislelizumab with chemotherapy as second-line treatment for patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC; NCT03430843);
Phase 3 trial of tislelizumab in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with ESCC (NCT03783442);
Phase 3 trial of tislelizumab versus placebo in combination with chemoradiotherapy in patients with localized ESCC (NCT03957590);
Phase 3 trial of tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy versus placebo combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with gastric cancer (NCT03777657);
Phase 2 trial in patients with MSI-H/dMMR solid tumors (NCT03736889); and
Phase 3 trial of tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy versus placebo combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer (NCT03924986).

Lilly Presents New Data on Retevmo® (selpercatinib) in Advanced RET Fusion-Positive Gastrointestinal and Other Cancers at 2021 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting

On April 11, 2021 Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) reported for the first time data from the Phase 1/2 LIBRETTO-001 trial showing treatment with Retevmo (selpercatinib) demonstrated encouraging antitumor activity and safety across RET fusion-positive advanced solid tumors beyond lung and thyroid cancers, including multiple treatment-refractory gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies (Press release, Eli Lilly, APR 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234577842]). The data were presented at the 2021 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, held virtually April 10-15, 2021.

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"We are excited to broaden the body of evidence for Retevmo in RET fusion-positive cancers beyond lung and thyroid tumors," said David Hyman, M.D., chief medical officer, oncology at Lilly. "These encouraging outcomes, including in difficult-to-treat GI malignancies, support a growing body of evidence that RET fusions are potentially actionable in a wide range of tumor types. These findings further demonstrate the importance of broad tumor profiling in advanced cancers. We look forward to discussing these new data with regulatory authorities this year."

In the Phase 1/2 LIBRETTO-001 trial, 32 adult patients with 12 unique RET fusion-positive advanced cancer types were enrolled by the efficacy cutoff date of September 19, 2020 (with follow-up through March 19, 2021). Cancer types treated included pancreatic, colon, breast, salivary, sarcoma, carcinoid, rectal neuroendocrine, small intestine, xanthogranuloma, ovarian, pulmonary carcinosarcoma, and unknown primary cancers. Among the 32 patients, 62.5 percent had gastrointestinal tumors (defined as pancreatic [n=9], colon [n=9], small intestine [n=1], and rectal neuroendocrine [n=1]). Across all 32 patients, the confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 47 percent (95% CI: 26-65%). Confirmed responses were observed in nine unique RET fusion-positive advanced cancer types. The median duration of response (DoR) was not reached, with median follow-up of 13 months. Responses were ongoing in 73 percent (11/15) of responding patients.

Retevmo Efficacy

Objective Response Rate* % (95% CI)

47% (29-65), n=32

Median Duration of Response (range)

Not Reached (2 -33+ months)

Responses Ongoing

73% (11/15)

Median Duration of Follow up

13 months

* per investigator assessment, + indicates patient ongoing

Safety among patients in this cohort was consistent with the known safety profile of Retevmo. In this cohort, the most common treatment-emergent adverse events of any grade (≥20%) were increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), dry mouth, hypertension, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, and abdominal pain. No patients in this cohort discontinued treatment due to treatment-related adverse events.

"While uncommon, RET fusions occur in a ‘long tail’ of solid tumors beyond lung and thyroid cancers, and these patients do not yet have an approved targeted therapy option to address the underlying genomic driver of their cancer," said Vivek Subbiah, MD, associate professor in the Investigational Cancer Therapeutics Department and center clinical medical director of the Clinical Center for Targeted Therapy, of the Cancer Medicine Division, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "These results demonstrate selpercatinib’s potential for this patient population and reiterate the importance of broad-based genomic profiling to identify actionable oncogenic drivers, including RET fusions."

In May 2020, Lilly’s first-in-class selective RET inhibitor Retevmo received Accelerated Approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) who require systemic therapy, and in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate). Retevmo was approved based on the Phase 1/2 LIBRETTO-001 trial’s endpoints of ORR and DoR. Retevmo (marketed as Retsevmo outside the U.S.) was approved by the European Commission in February 2021.

About LIBRETTO-001

The Phase 1/2 LIBRETTO-001 trial is the largest clinical trial of patients with RET-driven cancers treated with a RET inhibitor. The trial, which spans 16 countries and 89 sites, included a dose escalation phase (Phase 1) and a dose expansion phase (Phase 2). The Phase 2 portion of the trial had major efficacy outcomes of ORR and DoR, and prespecified secondary endpoints of central nervous system (CNS) ORR and CNS DoR, as determined by an independent review committee according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1.

LIBRETTO-001 continues to enroll patients with RET-altered tumors beyond lung cancer.

About Retevmo (selpercatinib)

Retevmo (selpercatinib, formerly known as LOXO-292) (pronounced reh-TEHV-moh) is a selective and potent RET kinase inhibitor. Retevmo may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells, which can result in side effects. RET-driver alterations are predominantly mutually exclusive from other oncogenic drivers. Retevmo is an U.S. FDA-approved oral prescription medicine, 120 mg or 160 mg dependent on weight (<50 kg or ≥50 kg, respectively), taken twice daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.i Continued approval may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR RETEVMO (selpercatinib)

Hepatotoxicity: Serious hepatic adverse reactions occurred in 2.6% of patients treated with Retevmo. Increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) occurred in 51% of patients, including Grade 3 or 4 events in 8% and increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) occurred in 45% of patients, including Grade 3 or 4 events in 9%. The median time to first onset for increased AST was 4.1 weeks (range: 5 days to 2 years) and increased ALT was 4.1 weeks (range: 6 days to 1.5 years). Monitor ALT and AST prior to initiating Retevmo, every 2 weeks during the first 3 months, then monthly thereafter and as clinically indicated. Withhold, reduce dose or permanently discontinue Retevmo based on the severity.

Hypertension occurred in 35% of patients, including Grade 3 hypertension in 17% and Grade 4 in one (0.1%) patient. Overall, 4.6% had their dose interrupted and 1.3% had their dose reduced for hypertension. Treatment-emergent hypertension was most commonly managed with anti-hypertension medications. Do not initiate Retevmo in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Optimize blood pressure prior to initiating Retevmo. Monitor blood pressure after 1 week, at least monthly thereafter, and as clinically indicated. Initiate or adjust anti-hypertensive therapy as appropriate. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue Retevmo based on the severity.

Retevmo can cause concentration-dependent QT interval prolongation. An increase in QTcF interval to >500 ms was measured in 6% of patients and an increase in the QTcF interval of at least 60 ms over baseline was measured in 15% of patients. Retevmo has not been studied in patients with clinically significant active cardiovascular disease or recent myocardial infarction. Monitor patients who are at significant risk of developing QTc prolongation, including patients with known long QT syndromes, clinically significant bradyarrhythmias, and severe or uncontrolled heart failure. Assess QT interval, electrolytes and TSH at baseline and periodically during treatment, adjusting frequency based upon risk factors including diarrhea. Correct hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia prior to initiating Retevmo and during treatment. Monitor the QT interval more frequently when Retevmo is concomitantly administered with strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors or drugs known to prolong QTc interval. Withhold and dose reduce or permanently discontinue Retevmo based on the severity.

Serious, including fatal, hemorrhagic events can occur with Retevmo. Grade ≥3 hemorrhagic events occurred in 2.3% of patients treated with Retevmo including 3 (0.4%) patients with fatal hemorrhagic events, including one case each of cerebral hemorrhage, tracheostomy site hemorrhage, and hemoptysis. Permanently discontinue Retevmo in patients with severe or life-threatening hemorrhage.

Hypersensitivity occurred in 4.3% of patients receiving Retevmo, including Grade 3 hypersensitivity in 1.6%. The median time to onset was 1.7 weeks (range 6 days to 1.5 years). Signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity included fever, rash and arthralgias or myalgias with concurrent decreased platelets or transaminitis. If hypersensitivity occurs, withhold Retevmo and begin corticosteroids at a dose of 1 mg/kg prednisone (or equivalent). Upon resolution of the event, resume Retevmo at a reduced dose and increase the dose of Retevmo by 1 dose level each week as tolerated until reaching the dose taken prior to onset of hypersensitivity. Continue steroids until patient reaches target dose and then taper. Permanently discontinue Retevmo for recurrent hypersensitivity.

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) occurred in 1% of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma receiving Retevmo. Patients may be at risk of TLS if they have rapidly growing tumors, a high tumor burden, renal dysfunction, or dehydration. Closely monitor patients at risk, consider appropriate prophylaxis including hydration, and treat as clinically indicated.

Impaired wound healing can occur in patients who receive drugs that inhibit the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway. Therefore, Retevmo has the potential to adversely affect wound healing. Withhold Retevmo for at least 7 days prior to elective surgery. Do not administer for at least 2 weeks following major surgery and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of Retevmo after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established.

Based on data from animal reproduction studies and its mechanism of action, Retevmo can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Administration of selpercatinib to pregnant rats during organogenesis at maternal exposures that were approximately equal to those observed at the recommended human dose of 160 mg twice daily resulted in embryolethality and malformations. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Retevmo and for at least 1 week after the final dose. There are no data on the presence of selpercatinib or its metabolites in human milk or on their effects on the breastfed child or on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with Retevmo and for 1 week after the final dose.

Severe adverse reactions (Grade 3-4) occurring in ≥15% of patients who received Retevmo in LIBRETTO-001, were hypertension (18%), prolonged QT interval (4%), diarrhea (3.4%), dyspnea (2.3%), fatigue (2%), abdominal pain (1.9%), hemorrhage (1.9%), headache (1.4%), rash (0.7%), constipation (0.6%), nausea (0.6%), vomiting (0.3%), and edema (0.3%).

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 33% of patients who received Retevmo. The most frequently reported serious adverse reaction (in ≥ 2% of patients) was pneumonia.

Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3% of patients; fatal adverse reactions which occurred in >1 patient included sepsis (n=3), cardiac arrest (n=3) and respiratory failure (n=3).

Common adverse reactions (all grades) occurring in ≥15% of patients who received Retevmo in LIBRETTO-001, were dry mouth (39%), diarrhea (37%), hypertension (35%), fatigue (35%), edema (35%), rash (27%), constipation (25%), nausea (23%), abdominal pain (23%), headache (23%), cough (18%), prolonged QT interval (17%), dyspnea (16%), vomiting (15%), and hemorrhage (15%).

Laboratory abnormalities (all grades; Grade 3-4) ≥20% worsening from baseline in patients who received Retevmo in LIBRETTO-001, were AST increased (51%; 8%), ALT increased (45%; 9%), increased glucose (44%; 2.2%), decreased leukocytes (43%; 1.6%), decreased albumin (42%; 0.7%), decreased calcium (41%; 3.8%), increased creatinine (37%; 1.0%), increased alkaline phosphatase (36%; 2.3%), decreased platelets (33%; 2.7%), increased total cholesterol (31%; 0.1%), decreased sodium (27%; 7%), decreased magnesium (24%; 0.6%), increased potassium (24%; 1.2%), increased bilirubin (23%; 2.0%), and decreased glucose (22%; 0.7%).

Concomitant use of acid-reducing agents decreases selpercatinib plasma concentrations which may reduce Retevmo anti-tumor activity. Avoid concomitant use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonists, and locally-acting antacids with Retevmo. If coadministration cannot be avoided, take Retevmo with food (with a PPI) or modify its administration time (with a H2 receptor antagonist or a locally-acting antacid).

Concomitant use of strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors increases selpercatinib plasma concentrations which may increase the risk of Retevmo adverse reactions including QTc interval prolongation. Avoid concomitant use of strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors with Retevmo. If concomitant use of a strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitor cannot be avoided, reduce the Retevmo dosage as recommended and monitor the QT interval with ECGs more frequently.

Concomitant use of strong and moderate CYP3A inducers decreases selpercatinib plasma concentrations which may reduce Retevmo anti-tumor activity. Avoid coadministration of Retevmo with strong and moderate CYP3A inducers.

Concomitant use of Retevmo with CYP2C8 and CYP3A substrates increases their plasma concentrations which may increase the risk of adverse reactions related to these substrates. Avoid coadministration of Retevmo with CYP2C8 and CYP3A substrates where minimal concentration changes may lead to increased adverse reactions. If coadministration cannot be avoided, follow recommendations for CYP2C8 and CYP3A substrates provided in their approved product labeling.

The safety and effectiveness of Retevmo have not been established in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age. The safety and effectiveness of Retevmo have been established in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) who require systemic therapy and for advanced RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate). Use of Retevmo for these indications is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies in adults with additional pharmacokinetic and safety data in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older. Monitor open growth plates in adolescent patients. Consider interrupting or discontinuing Retevmo if abnormalities occur.

No dosage modification is recommended for patients with mild to severe renal impairment (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate [eGFR] ≥15 to 89 mL/min, estimated by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease [MDRD] equation). A recommended dosage has not been established for patients with end-stage renal disease.

Reduce the dose when administering Retevmo to patients with severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin greater than 3 to 10 times upper limit of normal [ULN] and any AST). No dosage modification is recommended for patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment. Monitor for Retevmo-related adverse reactions in patients with hepatic impairment.

Please see full Prescribing Information for Retevmo.

SE HCP ISI All_25MAR2021

About Loxo Oncology at Lilly

Loxo Oncology at Lilly was created in December 2019, combining the Lilly Research Laboratories oncology organization and Loxo Oncology, which was acquired by Lilly in early 2019. Loxo Oncology at Lilly brings together the focus and spirit of a biotech with the scale and resources of large pharma, with the goal of rapidly delivering impactful new medicines for people with cancer. Our approach centers on creating new oncology medicines that unequivocally work early in clinical development and will matter to patients.

Bolt Biotherapeutics Announces AACR 2021 Presentation of Boltbody™ Platform Mechanism of Action and Clinical Properties of Lead ISAC, BDC-1001

On April 10, 2021 Bolt Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BOLT), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering a new class of immuno-oncology agents that combine the targeting precision of antibodies with the power of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, reported that an online oral presentation with live Q&A and a Trial in Progress poster presentation for lead agent BDC-1001 are being presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2021 being held virtually from April 10-15th (Press release, Bolt Biotherapeutics, APR 10, 2021, View Source [SID1234618697]).

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The oral presentation explores immunosuppression mediated by various cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as the tumor-supportive nature of antigen presenting cells (APCs) in the TME in preclinical models. Reawakening these immunosuppressed APCs may result in a productive and durable anti-tumor immune response. Bolt is utilizing its Boltbody platform to create immune-stimulating antibody conjugates (ISACs), such as BDC-1001, that invoke this mechanism and provided complete tumor regression in preclinical tumor models.

"In murine models we have seen efficacy in a variety of tumors that are immunologically cold and well-established. Furthermore, consistent with our proposed mechanism of action for ISACs, we see evidence of increased myeloid and T cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment mediated by BDC-1001 surrogate ISACs," said David Dornan, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Bolt Biotherapeutics. "We’re excited to share our rationale for selecting the linker-payload for BDC-1001 to optimize anti-tumor activity while minimizing the potential for the formation of anti-drug antibodies."

BDC-1001 is comprised of a tumor antigen-targeting monoclonal antibody (mAb), a trastuzumab biosimilar and an immune-stimulating agent (a TLR7/8 agonist) conjugated to each other with a non-cleavable linker. In a series of preclinical studies with BDC-1001, Bolt demonstrated the mechanism of action for their HER2-targeted ISAC. BDC-1001 surrogate was able to eliminate established, treatment-resistant tumors through the engagement of both innate and adaptive immunity. There were no adverse findings in toxicology studies of BDC-1001.

A Trial in Progress poster is also being presented by Manish R. Sharma, M.D. of START Midwest, a principal investigator in Bolt’s ongoing BDC-1001 Phase 1/2 trial. The poster details the design of the study: a four-part study with two dose-escalation parts and two dose-expansion parts. The study is evaluating BDC-1001 administered intravenously with or without an immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting PD-1 in up to 390 patients with HER2-expressing or HER2-amplified advanced or metastatic solid tumors. The dose escalation parts will evaluate sequential doses of BDC-1001 as a monotherapy or in combination with a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor in a 3+3 design, with the ability to backfill up to an additional 12 patients in each dose cohort. The dose expansion parts will evaluate the recommended Phase 2 dose as monotherapy or in combination with a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor in four cohorts of patients.

The primary objective of the dose escalation portion of the study is to assess safety as measured by the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events; dose-limiting toxicities within the 3+3 design; and potential immune-related toxicities and determine the recommended phase 2 dose. Secondary objectives will evaluate pharmacokinetic parameters and pharmacodynamic biomarkers in tumor tissue and in peripheral blood associated with drug exposure. These exploratory studies will help reinforce the ISAC mechanism of action in humans and seek to identify biomarkers associated with BDC-1001 biological activity with or without an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

In January, Bolt presented a preliminary clinical update on the first 20 patients that showed early signs of clinical activity, including stable disease in several patients and a confirmed partial response by RECIST, and acceptable safety with all 20 patients completing their dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) evaluation period without DLTs or drug-related serious adverse events. Treatment-emergent adverse events deemed to be related to BDC-1001 have been mild or moderate in severity, including mild infusion-related reactions without interruption to dosing. Bolt expects to provide an update on the trial sometime in the second half of 2021.

About Bolt Biotherapeutics’ Immune Stimulating Antibody Conjugate (ISAC) Platform Technology
The Boltbody ISAC platform technology harnesses the ability of innate immune agonists to convert cold tumors into immunologically hot tumors, thereby illuminating tumors to the immune system and allowing them to be invaded by tumor killing cells. Boltbody ISACs have demonstrated the ability to eliminate tumors following systemic administration as monotherapy in preclinical models and have also led to the development of immunological memory, which is predicted to translate into more durable clinical responses for patients.

About the Ongoing BDC-1001 Phase 1/2 Study in Patients with HER2-Expressing Solid Tumors
The Phase 1/2, multi-center, open-label study is evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and proof of mechanism of BDC-1001 in patients with HER2-expressing solid tumors. The first portion of the study includes a monotherapy dose-escalation phase in which cohorts of patients will receive ascending intravenous doses of BDC-1001 to determine the maximum tolerated dose and/or the recommended dose to advance into expansion cohorts and Phase 2 based on safety and tolerability. The second portion of the study is a dose expansion phase in which patients will receive BDC-1001 monotherapy to further evaluate the safety, tolerability and clinical antitumor activity of the recommended Phase 2 dose. Please refer to www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT04278144 for additional clinical trial information.

Black Diamond Therapeutics Announces Preclinical Data Presentations on BDTX-189 and BDTX-1535 at American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting

On April 10, 2021 Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BDTX), a precision oncology medicine company pioneering the discovery and development of small molecule, MasterKey therapies, reported the presentation of preclinical data on BDTX-189 and BDTX-1535 at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper), taking place April 9-14, 2021 (Press release, Black Diamond Therapeutics, APR 10, 2021, View Source [SID1234584639]).

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"These preclinical data demonstrate achievement of a key goal of our pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) strategy for BDTX-189 with a preclinical PK/PD profile designed for rapid and sustained target inhibition with rapid clearance," said Elizabeth Buck, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Discovery and Translational Sciences at Black Diamond Therapeutics. "We look forward to presenting preliminary clinical data, including detailed PK data, from the Phase 1 dose-escalation portion of the MasterKey-01 study in the first half of this year."

Dr. Buck continued: "Additionally, these data illustrate the MasterKey profile of BDTX-1535 as a brain-penetrant, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant selective inhibitor. BDTX-1535 has been shown to potently and selectively inhibit the family of EGFR variants implicated in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), as well as Exon 18 mutations and the C797S mutations evident in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This breadth of coverage, coupled with a brain-penetrant PK profile, supports the potential to develop a novel and differentiated candidate for GBM and solid tumors expressing un-drugged EGFR mutations, including NSCLC."

The presentations describe the following data:

Preclinical PK BDTX-189 Data:

Black Diamond employed a novel physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling strategy, accounting for compound-specific determinants of BDTX-189 metabolism and disposition, to prospectively predict the clinical PK profile and active dose range of BDTX-189.
Preclinical PBPK modeling indicated that BDTX-189 would be readily orally absorbed with a short elimination half-life (approximately two hours) while maintaining suppression of ErbB pathway biomarkers over the dosing interval, consistent with the irreversible mechanism of action and the desired PK/PD profile.
Active dose levels in humans were projected to be in the 400–800 mg QD range based on the exposure-tumor growth inhibition relationship in multiple mouse patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models harboring ErbB allosteric mutations.
Enrollment and dosing of patients in the Phase 1/2 MasterKey-01 study of BDTX-189 is ongoing, and the Company is on track to complete the dose-escalation portion of the Phase 1 clinical trial in the first half of 2021.
Preclinical BDTX-1535 Data:

GBM tumors express a family of allosteric oncogenic EGFR variants that often appear together in GBM and, as shown by the Company’s preclinical work, must all be effectively inhibited to secure a meaningful anti-tumor response. In cell-based assays, BDTX-1535 achieved potent and selective inhibition of all members of the family of oncogenic EGFR variants expressed in GBM.
BDTX-1535 demonstrated a favorable brain-penetrant PK profile in mouse, rat, and dog models.
Tumor growth inhibition in mouse models bearing intracranial GBM6 patient-derived tumors expressing allosteric EGFR mutants was achieved.
BDTX-1535 demonstrated potent and selective inhibition of rare Exon 18 mutations and the C797S mutation, supporting the potential for utility beyond GBM, such as in NSCLC.
Black Diamond expects to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for BDTX-1535 in the first half of 2022.
"Collectively, these data support the differentiated profiles of both BDTX-189 and BDTX-1535, the foundation of our ErbB franchise, and our ability to develop novel therapies for patients with genetically defined cancers," said David M. Epstein, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Black Diamond Therapeutics.

The presentations from the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) meeting are available on the "Scientific Presentations and Publications" section of the Black Diamond Therapeutics website.

About BDTX-189
BDTX-189 is an orally available, irreversible small molecule inhibitor that is designed to block the function of family of oncogenic proteins defined by driver mutations across a range of tumor types, and which affect both of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the tyrosine-protein kinase, ErbB-2, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). BDTX-189 is designed as a MasterKey inhibitor targeting a family of previously undrugged and functionally similar mutations in a tumor-agnostic manner. These mutations include extracellular domain allosteric mutations of HER2, as well as EGFR and HER2 kinase domain Exon 20 insertions, and additional activating oncogenic drivers of ErbB. The ErbB receptors are a group of receptor tyrosine kinases involved in key cellular functions, including cell growth and survival. BDTX-189 is also designed to spare normal, or wild-type, EGFR, which we believe has the potential to improve upon the toxicity profiles of current ErbB kinase inhibitors. Currently, there are no medicines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to target all of these oncogenic mutations with a single therapy.

BDTX-189 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial (MasterKey-01) in adult patients with advanced solid tumors with at least one MasterKey mutation who have no standard therapy available or for whom standard therapy is considered unsuitable or intolerable. In July 2020, the FDA granted Fast Track designation to BDTX-189 for the treatment of adult patients with solid tumors harboring an allosteric HER2 mutation or an EGFR or HER2 Exon 20 insertion mutation who have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory treatment options.