Zealand Pharma announces completion of a directed issue and private placement of approx. 3.6 million new ordinary shares raising gross proceeds of approx. DKK 749 million

On January 27, 2021 Zealand Pharma A/S ("Zealand") (Nasdaq: ZEAL), (CVR-no. 20 04 50 78), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative peptide-based medicines, reported that the board of directors of Zealand (the "Board") has in accordance with article 7.1 of Zealand’s articles of association today exercised an authorization granted by Zealand’s annual general meeting held on 2 April 2020, to increase Zealand’s share capital by issue of 3,600,841 new ordinary shares (the "New Shares") at a subscription price of DKK 208 per New Share (Press release, Zealand Pharmaceuticals, JAN 27, 2021, View Source [SID1234576926]).

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The issuance of the New Shares follows an offering at market price in a private placement directed at institutional and professional investors in Denmark and certain other jurisdictions (the "Offering"). The subscription price for the New Shares has been determined through an accelerated book building procedure as part of the Offering.

The Offering is expected to be completed on 1 February (subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions), and the New Shares are expected to be admitted to trading and official listing on Nasdaq Copenhagen on 2 February 2021.

The Offering has not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and was made pursuant to applicable exemptions from the obligation to publish a Danish prospectus in Denmark as well as exemptions from the U.S. Securities Act and the securities laws of other applicable jurisdictions, as a directed issue and private placement to eligible institutional and professional investors.

Summary of the Offering:

·3,600,841 New Shares were subscribed for in the Offering;
·the subscription price for the New Shares is DKK 208 per New Share;
·total gross proceeds from the Offering will amount to approx. DKK 749 million;
·allocation of the New Shares subscribed for in the Offering has been determined by the Board in consultation with Goldman Sachs International, Jefferies GmbH and Danske Bank A/S;
·a limited number of the New Shares have been allocated to Zealand’s Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Dulac and Chief Financial Officer Matthew Dallas;
·Zealand expects to enter into an equity swap agreement to acquire a limited number of New Shares to be used for covering certain ordinary obligations under Zealand’s equity based incentive programs;
·following the Offering, Zealand will be subject to a 90 calendar days lock-up undertaking (calculated from admission of the New Shares to trading and official listing on Nasdaq Copenhagen A/S), and the members of Zealand’s executive management and board of directors will be subject to a 90 calendar days lock-up undertaking (calculated from 27 January 2021), both subject to certain customary exceptions and an exemption related to shares related to warrants which can be subscribed for by certain members of the executive management and board of directors;
·the New Shares will be issued without pre-emption rights for Zealand’s current shareholders and the New Shares will upon issuance rank pari passu with Zealand’s existing shares and carry the same dividend and other rights. The New Shares must be registered in the name of the holder in the Company’s register of shareholders;
·each New Share carries one vote at Zealand’s general meetings. Zealand only has one class of shares;
·following completion of the Offering, the registered share capital of Zealand will amount to DKK 43,400,547 divided into 43,400,547 shares of DKK 1 each; and
·a timetable of expected future principal events can be seen below.

Reasoning for the Offering and use of proceeds

Zealand’s gross proceeds from the Offering will be approximately DKK 749 million. Zealand intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to help fund commercialization and pre-launch activities for Zealand’s late stage programs, accelerate development of the clinical pipeline, continue support for Zealand’s peptide platform, and for general corporate purposes.

In connection with the Offering, Zealand will enter into an equity swap agreement to acquire a limited number of New Shares to be used for covering certain ordinary obligations under Zealand’s equity based incentive programs. Part of the net proceeds will be used to fund the acquisition of these New Shares.

Admission to trading and official listing

The New Shares will be listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen in reliance on the exemption in article 1(5)a of the Prospectus Regulation and not on the basis of a prospectus.

The New Shares will be issued in the systems of VP Securities A/S and delivered to the investors in the temporary ISIN code DK0061531514. No application for admission to trading and official listing has been, or will be, filed for the New Shares issued under the temporary ISIN code, and the temporary ISIN code will only be registered with VP Securities A/S for subscription for the New Shares. The temporary ISIN code in VP Securities A/S will be merged with the permanent ISIN code for the existing shares, DK0060257814, as soon as possible following registration of the share capital increase with the Danish Business Authority, expected on 1 February 2021. The New Shares are expected to be admitted to trading and official listing on Nasdaq Copenhagen A/S on or around 2 February 2021 in the permanent ISIN code for Zealand’s existing shares, DK0060257814.

The admission to trading and official listing of the New Shares is subject to the Offering not being withdrawn prior to the settlement thereof and the Company making an announcement to that effect.

Expected timetable for the Offering

The completion of the Offering, including admission to trading and official listing of the New Shares is subject to the Offering not being withdrawn prior to the settlement thereof.

The New Shares

The New Shares will rank pari passu in all respects with existing shares in Zealand. The New Shares will be negotiable instruments, and no restrictions will apply to their transferability. U.S. investors that have acquired New Shares in the Offering have, however, undertaken certain trading restrictions for their New Shares. No shares, including the New Shares, carry or will carry any special rights. Rights conferred by the New Shares, including voting rights and dividend rights, will apply from the time when the capital increase is registered with the Danish Business Authority. The New Shares must be registered in the name of the holder in the Company’s register of shareholders.

Managers and legal counsels

Goldman Sachs International, Jefferies GmbH and Danske Bank A/S are acting as joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners in the Offering, and Bryan, Garnier & Co. and Nordea Danmark, Filial af Nordea Bank Abp, Finland are acting as co-managers in the Offering (the joint global coordinators and the co-managers are jointly referred to as the "Managers"). Danske Bank A/S is acting as settlement agent for the Offering.

Plesner and Cooley LLP act as Danish and U.S. legal advisors respectively to the Company. Kromann Reumert and Latham & Watkins LLP act as Danish and U.S. legal advisors respectively to the Managers.

Nuvalent Launches with $50M Series A Financing from Deerfield Management to Develop Precisely Targeted Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment-Resistant Cancers

On January 27, 2021 Nuvalent, Inc., a biotechnology company creating precisely targeted therapies for clinically proven kinase targets in cancer, reported a $50M Series A financing from Deerfield Management (Press release, Nuvalent, JAN 27, 2021, View Source [SID1234574363]). The company also announced its launch of a portfolio of innovative small molecule kinase inhibitors with parallel lead programs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including NUV-520 – a potential best-in-class ROS1-selective inhibitor – and NUV-655 – an ALK-selective inhibitor. These novel molecules have been designed through Nuvalent’s proprietary discovery efforts to specifically solve for the dual challenges of kinase resistance and selectivity, with the goals of minimizing adverse events and driving more durable responses for patients with cancer. Chief Executive Officer James Porter, Ph.D., leads an experienced team with deep expertise in structure-based drug design, oncology drug development and company building.

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"Kinase inhibitors remain at the leading edge of targeted therapies for patients with cancer, but the clinical utility of currently available treatments is limited by resistance mutations and off-target effects," said Dr. Porter. "At Nuvalent, we are leveraging our expertise in structure-based design to solve for the dual challenges of resistance and selectivity, with the goal of driving deeper and more durable responses for patients living with cancer. We have partnered with leading physician-scientists to understand the limitations of existing cancer therapies that target proven oncogenic kinases and assembled an accomplished team to translate those insights into a novel pipeline of precisely targeted therapies."

The founding technology was developed at Nuvalent under the guidance of Matthew Shair, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University. Professor Shair serves as Founder, Head Scientific Advisor and member of the Board of Directors for Nuvalent.

"Our goal at Nuvalent is to develop medicines with the potential to achieve deep and durable responses with minimal side effects. Off-target kinases sometimes differ from mutant oncogenic kinases by minor differences at the drug binding site, which has made it challenging for drug developers to achieve the desired level of selectivity," said Professor Shair. "The Nuvalent approach leverages deep expertise in structure-based drug design and innovative molecular structures, allowing us to thread the needle and achieve high affinity and unparalleled selectivity against drug-resistant targets in cancer."

Nuvalent’s first lead program, NUV-520, is a novel ROS1-selective inhibitor and potential best-in-class therapy for patients with advanced NSCLC driven by a ROS1 fusion. NUV-520 inhibits wild-type ROS1 and is designed to remain active in tumors that have developed treatment resistance, including tumors with the prevalent G2032R solvent front mutation, in addition to other key mutations D2033N, L2026M and S1986F. NUV-520 has been optimized for central nervous system (CNS) penetrance to improve treatment options for patients with CNS metastases. In addition, NUV-520 has been shown to selectively inhibit ROS1 compared to the structurally related tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) family. NUV-520 offers the potential to minimize TRK-related CNS adverse events seen with dual TRK/ROS1 inhibitors and drive more durable responses for patients with ROS1-mutant variants. Nuvalent anticipates initiating a Phase 1/2 trial investigating NUV-520 in ROS1-positive NSCLC in the second half of 2021.

Nuvalent’s second lead program is NUV-655, a novel ALK-selective inhibitor created for patients with advanced NSCLC tumors driven by an ALK fusion. NUV-655 is designed to inhibit wild-type ALK and remain active in tumors that have developed resistance to first-, second-, and third-generation ALK inhibitors, including tumors with the solvent front G1202R mutation or compound mutations G1202R / L1196M or G1202R / G1269A. NUV-655 has been optimized for CNS penetrance and ALK selectivity to improve treatment options for patients with CNS metastases and minimize CNS adverse events related to off-target inhibition of the structurally-related TRK family. A Phase 1/2 trial investigating NUV-655 in ALK-positive NSCLC is planned to begin in the first half of 2022.

In addition to selective ROS1 and ALK inhibition, Nuvalent is exploring a robust pipeline of programs with a focus on addressing the limitations of existing therapies for other clinically proven kinase targets in oncology.

"Cancer remains one of the most challenging diseases to treat, with many patients inevitably running out of therapeutic options," said Cameron Wheeler, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board of Nuvalent and a Partner at Deerfield Management. "Nuvalent has assembled a team with leading expertise in structure-based drug design and the deep clinical and development insights needed to address prioritized areas of patient need. Backed by the confidence and experience of an accomplished team of collaborators and advisors, Nuvalent is well positioned to deliver on its mission of delivering precisely targeted therapy options that bring renewed hope to patients in need."

Hansa Biopharma to host conference call to provide Year-End report 2020 and Business Update

On January 27, 2021 Hansa Biopharma reported that it will publish its Year-End report 2020 at 8:00 CET on February 4, 2021 (Press release, Hansa Biopharma, JAN 27, 2021, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hansa-biopharma-to-host-conference-call-to-provide-year-end-report-2020-and-business-update-301215909.html [SID1234574362]). All interested parties are invited to participate in a telephone conference, which will include a presentation of the interim results and a business update, on the same date at 14:00 CET/2:00pm EST.

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The event will be hosted by Hansa Biopharma’s CEO, Søren Tulstrup, and CFO, Donato Spota, and the presentation will be held in English.

Slides used in the presentation will be live on the company website during the call under "Events & Webcast," and will also be made available online after the call.

Q BioMed’s Uttroside-B Receives U.S. FDA Orphan Drug Designation in the Treatment of Liver Cancer

On January 27, 2021 Q BioMed Inc. (OTCQB: QBIO), reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Orphan Products Development has granted Orphan Drug Designation to Uttroside-B, a small molecule chemotherapeutic for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer (Press release, Q BioMed, JAN 27, 2021, View Source [SID1234574361]). In preclinical studies, Uttroside-B was up to 10-times more potent against HCC cells than Sorafinib, the standard of care drug at the time.

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As an Orphan Drug, Uttroside-B may benefit from a seven-year market exclusively following marketing approval, grant funding for clinical trials that contribute to marketing approval, protocol assistance, and tax credits. Preclinical testing is now underway to support an FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) application expected this year.

Q BioMed has the exclusive rights to the technology through an agreement with the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, an autonomous Institute under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

"Orphan Drug Designation gives our Uttroside-B program a substantial boost, and we expect it will significantly accelerate development and reduce costs. We are pleased that the FDA recognizes the urgent need for effective treatments for HCC, and that the agency sees the potential of Uttroside-B to address this difficult to treat cancer," stated Q BioMed CEO Denis Corin.

With very limited approved first-line pharmaceutical therapies for HCC available today, challenges include drug resistance, adverse side effects, and high costs. An estimated 700,000 people are diagnosed with HCC each year, with the global market for liver cancer drugs expected to grow to $3.9 billion by 2027.

Eisai to Present Investigational Data on LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) Based Combination Therapies in Renal Cell Carcinoma at the 2021 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium

On January 27, 2021 Eisai reported that it will present four abstracts at the virtual Genitourinary Cancers Symposium 2021 (#GU21) from February 11-13, 2021 (Press release, Eisai, JAN 27, 2021, View Source [SID1234574360]). These investigational data include a late-breaking oral presentation from the pivotal Phase 3 CLEAR study (KEYNOTE-581/Study 307) (NCT02811861) (Abstract # 269) evaluating KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA and LENVIMA plus everolimus versus sunitinib for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

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Additional data to be presented include two abstracts from Study 218 (NCT03173560), which is a Phase 2 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of two starting doses of LENVIMA (18 mg versus 14 mg once daily) plus everolimus (5 mg once daily) in patients with advanced RCC. These include a health-related quality of life outcomes analysis (Abstract # 314) as well as efficacy analyses by independent imaging review, and by subgroup of patients who received prior anti-PD-1/L1 therapy per investigator assessment (Abstract # 307). A Trial in Progress abstract will also be presented on a Phase 3 study (NCT04586231) exploring the efficacy and safety of LENVIMA plus the hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor belzutifan (MK-6482) versus cabozantinib in patients with advanced RCC who received prior anti-PD-1/L1 therapy (Abstract #TPS372).

"We’re excited to present new investigational data on LENVIMA that we hope will provide the oncology community with optimism at this year’s Genitourinary Cancers Symposium," said Dr. Takashi Owa, Vice President, Chief Medicine Creation Officer and Chief Discovery Officer, Oncology Business Group at Eisai. "We remain relentless in our pursuit to spark change in the oncology space by continuing to evaluate the LENVIMA plus everolimus combination as well as research new potential combination treatment options for renal cell carcinoma patients. We’re dedicated to fighting for patients suffering from this insidious disease and we believe these results mark a big step in the direction of greater therapeutic knowledge and options for this community."

In March 2018, Eisai and Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada), through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of LENVIMA, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA and Merck’s HIF-2α inhibitor, belzutifan. To date, 20 trials have been initiated under the LEAP (LEnvatinib And Pembrolizumab) clinical program, which is evaluating the KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA combination across 13 different tumor types. For more information on the LEAP program, please visit clinicaltrials.gov.

This release discusses investigational compounds and investigational uses for FDA-approved products. It is not intended to convey conclusions about efficacy and safety. There is no guarantee that any investigational compounds or investigational uses of FDA-approved products will successfully complete clinical development or gain FDA approval.

The full list of Eisai presentations is included below. All abstracts will be available for viewing on demand via the Genitourinary Cancers Symposium website from February 11 at 8:00 AM EST through February 13, 2021.

Study/Trial

Abstract Name

Virtual Presentation Details

CLEAR study (KEYNOTE-581/Study 307)

A phase 3 trial of lenvatinib in combination with pembrolizumab or everolimus versus sunitinib monotherapy as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (the CLEAR study)

Oral Presentation (Late-Breaker)

Abstract #: 269

February 13, 2021 at 1:00 PM-2:15 PM EST

Robert Motzer, MD

Study 218

Health-related quality of life outcomes from a Phase 2 open-label trial of two different starting doses of lenvatinib in combination with everolimus for treatment of renal cell carcinoma following one prior VEGF-targeted treatment

Poster Session

Abstract #: 314

Cristiane Bergerot, PhD

Phase 2 trial of lenvatinib (LEN) at 2 starting doses + everolimus (EVE) in patients (pts) with renal cell carcinoma (RCC): results by independent imaging review (IIR) and prior immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI)

Poster Session

Abstract #: 307

Sumanta Pal, MD

Trial in Progress

Phase 3 study evaluating efficacy and safety of MK-6482 + lenvatinib versus cabozantinib for second- or third-line therapy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who progressed after prior anti-PD-1/L1 therapy

Poster Session

Abstract #: TPS372
Robert Motzer, MD

About Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
Worldwide, it is estimated there were more than 430,000 new cases of kidney cancer diagnosed and nearly 180,000 deaths from the disease in 2020. In the U.S. alone, it is estimated there will be more than 76,000 new cases of kidney cancer diagnosed and nearly 14,000 deaths from the disease in 2021. Renal cell carcinoma is by far the most common type of kidney cancer; about nine out of 10 kidney cancers are RCCs. Renal cell carcinoma is about twice as common in men as in women. Most cases of RCC are discovered incidentally during imaging tests for other abdominal diseases. Approximately 30% of patients with RCC will have metastatic disease at diagnosis, and as many as 40% will develop metastases after primary surgical treatment for localized RCC. Survival is highly dependent on the stage at diagnosis, and with a five-year survival rate of 12% for metastatic disease, the prognosis for these patients is poor.

About LENVIMA (lenvatinib) Capsules
LENVIMA is indicated:

For the treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAI-refractory DTC)
In combination with everolimus, for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy
For the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
In combination with pembrolizumab, for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy, and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trial
LENVIMA, discovered and developed by Eisai, is a kinase inhibitor that inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4). LENVIMA inhibits other kinases that have been implicated in pathogenic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression in addition to their normal cellular functions, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1-4, the platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα), KIT, and RET. The combination of LENVIMA and everolimus showed increased anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor activity as demonstrated by decreased human endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation, and VEGF signaling in vitro and tumor volume in mouse xenograft models of human renal cell cancer greater than each drug alone. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, lenvatinib decreased tumor-associated macrophages, increased activated cytotoxic T cells, and demonstrated greater antitumor activity in combination with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody compared to either treatment alone.

Important Safety Information

Warnings and Precautions

Hypertension. In DTC, hypertension occurred in 73% of patients on LENVIMA (44% grade 3-4). In RCC, hypertension occurred in 42% of patients on LENVIMA + everolimus (13% grade 3). Systolic blood pressure ≥160 mmHg occurred in 29% of patients, and 21% had diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg. In HCC, hypertension occurred in 45% of LENVIMA-treated patients (24% grade 3). Grade 4 hypertension was not reported in HCC.

Serious complications of poorly controlled hypertension have been reported. Control blood pressure prior to initiation. Monitor blood pressure after 1 week, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and then at least monthly thereafter during treatment. Withhold and resume at reduced dose when hypertension is controlled or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Cardiac Dysfunction. Serious and fatal cardiac dysfunction can occur with LENVIMA. Across clinical trials in 799 patients with DTC, RCC, and HCC, grade 3 or higher cardiac dysfunction occurred in 3% of LENVIMA treated patients. Monitor for clinical symptoms or signs of cardiac dysfunction. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Arterial Thromboembolic Events. Among patients receiving LENVIMA or LENVIMA + everolimus, arterial thromboembolic events of any severity occurred in 2% of patients in RCC and HCC and 5% in DTC. Grade 3-5 arterial thromboembolic events ranged from 2% to 3% across all clinical trials. Permanently discontinue following an arterial thrombotic event. The safety of resuming after an arterial thromboembolic event has not been established and LENVIMA has not been studied in patients who have had an arterial thromboembolic event within the previous 6 months.

Hepatotoxicity. Across clinical studies enrolling 1,327 LENVIMA-treated patients with malignancies other than HCC, serious hepatic adverse reactions occurred in 1.4% of patients. Fatal events, including hepatic failure, acute hepatitis and hepatorenal syndrome, occurred in 0.5% of patients. In HCC, hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 8% of LENVIMA-treated patients (5% grade 3-5). Grade 3-5 hepatic failure occurred in 3% of LENVIMA-treated patients. 2% of patients discontinued LENVIMA due to hepatic encephalopathy and 1% discontinued due to hepatic failure.

Monitor liver function prior to initiation, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and at least monthly thereafter during treatment. Monitor patients with HCC closely for signs of hepatic failure, including hepatic encephalopathy. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Renal Failure or Impairment. Serious including fatal renal failure or impairment can occur with LENVIMA. Renal impairment was reported in 14% and 7% of LENVIMA-treated patients in DTC and HCC, respectively. Grade 3-5 renal failure or impairment occurred in 3% of patients with DTC and 2% of patients with HCC, including 1 fatal event in each study. In RCC, renal impairment or renal failure was reported in 18% of LENVIMA + everolimus–treated patients (10% grade 3).

Initiate prompt management of diarrhea or dehydration/hypovolemia. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue for renal failure or impairment based on severity.

Proteinuria. In DTC and HCC, proteinuria was reported in 34% and 26% of LENVIMA-treated patients, respectively. Grade 3 proteinuria occurred in 11% and 6% in DTC and HCC, respectively. In RCC, proteinuria occurred in 31% of patients receiving LENVIMA + everolimus (8% grade 3). Monitor for proteinuria prior to initiation and periodically during treatment. If urine dipstick proteinuria ≥2+ is detected, obtain a 24-hour urine protein. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Diarrhea. Of the 737 LENVIMA-treated patients in DTC and HCC, diarrhea occurred in 49% (6% grade 3). In RCC, diarrhea occurred in 81% of LENVIMA + everolimus–treated patients (19% grade 3). Diarrhea was the most frequent cause of dose interruption/reduction, and diarrhea recurred despite dose reduction. Promptly initiate management of diarrhea. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Fistula Formation and Gastrointestinal Perforation. Of the 799 patients treated with LENVIMA or LENVIMA + everolimus in DTC, RCC, and HCC, fistula or gastrointestinal perforation occurred in 2%. Permanently discontinue in patients who develop gastrointestinal perforation of any severity or grade 3-4 fistula.

QT Interval Prolongation. In DTC, QT/QTc interval prolongation occurred in 9% of LENVIMA-treated patients and QT interval prolongation of >500 ms occurred in 2%. In RCC, QTc interval increases of >60 ms occurred in 11% of patients receiving LENVIMA + everolimus and QTc interval >500 ms occurred in 6%. In HCC, QTc interval increases of >60 ms occurred in 8% of LENVIMA-treated patients and QTc interval >500 ms occurred in 2%.

Monitor and correct electrolyte abnormalities at baseline and periodically during treatment. Monitor electrocardiograms in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, or those who are taking drugs known to prolong the QT interval, including Class Ia and III antiarrhythmics. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery based on severity.

Hypocalcemia. In DTC, grade 3-4 hypocalcemia occurred in 9% of LENVIMA-treated patients. In 65% of cases, hypocalcemia improved or resolved following calcium supplementation with or without dose interruption or dose reduction. In RCC, grade 3-4 hypocalcemia occurred in 6% of LENVIMA + everolimus– treated patients. In HCC, grade 3 hypocalcemia occurred in 0.8% of LENVIMA-treated patients. Monitor blood calcium levels at least monthly and replace calcium as necessary during treatment. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue depending on severity.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome. Across clinical studies of 1,823 patients who received LENVIMA as a single agent, RPLS occurred in 0.3%. Confirm diagnosis of RPLS with MRI. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue depending on severity and persistence of neurologic symptoms.

Hemorrhagic Events. Serious including fatal hemorrhagic events can occur with LENVIMA. In DTC, RCC, and HCC clinical trials, hemorrhagic events, of any grade, occurred in 29% of the 799 patients treated with LENVIMA as a single agent or in combination with everolimus. The most frequently reported hemorrhagic events (all grades and occurring in at least 5% of patients) were epistaxis and hematuria. In DTC, grade 3-5 hemorrhage occurred in 2% of LENVIMA-treated patients, including 1 fatal intracranial hemorrhage among 16 patients who received LENVIMA and had CNS metastases at baseline. In RCC, grade 3-5 hemorrhage occurred in 8% of LENVIMA + everolimus–treated patients, including 1 fatal cerebral hemorrhage. In HCC, grade 3-5 hemorrhage occurred in 5% of LENVIMA-treated patients, including 7 fatal hemorrhagic events. Serious tumor-related bleeds, including fatal hemorrhagic events, occurred in LENVIMA-treated patients in clinical trials and in the postmarketing setting. In postmarketing surveillance, serious and fatal carotid artery hemorrhages were seen more frequently in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) than other tumors. Safety and effectiveness of LENVIMA in patients with ATC have not been demonstrated in clinical trials.

Consider the risk of severe or fatal hemorrhage associated with tumor invasion or infiltration of major blood vessels (eg, carotid artery). Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Impairment of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Suppression/Thyroid Dysfunction. LENVIMA impairs exogenous thyroid suppression. In DTC, 88% of patients had baseline thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level ≤0.5 mU/L. In patients with normal TSH at baseline, elevation of TSH level >0.5 mU/L was observed post baseline in 57% of LENVIMA-treated patients. In RCC and HCC, grade 1 or 2 hypothyroidism occurred in 24% of LENVIMA + everolimus–treated patients and 21% of LENVIMA-treated patients, respectively. In patients with normal or low TSH at baseline, elevation of TSH was observed post baseline in 70% of LENVIMA-treated patients in HCC and 60% of LENVIMA + everolimus–treated patients in RCC.

Monitor thyroid function prior to initiation and at least monthly during treatment. Treat hypothyroidism according to standard medical practice.

Impaired Wound Healing. Impaired wound healing has been reported in patients who received LENVIMA. Withhold LENVIMA for at least 1 week 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 LENVIMA after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ). ONJ has been reported in patients receiving LENVIMA. Concomitant exposure to other risk factors, such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, dental disease, or invasive dental procedures, may increase the risk of ONJ.

Perform an oral examination prior to treatment with LENVIMA and periodically during LENVIMA treatment. Advise patients regarding good oral hygiene practices and to consider having preventive dentistry performed prior to treatment with LENVIMA and throughout treatment with LENVIMA.

Avoid invasive dental procedures, if possible, while on LENVIMA treatment, particularly in patients at higher risk. Withhold LENVIMA for at least 1 week prior to scheduled dental surgery or invasive dental procedures, if possible. For patients requiring invasive dental procedures, discontinuation of bisphosphonate treatment may reduce the risk of ONJ.

Withhold LENVIMA if ONJ develops and restart based on clinical judgement of adequate resolution.

Embryo-fetal Toxicity. Based on its mechanism of action and data from animal reproduction studies, LENVIMA can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of lenvatinib during organogenesis at doses below the recommended clinical doses resulted in embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity, and teratogenicity in rats and rabbits. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus; and advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with LENVIMA and for at least 30 days after the last dose.

Adverse Reactions
In DTC, the most common adverse reactions (≥30%) observed in LENVIMA-treated patients were hypertension (73%), fatigue (67%), diarrhea (67%), arthralgia/myalgia (62%), decreased appetite (54%), decreased weight (51%), nausea (47%), stomatitis (41%), headache (38%), vomiting (36%), proteinuria (34%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (32%), abdominal pain (31%), and dysphonia (31%). The most common serious adverse reactions (≥2%) were pneumonia (4%), hypertension (3%), and dehydration (3%). Adverse reactions led to dose reductions in 68% of LENVIMA-treated patients; 18% discontinued LENVIMA. The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) resulting in dose reductions were hypertension (13%), proteinuria (11%), decreased appetite (10%), and diarrhea (10%); the most common adverse reactions (≥1%) resulting in discontinuation of LENVIMA were hypertension (1%) and asthenia (1%).

In RCC, the most common adverse reactions (≥30%) observed in LENVIMA + everolimus–treated patients were diarrhea (81%), fatigue (73%), arthralgia/myalgia (55%), decreased appetite (53%), vomiting (48%), nausea (45%), stomatitis (44%), hypertension (42%), peripheral edema (42%), cough (37%), abdominal pain (37%), dyspnea (35%), rash (35%), decreased weight (34%), hemorrhagic events (32%), and proteinuria (31%). The most common serious adverse reactions (≥5%) were renal failure (11%), dehydration (10%), anemia (6%), thrombocytopenia (5%), diarrhea (5%), vomiting (5%), and dyspnea (5%). Adverse reactions led to dose reductions or interruption in 89% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) resulting in dose reductions were diarrhea (21%), fatigue (8%), thrombocytopenia (6%), vomiting (6%), nausea (5%), and proteinuria (5%). Treatment discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 29% of patients.

In HCC, the most common adverse reactions (≥20%) observed in LENVIMA-treated patients were hypertension (45%), fatigue (44%), diarrhea (39%), decreased appetite (34%), arthralgia/myalgia (31%), decreased weight (31%), abdominal pain (30%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (27%), proteinuria (26%), dysphonia (24%), hemorrhagic events (23%), hypothyroidism (21%), and nausea (20%). The most common serious adverse reactions (≥2%) were hepatic encephalopathy (5%), hepatic failure (3%), ascites (3%), and decreased appetite (2%). Adverse reactions led to dose reductions or interruption in 62% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) resulting in dose reductions were fatigue (9%), decreased appetite (8%), diarrhea (8%), proteinuria (7%), hypertension (6%), and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (5%). Treatment discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 20% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (≥1%) resulting in discontinuation of LENVIMA were fatigue (1%), hepatic encephalopathy (2%), hyperbilirubinemia (1%), and hepatic failure (1%).

In EC, the most common adverse reactions (≥20%) observed in LENVIMA + pembrolizumab – treated patients were fatigue (65%), hypertension (65%), musculoskeletal pain (65%), diarrhea (64%), decreased appetite (52%), hypothyroidism (51%), nausea (48%), stomatitis (43%), vomiting (39%), decreased weight (36%), abdominal pain (33%), headache (33%), constipation (32%), urinary tract infection (31%), dysphonia (29%), hemorrhagic events (28%), hypomagnesemia (27%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (26%), dyspnea (24%), cough (21%) and rash (21%). Adverse reactions led to dose reduction or interruption in 88% of patients receiving LENVIMA. The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) resulting in dose reduction or interruption of LENVIMA were fatigue (32%), hypertension (26%), diarrhea (18%), nausea (13%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (13%), vomiting (13%), decreased appetite (12%), musculoskeletal pain (11%), stomatitis (9%), abdominal pain (7%), hemorrhages (7%), renal impairment (6%), decreased weight (6%), rash (5%), headache (5%), increased lipase (5%) and proteinuria (5%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3% of patients receiving LENVIMA + pembrolizumab, including gastrointestinal perforation, RPLS with intraventricular hemorrhage, and intracranial hemorrhage. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 52% of patients receiving LENVIMA + pembrolizumab. Serious adverse reactions in ≥3% of patients were hypertension (9%), abdominal pain (6%), musculoskeletal pain (5%), hemorrhage (4%), fatigue (4%), nausea (4%), confusional state (4%), pleural effusion (4%), adrenal insufficiency (3%), colitis (3%), dyspnea (3%), and pyrexia (3%). Permanent discontinuation due to adverse reaction (Grade 1-4) occurred in 21% of patients who received LENVIMA + pembrolizumab. The most common adverse reactions (>2%) resulting in discontinuation of LENVIMA were gastrointestinal perforation or fistula (2%), muscular weakness (2%), and pancreatitis (2%).

Use in Specific Populations
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, advise women to discontinue breastfeeding during treatment and for at least 1 week after last dose. LENVIMA may impair fertility in males and females of reproductive potential.

No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild (CLcr 60-89 mL/min) or moderate (CLcr 30-59 mL/min) renal impairment. LENVIMA concentrations may increase in patients with DTC, RCC or EC and severe (CLcr 15-29 mL/min) renal impairment. Reduce the dose for patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe renal impairment. There is no recommended dose for patients with HCC and severe renal impairment. LENVIMA has not been studied in patients with end stage renal disease. No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with HCC and mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A). There is no recommended dose for patients with HCC with moderate (Child-Pugh B) or severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment.

No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and mild or moderate hepatic impairment. LENVIMA concentrations may increase in patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe hepatic impairment. Reduce the dose for patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe hepatic impairment.

LENVIMA (lenvatinib) is available as 10 mg and 4 mg capsules.

Please see Prescribing information for LENVIMA (lenvatinib) at View Source

About the Eisai and Merck Strategic Collaboration
In March 2018, Eisai and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of LENVIMA. Under the agreement, the companies will jointly develop, manufacture and commercialize LENVIMA, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA.

In addition to ongoing clinical studies evaluating the KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA combination across several different tumor types, the companies have jointly initiated new clinical studies through the LEAP (LEnvatinib And Pembrolizumab) clinical program and are evaluating the combination in 13 different tumor types (endometrial carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, urothelial cancer, biliary tract cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, glioblastoma, ovarian cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer) across 20 clinical trials.