On November 24, 2025 PharmaEssentia USA Corporation, a subsidiary of PharmaEssentia Corporation (TWSE: 6446), a global biopharmaceutical innovator based in Taiwan leveraging deep expertise and proven scientific principles to deliver new biologics in hematology and oncology, reported that positive results from its pivotal Phase 3 SURPASS-ET clinical trial (NCT04285086) have been published in The Lancet Haematology.
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The paper, titled "Ropeginterferon alfa-2b in hydroxyurea-intolerant or hydroxyurea-refractory essential thrombocythaemia (SURPASS ET): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, active-controlled, phase 3 study," highlights the potential of ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft as a new therapeutic option for patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET). ET is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) characterized by uncontrolled platelet production and an elevated risk of blood clots, bleeding events and progression to more serious cancers. There have been no new treatments approved in the United States for ET since anagrelide in 1997, underscoring the need for new innovative therapies.
SURPASS-ET compared ropeginterferon alfa-2b with anagrelide in patients with ET with leukocytosis who were resistant or intolerant to hydroxyurea. Data showed that ropeginterferon alfa-2b achieved statistically superior responses, with 43% of patients demonstrating durable responses at months 9 and 12 (as defined by modified ELN criteria) compared with 6% of those receiving anagrelide.
Beyond the primary endpoint, ropeginterferon alfa-2b demonstrated more robust hematologic responses, greater symptom improvement, improved control of splenomegaly, fewer thromboembolic events and deeper molecular responses across key patient subgroups. Notably, treatment with ropeginterferon alfa-2b resulted in significant reductions in JAK2 V617F allele burden, an important indicator of potential disease-modifying activity in MPNs. The therapy was also well tolerated, with no major cardiac or neurological events and lower rates of significant adverse events and treatment discontinuations relative to anagrelide.
"The SURPASS-ET data are impressive and demonstrate not only durable clinical and symptomatic benefits with ropeginterferon alfa-2b, but also reductions in JAK2 V617F allele burden—an important marker associated with potential disease modification," said Ruben Mesa, MD, lead author of the publication, principal investigator of the SURPASS-ET trial and President of Advocate Health’s Cancer National Service Line, which includes Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute and the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. "ET remains a challenging chronic disease, and patients who are resistant or intolerant to hydroxyurea have had few alternatives for sustained disease control. After nearly three decades without new therapeutic options, these findings represent a promising step forward for patients and clinicians."
"We are encouraged to see the SURPASS-ET results recognized in a leading peer-reviewed journal," said Ko-Chung Lin, PhD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of PharmaEssentia. "Ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft has already reshaped the treatment landscape for polycythemia vera, and the findings from this study further reinforce its potential to benefit patients across the MPN spectrum. We look forward to advancing our regulatory efforts to bring this therapy to individuals living with ET, supporting the potential to expand our commercialization efforts in this new indication in 2026, pending FDA approval."
(Press release, PharmaEssentia, NOV 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234660925])