On January 24, 2017 TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:TGTX) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation covering the combination of TG-1101 (ublituximab), the Company’s novel, glycoengineered anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, and TGR-1202 the Company’s oral, next generation PI3K delta inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (Press release, TG Therapeutics, JAN 24, 2017, View Source [SID1234517546]). Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! The combination of TG-1101 and TGR-1202 is currently being evaluated in the UNITY-DLBCL Phase 2b Trial for patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL as well as the UNITY-CLL Phase 3 Trial for patients with both frontline and previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
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"We are pleased to receive orphan drug designation for our proprietary combination of TG-1101 and TGR-1202 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This status complements our already strong proprietary protection portfolio which includes composition of matter patents issued for both TG-1101 and TGR-1202, as well as orphan drug designation already granted for the combination in CLL," stated Michael S. Weiss, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TG Therapeutics. Mr. Weiss continued, "DLBCL is an area of significant unmet medical need and we are highly encouraged by the early clinical data we have seen in DLBCL patients treated with 1101 plus 1202 and look forward to evaluating this further in our ongoing Phase 2b registration directed trial."
ABOUT ORPHAN DRUG DESIGNATION
Orphan drug designation is granted by the FDA to drugs and biologics which are defined as those intended for the safe and effective treatment, diagnosis or prevention of rare diseases/disorders that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. Orphan drug designation provides certain incentives which may include tax credits towards the cost of clinical trials and prescription drug user fee waivers. If a product that has orphan drug designation subsequently receives the first FDA approval for the disease for which it has such designation, the product is entitled to orphan product exclusivity.
ABOUT DIFFUSE LARGE B-CELL LYMPHOMA
According to the American Cancer Society, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive (fast growing) type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a cancer that starts in cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the body’s immune system. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common type of NHL in the United States, accounting for about 30% of newly diagnosed cases of NHL. DLBCL occurs in both men and women and can affect any age group, although its prevalence increases with age, with the average age of diagnosis being in the mid-60s.