Merck Announces Increased Fourth-Quarter Dividend and $10 Billion Share Repurchase Authorization

On October 25, 2018 Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, reported that its Board of Directors has approved a 15 percent increase to the company’s quarterly dividend, raising it to $0.55 per share from $0.48 per share of the company’s outstanding common stock (Press release, Merck & Co, OCT 25, 2018, View Source [SID1234530145]). Payment will be made on Jan. 8, 2019, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 17, 2018. The Board also authorized an additional $10 billion of treasury stock purchases with no time limit for completion. The company has entered into a $5 billion accelerated share repurchase program under its expanded authorization.

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"Increasing the dividend and authorizing additional opportunistic share repurchases are driven by our commitment to a balanced capital allocation strategy and supported by our strong balance sheet and cash flow generation that provide us the flexibility to return cash to shareholders while also investing in our pipeline, innovation and growth," said Kenneth C. Frazier, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck, "Even with these actions, we will continue to maintain ample capacity for business development, which remains a priority."

Merck last announced a dividend increase in November 2017, when the Board increased the dividend from $0.47 to $0.48 per common share.

Daiichi Sankyo Announces Clinical Research Collaboration with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer to Evaluate [Fam-] Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (DS-8201) with Avelumab and a DNA Damage Response Inhibitor in Patients with HER2 Expressing and Mutated Solid Tumors

On October 25, 2018 Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo) reported that it has entered into a clinical trial collaboration agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer, Inc. to evaluate the combination of [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201), an investigational HER2 targeting antibody drug conjugate (ADC), in combination with the checkpoint inhibitor avelumab and/or an investigational Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany DNA damage response (DDR) inhibitor, in patients with HER2 expressing or mutated solid tumors (Press release, Daiichi Sankyo, OCT 25, 2018, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/daiichi-sankyo-announces-clinical-research-collaboration-with-merck-kgaa-darmstadt-germany-and-pfizer-to-evaluate-fam–trastuzumab-deruxtecan-ds-8201-with-avelumab-and-a-dna-damage-response-inhibitor-in-patients-with-her2-ex-300737530.html [SID1234530217]).

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A separate research collaboration to conduct preclinical studies evaluating [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan in combination with avelumab, the DDR inhibitor and other investigational compounds in Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s and Pfizer’s pipelines is also underway.

"The collaboration is another milestone in our development strategy to maximize the potential of [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan for various HER2 expressing and mutated cancers in combination with immunotherapy and other agents with novel mechanisms of action," said Tom Held, Vice President, Head, Antibody Drug Conjugate Task Force, Oncology Research and Development, Daiichi Sankyo. "We look forward to working with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer to determine an appropriate combination strategy to help further improve outcomes for patients. In particular, we are enthusiastic about better understanding the potential of combining [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan with DNA damage response agents."

About the Study
Under the terms of the agreement, Daiichi Sankyo will conduct a three-part phase 1b multicenter, open-label study to determine the safety and efficacy of [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan in combination with avelumab and/or a DDR inhibitor.

The first part of the study (Part A) will include a dose-escalation and dose-expansion phase to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose, safety and efficacy of [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan in combination with avelumab. Patients with HER2 expressing cancer refractory to standard treatment will be enrolled into the dose-escalation phase of Part A of the study. Four cohorts of patients will be enrolled into the dose-expansion phase.

The second part of the study (Part B) will include a dose-escalation and dose-expansion phase to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose, safety and efficacy of [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan in combination with the DDR inhibitor in patients with HER2 expressing or mutated advanced/metastatic solid tumors.

The third part of the study (Part C) will evaluate the triple combination of [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan, avelumab and the DDR inhibitor in patients with HER2 expressing cancer once the recommended expansion doses are known from Parts A and B.

The primary endpoints of each part of the study are maximum tolerated dose, recommended expansion dose and objective response rate. Secondary endpoints include duration of response, disease control rate, progression-free survival, overall survival, time to response and key safety endpoints. The study is expected to enroll approximately 200 patients in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

About [Fam-] Trastuzumab Deruxtecan
[Fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201; [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan in U.S. only; trastuzumab deruxtecan in other regions of world) is the lead product in the investigational ADC Franchise of the Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise. ADCs are targeted cancer medicines that deliver cytotoxic chemotherapy ("payload") to cancer cells via a linker attached to a monoclonal antibody that binds to a specific target expressed on cancer cells. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary ADC technology, [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan is comprised of a humanized HER2 antibody attached to a novel topoisomerase I inhibitor payload by a tetrapeptide-based linker. It is designed to target and deliver chemotherapy inside cancer cells and reduce systemic exposure to the cytotoxic payload (or chemotherapy) compared to the way chemotherapy is commonly delivered.

A broad and comprehensive development program with [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan is underway in North America, Europe and Asia. [Fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan is in phase 3 development versus ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) (DESTINY-Breast03) and versus investigator’s choice post T-DM1 (DESTINY-Breast02) for HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer; pivotal phase 2 clinical development for HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer resistant or refractory to T-DM1 (DESTINY-Breast01); pivotal phase 2 development for HER2 positive advanced gastric cancer resistant or refractory to trastuzumab (DESTINY-Gastric01); phase 2 development for HER2 expressing advanced colorectal cancer; phase 2 development for metastatic non-squamous HER2 overexpressing or HER2 mutated NSCLC; and, phase 1 development in combination with nivolumab for HER2 expressing metastatic breast and bladder cancer.

[Fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for the treatment of patients with HER2 positive, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have been treated with trastuzumab and pertuzumab and have disease progression after ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), and Fast Track designation for the treatment of HER2 positive unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer in patients who have progressed after prior treatment with HER2 targeted therapies including T-DM1 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). [Fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan has received SAKIGAKE Designation for the treatment of HER2 positive advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer by the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).

[Fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan is an investigational agent that has not been approved for any indication in any country. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

About Avelumab
Avelumab is a human anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) antibody. Avelumab has been shown in preclinical models to engage both the adaptive and innate immune functions. By blocking the interaction of PD-L1 with PD-1 receptors, avelumab has been shown to release the suppression of the T cell-mediated antitumor immune response in preclinical models.1-3 Avelumab has also been shown to induce NK cell-mediated direct tumor cell lysis via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in vitro.3-5 In November 2014, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer announced a strategic alliance to co-develop and co-commercialize avelumab.

Avelumab is currently being evaluated in the JAVELIN clinical development program, which involves at least 30 clinical programs, including eight Phase III trials, and more than 9,000 patients across more than 15 different tumor types. For a comprehensive list of all avelumab trials, please visit clinicaltrials.gov.

Indications in the US**
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for avelumab (BAVENCIO) for the treatment of (i) adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC) and (ii) patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy, or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy, or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. These indications are approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

Important Safety Information from the US FDA-Approved Label
The warnings and precautions for avelumab (BAVENCIO) include immune-mediated adverse reactions (such as pneumonitis, hepatitis, colitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis and renal dysfunction and other adverse reactions), infusion-related reactions and embryo-fetal toxicity.

Common adverse reactions (reported in at least 20% of patients) in patients treated with BAVENCIO for mMCC and patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC include fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, nausea, infusion-related reaction, peripheral edema, decreased appetite/hypophagia, urinary tract infection and rash.

For full prescribing information and medication guide for BAVENCIO, please see www.BAVENCIO.com.

About Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise
The mission of Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise is to leverage our world-class, innovative science and push beyond traditional thinking to create meaningful treatments for patients with cancer. We are dedicated to transforming science into value for patients, and this sense of obligation informs everything we do. Anchored by three pillars including our investigational Antibody Drug Conjugate Franchise, Acute Myeloid Leukemia Franchise and Breakthrough Science, we aim to deliver seven distinct new molecular entities over eight years during 2018 to 2025. Our powerful research engines include two laboratories for biologic/immuno-oncology and small molecules in Japan, and Plexxikon Inc., our small molecule structure-guided R&D center in Berkeley, CA. Compounds in pivotal stage development include: [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan, an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) for HER2 expressing breast, gastric and other cancers; quizartinib, an oral selective FLT3 inhibitor, for newly-diagnosed and relapsed/refractory FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia (AML); and pexidartinib, an oral CSF1R inhibitor, for tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT). For more information, please visit: www.DSCancerEnterprise.com.

Novocure Reports Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Provides Company Update

On October 25, 2018 Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, NovoCure, OCT 25, 2018, View Source [SID1234530195]). The company highlighted continued revenue growth supported by commercial momentum in newly diagnosed GBM and continued clinical development progress.

(1) An "active patient" is a patient who is on Optune under a commercial prescription order as of the measurement date, including patients who may be on a temporary break from treatment and who plan to resume treatment in less than 60 days.
(2) A "prescription received" is a commercial order for Optune that is received from a physician certified to treat patients with Optune for a patient not previously on Optune. Orders to renew or extend treatment are not included in this total.

"We delivered record quarterly revenue of $64.8 million in the third quarter, representing 5% quarter-over-quarter growth, driven by both active patient growth and ongoing improvements in our gross-to-net spread," said Asaf Danziger, Novocure’s Chief Executive Officer. "Prescriptions for patients with newly diagnosed GBM continued to grow, reflecting increased demand from radiation oncologists and neurosurgeons in our global active markets. We also finalized a strategic collaboration with Zai Lab which enables commercial access to China and establishes a development partnership intended to progress Tumor Treating Fields in multiple solid tumor indications."

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"In September, we presented final data from our STELLAR trial and have now submitted an HDE application to the FDA in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), which we believe brings us one step closer to our first indication outside of the brain," said William Doyle, Novocure’s Executive Chairman. "We continue to increase our investments in research and development with three ongoing phase 3 pivotal trials creating the potential for multiple interim or final data readouts within the next three years."

"Novocure is a global oncology company with a proprietary platform therapy, an established commercial business and significant upside potential from an advancing pipeline in multiple indications," continued Mr. Doyle. "With net cash flow from operating activities of $5.6 million during the quarter and more than $227 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments on hand at the end of the third quarter, we believe we are in a position of strength to continue to execute our strategic plan."

Third quarter 2018 operating statistics and financial update

There were 2,252 active patients on Optune at September 30, 2018, representing 34 percent growth versus September 30, 2017, and 4 percent growth versus June 30, 2018. The increase in active patients was driven by increased commercial adoption and by continued growth in prescriptions for patients with newly diagnosed GBM, who typically have a longer duration of treatment with Optune.

In the United States, there were 1,602 active patients on Optune at September 30, 2018, representing 30 percent growth versus September 30, 2017.
In Germany and other EMEA markets, there were 581 active patients on Optune at September 30, 2018, representing 30 percent growth versus September 30, 2017.
In Japan, there were 69 active patients on Optune at September 30, 2018, representing 6,800 percent growth versus September 30, 2017.
Additionally, 1,243 prescriptions were received in the three months ended September 30, 2018, representing 16 percent growth compared to the same period in 2017, and flat versus the three months ended June 30, 2018. The year-over-year increase in prescriptions was driven primarily by commercial activities in the United States and Germany and Optune launch activities in Japan. We saw continued growth in prescriptions for newly diagnosed GBM with more than 930 Optune prescriptions in the third quarter, 75% of total prescriptions, written for patients with newly diagnosed GBM.

In the United States, 907 prescriptions were received in the three months ended September 30, 2018, representing 13 percent growth compared to the same period in 2017.
In Germany and other EMEA markets, 288 prescriptions were received in the three months ended September 30, 2018, representing 7 percent growth compared to the same period in 2017.
In Japan, 48 prescriptions were received in the three months ended September 30, 2018, representing 4,700 percent growth compared to the same period in 2017.
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, net revenues were $64.8 million, representing 29 percent growth versus the same period in 2017. Revenue growth was driven by increased Optune adoption in the United States and Germany and continuing launch activities in Japan, partially offset by the absence of one-time benefits from the 2017 cash to accrual revenue recognition transition.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, cost of revenues was $18.9 million compared to $15.2 million for the same period in 2017, representing an increase of 25 percent. The increase was primarily driven by the cost of shipping transducer arrays to a higher volume of commercial patients, as well as an increase in field equipment depreciation.

Research, development and clinical trials expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018, were $13.1 million compared to $9.3 million for the same period in 2017, representing an increase of 41 percent. This was primarily due to an increase in clinical trial and personnel expenses for our METIS, LUNAR, and PANOVA-3 trials and an increase in costs associated with medical affairs.

Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018, were $19.1 million compared to $16.4 million for the same period in 2017, representing an increase of 17 percent. This was primarily due to increases in our global sales force, increased marketing and market access expenses and increased facility expenses to support our geographical expansion in Japan and Austria.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018, were $18.9 million compared to $15.2 million for the same period in 2017, representing an increase of 24 percent. This was primarily due to an increase in share based compensation and an increase in professional services.

Personnel costs for the three months ended September 30, 2018, included $10.5 million in non-cash share-based compensation expenses, comprised of $0.5 million in cost of revenues; $1.2 million in research, development and clinical trials; $2.0 million in sales and marketing; and $6.8 million in general and administrative expenses. Total non-cash share-based compensation expenses for the third quarter 2017 were $8.6 million.

Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2018, was $11.7 million compared to net loss of $11.5 million for the same period in 2017, representing a 2 percent decrease in net income.

At September 30, 2018, we had $123.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and $104.7 million in short-term investments, for a total balance of $227.7 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. This represents an increase of $8.7 million in cash and investments since June 30, 2018.

Anticipated clinical trial milestones

Initiation of phase 3 pivotal trial in recurrent ovarian cancer (Q4 2018)
First patient enrollment in phase 2 pilot HEPANOVA trial in advanced liver cancer (Q4 2018)
Final data collection from phase 3 pivotal METIS trial in brain metastases (2020)
Final data collection from phase 3 pivotal LUNAR trial in non-small cell lung cancer (2021)
Final data collection from phase 3 pivotal PANOVA 3 trial in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (2022)
Conference call details

Novocure will host a conference call and webcast to discuss third quarter 2018 financial results today, Thursday, October 25, 2018, at 8 a.m. EDT. Analysts and investors can participate in the conference call by dialing 855-442-6895 for domestic callers and 509-960-9037 for international callers, using the conference ID 2186119 .

The webcast, earnings slides presented during the webcast and the corporate presentation can be accessed live from the Investor Relations page of Novocure’s website, www.novocure.com/investor-relations, and will be available for at least 14 days following the call.

Nordic Nanovector’s Betalutin® Receives Promising Innovative Medicine (PIM) Designation in the UK for the Treatment of Follicular Lymphoma

On October 25, 2018 Nordic Nanovector ASA (OSE: NANO) reported that Betalutin (177Lu-satetraxetan-lilotomab) has been granted a Promising Innovative Medicine (PIM) designation by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for the treatment of patients with advanced relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (R/R FL) (Press release, Nordic Nanovector, OCT 25, 2018, View Source [SID1234530218]). The designation was granted based on data from the first part of the Phase 1/2 LYMRIT 37-01 trial.

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Lisa Rojkjaer MD, Nordic Nanovector CMO, commented: "We are delighted by the MHRA’s decision to award PIM designation to Betalutin. This acknowledges the high unmet medical need of this patient population as well as the potential of Betalutin to offer therapeutic benefits to FL patients. Both the PIM and Fast Track designations (granted by the FDA in June) are very encouraging, as they provide opportunities for enhanced dialogue with health authorities and the potential to bring Betalutin to patients more quickly."

PIM designation constitutes Step 1 of the UK Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS). EAMS aims to give patients in the UK early access to medicines that do not yet have a marketing authorisation but meet a medical need that is currently not being met. PIM designation means that a medicinal product is a promising candidate for the EAMS, for the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of life-threatening or seriously debilitating conditions with an unmet need.

FDA Accepts Supplemental New Drug Application for LONSURF® (trifluridine/tipiracil) for the Treatment of Metastatic Gastric/Gastroesophageal Junction (GEJ) Adenocarcinoma; Grants Priority Review

On October 25, 2018 Taiho Oncology, Inc. reported that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted and granted priority review for the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for LONSURF (trifluridine/tipiracil, TAS-102) as a treatment for patients with previously treated, advanced or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, including cancer of the gastroesophageal junction (Press release, Taiho, OCT 25, 2018, View Source [SID1234530219]). The FDA has provided an anticipated Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of February 24, 2019.

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"We look forward to working with the FDA as they consider the application for LONSURF under priority review," said Martin Birkhofer, MD, senior vice president and Chief Medical Officer, Taiho Oncology, Inc.

The sNDA is based on data from the global, randomized, double blind pivotal Phase III (TAGS) trial evaluating LONSURF versus placebo and best supportive care in patients with heavily pretreated metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma that progressed or were intolerant to previous lines of therapy. The trial met its primary endpoint of prolonged overall survival (OS) and secondary endpoint measures of progression-free survival (PFS), as well as continuing to demonstrate LONSURF’s consistent safety and tolerability profile. Full results from this study were recently presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2018 Congress in Munich and published simultaneously in The Lancet Oncology.

LONSURF, in the United States, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have been previously treated with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy, an anti-VEGF biological therapy and, if RAS wild-type, an anti-EGFR therapy.[1]

About TAGS
TAGS (TAS-102 Gastric Study) is a Taiho-sponsored pivotal Phase III, multinational, randomized, double-blind study evaluating trifluridine/tipiracil, also known as TAS-102, plus best supportive care (BSC) versus placebo plus BSC in patients with metastatic gastric cancer, including gastroesophageal junction cancer, refractory to standard treatments. The primary endpoint in the TAGS trial is overall survival (OS), and the main secondary endpoint measures include progression-free survival (PFS), and safety and tolerability, as well as quality of life.

TAGS enrolled 507 adult patients with metastatic gastric cancer who had previously received at least two prior regimens for advanced disease. The study was conducted in Japan, the United States, the European Union, Russia, Belarus, Israel, and Turkey.

For more information on TAGS, please visit www.ClinicalTrials.gov (View Source). The ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier is NCT02500043.

About Metastatic Gastric Cancer
Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, is a disease in which malignant cells form in the lining of the stomach. It is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the third most common cause of cancer-related death (after lung and liver cancer), with an estimated 723,000 deaths annually.[2] Approximately 50 percent of patients with gastric cancer have advanced disease at the time of diagnosis.[3]

Standard chemotherapy regimens for advanced gastric cancer include fluoropyrimidines, platinum derivatives, and taxanes (with ramucirumab), or irinotecan. The addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy is standard of care for patients with HER2-neu-positive advanced gastric cancer. However, after failure of first- and second-line therapies, standard third-line treatments are limited.

About Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer
Gastroesophageal junction cancer is a type of cancer that begins in cells located near the GE junction, the area where the esophagus connects to the stomach.[4] It remains a significant clinical problem that is increasing in incidence, and is associated with a poor prognosis. The majority of patients present with advanced disease, and less than 50 percent undergo curative treatment.[5]

About LONSURF
LONSURF (trifluridine/tipiracil) is an oral anticancer drug, which utilizes the combination of trifluridine (FTD) and tipiracil (TPI), whose dual mechanism of action is designed to maintain clinical activity and differs from conventional fluoropyrimidines. FTD is an antineoplastic nucleoside analogue, which is incorporated directly into the DNA, thereby interfering with the function of DNA. The blood concentration of FTD is maintained via TPI, which is an inhibitor of the FTD-degrading enzyme, thymidine phosphorylase.

In Japan, Taiho Pharmaceutical has been marketing LONSURF for the treatment of unresectable advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer since 2014. In the United States, beginning in 2015, Taiho Oncology, Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of Taiho Pharmaceutical, began marketing the drug for the treatment of patients with mCRC who have been previously treated with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy, an anti-VEGF biological therapy, and if RAS wild-type, an anti-EGFR therapy. In June 2015, Taiho Pharmaceutical and Servier entered into an exclusive license agreement for the co-development and commercialization of LONSURF in Europe and other countries outside of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Asia. In parts of Asia outside of Japan, Taiho Pharmaceutical’s business partner TYY Biopharm launched LONSURF in Taiwan in July 2018, and Jeil Pharmaceutical is preparing to bring the drug to market in South Korea.

As of October 2018, LONSURF has been approved as a treatment for advanced mCRC in 61 countries and regions worldwide.

Indications and Use1
LONSURF is a combination of trifluridine, a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor, and tipiracil, a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor, indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have been previously treated with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy, an anti-VEGF biological therapy, and if RAS wild-type, an anti-EGFR therapy.

Important Safety Information1

LONSURF may cause serious side effects, including:

Low blood counts. Low blood counts are common with LONSURF and can sometimes be severe and life‑threatening. LONSURF can cause a decrease in your white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Low white blood cells can make you more likely to get serious infections that could lead to death. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before you receive LONSURF, at day 15 during treatment with LONSURF, and as needed to check your blood cell counts. Your healthcare provider may lower your dose of LONSURF or stop LONSURF if you have low white blood cell or platelet counts
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following signs and symptoms of infection during treatment with LONSURF: fever, chills, or body aches.

Before taking LONSURF, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

Have kidney or liver problems
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. LONSURF can harm your unborn baby
Females who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with LONSURF. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you become pregnant
Males, while on treatment and for 3 months after your last dose of LONSURF, you should use a condom during sex with female partners who are able to become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider right away if your partner becomes pregnant while you are taking LONSURF
Are breast‑feeding or plan to breast‑feed. It is not known if LONSURF passes into your breast milk. Do not breast‑feed during treatment with LONSURF and for 1 day after your last dose of LONSURF
Tell your healthcare provider about all the prescription and over‑the‑counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take.

The most common side effects with LONSURF include tiredness, nausea, decreased appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever.

Tell your doctor if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that is severe or that does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects of LONSURF. For more information, ask your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.