On May 31, 2017 Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for filing with Priority Review its recently submitted New Drug Application (NDA) for VYXEOS (cytarabine and daunorubicin) liposome injection, an investigational treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a rapidly progressing and life-threatening blood cancer (Press release, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, MAY 31, 2017, View Source [SID1234519329]). Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! Priority Review status is designated for drugs that may offer major advances in treatment or provide a treatment where no adequate therapy exists. The granting of Priority Review for the VYXEOS NDA accelerates the timing of the FDA review of the application compared to a standard review.
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"We are pleased by the FDA’s acceptance of the NDA filing with Priority Review as this action emphasizes the need for new treatments for patients living with AML," said Karen Smith, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president, research and development and chief medical officer at Jazz Pharmaceuticals. "We look forward to working with the FDA during this review process to obtain approval of VYXEOS as quickly as possible, as AML is the most common of all adult leukemias and AML patients have among the lowest survival rates."2
The NDA submission includes clinical data from five studies, including the pivotal Phase 3 study. Data from the Phase 3 study, which met its primary endpoint, were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in June 2016.
VYXEOS received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA in May 2016 for the treatment of adults with therapy-related AML or AML with myelodysplasia-related changes. VYXEOS was also granted Fast Track Designation for the treatment of elderly patients with secondary AML by the FDA, and Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA and the European Commission for the treatment of AML.
About VYXEOS (CPX-351)
VYXEOS (cytarabine and daunorubicin) liposome for injection, or CPX-351, is an investigational product being evaluated for the treatment of AML and is a combination of cytarabine and daunorubicin encapsulated within a nano-scale liposome at a 5:1 molar ratio. The proposed trade name, VYXEOS, is conditionally approved by the FDA and is subject to confirmation upon approval of the NDA.
About Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a rapidly progressing and life-threatening blood cancer that rises in frequency with age.1 The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be approximately 21,380 new cases of AML and 10,590 deaths from AML in the United States in 2017.1 The median age at diagnosis is 67 and with rising age there is progressive worsening of prognosis.1,3 Advancing age is associated with increasing risk of specific chromosomal/mutational changes and risk of pre-malignant marrow disorders, which give rise to more aggressive and less responsive forms of AML.4,5 As patients age there is also reduced tolerance for intensive chemotherapy.6 As a consequence, advances in supportive care, intensive chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation have primarily benefitted younger patients.4,6 The five-year survival rate has not improved in older patients despite 40 years of research.