On May 14, 2020 MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment; MDAX & TecDAX; NASDAQ:MOR) and Incyte (NASDAQ:INCY) reported updated results from the ongoing Phase 2 L-MIND study investigating the combination of tafasitamab and lenalidomide in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (r/r DLBCL) (Press release, MorphoSys, MAY 14, 2020, View Source [SID1234557995]). The results, based on a November 30, 2019 data cut-off, corroborate previously reported primary analysis data.

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In this long-term analysis of the L-MIND data, 80 study patients receiving tafasitamab plus lenalidomide were included in the efficacy analysis. After a minimum of two years’ follow-up, outcomes from the L-MIND study are consistent with the primary analysis and confirm the durability of the response (DoR) and overall survival (OS) of tafasitamab in combination with lenalidomide followed by tafasitamab monotherapy in autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT)-ineligible patients with r/r DLBCL. Assessment by an independent review committee (IRC) at data cut-off showed an objective response rate (ORR) of 58.8% (47 out of 80 patients) and a complete response (CR) rate of 41.3% (33 out of 80 patients). Median duration of response (mDOR) was 34.6 months, with median overall survival (mOS) of 31.6 months and median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 16.2 months. The safety profile was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies of tafasitamab in combination with lenalidomide. The full analysis will be presented virtually at the 25th EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) Annual Congress to be held June 11-14, 2020.

"We are extremely encouraged by the long-term data from our L-MIND study which confirms the previously reported results from the primary analysis," commented Dr. Malte Peters, Chief Research and Development Officer, MorphoSys. "Tafasitamab in combination with lenalidomide has the potential to address the significant medical need in patients suffering from r/r DLBCL, and we are working diligently towards our key priority of making tafasitamab available to eligible patients."

"The updated data for L-MIND reinforce the potential of tafasitamab in combination with lenalidomide as treatment for patients with r/r DLBCL. We look forward to working with our partners at MorphoSys as we seek to bring this new therapeutic option to eligible patients globally," Peter Langmuir, M.D., Group Vice President, Oncology Targeted Therapeutics, Incyte.

A Biologics License Application (BLA) for tafasitamab in combination with lenalidomide for r/r DLBCL is currently under Priority Review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (PDUFA action date August 30, 2020). The BLA is based on data including the primary analysis of L-MIND with a previous cut-off date as of November 30, 2018, and the primary analysis data from the retrospective observational matched control cohort Re-MIND evaluating efficacy outcomes of r/r DLBCL patients who received lenalidomide monotherapy.

In January 2020, MorphoSys and Incyte Corporation entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement to further develop and commercialize tafasitamab globally. If approved, MorphoSys and Incyte will co-commercialize tafasitamab in the United States while Incyte has exclusive commercialization rights outside the United States.

About L-MIND
L-MIND is a single arm, open-label Phase 2 study, investigating the combination of tafasitamab and lenalidomide in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (r/r DLBCL) after up to two prior lines of therapy, including an anti-CD20 targeting therapy (e.g. rituximab), who are not eligible for high-dose chemotherapy and subsequent autologous stem cell transplantation. The study’s primary endpoint is objective response rate (ORR). Secondary outcome measures include duration of response (DoR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In May 2019, the study reached its primary completion. Primary analysis data with a cut-off date of November 30, 2018 included 80 patients enrolled into the trial who had received tafasitamab and lenalidomide and had been followed-up as per protocol for at least one year. Efficacy results in this update were based on response rates assessed by an independent review committee for all 80 patients.

About Re-MIND
Re-MIND, an observational retrospective study, was designed to isolate the contribution of tafasitamab in the combination with lenalidomide and to prove the combinatorial effect. The study compares real-world response data of patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL who received lenalidomide monotherapy with the efficacy outcomes of the tafasitamab-lenalidomide combination, as investigated in MorphoSys’ L-MIND trial. Re-MIND collected the efficacy data from 490 r/r DLBCL patients in the U.S. and EU. Qualification criteria for matching patients of both studies were pre-specified. As a result, 76 eligible Re-MIND patients were identified and matched 1:1 to 76 of 80 L-MIND patients based on important baseline characteristics. Objective response rates (ORR) were validated based on this subset of 76 patients in Re-MIND and L-MIND, respectively. The primary endpoint of Re-MIND has been met and shows a statistically significant superior best ORR of the tafasitamab/lenalidomide combination compared to lenalidomide monotherapy.

About tafasitamab
Tafasitamab is an investigational humanized Fc-engineered monoclonal antibody directed against CD19. In 2010, MorphoSys licensed exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize tafasitamab from Xencor, Inc. Tafasitamab incorporates an XmAb(R) engineered Fc domain, which is intended to lead to a significant potentiation of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), thus aiming to improve a key mechanism of tumor cell killing. In January 2020, MorphoSys and Incyte Corporation entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement to further develop and commercialize tafasitamab globally. If approved in the U.S., MorphoSys and Incyte will co-commercialize tafasitamab; Incyte will have exclusive commercialization rights outside the U.S. Tafasitamab is being clinically investigated as a therapeutic option in B-cell malignancies in a number of ongoing combination trials, including L-MIND and Re-MIND. Additionally, tafasitamab is being evaluated as part of the ongoing Phase 3 study B-MIND study assessing the combination of tafasitamab and bendamustine versus rituximab and bendamustine in r/r DLBCL. Tafasitamab is also currently being investigated in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) after discontinuation of a prior Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor therapy (e.g. ibrutinib) in combination with idelalisib or venetoclax.