Seattle Genetics Announces Multiple ADCETRIS® (Brentuximab Vedotin) Data Presentations at the International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma

On June 17, 2015 Seattle Genetics reported several ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) data presentations at the 13th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML) being held June 17 to 19, 2015, in Lugano, Switzerland (Press release, Seattle Genetics, JUN 17, 2015, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2060135 [SID:1234505449]). ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to CD30, which is expressed in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) and several other types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Seven oral presentations and one poster at ICML demonstrate the breadth of the clinical development program for ADCETRIS. Data include an additional analysis of the phase 3 AETHERA clinical trial showing that up to 16 cycles (approximately one year) of ADCETRIS consolidation therapy following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) significantly extended progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo for those patients with primary-refractory HL. In addition, data from several corporate and investigator-sponsored trials with ADCETRIS showed activity in a variety of HL and NHL treatment settings. ADCETRIS is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for relapsed HL and sALCL and was granted conditional marketing authorization by the European Commission for relapsed or refractory HL and sALCL.

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"Since the initial FDA approval of ADCETRIS in 2011 for the treatment of relapsed HL and sALCL, it has been approved in more than 55 countries, and our clinical development program has expanded to include more than 30 corporate and investigator-sponsored clinical trials in CD30-expressing malignancies," said Clay B. Siegall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Seattle Genetics. "The ADCETRIS data presented at ICML support our broad development plans for ADCETRIS. In the near-term, we anticipate an FDA decision on its use in the AETHERA setting as a post-transplant consolidation therapy, and, ultimately, our goal is to move even earlier into the treatment paradigm and redefine frontline treatment of HL with the addition of ADCETRIS."

Analysis of primary-refractory Hodgkin lymphoma patients in a randomized, placebo-controlled study of brentuximab vedotin consolidation after autologous stem cell transplant (Seattle Genetics and Takeda; Abstract #120, oral presentation Friday, June 19, 2015, at 11:50 a.m. CEST)

Data were reported from an additional analysis of the phase 3 AETHERA clinical trial evaluating PFS by investigator in patients who were refractory to frontline treatment. Previously published data suggest primary-refractory HL patients have poor outcomes following ASCT, as demonstrated by the historical two-year PFS and three-year overall survival rates of less than 40 percent and 50 percent, respectively. Of the 329 patients enrolled in the AETHERA trial, 60 percent (196 patients) were primary-refractory to frontline treatment.

Results of the analysis demonstrated:

Two-year PFS rates per investigator among primary-refractory patients on the ADCETRIS and placebo arms were 60 percent and 42 percent, respectively, consistent with the primary analysis in the full intent-to-treat population.

Subgroup analyses of patients by disease characteristics as well as number of risk factors showed that PFS was improved broadly across subgroups, including patients with B-symptoms, extranodal involvement and those who received more than two systemic anticancer treatments pre-ASCT.

Adverse events in primary-refractory patients who received ADCETRIS were consistent with the known safety profile.

Additional AETHERA data were included in a poster presentation reporting the frequency of healthcare resource utilization (HRU) among patients on the two treatment arms of the trial. Preliminary reports suggest a trend toward lower HRU in patients treated with ADCETRIS compared with placebo.

ADCETRIS is currently not approved for use in the AETHERA treatment setting. Based on the positive results from the AETHERA trial, a supplemental Biologics License Application (BLA) for ADCETRIS in the post-ASCT consolidation treatment of HL patients at high risk of relapse or progression was accepted for filing by the FDA. The FDA granted Priority Review for the application and the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is August 18, 2015.

Additional ADCETRIS corporate and investigator presentations are included below and full abstracts can be found in the ICML Educational and Abstract Book accessed on the ICML website at www.lymphcon.ch.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Healthcare utilization in the AETHERA trial: phase 3 study of brentuximab vedotin in patients at increased risk of residual Hodgkin lymphoma post ASCT (Seattle Genetics and Takeda; Abstract #177, poster presentation)

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Brentuximab vedotin plus AVD for non-bulky limited stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma: A phase 2 trial (Investigator-sponsored; Abstract #087, oral presentation at 5:15 p.m. CEST)

Preliminary efficacy and safety of brentuximab vedotin and AVD chemotherapy followed by involved-site radiotherapy in early stage, unfavorable risk Hodgkin lymphoma (Investigator-sponsored; Abstract #088, oral presentation at 5:25 p.m. CEST)

Sequential brentuximab vedotin and AVD for older Hodgkin lymphoma patients: Initial results from a phase 2 multicenter study (Investigator-sponsored; Abstract #089, oral presentation at 5:35 p.m. CEST)

A phase 1 study of brentuximab vedotin (Bv) and bendamustine (B) in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and anaplastic large T-Cell lymphoma (ALCL) (Investigator-sponsored; Abstract #090, oral presentation at 5:45 p.m. CEST)

Brentuximab vedotin demonstrates antitumor activity in CD30+ DLBCL (Seattle Genetics; Abstract #091, oral presentation at 5:55 p.m. CEST)

Updated results of a phase 2 trial of brentuximab vedotin combined with RCHOP in frontline treatment of pts with high-intermediate/high-risk DLBCL (Seattle Genetics; Abstract #092, oral presentation at 6:05 p.m. CEST)

ADCETRIS is not currently approved for use in frontline HL, in combination with bendamustine for relapsed or refractory HL and sALCL, or in DLBCL.

About ADCETRIS

ADCETRIS is being evaluated broadly in more than 30 ongoing clinical trials, including four phase 3 studies, in earlier lines of its approved HL and sALCL indications as well as in many additional types of CD30-positive malignancies, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, B-cell lymphomas and mature T-cell lymphomas.

ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) is an ADC comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seattle Genetics’ proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-expressing tumor cells.

ADCETRIS for intravenous injection received accelerated approval from the FDA and approval with conditions from Health Canada for two indications: (1) the treatment of patients with HL after failure of ASCT or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not ASCT candidates, and (2) the treatment of patients with sALCL after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen. The indications for ADCETRIS are approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. An improvement in patient-reported outcomes or survival has not been established. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

ADCETRIS was granted conditional marketing authorization by the European Commission in October 2012 for two indications: (1) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive HL following ASCT, or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a treatment option, and (2) the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory sALCL. ADCETRIS has received marketing authorization by regulatory authorities in more than 55 countries. See important safety information below.

Seattle Genetics and Takeda are jointly developing ADCETRIS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seattle Genetics has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights and Takeda has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world. Seattle Genetics and Takeda are funding joint development costs for ADCETRIS on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where Takeda will be solely responsible for development costs.

Medivation and Astellas Announce Enrollment of the First Patients in Advanced Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry

On June 17, 2015 Medivation and Astellas reported that the first patients have been enrolled in TRUMPET (Treatment Registry for Outcomes in CRPC Patie nts), a prospective observational patient registry designed to better understand the unique needs and treatment patterns for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) (Press release, Medivation, JUN 17, 2015, View Source [SID:1234505447]). The registry will enroll and evaluate 2,000 patients diagnosed with CRPC from urology and oncology sites across the United States. The study will also collect data from the primary caregivers of patients, including spouses, family members and/or friends.

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"While there have been many treatment advances in prostate cancer over the past few years, there is still a great deal for us to learn. The insights from TRUMPET can directly impact our research and increase our understanding of important treatment considerations," said Jeffrey Bloss, M.D., senior vice president, Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc. "This registry provides an important building block to support our commitment to providing effective, evidence-based cancer care for patients and their caregivers."

TRUMPET will follow patients with CRPC and participating caregivers for up to six years to gather information about the management of the disease, including patterns of care, treatment decisions and settings, and physician referral patterns. The registry will also track information about patient health-related quality of life outcomes, work productivity and treatment satisfaction, as well as caregiver health-related quality of life outcomes associated with managing a patient with CRPC.

"As a direct result of advances in therapies available to treat patients with CRPC, treatment decisions have become more complex than ever," said David F. Penson, M.D., M.P.H., chair, department of urologic surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "TRUMPET will expand our scientific understanding of CRPC to help healthcare professionals, patients and their loved ones make more informed decisions about their care."

TRUMPET is currently enrolling eligible patients and their caregivers; the study will be completed in 2020.

Lilly and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Announce Research Collaboration

On June 17, 2015 Eli Lilly and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reported a multiyear collaboration to research new medicines under development to fight cancer (Press release, Eli Lilly, JUN 17, 2015, View Source [SID:1234505444]).

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"Working together is the most powerful approach in fighting cancer," said Richard Gaynor, M.D., senior vice president, product development and medical affairs, Lilly Oncology. "Lilly’s partnership with Dana-Farber demonstrates an open, collaborative research approach—uniting the expertise of the pharmaceutical industry with that of a leading academic cancer research institution."

Per the agreement, over the course of three years Dana-Farber will provide research and development expertise for a number of early-stage Lilly oncology compounds. Dana-Farber researchers and Lilly scientists will work collaboratively on preclinical and clinical studies, molecular studies of patient samples and the design and conduct of clinical trials, which may result in important advances in the science of cancer care. The agreement also allows Dana-Farber scientists to conduct independent studies on select Lilly compounds. Following research conducted at Dana-Farber, the evaluated compounds will still be fully owned by Lilly. Financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

"This is a new kind of collaboration between a comprehensive cancer center and a large pharmaceutical company," said Barrett Rollins, M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Dana-Farber. "Under this agreement, Lilly can access the expertise within Dana-Farber to help it develop multiple preclinical and clinical compounds. Together, we can bring compounds to clinical trials and to FDA approval quickly and efficiently, and thus benefit our patient population."

AbCheck and Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals Enter Into Strategic Research Partnership

On June 17, 2015 AbCheck s.r.o, a wholly owned subsidiary of Affimed N.V., Heidelberg, Germany, and Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals reported that they have expanded their ongoing collaboration into a strategic research partnership in the field of human antibody discovery and optimization (Press release, Pierre Fabre, JUN 17, 2015, View Source [SID:1234505451]).

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AbCheck is recognized for its expertise in human antibody discovery and optimization throughout the US and Europe. Pierre Fabre, the third largest French pharmaceutical company, has a long-standing commitment to oncology and immunology. The Pierre Fabre Immunology Centre (CIPF) in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, France, is dedicated to the identification, development and manufacturing of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in focused therapeutic areas.

Under the expanded agreement, AbCheck will use its proprietary human antibody discovery and optimization platform technologies, AbSieve and AbAccel, to deliver antibodies against two or more targets provided by Pierre Fabre per year over a period of three years. This period can be extended to up to five years. Pierre Fabre has secured full rights to all antibodies selected in exchange for discovery fees and milestone payments to AbCheck. Additional deal terms as well as financial details were not disclosed.

"We are extremely pleased that our technology platform, performance and business attitude has encouraged Pierre Fabre to select AbCheck as its main provider for therapeutic antibodies," said Dr. Volker Lang, Managing Director of AbCheck. "This validation once more proves our ability to efficiently address the needs of our partners, which is instrumental to AbCheck’s future development."

"At Pierre Fabre Immunology Center, we are working on a wide range of new promising targets and are always looking to reinforce our capabilities through collaborations with world-class platforms. This strategic partnership with AbCheck will support and accelerate our antibody discovery," said Dr. Nathalie Corvaïa, Managing Director of the Pierre Fabre Immunology Center.

"Pierre Fabre is deeply committed to bringing targeted therapies to patients that need them as quickly as possible. This partnership with AbCheck coupled with our internal capabilities provides us with a platform to achieve this objective," added Prof. Laurent Audoly, Head of R&D, Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals.

ImmunoGen’s IMGN529 for B-Cell Malignancies Demonstrates Synergistic Activity with Rituximab in Preclinical Models of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

On June 17, 2015 ImmunoGen reported the first presentation of findings with the Company’s CD37-targeting ADC, IMGN529, in combination with the CD20-targeting antibody, rituximab (Rituxan), in preclinical assessments (Press release, ImmunoGen, JUN 17, 2015, View Source [SID:1234505446]). These data are being presented in a poster at the 13th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma taking place in Lugano, Switzerland (abstract #P-274).

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Among the findings being presented are:

IMGN529 exhibits strong synergy with rituximab and other CD20-targeting antibodies in cell lines representative of an array of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes, including both GCB and ABC diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL);

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Consistent with the in vitro findings, the combination of IMGN529 and rituximab was highly active against DLBCL models in vivo;

Synergy also was seen in vitro in a model representative of "double hit" lymphoma, a particularly difficult-to-treat type of DLBCL characterized by deregulation of two different genes, BCL2 (or BCL6) and MYC; and

Both IMGN529’s antibody component and its DM1 payload contributed to its synergistic activity with rituximab.

"Rituximab is a standard of care in the treatment of B-cell malignancies, and thus it is highly exciting that IMGN529 and rituximab demonstrate synergistic activity in combination in these models," commented Dr. Charles Morris, EVP and Chief Development Officer of ImmunoGen. "We plan to initiate clinical testing of IMGN529 in combination with rituximab later this year to assess the potential benefit of such a regimen for patients with DLBCL."

IMGN529 is currently in Phase I clinical testing for the treatment of NHL, used as a single agent in patients with heavily pre-treated disease. It has demonstrated encouraging evidence of activity, particularly for patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL.1 Later this year, ImmunoGen plans to begin assessing IMGN529 used in combination with rituximab for the treatment of relapsed/refractory DLBCL in addition to assessing it as a single agent in DLBCL and chronic lymphocytic leukemia disease-specific patient populations.

About IMGN529

IMGN529 is a CD37-targeting ADC created by ImmunoGen for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. It consists of a CD37-binding antibody with one of the Company’s potent cancer cell-killing agents, DM1, attached. The antibody serves to deliver the DM1 specifically to B cells to kill them and, based on preclinical research, also contributes anticancer activity.

About Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)

More than 70,000 people will be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the US in 2014.2 DLBCL is an aggressive lymphoma that represents approximately one third of the new NHL cases diagnosed annually.2 GCB, or Germinal Center B-cell like, and ABC, or Activated B-cell like, are prevalent sub-types of DLBCL which can differ markedly in their responses to treatment.