On October 7, 2019 Verastem, Inc. (Nasdaq: VSTM), (Verastem Oncology or the Company), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing medicines seeking to improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients, reported that its partner Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. (Yakult) has dosed the first patient in a Phase 1b Japanese bridging study evaluating COPIKTRA (duvelisib) in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) following at least one prior therapy (Press release, Verastem, OCT 7, 2019, View Source [SID1234540089]). COPIKTRA is an oral inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and the first approved dual inhibitor of PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma in the United States.

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"The start of patient dosing in Yakult’s first clinical study of COPIKTRA in Japan is another important step forward in Verastem Oncology’s strategy to expand the global potential of COPIKTRA for hematological malignancies across the globe," said Brian Stuglik, Chief Executive Officer of Verastem Oncology. "The results of this study are expected to form the basis of a regulatory submission for COPIKTRA for the treatment of relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL in Japan, where therapies are extremely limited. We look forward to supporting Yakult through the clinical development of COPIKTRA in Japan to help rapidly advance this oral, novel therapy for patients living with CLL/SLL."

Verastem and Yakult entered into an exclusive licensing agreement in June 2018 for Yakult to develop and commercialize COPIKTRA for the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of all oncology indications in Japan. Yakult’s Phase 1b, multicenter, open-label study is expected to enroll approximately 10 patients with relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL after at least one prior therapy. The primary endpoint of the study is objective response rate. Secondary endpoints of the study include overall survival, progression free survival and safety. This Phase 1b study is expected to serve as a bridging study based on the efficacy and safety observed in Verastem Oncology’s Phase 3 DUO study. The results of the Phase 1b bridging study are expected to form the basis of a regulatory submission for COPIKTRA for the treatment of relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL in Japan.

COPIKTRA was approved in September 2018 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL after at least two prior therapies. In addition, COPIKTRA has been granted accelerated approval by the FDA for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after at least two prior systemic therapies. Accelerated approval in FL was based on overall response rate and continued approval may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

About COPIKTRA (duvelisib)

COPIKTRA is an oral inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and the first approved dual inhibitor of PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma, two enzymes known to help support the growth and survival of malignant B-cells. PI3K signaling may lead to the proliferation of malignant B-cells and is thought to play a role in the formation and maintenance of the supportive tumor microenvironment.1,2,3 COPIKTRA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) after at least two prior therapies and relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after at least two prior systemic therapies. COPIKTRA is also being developed by Verastem Oncology for the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), for which it has received Fast Track status, and is being investigated in combination with other agents through investigator-sponsored studies.4 For more information on COPIKTRA, please visit www.COPIKTRA.com. Information about duvelisib clinical trials can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov.

SELECT IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

This does not include all information needed to use COPIKTRA (duvelisib) safety and effectively. See full Prescribing Information.

WARNING: FATAL AND SERIOUS TOXICITIES: INFECTIONS, DIARRHEA OR COLITIS, CUTANEOUS REACTIONS, and PNEUMONITIS

See full Prescribing Information for complete boxed warning

Fatal and/or serious infections occurred in 31% of COPIKTRA-treated patients. Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection. Withhold COPIKTRA if infection is suspected.

Fatal and/or serious diarrhea or colitis occurred in 18% of COPIKTRA-treated patients. Monitor for the development of severe diarrhea or colitis. Withhold COPIKTRA.

Fatal and/or serious cutaneous reactions occurred in 5% of COPIKTRA-treated patients. Withhold COPIKTRA.

Fatal and/or serious pneumonitis occurred in 5% of COPIKTRA-treated patients. Monitor for pulmonary symptoms and interstitial infiltrates. Withhold COPIKTRA.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

COPIKTRA is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:

Relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) after at least two prior therapies.

Relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after at least two prior systemic therapies. Accelerated approval based on overall response rate and continued approval may be contingent upon confirmatory trials

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hepatotoxicity: Monitor hepatic function.

Neutropenia: Monitor blood counts.

Embryo-Fetal toxicity: COPIKTRA can cause fetal harm. Advise patients of potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) are diarrhea or colitis, neutropenia, rash, fatigue, pyrexia, cough, nausea, upper respiratory infection, pneumonia, musculoskeletal pain, and anemia.

To report Adverse Reactions, contact FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or www.fda.gov/medwatch and Verastem Oncology at 1-877-7RXVSTM (1-877-779-8786).

DRUG INTERACTIONS

CYP3A inducers: Avoid co-administration with strong CYP3A inducers.

CYP3A inhibitors: Monitor for COPIKTRA toxicities when co-administered with strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors. Reduce COPIKTRA dose to 15 mg twice daily when co-administered with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.

CYP3A substrates: Monitor for signs of toxicities when co-administering COPIKTRA with sensitive CYP3A substrates.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed.