PHARMACY MARKET

Valemetostat New Drug Application Submitted in Japan for Treatment of Patients with Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma

Daiichi Sankyo | December 29, 2021

Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited announced that it has submitted a New Drug Application to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for valemetostat, a potential first-in-class dual inhibitor of EZH1 and EZH2, for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

ATL is a rare and aggressive type of peripheral T-cell lymphoma that occurs with greater frequency in parts of Japan and other regions.1,2 Patients with ATL face a poor prognosis with current therapies.3 Nearly 90% of patients relapse after completing intensive first-line treatment, at which point there are few options available.1,4

The Japan NDA submission of valemetostat is based on pivotal phase 2 study results in Japanese patients with three aggressive subtypes of relapsed/refractory ATL, recently presented at the 2021 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting. Valemetostat previously received Orphan Drug designation from the Japan MHLW for treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory ATL.


Valemetostat would potentially be the first dual inhibitor of EZH1 and EZH2 to be approved anywhere in the world and could provide a new type of targeted therapy option for patients with relapsed/refractory ATL, which represents one of the most significant unmet medical needs in Japan. Valemetostat is the fifth innovative oncology medicine from our pipeline to be submitted for regulatory approval in Japan in the past three years.”

 Wataru Takasaki, PhD, Executive Officer, Head of R&D Division in Japan, Daiichi Sankyo


About Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is a rare and aggressive type of peripheral T-cell lymphoma that is caused by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1.1 More than 3,000 new cases of ATL are diagnosed each year worldwide.5 ATL occurs with greater frequency in regions where the HTLV-1 virus is endemic including southwest Japan, Central and South America and central Australia.3 Cases are also observed in North America and Europe, and incidence of ATL is rising in non-endemic areas.3 In Japan, there are approximately 1,000 new ATL cases and over 1,000 deaths due to ATL annually.6

ATL has the poorest prognosis compared to other types of PTCL, with a five-year overall survival rate of about 14%.7 A median survival time of approximately eight months (252 days) was reported for patients in Japan with the most common acute ATL subtype.5

Treatment of ATL is based on subtype and consists primarily of intensive multi-drug chemotherapy regimens.3 Nearly 90% of patients relapse after completing intensive first-line treatment, at which point there are few options available.1,4 Additional therapies are needed to improve the prognosis of ATL in Japan and worldwide.1,3

About Valemetostat
Valemetostat is a potential first-in-class dual inhibitor of EZH1 and EZH2 currently in clinical development in the Alpha portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo. A potent and selective small molecule inhibitor, valemetostat is designed to counter epigenetic dysregulation by targeting both the EZH1 and EZH2 enzymes.8

The valemetostat development program includes VALENTINE-PTCL01, a global pivotal phase 2 trial in patients with relapsed/refractory PTCL and ATL; a pivotal phase 2 trial in patients with relapsed or refractory ATL in Japan; and, a phase 1 study in patients with relapsed/refractory NHL in the U.S. and Japan. Valemetostat received ODD from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for the treatment of PTCL in December 2021, ODD from the Japan MHLW for the treatment of relapsed/refractory ATL in November 2021 and SAKIGAKE Designation from the Japan MHLW for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory PTCL in April 2019.

Valemetostat is an investigational medicine that has not been approved for any indication in any country. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

About the Pivotal Phase 2 Study
The pivotal, open-label, multi-center, single-arm phase 2 study evaluated efficacy and safety of valemetostat as monotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory ATL who were previously treated with mogamulizumab or at least one systemic chemotherapy in case of intolerance/ contraindication for mogamulizumab and with no history of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

The primary endpoint is objective response rate assessed by independent efficacy assessment committee. Secondary endpoints include investigator-assessed ORR, best response in tumor lesions, complete remission rate, tumor control rate, time to response, duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival and safety. A total of 25 patients were enrolled in the study in Japan. 

About Daiichi Sankyo Oncology
The oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo is powered by our team of world-class scientists that push beyond traditional thinking to create transformative medicines for people with cancer. Anchored by our DXd antibody drug conjugate technology, our research engines include biologics, medicinal chemistry, modality and other research laboratories in Japan, and Plexxikon Inc., our small molecule structure-guided R&D center in the U.S. We also work alongside leading academic and business collaborators to further advance the understanding of cancer as Daiichi Sankyo builds towards our ambitious goal of becoming a global leader in oncology by 2025.

About Daiichi Sankyo
Daiichi Sankyo is dedicated to creating new modalities and innovative medicines by leveraging our world-class science and technology for our purpose “to contribute to the enrichment of quality of life around the world.” In addition to our current portfolio of medicines for cancer and cardiovascular disease, Daiichi Sankyo is primarily focused on developing novel therapies for people with cancer as well as other diseases with high unmet medical needs. With more than 100 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 16,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation to realize our 2030 Vision to become an “Innovative Global Healthcare Company Contributing to the Sustainable Development of Society.”

Spotlight

Flexible and cost-effective, single-use technologies offer
biopharmaceutical companies a way to transform their biologics production and meet the growing demand for these life-changing therapies. 

Spotlight

Flexible and cost-effective, single-use technologies offer
biopharmaceutical companies a way to transform their biologics production and meet the growing demand for these life-changing therapies. 

Related News

BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMA TECH

Tonix Pharmaceuticals to Obtain an Exclusive License from Columbia University

Tonix Pharmaceuticals | February 14, 2023

On February 13, 2023, Tonix Pharmaceuticals, a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm, announced that it has exercised an option to acquire an exclusive license from Columbia University to develop a portfolio of fully human (TNX-3600) and murine (TNX-4100) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the prophylaxis or treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2. Tonix Pharmaceuticals and Columbia University announced a research collaboration and option agreement in 2020, which resulted in the development of the licensed mAbs. Although the FDA granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to five mAb products containing seven distinct mAbs for either prophylaxis or treatment of COVID-19, none stayed available or functional since January 26, 2023, when the FDA stated that the last remaining mAb, Evusheld®, is no longer authorized. Previously, either FDA or the National Institutes of Health COVID Treatment Guidelines Panel had revoked recommendations or clearances for the other mAbs. Until recently, the earlier EUA-approved products were obtained from the blood of humanized mice or COVID-convalescent patients. Columbia University's TNX-3600 fully human mAbs were generated utilizing a proprietary system that involved a human hybridoma fusion partner. The firm feels that murine monoclonal antibodies, such as TNX-4100, have the capacity to generate antibodies with a high affinity that detect distinct epitopes on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This is due to the fact that mice have a different antibodies repertoire than humans, and the technology for making antibodies optimizes the selection of relevant B cells via harvesting approach, immunization timing and screening platform. About Tonix Pharmaceuticals Founded in 2007, Tonix Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm committed to finding, acquiring, licensing, and developing therapies for the treatment and prevention of diseases and the alleviation of human suffering. Its pipeline is focused on rare diseases, immunology, infectious diseases, and central nervous system (CNS) product candidates. The company's immunology portfolio consists of biologics for the treatment of organ transplant rejection, cancer and autoimmunity. At the same time, its infectious disease portfolio includes next-generation COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinations against smallpox and monkeypox.

Read More

PHARMA TECH

Douglas Pharmaceuticals Forms Lead Program R-107 Clinical Advisory Board

Douglas Pharmaceuticals | January 27, 2023

A clinical advisory board has been established to support Douglas Pharmaceuticals' lead program R-107, an oral extended-release dose of racemic ketamine being developed as an adjunctive or stand-alone therapy for treatment-resistant depression. Douglas Pharmaceuticals is a New Zealand-based pharmaceutical company specializing in the development of specialty generic and repurposed medications (TRD). Peter Surman, Chief Scientific Officer expressed, "We are very excited to bring together a group of world-class experts in the field of psychiatry, to help guide our late-stage development of R-107." "We believe their deep knowledge in the field, insights and contributions will be instrumental in charting an efficient course through pivotal clinical studies in TRD," he added. (Source – Cision PR Newswire) Some of the members of the clinical advisory board are as follows: • Prof. Paul Glue [MB, ChB (Otago), MD (Bristol), FRCPsych] • Prof. Alan F. Schatzberg, [MD] • Prof. Sanjay J. Mathew [MD] • Prof. Allan Young [MB, ChB, MPhil, Ph.D., FRCP (Edin.), FRCPC, FRCPsych] • Prof. Wiesław J. Cubała, [MD, PhD] • Prof. Colleen Loo [MBBS (Hons), FRANZCP, MD] About Douglas Pharmaceuticals New Zealand's largest private pharmaceutical and healthcare firm, Douglas Pharmaceuticals, employs over 700 people and exports to over 40 countries. The company provides creative, competitive, and high-quality healthcare solutions to 'improve lives'. It designs, manufactures, and distributes unique and generic products, preferring those with significant intellectual property and technological complexity in high-unmet need sectors. The company's presence in international markets continues to grow, exposing New Zealand to the world. It is dedicated to improving people's health all around the globe. Some of the products that the company works with cutting-edge partners to develop, make, market, and distribute are pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, automated compliance systems, and consumer healthcare items.

Read More

BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMACY MARKET

Xeris Pharmaceuticals Announces USFDA Approval of Recorlev

Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | January 31, 2023

On January 30, 2023, Xeris Biopharma Holdings, Inc., a leading biopharmaceutical company, announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted orphan-drug exclusivity (ODE) to its subsidiary Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for Recorlev® (levoketoconazole) a cortisol synthesis inhibitor for the treatment of endogenous Cushing's syndrome in adult patients for whom surgery is not viable or has not been effective. levoketoconazole (Recorlev) being the first FDA-approved therapeutic for the treatment of endogenous hypercortisolemia, Xeris Pharmaceutical is permitted to have seven years of orphan-drug market exclusivity beginning from December 30, 2021. The FDA's Orphan Drug Designation program intends to accelerate the development of medications that treat a disease that affects 200,000 or fewer people in the United States each year. This regulatory exclusivity with the patent exclusivity under Xeris' U.S. patents for Recorlev is valid until at least March 2040. To serve and assist this community, Xeris is dedicated to ensuring that everyone who needs access to their medications receives them. Xeris has developed Xeris CareConnection™ to provide patients and caregivers with a comprehensive program that includes financial support, one-on-one assistance, and educational materials throughout the treatment journey. Additionally, Xeris CareConnection assists healthcare providers and their teams with education on access and reimbursement. About Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Founded in 2005, Xeris is a growth-oriented biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to improving patients' lives via the development and commercialization of novel products in a range of therapies. Its unique technology makes medicines easier to use for patients & caregivers. The company has three commercially available products; Gvoke®, a ready-to-use liquid glucagon for treating severe hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar); Keveyis®, the first and only FDA-approved therapy for primary periodic paralysis; and Recorlev® for the treatment of endogenous hypercortisolemia. In addition, it has an increasingly broad pipeline of research and partnered projects utilizing its unique formulation technology platforms, XeriSol™ and XeriJect™, bringing forward innovative products for the firm and its partners.

Read More