-- In more than 70 percent of patients, disability scores improved or remained stable over three years --
-- More than 80 percent of patients treated with LEMTRADA did not receive a third course of treatment in the first year of the extension --
MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 28, 2013 /CNW/ - Genzyme, a Sanofi Company announced interim results from the first year of the extension study of LEMTRADA™ (alemtuzumab), being developed for the treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). The data were presented March 21 at the American Academy of Neurology meeting in San Diego, California.
In this analysis of the first year of the extension study, relapse rates and sustained accumulation of disability remained low among patients who had previously received LEMTRADA in either of the Phase III CARE-MS I and CARE-MS II studies. In these pivotal studies, LEMTRADA was given as two annual courses, at the start of the study and 12 months later. More than 80 percent of patients did not receive further treatment with LEMTRADA during the first year of the extension study.
"These findings are important because they suggest that the benefits of LEMTRADA as observed in the Phase III studies are maintained, even though most patients did not receive further dosing," said Edward Fox, M.D., Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic of Central Texas, who presented the study.
"These results clearly show that LEMTRADA is interesting as a treatment option for relapsing-remitting MS for three reasons. First, it reduces the relapse rate to a greater degree than an active comparator. Second, disability remains stable or improves in most patients for at least up to three years. Third, the drug usually only requires five infusions in the first year and three infusions in the second year for long term efficacy," said François Grand'Maison, MD, neurologist at Hôpital Charles LeMoyne and director of the Neuro Rive-Sud MS Clinic in Greenfield Park, Québec.
"However LEMTRADA may cause auto-immune reactions for which frequent blood monitoring is required. Fortunately, these reactions are easily treated. Overall, it is likely that this drug will make it easier for MS patients to deal with their disease and go on with their lives."
Extension Study Results
The Phase III trials of LEMTRADA were randomized, two-year pivotal studies comparing treatment with LEMTRADA to Rebif® (subcutaneous interferon beta-1a 44 mcg) in patients with relapsing-remitting MS who were either new to treatment (CARE-MS I) or who had relapsed while on prior therapy (CARE-MS II).
More than 90 percent of the patients who participated in the Phase III pivotal trials enrolled in the extension study. Patients who originally received LEMTRADA were eligible to receive additional treatment in the extension study if they experienced at least one relapse or at least two new or enlarging brain or spinal lesions.
These interim results are from the first year of the extension study for patients who previously received LEMTRADA in the two-year studies. Findings stated below are based on patients who enrolled in the extension study:
- More than half of patients (67 percent in CARE-MS I and 55 percent in CARE-MS II) who received LEMTRADA in the pivotal trials and enrolled in the extension study were still relapse-free through the first year of the extension study.
- In the first year of the extension phase, the annualized relapse rate for patients who received LEMTRADA in the pivotal trials was 0.24 and 0.25, comparable to the annualized relapse rate for those patients in CARE MS I and CARE-MS II, respectively.
- Through year three, 72.4 percent of patients in CARE MS I and 70.0 percent in CARE MS II had improved or stable disability as measured by EDSS.
- At three years, 88 percent and 80 percent of patients who received LEMTRADA in the pivotal trials, respectively, did not experience six-month confirmed sustained accumulation of disability.
- More than 80 percent of patients treated with LEMTRADA in the pivotal studies did not receive a third course of treatment within a year of entering the extension study.
"These results underscore the tremendous promise that LEMTRADA holds for MS patients," said David Meeker, M.D., Genzyme's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We're pleased to be able to present these three-year results that provide us with important new information about LEMTRADA and are consistent with the published results from our Phase II extension study."
Safety results from the first year of the extension study were reported for patients who received LEMTRADA in the Phase III pivotal studies. No new risks were identified. The frequency and type of common and serious adverse events in the first year of the extension study were generally similar to those in the Phase III pivotal studies. The most common adverse events during this period of time were infections, including predominantly mild to moderate upper respiratory and urinary tract infections. There were two deaths. One, as previously reported, was from sepsis. The other death was presumed accidental and deemed unrelated to study treatment. The cumulative incidence of autoimmune thyroid disease over three years was 29.9 percent, as expected based on the Phase II study experience. Additionally, over three years, approximately 1 percent of patients developed immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and 0.3 percent developed nephropathy, all of whom responded to treatment. These cases were detected early through routine monitoring. Patient monitoring for autoimmune disorders is incorporated in all Genzyme-sponsored trials of LEMTRADA.
About CARE-MS
The CARE-MS trials are Phase III, global, randomized clinical trials designed to evaluate whether the investigational MS therapy LEMTRADA could achieve meaningful efficacy and safety improvements over the approved, active comparator Rebif (subcutaneous interferon beta-1a 44 mcg), a standard treatment for relapsing-remitting MS. The CARE-MS I study evaluated 581 patients naïve to prior MS treatment, except for steroids. The CARE-MS II study evaluated 840 patients who have had at least one relapse occurring while on MS therapy, including standard injectable disease modifying therapies. Genzyme announced publication of results of these studies in The Lancet in November 2012.
In the both trials, LEMTRADA was given as an IV administration a total of eight times over the course of the two-year study. The first treatment course of LEMTRADA was administered on five consecutive days, and the second course was administered on three consecutive days 12 months later. Rebif 44 mcg was administered by subcutaneous injection three times per week, each week, throughout the two years of study.
In the third-year following initial treatment, starting the extension phase of the trials, patients who experienced resumed disease activity were retreated with LEMTRADA once daily for three days. Patients who took Rebif in the pivotal study phase and crossed over to receive LEMTRADA in the extension phase received LEMTRADA once daily for five days and then once daily for three days one year later.
About LEMTRADA™ (alemtuzumab)
Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that selectively targets CD52, a protein abundant on T and B cells. Treatment with alemtuzumab results in the depletion of circulating T and B cells thought to be responsible for the damaging inflammatory process in MS. Alemtuzumab has minimal impact on other immune cells. The acute anti-inflammatory effect of alemtuzumab is immediately followed by the onset of a distinctive pattern of T and B cell repopulation that continues over time, rebalancing the immune system in a way that potentially reduces MS disease activity.
Genzyme holds the worldwide rights to alemtuzumab and has primary responsibility for its development and commercialization in multiple sclerosis. Bayer HealthCare retains an option to co-promote alemtuzumab in multiple sclerosis. Bayer HealthCare has notified Genzyme of its intention to co-promote under this option. Upon regulatory approval and commercialization, Bayer would receive contingent payments based on sales revenue.
LEMTRADATM is the proprietary name submitted to health authorities for the company's investigational multiple sclerosis agent alemtuzumab.
About Genzyme, a Sanofi Company
Genzyme has pioneered the development and delivery of transformative therapies for patients affected by rare and debilitating diseases for over 30 years. We accomplish our goals through world-class research and with the compassion and commitment of our employees. With a focus on rare diseases and multiple sclerosis, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of the patients and families we serve. That goal guides and inspires us every day. Genzyme's portfolio of transformative therapies, which are marketed in countries around the world, represents groundbreaking and life-saving advances in medicine. As a Sanofi company, Genzyme benefits from the reach and resources of one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, with a shared commitment to improving the lives of patients. Learn more at www.genzyme.com.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
Genzyme® is the registered trademark of Genzyme Corporation. All rights reserved.
Rebif® is a registered trademark of EMD Serono, Inc. or affiliates.
About Bayer HealthCare
The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales of EUR 17.2 billion (2011), is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover, develop, manufacture and market products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Bayer HealthCare has a global workforce of 55,700 employees (Dec 31, 2011) and is represented in more than 100 countries. Find more information at www.bayerhealthcare.com.
SOURCE: Genzyme, a Sanofi Company
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