Takeda Canada provides YOURVANTAGE™ patient support program to Canadians with metastatic lung cancer prescribed ALUNBRIG™

ALUNBRIG™ (brigatinib tablets) – a new treatment for ALK-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer – is now available across Canada

OAKVILLE, ON, Sept. 10, 2018 /CNW/ - Takeda Canada Inc. is pleased to provide personalized support to Canadians with an aggressive form of lung cancer who are prescribed ALUNBRIG™ (brigatinib) - now available in select pharmacies and oncology centres across Canada - through Takeda's YOURVANTAGE™ treatment assistance program.

In July 2018, Health Canada approved ALUNBRIG™ as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed on or who were intolerant to an ALK inhibitor (crizotinib).ⁱ

ALUNBRIG™ is a new ALK inhibitor treatment option for patients with advanced lung cancer who urgently require more alternatives to the standard of care – crizotinib – because they are intolerant, or the medicine has stopped working to slow the progression of this terminal disease.

NSCLC is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85 per cent of lung cancers diagnosed each year in Canada.ⁱⁱ  ALK+ NSCLC is a subset of the disease, often striking people at a younger age, many of whom have never smoked or were light smokers ⁱⁱⁱ

"With Health Canada's recent approval of ALUNBRIG™, our aim is to ensure that patients who can benefit from this treatment option can access the medicine," said Gamze Yüceland, General Manager of Takeda Canada Inc.  "We are proud to offer the YOURVANTAGE™ program, which will help patients overcome barriers to more easily access treatment, and provide timely, personalized information and support that directly responds to their needs."

YOURVANTAGE™ - which is already supporting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients who are prescribed ENTYVIO^® and multiple myeloma patients prescribed NINLARO^® - provides access to an oncology-experienced nurse, reimbursement navigation support, financial / co-payment assistance, medication adherence support and delivery of ALUNBRIG™, as needed. Patients and prescribing health care professionals can receive YOURVANTAGE™ ALUNBRIG™ support by phoning: 1-844-884-4968.

About ALUNBRIG™ (brigatinib)

ALUNBRIG™ is an oral medication that works by targeting and blocking receptors found on the cancer cells called anaplastic lymphoma kinase. In some cancers, this receptor is overactive, causing cells to grow and divide too fast. By inhibiting ALK, this medication may slow or stop cell growth of cancer cells tumor growth.^iv

ALUNBRIG™ is administered orally, beginning with seven days of 90 mg once daily, followed by 180 mg once daily thereafter. ALUNBRIG™ received a priority approval in Canada and has also received accelerated approval by the U.S. FDA in April 2017. ALUNBRIG™ is currently under review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

ALUNBRIG™ is also being studied in the Phase 3 ALTA 1L trial to assess its efficacy and safety in comparison to crizotinib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic ALK+ NSCLC who have not received prior treatment with an ALK inhibitor.

ALUNBRIG™ is a trademark of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and used under license by Takeda Canada Inc. YOURVANTAGE^TM is a trademark of Takeda Canada Inc.

About ALK-positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85 percent^v of lung cancer cases diagnosed each year in the Canada, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. Genetic studies indicate that chromosomal rearrangements in anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) are key drivers in a subset of NSCLC patients. Between three to five per cent of NSCLC tumours are ALK-positive.^vi 

About Takeda

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) is a global, research and development-driven pharmaceutical company committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on oncology, gastroenterology and neuroscience therapeutic areas plus vaccines. Takeda conducts R&D both internally and with partners to stay at the leading edge of innovation. Innovative products, especially in oncology and gastroenterology, as well as Takeda's presence in emerging markets, are currently fueling the growth of Takeda. Around 30,000 Takeda employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients, working with Takeda's partners in health care in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com/newsroom/.

Takeda Canada, located in Oakville, Ontario, is the Canadian sales and marketing organization of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Takeda Canada is delivering better health for Canadians through leading innovations in gastroenterology and oncology. Additional information about Takeda Canada is available at takeda.com/en-ca.

REFERENCES
^i ALUNBRIG™ Product Monograph. Takeda Canada Inc. July 25, 2018, available at: www.takeda.com/en-ca/alunbrigpm
^ii Canadian Cancer Society. Malignant tumours of the lung. Available at http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/lung/lung-cancer/cancerous-tumours/?region=on. Accessed February 2018.
^iiiGridelli, et al. ALK inhibitors in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Cancer Treat Rev 2014;40(2): 300–306.
^iv OncoLink. Brigatinib (Alunbrig™). Available at: https://www.oncolink.org/cancer-treatment/chemotherapy/oncolink-rx/brigatinib-alunbrig Accessed: February 2018
^v Canadian Cancer Society. Malignant tumours of the lung. Available at http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/lung/lung-cancer/cancerous-tumours/?region=on. Accessed February 2018.
^vi Gainor JF, Varghese AM, Ou SH, et al. ALK rearrangements are mutually exclusive with mutations in EGFR or KRAS: an analysis of 1,683 patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2013; 19(15):4273-81.

SOURCE Takeda Canada Inc.

For further information: Media contact: Natacha Raphael, Corporate Communications, Takeda Canada Inc., Tel: [phone], [email protected]