On July 22, 2015 Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) reported that a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) has been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of ofatumumab (Arzerra) as maintenance therapy of patients with relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (Press release, Genmab, JUL 22, 2015, View Source [SID:1234506592]). The application was submitted by Novartis under our ofatumumab collaboration. Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! The application is based on interim results from a Phase III study, PROLONG (OMB112517) which evaluated ofatumumab maintenance therapy versus no further treatment in patients with a complete or partial response after second or third line treatment for CLL. Results from this trial were presented at the 2014 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.
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"The submission of the application to expand the label to use ofatumumab as a maintenance therapy for patients with relapsed CLL in the U.S. follows closely behind the marketing application for this indication in Europe. We are looking forward to the response from both the U.S. and European regulatory authorities, and hope that ofatumumab will soon become available for maintenance therapy of patients with relapsed CLL," said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.
About CLL
CLL, the most commonly diagnosed adult leukemia in Western countries, accounts for approximately 1 in 4 cases of leukemia1,2. Most CLL patients experience disease progression despite initial response to therapy and may require additional treatment3.
About Ofatumumab (Arzerra)
Ofatumumab is a human monoclonal antibody that is designed to target the CD20 molecule found on the surface of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells and normal B lymphocytes.
In the United States, Arzerra is approved for use in combination with chlorambucil for the treatment of previously untreated patients with CLL for whom fludarabine-based therapy is considered inappropriate. In the European Union, Arzerra is approved for use in combination with chlorambucil or bendamustine for the treatment of patients with CLL who have not received prior therapy and who are not eligible for fludarabine-based therapy. In more than 50 countries worldwide, Arzerra is also indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with CLL who are refractory after prior treatment with fludarabine and alemtuzumab.
Arzerra is not approved anywhere in the world as maintenance therapy for relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING for Arzerra (ofatumumab).
Arzerra is marketed under a co-development and collaboration agreement between Genmab and Novartis, as successor in interest to GSK.