Data from Agios’ Phase 3 ClarIDHy Trial of TIBSOVO® Demonstrates Significant Improvement in Progression Free Survival (PFS) Compared to Placebo in Previously Treated IDH1 Mutant Cholangiocarcinoma Patients

On September 30, 2019 Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AGIO), a leader in the field of cellular metabolism to treat cancer and rare genetic diseases, reported data from the global Phase 3 ClarIDHy trial of TIBSOVO (ivosidenib) in previously treated cholangiocarcinoma patients with an isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation in a Presidential Symposium at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) (Press release, Agios Pharmaceuticals, SEP 30, 2019, View Source [SID1234539920]). Results from the ClarIDHy trial demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) by independent radiology review of 2.7 months among patients randomized to TIBSOVO compared with 1.4 months among placebo patients (hazard ratio [HR] 0.37; 95% CI [0.25, 0.54], p<0.001). The safety profile observed in the study was consistent with previously published data.

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"Advanced cholangiocarcinoma is an aggressive disease oftentimes characterized by rapid progression following multiple lines of therapy, and there are no currently approved treatments," said Ghassan Abou-Alfa, M.D., medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who presented the data at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper). "The ClarIDHy study is the first randomized trial in previously treated IDH1 mutant cholangiocarcinoma patients and demonstrates that TIBSOVO provides significant improvement in PFS compared to placebo, while also showing a favorable trend in overall survival. These critical data also provide strong justification for genomic testing in cholangiocarcinoma patients where a targeted therapeutic approach may provide benefit."

"Since we began clinical trials of TIBSOVO in solid tumors five years ago, we have hoped to provide benefit to cholangiocarcinoma patients who desperately need new treatment options. The results of the ClarIDHy trial help to establish the role that this targeted therapy may play in the treatment paradigm for patients with an IDH1 mutation," said Chris Bowden, M.D., chief medical officer at Agios. "Moving forward, we’re focused on submitting our supplemental new drug application for previously treated IDH1 mutant cholangiocarcinoma patients by the end of the year."

ClarIDHy Phase 3 Trial
The ClarIDHy trial is a global, randomized Phase 3 trial in previously treated IDH1 mutant cholangiocarcinoma patients who have documented disease progression following one or two systemic therapies in the advanced setting. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either single-agent TIBSOVO 500 mg once daily or placebo with crossover to TIBSOVO permitted at the time of documented radiographic progression per RECIST 1.1. As of the January 31, 2019 data cutoff, 185 patients were randomized, with 124 patients in the TIBSOVO arm and 61 patients in the placebo arm. Thirty-five patients randomized to placebo (57.4%) crossed over to open-label TIBSOVO upon radiographic disease progression and unblinding.

Efficacy Results
Efficacy data as of the data cut-off showed:

Median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients randomized to TIBSOVO was 2.7 months compared to 1.4 months with placebo (hazard ratio [HR]=0.37; 95% CI [0.25, 0.54], p<0.001) as assessed by independent radiology review. PFS benefits were observed across all subgroups analyzed.

The estimated PFS rate was 32% at six months and 22% at 12 months for patients randomized to TIBSOVO, while no patients randomized to placebo were free from progression beyond these timepoints as of the data cut-off.

In the TIBSOVO arm, 2% of patients achieved a partial response and 51% had stable disease, compared to 28% with stable disease in the placebo arm.

Median overall survival (OS) based on 78 events was 10.8 months for patients randomized to TIBSOVO compared to 9.7 months for placebo patients (HR=0.69; 95% CI [0.44, 1.10], p=0.06). Using the rank-preserving structural failure time (RPSFT) method to reconstruct the survival curve for the placebo subjects as if they never crossed over to TIBSOVO, the median OS with placebo adjusts to 6 months (HR=0.46; 95% CI [0.28, 0.75], p<0.001).

Safety Results
A safety analysis conducted for all patients as of the data cut-off demonstrated:

Less than half of patients experienced a Grade 3 or above treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) in either arm (46.2% with total TIBSOVO [includes patients who crossed over from placebo to TIBSOVO] vs. 35.6% on placebo), with the most common being ascites (7.7% total TIBSOVO vs. 6.8% placebo).

TEAEs leading to discontinuation were more common with placebo compared with total TIBSOVO (8.5% vs. 5.8%).

TEAEs leading to dose reductions (2.6% vs. 0%) and interruptions (26.3% vs. 16.9%) were more common with total TIBSOVO relative to placebo.

The most common TEAEs of any grade for total TIBSOVO were nausea (32%), diarrhea (29%) and fatigue (24%).

TIBSOVO is not approved in any country for the treatment of patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma.

Conference Call Information
Agios will host a conference call and live webcast with presentation slides today at 1 p.m. ET /7 p.m. CET to discuss the data from the ClarIDHy study. To participate in the conference call, please dial 1-877-377-7098 (domestic) or 1-631-291-4547 (international) and refer to conference ID 5209309. The live webcast can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors section of the company’s website at www.agios.com. The archived webcast will be available on the company’s website beginning approximately two hours after the event.

About Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a rare cancer of the bile ducts within and outside of the liver. Cases that occur within the liver are known as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) and those that occur outside the liver are considered extrahepatic. Mutations in IDH1 occur in up to 20% of IHCC cases. Current treatment options for localized disease include surgery, radiation and/or other ablative treatments. There are no approved systemic therapies for cholangiocarcinoma and limited chemotherapy options are available in the advanced setting. Gemcitabine-based chemotherapy is often recommended for newly diagnosed advanced or metastatic disease.

About TIBSOVO (ivosidenib)

TIBSOVO is indicated for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a susceptible isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test in:

Adult patients with newly-diagnosed AML who are ≥75 years old or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy.

Adult patients with relapsed or refractory AML.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: DIFFERENTIATION SYNDROME

Patients treated with TIBSOVO have experienced symptoms of differentiation syndrome, which can be fatal if not treated. Symptoms may include fever, dyspnea, hypoxia, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural or pericardial effusions, rapid weight gain or peripheral edema, hypotension, and hepatic, renal, or multi-organ dysfunction. If differentiation syndrome is suspected, initiate corticosteroid therapy and hemodynamic monitoring until symptom resolution.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Differentiation Syndrome: See Boxed WARNING. In the clinical trial, 25% (7/28) of patients with newly diagnosed AML and 19% (34/179) of patients with relapsed or refractory AML treated with TIBSOVO experienced differentiation syndrome. Differentiation syndrome is associated with rapid proliferation and differentiation of myeloid cells and may be life-threatening or fatal if not treated. Symptoms of differentiation syndrome in patients treated with TIBSOVO included noninfectious leukocytosis, peripheral edema, pyrexia, dyspnea, pleural effusion, hypotension, hypoxia, pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, pericardial effusion, rash, fluid overload, tumor lysis syndrome, and creatinine increased. Of the 7 patients with newly diagnosed AML who experienced differentiation syndrome, 6 (86%) patients recovered. Of the 34 patients with relapsed or refractory AML who experienced differentiation syndrome, 27 (79%) patients recovered after treatment or after dose interruption of TIBSOVO. Differentiation syndrome occurred as early as 1 day and up to 3 months after TIBSOVO initiation and has been observed with or without concomitant leukocytosis.

If differentiation syndrome is suspected, initiate dexamethasone 10 mg IV every 12 hours (or an equivalent dose of an alternative oral or IV corticosteroid) and hemodynamic monitoring until improvement. If concomitant noninfectious leukocytosis is observed, initiate treatment with hydroxyurea or leukapheresis, as clinically indicated. Taper corticosteroids and hydroxyurea after resolution of symptoms and administer corticosteroids for a minimum of 3 days. Symptoms of differentiation syndrome may recur with premature discontinuation of corticosteroid and/or hydroxyurea treatment. If severe signs and/or symptoms persist for more than 48 hours after initiation of corticosteroids, interrupt TIBSOVO until signs and symptoms are no longer severe.

QTc Interval Prolongation: Patients treated with TIBSOVO can develop QT (QTc) prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias. One patient developed ventricular fibrillation attributed to TIBSOVO. Concomitant use of TIBSOVO with drugs known to prolong the QTc interval (e.g., anti-arrhythmic medicines, fluoroquinolones, triazole anti-fungals, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists) and CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase the risk of QTc interval prolongation. Conduct monitoring of electrocardiograms (ECGs) and electrolytes. In patients with congenital long QTc syndrome, congestive heart failure, or electrolyte abnormalities, or in those who are taking medications known to prolong the QTc interval, more frequent monitoring may be necessary.

Interrupt TIBSOVO if QTc increases to greater than 480 msec and less than 500 msec. Interrupt and reduce TIBSOVO if QTc increases to greater than 500 msec. Permanently discontinue TIBSOVO in patients who develop QTc interval prolongation with signs or symptoms of life-threatening arrhythmia.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Guillain-Barré syndrome occurred in <1% (2/258) of patients treated with TIBSOVO in the clinical study. Monitor patients taking TIBSOVO for onset of new signs or symptoms of motor and/or sensory neuropathy such as unilateral or bilateral weakness, sensory alterations, paresthesias, or difficulty breathing. Permanently discontinue TIBSOVO in patients who are diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions including laboratory abnormalities (≥20%) were hemoglobin decreased (60%), fatigue (43%), arthralgia (39%), calcium decreased (39%), sodium decreased (39%), leukocytosis (38%), diarrhea (37%), magnesium decreased (36%), edema (34%), nausea (33%), dyspnea (32%), uric acid increased (32%), potassium decreased (32%), alkaline phosphatase increased (30%), mucositis (28%), aspartate aminotransferase increased (27%), phosphatase decreased (25%), electrocardiogram QT prolonged (24%), rash (24%), creatinine increased (24%), cough (23%), decreased appetite (22%), myalgia (21%), constipation (20%), and pyrexia (20%).

In patients with newly diagnosed AML, the most frequently reported Grade ≥3 adverse reactions (≥5%) were fatigue (14%), differentiation syndrome (11%), electrocardiogram QT prolonged (11%), diarrhea (7%), nausea (7%), and leukocytosis (7%). Serious adverse reactions (≥5%) were differentiation syndrome (18%), electrocardiogram QT prolonged (7%), and fatigue (7%). There was one case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES).

In patients with relapsed or refractory AML, the most frequently reported Grade ≥3 adverse reactions (≥5%) were differentiation syndrome (13%), electrocardiogram QT prolonged (10%), dyspnea (9%), leukocytosis (8%), and tumor lysis syndrome (6%). Serious adverse reactions (≥5%) were differentiation syndrome (10%), leukocytosis (10%), and electrocardiogram QT prolonged (7%). There was one case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Reduce TIBSOVO dose with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Monitor patients for increased risk of QTc interval prolongation.
Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO.
Sensitive CYP3A4 Substrates: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO.

QTc Prolonging Drugs: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO. If co-administration is unavoidable, monitor patients for increased risk of QTc interval prolongation.

LACTATION

Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with TIBSOVO and for at least 1 month after the last dose.

Agenus to Present at the 2019 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference on October 4, 2019

On September 30, 2019 Agenus Inc. (NASDAQ: AGEN), an immuno-oncology (I-O) company with a pipeline of immune checkpoint antibodies, adoptive cell therapies1 and cancer vaccines, reported that Jennifer Buell, PhD, Chief Operating Officer of Agenus, present an update on Agenus’ progress and host one-on-one meetings with investors at the 2019 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference on October 4th, 2019 at the InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel (Press release, Agenus, SEP 30, 2019, View Source [SID1234539919]).

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The presentation will be webcast live and may be accessed by visiting the "Events & Presentations" page within the Investors section of the Agenus website www.agenusbio.com or by using the link below. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Agenus website following the conference.

Date: Friday, October 4, 2019

Time: 8:20 A.M. ET

Webcast: View Source

Thermo Fisher Scientific to Hold Earnings Conference Call on Wednesday, October 23, 2019

On September 30, 2019 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, reported that it will release its financial results for the third quarter of 2019 before the market opens on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, and will hold a conference call on the same day at 8:30 a.m. EDT (Press release, Thermo Fisher Scientific, SEP 30, 2019, View Source [SID1234539917]).

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During the call, the company will discuss its financial performance, as well as future expectations. To listen, call (877) 273-7122 within the U.S. or (647) 689-5496 outside the U.S. You may also listen to the call live on the "Investors" section of our website, www.thermofisher.com. The earnings press release and related information can be found in that section of our website under "Financial Results." A replay of the call will be available under "Webcasts and Presentations" through Friday, November 8, 2019.

TG Therapeutics Announces Publication of Clinical Data from the Phase I/Ib Combination Trial of Ublituximab and Umbralisib (“U2”) in Blood

On September 30, 2019 TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TGTX) reported the publication of results from the multicenter first-in-human Phase I/Ib combination trial of ublituximab, the Company’s anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, and umbralisib, the Company’s oral once-daily PI3K delta inhibitor in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) (Press release, TG Therapeutics, SEP 30, 2019, View Source [SID1234539916]).

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Dr. Matthew Lunning, of the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and lead enroller on this trial stated, "I have been involved in the development of umbralisib and ublituximab since 2014, and at our institution we have treated over 60 patients on clinical trials with umbralisib and ublituximab (U2) and/or in combination with other agents. In this dose-escalation study with U2, our goal was to identify the optimal dose for future studies. From a safety standpoint, the combination was generally well-tolerated. Some notable findings included that colitis and hepatic toxicity were nearly absent in this population and overall, we observed relatively low rates of immune-mediated toxicities and opportunistic infections, in contrast to the experience with other PI3K delta class members. We also saw activity across all B-cell lymphomas treated. Taken together, I believe the toxicity, tolerability and efficacy profile make this combination a promising treatment option across B-cell lymphomas and a potential backbone for future triple and quad combinations."

Michael S. Weiss, the Company’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, "We are extremely pleased to see the U2 Phase I/Ib dose escalation study published in Blood. These data demonstrate the activity of the U2 combination across multiple B-cell cancers and we believe the efficacy demonstrated in our lead indications continue to support our on-going registration programs. Of note, the approximately 28 months of PFS for the CLL cohort at therapeutic doses of umbralisib in this Phase I/Ib study is consistent with our projections for the PFS of U2 in relapsed/refractory patients in our UNITY-CLL study." Mr. Weiss continued, "We want to thank Dr. Matthew Lunning, the study’s lead enroller for the U2 cohort, as well as each of the participating trial sites and most importantly the patients who participated in this early study."

The paper includes safety and efficacy information from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), including 22 patients with CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) and 53 patients with NHL treated with the combination of ublituximab and umbralisib, referred to as "U2". Dose-escalation was performed with a 3+3 design evaluating fixed doses of ublituximab and escalating doses of umbralisib to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Safety data was available from all 75 patients and demonstrated that the U2 combination was well tolerated with the majority of adverse events (AEs) being grade 1 or 2 in severity and no maximum tolerated dose achieved in either CLL or NHL. Importantly, U2 exhibited low rates of immune-mediated toxicities typically associated with other PI3K-delta inhibitors including colitis, pneumonia/pneumonitis, or hepatic toxicity, and discontinuations due to AEs were limited (13%).

Efficacy data was available from 69 patients and showed the combination to be highly active with a 72.5% clinical benefit rate (defined as patients obtaining a Complete Response, Partial Response, or Stable Disease) across all subtypes of B-cell cancers enrolled in the study. Of note, a median PFS of 27.57 months was observed in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL (n=15) treated at therapeutic dose levels of umbralisib and a 65% overall response rate (ORR) was observed in patients relapsed/refractory indolent NHL (n=20), including a 100% ORR amongst MZL patients (n=5).

These data are described further in the manuscript entitled, "Ublituximab and Umbralisib in Relapsed/ Refractory B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia," which was published online in the First Edition section of Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper). The online version of the article can be accessed at www.bloodjournal.org.

Merck to Present at the 2019 Cantor Fitzgerald Global Healthcare Conference

On September 30, 2019 Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, reported that Michael Nally, Chief Marketing Officer for Merck, is scheduled to present during a fireside chat at the Cantor Fitzgerald 2019 Annual Global Healthcare Conference in New York on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 2:25 p.m. EDT (Press release, Merck & Co, SEP 30, 2019, View Source [SID1234539915]).

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Investors, analysts, members of the media and the general public are invited to listen to a live audio webcast of the presentation at View Source