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FDA Grants Priority Review for Amgen’s Supplemental New Drug Application for Expanded Labeling of Kyprolis® (Carfilzomib) in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma

On September 18, 2015 Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) reported the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for priority review the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) of Kyprolis (carfilzomib) for Injection for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (Press release, Amgen, SEP 18, 2015, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2088926 [SID:1234507501]). The sNDA is designed to expand the current indication to include Kyprolis in combination with dexamethasone for patients who have received at least one prior therapy. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is Jan. 22, 2016.

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The FDA’s acceptance of this new sNDA for Kyprolis follows the recent FDA approval for Kyprolis in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with relapsed multiple myeloma who have received one to three prior lines of therapy.

Multiple myeloma is a rare and complex blood cancer that has historically been one of the most difficult to treat diseases because of the inherent complexities related to the recurring pattern of remission and relapse. Patients face poor outcomes, which worsen with each relapse.

"Clinicians need a range of options and robust clinical data to make informed choices that can ideally extend the time patients live without their cancer progressing," said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. "The acceptance of this submission is an important next step toward providing more options for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma and we look forward to working with the FDA over the coming months."

The application is based on data from the Phase 3 head-to-head ENDEAVOR study, which showed that patients with relapsed multiple myeloma treated with Kyprolis and low-dose dexamethasone lived twice as long without their disease worsening, demonstrating statistically and clinically significant superiority over bortezomib and low-dose dexamethasone (median progression-free survival [PFS] 18.7 months versus 9.4 months, HR=0.53, 95 percent CI, 0.44 – 0.65; p<0.0001).

Treatment discontinuation due to adverse events and on-study deaths was comparable between the two arms. The rates of cardiac failure and renal failure for Kyprolis were comparable to those observed in the Phase 3 ASPIRE study. In ENDEAVOR, the rates for cardiac and renal failure were higher in the Kyprolis arm versus the bortezomib arm. There was also an increase in the incidence of hypertension and dyspnea in the Kyprolis arm compared to bortezomib in ENDEAVOR.

Priority review is assigned to applications for drugs that treat serious conditions and would, if approved, provide significant improvements in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of serious conditions.

About ENDEAVOR

The randomized ENDEAVOR (RandomizEd, OpeN Label, Phase 3 Study of Carfilzomib Plus DExamethAsone Vs Bortezomib Plus DexamethasOne in Patients With Relapsed Multiple Myeloma) trial of 929 patients evaluated Kyprolis in combination with low-dose dexamethasone, versus bortezomib with low-dose dexamethasone in patients whose multiple myeloma has relapsed after at least one, but not more than three prior therapeutic regimens. The primary endpoint of the trial was PFS, defined as the time from treatment initiation to disease progression or death.

Patients received Kyprolis as a 30-minute infusion on two consecutive days, each week for three weeks followed by a 12 day rest period. Kyprolis was administered on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 of 28 day treatment cycles, along with low-dose dexamethasone (20 mg). For Cycle 1 only, Kyprolis was administered at 20 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2, followed by escalation to 56 mg/m2 from day 8. Patients who tolerated 56 mg/m2 in Cycle 1 were kept at this dose for subsequent cycles. Patients who received bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2) with low-dose dexamethasone (20 mg) were administered bortezomib subcutaneously or intravenously at the discretion of the investigator and in accordance with regulatory approval of bortezomib. More than 75 percent of the patients in the control arm received bortezomib subcutaneously. This study was conducted at 235 sites worldwide. For information about this trial, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov under trial identification number NCT01568866.

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic cancer and results from an abnormality of plasma cells, usually in the bone marrow.1,2 Worldwide, nearly 230,000 people are living with multiple myeloma and approximately 114,000 new cases are diagnosed annually.3 In the U.S., there are nearly 96,000 people living with, or in remission from, multiple myeloma. The estimated number of new cases of multiple myeloma in 2014 was more than 24,000 in the U.S. and the estimated number of deaths was 11,090.4 In Europe, approximately 89,000 people are living with the disease and in 2012 there was an estimated 39,000 newly diagnosed cases and 24,000 deaths.3

About Kyprolis (carfilzomib) for Injection

Kyprolis (carfilzomib) for Injection received approval from the U.S. FDA in July 2015 for combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received one to three prior lines of therapy.

Kyprolis is also indicated under FDA accelerated approval in July 2012 as a single agent for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies including bortezomib and an immunomodulatory agent and have demonstrated disease progression on or within 60 days of completion of the last therapy. Approval is based on response rate. Clinical benefit, such as improvement in survival or symptoms, has not been verified.

Kyprolis is a product of Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Onyx Pharmaceuticals is a subsidiary of Amgen and holds development and commercialization rights to Kyprolis globally, excluding Japan. Kyprolis is also approved for use in Argentina, Israel, Kuwait, Mexico and Thailand. For more information about Kyprolis, visit www.kyprolis.com.

Important Safety Information Regarding Kyprolis (carfilzomib) for Injection

Cardiac Toxicities

New onset or worsening of pre-existing cardiac failure (e.g., congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, decreased ejection fraction), restrictive cardiomyopathy, myocardial ischemia, and myocardial infarction including fatalities have occurred following administration of Kyprolis. Death due to cardiac arrest has occurred within a day of Kyprolis administration.

Withhold Kyprolis for Grade 3 or 4 cardiac adverse events until recovery, and consider whether to restart Kyprolis based on a benefit/risk assessment.

Adequate hydration is required prior to each dose in Cycle 1. Monitor all patients for evidence of volume overload, especially patients at risk for cardiac failure. Adjust total fluid intake as clinically appropriate in patients with baseline cardiac failure or who are at risk for cardiac failure.

Patients > 75 years, the risk of cardiac failure is increased. Patients with New York Heart Association Class III and IV heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, and conduction abnormalities may be at greater risk for cardiac complications.

Acute Renal Failure

Cases of acute renal failure and renal insufficiency adverse events (renal impairment, acute renal failure, renal failure) have occurred in patients receiving Kyprolis. Acute renal failure was reported more frequently in patients with advanced relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who received Kyprolis monotherapy. This risk was greater in patients with a baseline reduced estimated creatinine clearance. Monitor renal function with regular measurement of the serum creatinine and/or estimated creatinine clearance. Reduce or withhold dose as appropriate.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome

Cases of Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS), including fatal outcomes, have occurred in patients receiving Kyprolis. Patients with multiple myeloma and a high tumor burden should be considered at greater risk for TLS. Adequate hydration is required prior to each dose in Cycle 1, and in subsequent cycles as needed. Consider uric acid lowering drugs in patients at risk for TLS. Monitor for evidence of TLS during treatment and manage promptly. Withhold Kyprolis until TLS is resolved.

Pulmonary Toxicity

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), acute respiratory failure, and acute diffuse infiltrative pulmonary disease such as pneumonitis and interstitial lung disease have occurred in patients receiving Kyprolis. Some events have been fatal. In the event of drug-induced pulmonary toxicity, discontinue Kyprolis.

Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was reported in patients treated with Kyprolis. Evaluate with cardiac imaging and/or other tests as indicated. Withhold Kyprolis for PAH until resolved or returned to baseline and consider whether to restart Kyprolis based on a benefit/risk assessment.

Dyspnea

Dyspnea was reported in patients treated with Kyprolis. Evaluate dyspnea to exclude cardiopulmonary conditions including cardiac failure and pulmonary syndromes. Stop Kyprolis for Grade 3 or 4 dyspnea until resolved or returned to baseline. Consider whether to restart Kyprolis based on a benefit/risk assessment.

Hypertension

Hypertension, including hypertensive crisis and hypertensive emergency, has been observed with Kyprolis. Some of these events have been fatal. Monitor blood pressure regularly in all patients. If hypertension cannot be adequately controlled, withhold Kyprolis and evaluate. Consider whether to restart Kyprolis based on a benefit/risk assessment.

Venous Thrombosis

Venous thromboembolic events (including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) have been observed with Kyprolis. Thromboprophylaxis is recommended and should be based on an assessment of the patient’s underlying risks, treatment regimen, and clinical status.

Infusion Reactions

Infusion reactions, including life-threatening reactions, have occurred in patients receiving Kyprolis. Symptoms include fever, chills, arthralgia, myalgia, facial flushing, facial edema, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, hypotension, syncope, chest tightness, or angina. These reactions can occur immediately following or up to 24 hours after administration of Kyprolis. Premedicate with dexamethasone to reduce the incidence and severity of infusion reactions. Inform patients of the risk and of symptoms of an infusion reaction and to contact a physician immediately if they occur.

Thrombocytopenia

Kyprolis causes thrombocytopenia with recovery to baseline platelet count usually by the start of the next cycle. Thrombocytopenia was reported in patients receiving Kyprolis. Monitor platelet counts frequently during treatment with Kyprolis. Reduce or withhold dose as appropriate.

Hepatic Toxicity and Hepatic Failure

Cases of hepatic failure, including fatal cases, have been reported during treatment with Kyprolis. Kyprolis can cause increased serum transaminases. Monitor liver enzymes regularly. Reduce or withhold dose as appropriate.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura /Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (TTP/HUS)

Cases of TTP/HUS including fatal outcome have occurred in patients receiving Kyprolis. Monitor for signs and symptoms of TTP/HUS. Discontinue Kyprolis if diagnosis is suspected. If the diagnosis of TTP/HUS is excluded, Kyprolis may be restarted. The safety of reinitiating Kyprolis therapy in patients previously experiencing TTP/HUS is not known.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES)

Cases of PRES have occurred in patients receiving Kyprolis. PRES was formerly known as Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome. Consider a neuro-radiological imaging (MRI) for onset of visual or neurological symptoms. Discontinue Kyprolis if PRES is suspected and evaluate. The safety of reinitiating Kyprolis therapy in patients previously experiencing PRES is not known.

Embryo-fetal Toxicity

Kyprolis can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman based on its mechanism of action and findings in animals.

Females of reproductive potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while being treated with Kyprolis and the potential hazard to the fetus if Kyprolis is used during pregnancy.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse events occurring in at least 20% of patients treated with Kyprolis in monotherapy trials: anemia, fatigue, thrombocytopenia, nausea, pyrexia, decreased platelets, dyspnea, diarrhea, decreased lymphocyte, headache, decreased hemoglobin, cough, edema peripheral.

The most common adverse events occurring in at least 20% of patients treated with Kyprolis in the combination therapy trial: decreased lymphocytes, decreased absolute neutrophil count, decreased phosphorus, anemia, neutropenia, decreased total white blood cell count, decreased platelets, diarrhea, fatigue, thrombocytopenia, pyrexia, muscle spasm, cough, upper respiratory tract infection, decreased hemoglobin, hypokalemia.

Full prescribing information is available at www.kyprolis.com.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Awards Additional Grants to Promote Cervical Cancer Screenings and Services for Women Living with HIV in Tanzania

On September 18, 2015 The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation reported four new grants awarded through its landmark Secure the Future initiative that will strengthen community-based services addressing cervical cancer in Tanzania, where women living with HIV are more likely to die from cervical cancer than AIDS (Press release, Bristol-Myers Squibb, SEP 18, 2015, View Source [SID:1234507499]).

The grants will support the ongoing work of four members of the Coalition for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer in Tanzania: Mbeya HIV/AIDS Network, Medical Women’s Association of Tanzania, Tanzania Marketing and Communications and Tanzania Youth Alliance. Secure the Future and the Tanzania coalition are collaborating with Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon to help communities in the East African country prevent cervical cancer by raising awareness and encouraging screening to improve early cervical cancer detection and treatment programs. Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon is affiliated with the George W. Bush Institute.

The Foundation has committed $1.2 million over three years to support Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon’s work in Tanzania and also supports similar work in Swaziland and Ethiopia.

"Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women in sub-Saharan Africa," says John Damonti, president, Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation. "Women in Tanzania are nearly three times more likely to suffer from cervical cancer than women living in other parts of the world. Tragically, four of every five women diagnosed with cervical cancer in Tanzania die within five years of their diagnosis because the cancer is detected at an advanced stage or because they have limited access to care."

The grants awarded by the Foundation directly address both of these problems by promoting awareness and early detection and by building health care system capacity in rural communities:

Mbeya HIV/AIDS Network will help raise community awareness about cervical and breast cancer screening, treatment and prevention services and build the capacity of community volunteers to address the needs of women living in the Chunya, Mbarali and Momba districts of Mbeya. Mbeya will leverage its existing infrastructure for HIV/AIDS, including prevention intervention and peer education, counseling and testing, and home-based care.

Medical Women’s Association of Tanzania will expand its cervical and breast cancer screening campaigns from eight regions to 12 – adding Mwanza, Mara, Mbeya and Iringa – and build the capacity of health care providers while advocating for increased government support for cervical and breast cancer prevention and early detection services at the district, region and national levels.

Tanzania Youth Alliance (TAYOA) will use its national cervical cancer helpline, the government’s SMS short message services and a network of community leaders to help women in the Ilemela, Kwinba, Magu, Sengerema and Ukerewe districts in Mwanza connect with health centers, women’s groups and others who are working to prevent cervical cancer mortality. TAYAO also collaborates with Airtel Tanzania on media campaigns to raise awareness, inform and encourage community members to access to cancer screening services and early detection.

Tanzania Marketing and Communications (T-Marc) will expand its ongoing work with Secure the Future to promote public awareness about cervical cancer prevention, detection and treatment in Iringa to include 23 wards in the Kilolo district, 12 wards in the Mufindi district and 19 villages across Iringa. T-Marc will build capacity and strengthen three CBOs to advocate for, implement, and sustain cervical cancer community mobilization and demand creation interventions.

8-K – Current report

On September 18, 2015 Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HRTX), a biotechnology company focused on improving the lives of patients by developing best-in-class medicines that address major unmet medical needs, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review Heron’s New Drug Application (NDA) resubmission for SUSTOL (granisetron) Injection, extended release, for the prevention of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) associated with moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) or highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) regimens (Filing, 8-K, Heron Therapeutics, SEP 18, 2015, View Source [SID:1234507497]). The FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of January 17, 2016.

The NDA filing includes data from the MAGIC study, Heron’s recently completed, multi-center, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 study of SUSTOL for the prevention of delayed CINV in more than 900 patients receiving HEC regimens. Data from an earlier Phase 3 study of more than 1,300 patients, which were previously submitted to the FDA, demonstrated SUSTOL’s efficacy in the prevention of acute and delayed CINV associated with MEC regimens and acute CINV associated with HEC regimens.

"We believe that the MAGIC study has demonstrated SUSTOL’s superior ability to improve the lives of patients suffering from the debilitating effects of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy compared to the current standard-of-care," commented Barry D. Quart, Pharm.D., Chief Executive Officer of Heron. "We look forward to working closely with the FDA during the review of the SUSTOL NDA and moving forward with commercial planning in anticipation of SUSTOL’s potential launch early next year."

About SUSTOL for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

SUSTOL (granisetron) Injection, extended release, which utilizes Heron’s proprietary Biochronomer drug delivery technology, is Heron’s novel, long-acting formulation of granisetron for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Granisetron, an FDA-approved 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist was selected due to its broad use by physicians based on a well-established record of safety and efficacy. SUSTOL has been shown to maintain therapeutic drug levels of granisetron for five days with a single subcutaneous injection. SUSTOL is being developed for the prevention of both acute (day 1 following the administration of chemotherapy agents) and delayed (days 2-5 following the administration of chemotherapy agents) CINV associated with moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) or highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). While other 5-HT3 antagonists are approved for the prevention of CINV, SUSTOL is the first agent in the class to demonstrate efficacy in reducing the incidence of delayed CINV in patients receiving HEC, a major unmet medical need, in a randomized Phase 3 study.

Affecting 70-80% of patients undergoing chemotherapy, CINV is one of the most debilitating side effects of such treatments, often attributed as a leading cause of premature discontinuation of cancer treatment. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists have been shown to be among the most effective and preferred treatments for CINV. However, an unmet medical need exists for patients suffering from CINV during the delayed phase, which occurs on days 2-5 following the administration of chemotherapy agents. Only one 5-HT3 receptor antagonist is approved for the prevention of delayed CINV associated with MEC, and no 5-HT3 receptor antagonists are approved for prevention of delayed CINV associated with HEC.

SUSTOL was the subject of a recently completed, multi-center, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 clinical study in patients receiving HEC regimens known as MAGIC. The MAGIC study evaluated the efficacy and safety of SUSTOL as part of a three-drug regimen with the intravenous (IV) neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonist fosaprepitant and the corticosteroid dexamethasone. The MAGIC study, which was conducted entirely in the U.S. using the 2011 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) guidelines for classification of emetogenic potential, is the only Phase 3 CINV prophylaxis study in a HEC population performed to date to use the currently recommended, standard-of-care, three-drug regimen as a comparator: a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, fosaprepitant, and dexamethasone. The study’s primary endpoint was achieved. Specifically, the percentage of patients who achieved a Complete Response in the delayed phase was significantly higher in the SUSTOL arm compared with the comparator arm (p=0.014). Adverse events reported in the study were generally mild to moderate in severity and of short duration, with the most common being injection site reactions (ISRs). In July 2015, Heron resubmitted its New Drug Application (NDA) for SUSTOL to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of January 17, 2016. SUSTOL is not approved by the FDA or any other regulatory authority.

Infinity Expands Pipeline with Addition of IPI-549, an Immuno-Oncology Development Candidate for the Treatment of Solid Tumors

On September 18, 2015 Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: INFI) reported the expansion of its pipeline with the addition of IPI-549, an orally administered immuno-oncology development candidate that selectively inhibits phosphoinositide-3-kinase gamma (PI3K-gamma), for the treatment of solid tumors (Press release, Infinity Pharmaceuticals, SEP 18, 2015, View Source [SID:1234507498]). Preclinical data demonstrating the potential of IPI-549 to disrupt the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment and enable a heightened anti-tumor immune response are being presented today at CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR – The Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference (CIMT) (Free CIMT Whitepaper): Translating Science into Survival Meeting in New York City. IPI-549 was discovered at Infinity and is expected to enter Phase 1 clinical development in early 2016.

"Infinity is committed to developing first-in-class and best-in-class medicines, and the expansion of our pipeline with the addition of IPI-549 represents an important step toward fulfilling our vision of building a sustainable biopharmaceutical company that brings meaningful medicines to patients," stated Vito Palombella, Ph.D., Infinity’s chief scientific officer. "Infinity’s ability to internally develop a selective PI3K-gamma inhibitor provides us with a unique opportunity to explore the impact that PI3K-gamma inhibition has on disrupting the tumor microenvironment. We look forward to initiating the first clinical study of IPI-549 in patients with solid tumors."

"I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Infinity’s discovery team and am excited to have worked with IPI-549 in my laboratory," Jedd Wolchok, M.D., Ph.D., chief of Melanoma and Immunotherapeutics Service, Lloyd J. Old/Ludwig Chair in Clinical Investigation Department of Medicine and Ludwig Center, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the principal investigator for the planned Phase 1 clinical study of IPI-549. "IPI-549 is a novel, small molecule immuno-oncology agent, and I am looking forward to leading the Phase 1 study for this program."

IPI-549 inhibits immune suppressive macrophages within the tumor microenvironment, whereas other immunotherapies such as checkpoint modulators more directly target immune effector cell function. As such, IPI-549 may have the potential to treat a broad range of solid tumors and represents a potentially complementary approach to restoring anti-tumor immunity in combination with other immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors.

Preclinical Data for IPI-549 Presented at CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR – The Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference (CIMT) (Free CIMT Whitepaper)

Today at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) meeting in New York City Infinity researchers are presenting preclinical data for IPI-549 in a poster entitled, "The potent and selective phosphoinositide-3-kinase-gamma inhibitor, IPI-549, inhibits tumor growth in murine syngeneic solid tumor models through alterations in the immune suppressive microenvironment."

In vitro data showed that IPI-549 blocks both the migration of murine myeloid cells and the differentiation of myeloid cells to the M2 phenotype, which is a type of myeloid cell known to promote cancer growth and suppress anti-tumor immune responses. In vivo data in murine solid tumor models demonstrated that IPI-549 treatment also decreased tumor-associated myeloid cells found in the immune suppressive microenvironment. Additionally, IPI-549 treatment increased the number of intratumoral CD8+ T-cells, which are known to play a role in inhibiting tumor growth.

IPI-549 has demonstrated dose-dependent, single-agent, anti-tumor activity in multiple solid tumor models, including murine models of lung, colon and breast cancer. Additionally, mice treated with IPI-549 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors showed greater tumor growth inhibition than either treatment as a monotherapy. Preclinical in vivo data also demonstrated that T-cells are required for the anti-tumor activity of IPI-549, which is a hallmark of immunotherapy.

Further details about the IPI-549 development program will be provided at Infinity’s R&D Day on Tuesday, October 6, 2015. R&D Day will be held in New York City from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET. The event will be webcast beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET and can be accessed in the Investors/Media section of Infinity’s website, www.infi.com. A replay of the event will also be available.

Infinity is also developing duvelisib, an investigational, oral, dual inhibitor of PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma. The PI3K pathway is also known to play a critical role in regulating the growth and survival of certain types of blood cancers. The investigational agent is being evaluated in registration-focused studies, including DYNAMOTM, a Phase 2 study in patients with refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma, DYNAMO+R, a Phase 3 study in patients with previously treated follicular lymphoma, and DUOTM, a Phase 3 study in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Duvelisib is an investigational compound and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other health authority.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Grants Fast Track Designation to Can-Fite’s CF102 in the Treatment of Liver Cancer

On September 17, 2015 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE MKT: CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company with a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address inflammatory and cancer diseases, reported the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the Company’s drug candidate CF102 Fast Track designation as a second line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer (Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, SEPT 17, 2015, View Source [SID1234529378]). CF102 had already received the FDA’s Orphan Drug designation.

Can-Fite is currently conducting a Phase II study for this indication in the U.S., Europe and Israel. The randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study is expected to complete enrollment by the end of the first half of 2016 in 78 patients with Child-Pugh Class B cirrhosis who failed the only FDA approved drug on the market, Nexavar (sorafenib). Patients are treated twice daily with 25 mg of oral CF102, which has been found to be the most efficacious dose in Can-Fite’s earlier Phase I/II study resulting in the longest overall survival time, with excellent safety results.

Fast Track, aimed at getting important new drugs that meet an unmet need to patients earlier, is expected to expedite the development of CF102. Drugs that receive Fast Track designation benefit from more frequent meetings and communications with the FDA to review the drug’s development plan to support approval. It also allows the Company to submit parts of the New Drug Application (NDA) on a rolling basis for review as data becomes available. Since the Fast Track Program started, from March 1998 through June 30, 2015 a total of 318 Fast Track applications have been received by the FDA. The FDA has granted 202 of them, and denied 110, with 6 more pending.

"We are very pleased that the FDA recognizes the potential for CF102 to treat HCC patients who have tried, and not been responsive to Nexavar, the only FDA approved drug currently on the market for this indication," stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman. "We consider Fast Track designation to be a major catalyst for our CF102 development program and we believe it could shorten our time to market for CF102, thereby making a considerable difference for patients."

According to Global Industry Analysts, the global market for liver cancer drugs is projected to exceed $2 billion in 2015. Nexavar annual sales, as reported by Bayer, were €773 million in 2014.

About CF102

CF102 is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR). A3AR is highly expressed in tumor cells whereas low expression is found in normal cells. This differential effect accounts for the excellent safety profile of the drug. In Can-Fite’s pre-clinical and clinical studies, CF102 has demonstrated a robust anti-tumor effect via deregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway, resulting in apoptosis of liver cancer cells.