On December 5, 2020 Sierra Oncology, Inc. (SRRA), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company on a quest to deliver targeted therapies that treat rare forms of cancer, reported updated overall survival (OS) data for momelotinib in both JAKi-naïve and patients previously treated with ruxolitinib (Press release, Sierra Oncology, DEC 5, 2020, View Source [SID1234572217]). The data were presented in an oral presentation at the 2020 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting by Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD, Chief, Section for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

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"Momelotinib’s unique mechanism of action—targeting JAK1, JAK2 and ACVR1—is translating to durability of activity and survival data consistent with its clinical and biologic profile," said Dr. Verstovsek. "Notably, momelotinib showed improved rates in transfusion independence and the duration thereof as well as overall survival, and that benefit was present regardless of whether or not the patient was previously treated with a JAK inhibitor."

"As the SIMPLIFY data sets continue to mature, we are seeing increasingly exciting outcomes in terms of overall survival, as well as myelofibrosis disease hallmarks, including splenic response and transfusion independence," said Barbara Klencke, MD, Chief Development Officer at Sierra Oncology. "We believe these data presented at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) annual meeting, in combination with previously reported safety data, tell a truly innovative story for how momelotinib can fulfill an unmet need for intermediate and high-risk myelofibrosis patients who are not ideal candidates for currently approved therapies. We look forward to continuing enrollment in the Phase 3 MOMENTUM study to further highlight where momelotinib may be a preferred treatment option for patients and their physicians."

Robust Overall Survival and Sustained Efficacy Outcomes During Long Term Exposure to Momelotinib in JAK Inhibitor Naïve and Previously JAK Inhibitor Treated Intermediate/High Risk Myelofibrosis Patients (Abstract #54)

The SIMPLIFY-1 (S1) and SIMPLIFY-2 (S2) Phase 3 studies evaluated momelotinib (MMB) against ruxolitinib (S1) or best available therapy (S2) for a 24-week randomization treatment phase, followed by an opportunity for extended momelotinib treatment for all patients. Results based on a total 588 patients presented by Dr. Verstovsek include:

Robust OS was observed in both JAKi-naïve and previously ruxolitinib-treated patients
In S1, the median OS has not been reached in the MMB arm and 53.1 months in the control arm (HR=0.99, p=0.97)
In S2, the median OS was 34.3 months in originally MMB-randomized patients and 37.5 months in the BAT/RUXàMMB arm (HR=0.96, p=0.86), representing the best reported OS in this previously RUX-treated setting
Sustained transfusion independence was observed with extended MMB treatment
In S1, TI response at Week 24 was 67% in the MMB arm and 49% in the control arm (p<0.001). 40% of MMB-treated patients achieved a splenic response at any time during S1
The median duration of TI has not been reached after >3 years of follow up
In S2, TI response at Week 24 was 43% in the MMB arm and 21% in the control arm (p=0.001)
Compound safety was favorable for MMB with limited hematological toxicity and lack of cumulative toxicity
Patients were randomized 1:1 (S1) and 2:1 (S2) to receive MMB (200 mg QD) versus RUX (20 mg BID) or BAT (88.5% RUX/RUX+) for 24 weeks followed by extended momelotinib treatment. Both trials had primary endpoints of Splenic Response Rate and secondary endpoints of Total Symptom Score and Transfusion Independence Rate.

About Momelotinib

Momelotinib is a selective and orally bioavailable JAK1, JAK2 and ACVR1 inhibitor currently under investigation for the treatment of myelofibrosis. Myelofibrosis results from dysregulated JAK-STAT signaling and is characterized by constitutional symptoms, splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) and progressive anemia.

Momelotinib is currently under investigation in the MOMENTUM clinical trial, a global, randomized, double-blind Phase 3 study for symptomatic and anemic myelofibrosis patients. Top-line data are anticipated in H1 2022. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has granted Fast Track designation for momelotinib.