Cambridge - Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502/NYSE: TAK) ('Takeda') today announced that the European Commission (EC) extended the current conditional marketing authorization of ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) to include treatment of adult patients with previously untreated systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL), in combination with CHP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, prednisone).
Systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). The decision follows a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) on March 27, 2020.
'The European Commission's decision to approve ADCETRIS for the first-line treatment of patients with sALCL marks a significant milestone for people diagnosed with this devastating condition,' said Teresa Bitetti, President, Global Oncology Business Unit. 'ADCETRIS is the first and only targeted therapy that has been approved in first-line sALCL in several decades. Takeda remains steadfast in our commitment to deliver life changing treatment options to cancer patients worldwide and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this new option to the lymphoma community in Europe.'
This approval is based on the results of the Phase 3 ECHELON-2 study evaluating ADCETRIS in combination with CHP to a standard of care, CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone), in patients with CD30+ PTCL, including the subtype sALCL. The study met its primary endpoint with ADCETRIS plus CHP demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) in the intent to treat population as assessed by an Independent Review Committee (hazard ratio [HR]=0.71; p-value=0.0110). The safety profile of ADCETRIS plus CHP in the ECHELON-2 trial was comparable to CHOP and consistent with the established safety profile of ADCETRIS in combination with chemotherapy.
'Clinical outcomes for patients with sALCL have historically been poor; many patients do not achieve long-term survival or remission with the standard of care,' said Eva Domingo-Domenech, MD, Institut Catala d'Oncologia - Hospitalet, Hospital Duran i Reynals. 'The data from ECHELON-2 showed impressive results for patients treated with ADCETRIS plus CHP compared to a standard of care, all while maintaining a comparable safety profile. The approval of ADCETRIS in previously untreated sALCL brings a much needed treatment option to the PTCL community, and I am pleased to be able to offer ADCETRIS as a first-line option to eligible European patients.'
This decision by the EC means that ADCETRIS is now approved for marketing of this indication in all European Union member states, in addition to Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.
About ADCETRIS
ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seattle Genetics' proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-positive tumor cells.
ADCETRIS injection for intravenous infusion has received FDA approval for six indications in adult patients with: (1) previously untreated systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) or other CD30-expressing peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL), including angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and PTCL not otherwise specified, in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone, (2) previously untreated Stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine, (3) cHL at high risk of relapse or progression as post-autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) consolidation, (4) cHL after failure of auto-HSCT or failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not auto-HSCT candidates, (5) sALCL after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen, and (6) primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL) or CD30-expressing mycosis fungoides (MF) who have received prior systemic therapy.
Health Canada granted ADCETRIS approval with conditions for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and sALCL in 2013, and non-conditional approval for post-autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) consolidation treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma patients at increased risk of relapse or progression in 2017, adults with pcALCL or CD30-expressing MF who have had prior systemic therapy in 2018, for previously untreated Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine in 2019 and for previously untreated adult patients with sALCL, peripheral T-cell lymphoma-not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) or angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), whose tumors express CD30, in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, prednisone in 2019.
ADCETRIS received conditional marketing authorization from the European Commission in October 2012. The approved indications in Europe are: (1) for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated CD30-positive Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (AVD), (2) for the treatment of adult patients with CD30-positive Hodgkin lymphoma at increased risk of relapse or progression following ASCT, (3) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive Hodgkin lymphoma following ASCT, or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a treatment option, (4) for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated sALCL in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone (CHP), (5) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory sALCL, and (6) for the treatment of adult patients with CD30-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) after at least one prior systemic therapy.
In Japan, ADCETRIS received its first approval in January 2014 for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and ALCL, and untreated Hodgkin lymphoma in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine in September 2018, and Peripheral T-cell lymphomas in December 2019. In December 2019, ADCETRIS obtained additional dosage & administration for the treatment of relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and Peripheral T-cell lymphomas in pediatric. The current wording of approved indication in Japan package insert is for the treatment of patients with CD30 positive: Hodgkin lymphoma and Peripheral T-cell lymphomas.
ADCETRIS has received marketing authorization by regulatory authorities in more than 70 countries/ regions for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and sALCL.
ADCETRIS is being evaluated broadly in more than 70 clinical trials, including a Phase 3 study in first-line Hodgkin lymphoma (ECHELON-1) and another Phase 3 study in first-line CD30-positive peripheral T-cell lymphomas (ECHELON-2), as well as trials in many additional types of CD30-positive malignancies.
Seattle Genetics and Takeda are jointly developing ADCETRIS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seattle Genetics has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights and Takeda has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world. Seattle Genetics and Takeda are funding joint development costs for ADCETRIS on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where Takeda is solely responsible for development costs.
About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to patients by translating science into highly-innovative medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Diseases, Neuroscience, and Gastroenterology (GI). We also make targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in people's lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries.
Contact:
Kazumi Kobayashi
Tel: +81 (0) 3-3278-2095
Email: kazumi.kobayashi@takeda.com
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