GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will convene a meeting of the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) to discuss overall survival (OS) data from the ENGOT-OV16/NOVA phase III clinical trial. NOVA is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial of Zejula (niraparib), an oral, once-daily poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor for the maintenance treatment of women with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.

The phase III NOVA trial met the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) in both the gBRCAm and non-gBRCAm cohorts, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful treatment effect of Zejula in this patient population, regardless of biomarker status. These PFS results served as the primary basis for the US FDA approval for the maintenance treatment of women with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Overall survival was a secondary endpoint. Updated final overall survival data was recently shared with the FDA.

Hesham Abdullah, SVP, Global Head of Oncology Development, GSK said: 'We believe PARP inhibitors, including Zejula, are important options for the maintenance treatment of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, across all biomarker subgroups, who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. We look forward to continuing our ongoing discussions with the FDA.'

The ODAC meeting is scheduled for 22 November 2022. This is not related to the niraparib indication in the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.

About ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer in women worldwide. [1] Despite high response rates to platinum-based chemotherapy in the front-line setting, approximately 85% of patients will experience disease recurrence.[2] Once the disease recurs, it is rarely curable, with decreasing time intervals to each subsequent recurrence.

About Zejula (niraparib)

Zejula is an oral, once-daily PARP inhibitor currently being evaluated in multiple pivotal trials. GSK is building a robust clinical development programme by assessing activity across multiple tumour types and evaluating several potential combinations of Zejula with other therapeutics. The ongoing development programme includes several combination studies.

ZEJULA is indicated: for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy

Important Safety Information for ZEJULA

Myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia (MDS/AML), including some fatal cases, was reported in 15 patients (0.8%) out of 1785 patients treated with ZEJULA monotherapy in clinical trials. The duration of therapy in patients who developed secondary MDS/cancer therapy-related AML varied from 0.5 months to 4.9 years. These patients had received prior chemotherapy with platinum agents and/or other DNA-damaging agents including radiotherapy. Discontinue ZEJULA if MDS/AML is confirmed.

Hematologic adverse reactions (thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia, and/or pancytopenia) have been reported in patients receiving ZEJULA. The overall incidence of Grade ?3 thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia were reported, respectively, in 39%, 31%, and 21% of patients receiving ZEJULA in PRIMA and 29%, 25%, and 20% of patients receiving ZEJULA in NOVA. Discontinuation due to thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia occurred, respectively, in 4%, 2%, and 2% of patients in PRIMA and 3%, 1%, and 2% of patients in NOVA. In patients who were administered a starting dose of ZEJULA based on baseline weight or platelet count in PRIMA, Grade ?3 thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia were reported, respectively, in 22%, 23%, and 15% of patients receiving ZEJULA. Discontinuation due to thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia occurred, respectively, in 3%, 3%, and 2% of patients. Do not start ZEJULA until patients have recovered from hematological toxicity caused by prior chemotherapy (?Grade 1). Monitor complete blood counts weekly for the first month, monthly for the next 11 months, and periodically thereafter. If hematological toxicities do not resolve within 28 days following interruption, discontinue ZEJULA, and refer the patient to a hematologist for further investigations.

Hypertension and hypertensive crisis have been reported in patients receiving ZEJULA. Grade 3-4 hypertension occurred in 6% of patients receiving ZEJULA vs 1% of patients receiving placebo in PRIMA, with no reported discontinuations. Grade 3-4 hypertension occurred in 9% of patients receiving ZEJULA vs 2% of patients receiving placebo in NOVA, with discontinuation occurring in

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