Healthcare Industry News: Thalidomide
News Release - March 23, 2007
Oral Cancer Drug REVLIMID(R) Receives Positive Opinion for Treatment of Multiple Myeloma From European Medicines Agency
SUMMIT, N.J., March 23 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- Celgene Corporation (Nasdaq: CELG ) announced today that its innovative oral cancer drug REVLIMID (lenalidomide) has received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for use in combination with dexamethasone as a treatment for patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. The EMEA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), which reviews applications for all 27 Member States in the European Union (EU) as well as Norway and Iceland, has recommended approval for REVLIMID. The CHMP's positive opinion will be forwarded to the European Commission that generally follows the recommendation of the CHMP and issues final marketing approval within two to three months.Multiple myeloma is the second most commonly diagnosed blood cancer. According to the International Myeloma Foundation, there are an estimated 750,000 people with MM worldwide. At any one time, there are more than 85,000 men and women in Europe undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, and 25,000 people are expected to die from this blood cancer in 2007.
"The CHMP recommendation is an especially important and positive milestone for Celgene. We are fully committed to deliver REVLIMID to patients in need throughout the EU," said Aart Brouwer, President of Celgene International. "We're optimistic that REVLIMID will have broad support based on its value to patients and to the healthcare system. Upon approval we are prepared to initiate next steps for pricing, reimbursement and distribution plans for all EU member states."
The positive opinion from the CHMP was based upon the safety and efficacy results of two large, randomized pivotal Phase III special protocol assessment trials, North American Trial MM-009 and International Trial MM-010, evaluating REVLIMID plus dexamethasone in multiple myeloma patients that have received at least one prior therapy.
"The positive opinion of REVLIMID from the CHMP is an important step forward towards providing a new oral therapeutic option for this particular group of patients with multiple myeloma," said Graham Burton, M.D., SVP, Global Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance for Celgene. "We are committed to continue our work with the European authorities to bring REVLIMID to patients in need as quickly as possible."
Upon the European Commission's approval for REVLIMID as an oral combination treatment with dexamethasone for multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior therapy, Celgene Europe will initiate next steps for marketing, distribution, pricing and reimbursement approvals for all EU member states.
REVLIMID has obtained Orphan Drug designation in the EU, US and Australia for treatment of Multiple Myeloma and is already approved for use as a treatment in combination with dexamethasone for patients previously treated with multiple myeloma by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). REVLIMID is also approved for treatment of patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to low- or intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) associated with a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality with or without additional cytogenetic abnormalities by the FDA.
SAFETY NOTICE:
WARNINGS:
1. POTENTIAL FOR HUMAN BIRTH DEFECTS.
LENALIDOMIDE IS AN ANALOGUE OF Thalidomide. Thalidomide IS A KNOWN HUMAN TERATOGEN THAT CAUSES SEVERE LIFE-THREATENING HUMAN BIRTH DEFECTS. IF LENALIDOMIDE IS TAKEN DURING PREGNANCY, IT MAY CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS OR DEATH TO AN UNBORN BABY. FEMALES SHOULD BE ADVISED TO AVOID PREGNANCY WHILE TAKING REVLIMID® (lenalidomide).
Special Prescribing Requirements
BECAUSE OF THIS POTENTIAL TOXICITY AND TO AVOID FETAL EXPOSURE TO REVLIMID (lenalidomide), REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) IS ONLY AVAILABLE UNDER A SPECIAL RESTRICTED DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM IS CALLED "RevAssist®". UNDER THIS PROGRAM, ONLY PRESCRIBERS AND PHARMACISTS REGISTERED WITH THE PROGRAM ARE ABLE TO PRESCRIBE AND DISPENSE THE PRODUCT. IN ADDITION, REVLIMID (lenalidomide) MUST ONLY BE DISPENSED TO PATIENTS WHO ARE REGISTERED AND MEET ALL THE CONDITIONS OF THE RevAssist PROGRAM.
2. HEMATOLOGIC TOXICITY (NEUTROPENIA AND THROMBOCYTOPENIA).
THIS DRUG IS ASSOCIATED WITH SIGNIFICANT NEUTROPENIA AND THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN PATIENTS WITH DELETION 5q MDS. EIGHTY PERCENT OF PATIENTS HAD TO HAVE A DOSE DELAY/REDUCTION DURING THE MAJOR STUDY FOR THE DELETION 5q MDS INDICATION. THIRTY-FOUR PERCENT OF PATIENTS HAD TO HAVE A SECOND DOSE DELAY/REDUCTION. GRADE 3 OR 4 HEMATOLOGIC TOXICITY WAS SEEN IN 80% OF PATIENTS ENROLLED IN THE STUDY. PATIENTS ON THERAPY FOR DELETION 5q MDS SHOULD HAVE THEIR COMPLETE BLOOD COUNTS MONITORED WEEKLY FOR THE FIRST 8 WEEKS OF THERAPY AND AT LEAST MONTHLY THEREAFTER. PATIENTS MAY REQUIRE DOSE INTERRUPTION AND/OR REDUCTION. PATIENTS MAY REQUIRE USE OF BLOOD PRODUCT SUPPORT AND/OR GROWTH FACTORS. (SEE DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION)
3. DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM.
This drug has demonstrated a significantly increased risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with multiple myeloma who were treated with REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) combination therapy. Patients and physicians are advised to be observant for the signs and symptoms of thromboembolism. Patients should be instructed to seek medical care if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or arm or leg swelling. It is not known whether prophylactic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy prescribed in conjunction with REVLIMID (lenalidomide) may lessen the potential for venous thromboembolic events. The decision to take prophylactic measures should be done carefully after an assessment of an individual patient's underlying risk factors.
You can get information about REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) and the RevAssist program on the Internet at www.REVLIMID.com or by calling the manufacturer's toll-free number at 1-888-423-5436.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Hypersensitivity: REVLIMID (lenalidomide) is contraindicated in any patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to the drug or its components.
Renal impairment: REVLIMID (lenalidomide) is substantially excreted by the kidney, so the risk of toxic reactions may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it would be prudent to monitor renal function.
Nursing mothers: It is not known whether REVLIMID (lenalidomide) is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Other adverse events
Multiple Myeloma (REVLIMID/dexamethasone): constipation (39%), fatigue (38%), insomnia (32%), muscle cramp (30%), diarrhea (29%), neutropenia (28%), anemia (24%), asthenia (23%), pyrexia (23%), nausea (22%), headache ((21%), peripheal edema (21%), dizziness (21%), dyspnea (20%), tremor (20%), decreased weight (18%), thrombocytopenia (17%), rash (16%), back pain (15%), hyperglycemia (15%), and muscle weakness (15%).
Deletion 5q MDS (REVLIMID®): diarrhea (49%), pruritus (42%), rash (36%), fatigue (31%), constipation (24%), nausea (24%), nasopharyngitis (23%), arthralgia (22%), pyrexia (21%), back pain (21%), peripheral edema (20%), cough (20%), dizziness (20%), headache (20%), muscle cramp (18%), dyspnea (17%), and pharyngitis (16%).
About REVLIMID®
REVLIMID is an IMiDs® compound, a member of a proprietary group of novel immunomodulatory agents. REVLIMID and other IMiDs compounds continue to be evaluated in over 75 clinical trials in a broad range of oncological conditions, both in blood cancers and solid tumors. The IMiDs pipeline is covered by a comprehensive intellectual property estate of U.S. and foreign issued and pending patent applications including composition-of- matter and use patents.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma (also known as myeloma or plasma cell myeloma) is a cancer of the blood in which malignant plasma cells are overproduced in the bone marrow. Plasma cells are white blood cells that help produce antibodies called immunoglobulins that fight infection and disease. However, most patients with multiple myeloma have cells that produce a form of immunoglobulin called paraprotein (or M protein) that does not benefit the body. In addition, the malignant plasma cells replace normal plasma cells and other white blood cells important to the immune system. Multiple myeloma cells can also attach to other tissues of the body, such as bone, and produce tumors. The cause of the disease remains unknown.
About RevAssist®
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT REVLIMID AND RevAssist, A RESTRICTED DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM USED IN THE UNITED STATES, YOU MAY GO TO THE INTERNET AT www.REVLIMID.com OR BY CALLING THE MANUFACTURER'S TOLL FREE NUMBER 1-888- 4CELGENE. RevAssist is a proprietary risk-management restrictive distribution program, tailored specifically for REVLIMID patients, to prevent the potential for human birth defects and ensure prompt and convenient access to REVLIMID through contracted pharmacies.
About Celgene
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein regulation. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.celgene.com.
REVLIMID® and RevAssist® are registered trademarks of Celgene Corporation.
This release contains forward-looking statements which are subject to known and unknown risks, delays, uncertainties and other factors not under the Company's control, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from the results, performance or other expectations expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include results of current or pending research and development activities, actions by the FDA and other regulatory authorities, and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission such as our 10K, 10Q and 8K reports.
Source: Celgene
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