Genzyme,
a Sanofi company (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY), announced today that the
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued final
guidance recommending that Lemtrada™ (alemtuzumab) be reimbursed on the
NHS, for treatment of adult patients with relapsing remitting multiple
sclerosis (RRMS) with active disease defined by clinical or imaging
features. A Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) issued earlier this year
concluded Lemtrada is a cost-effective use of NHS resources for MS
treatment, and formed the basis of the final guidance for reimbursement.
“The fact that NICE has followed the European Commission decision on
patient eligibility for Lemtrada marks a step change in the clinical
approach to treating MS,” said Dr. Alasdair Coles, Senior Lecturer,
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge. “With
this final guidance, the responsibility for treatment decisions with
Lemtrada is now handed over to UK healthcare professionals and their
patients.”
The final guidance follows the European Commission’s granting of
marketing authorization for Lemtrada in September 2013. Aubagio®
became available on the NHS in April 2014.
“We are pleased that NICE has recommended Lemtrada as being both
clinically effective and cost effective for people with relapsing
remitting MS,” said David Meeker, President and CEO, Genzyme. “There are
approximately 100,000 people in the UK diagnosed with the disease and
Lemtrada can be a potentially transformative treatment for appropriate
patients.”
Lemtrada is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsing
remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with active disease defined by
clinical or imaging features. Lemtrada 12 mg has a novel dosing and
administration schedule of two annual treatment courses. The first
treatment course of Lemtrada is administered via intravenous infusion on
five consecutive days, and the second course is administered on three
consecutive days, 12 months later.
The Lemtrada clinical development program included two pivotal
randomized Phase III studies comparing treatment with Lemtrada to
high-dose subcutaneous interferon beta-1a (Rebif®) in patients with RRMS
who had active disease and were either new to treatment (CARE-MS I) or
who had relapsed while on prior therapy (CARE-MS II), as well as an
ongoing extension study. In CARE-MS I, Lemtrada was significantly more
effective than interferon beta-1a at reducing annualized relapse rates;
the difference observed in slowing disability progression did not reach
statistical significance. In CARE-MS II, Lemtrada was significantly more
effective than interferon beta-1a at reducing annualized relapse rates,
and accumulation of disability was significantly slowed in patients
given Lemtrada vs. interferon beta-1a.
The most common side effects of Lemtrada are infusion associated
reactions, infections (upper respiratory tract and urinary tract),
lymphopenia and leukopenia. Serious autoimmune conditions can occur in
patients receiving Lemtrada. A comprehensive risk management program
supports early detection and management of these autoimmune events.
Aubagio 14 mg is a once-daily, oral therapy indicated for treatment of
adult patients with RRMS. The EU approval was based on data from the
Phase III TEMSO (TEriflunomide Multiple
Sclerosis Oral)
and TOWER (Teriflunomide Oral
in people With relapsing remitting multiplE
scleRosis) trials.
About LemtradaTM (alemtuzumab)
Lemtrada is approved in the European Union, Australia, Brazil, Canada,
Mexico and Guatemala. Lemtrada is currently not approved in the United
States. Following constructive discussions with the FDA, Genzyme plans
to resubmit in the second quarter of 2014 its application seeking U.S.
approval of Lemtrada. Marketing applications for Lemtrada are also under
review in other countries. Lemtrada is supported by a comprehensive and
extensive clinical development program that involved nearly 1,500
patients and 5,400 patient-years of follow-up.
Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that selectively targets CD52, a
protein abundant on T and B cells. Treatment with alemtuzumab results in
the depletion of circulating T and B cells thought to be responsible for
the damaging inflammatory process in MS. Alemtuzumab has minimal impact
on other immune cells. The acute anti-inflammatory effect of alemtuzumab
is immediately followed by the onset of a distinctive pattern of T and B
cell repopulation that continues over time, rebalancing the immune
system in a way that potentially reduces MS disease activity.
Genzyme holds the worldwide rights to alemtuzumab and has primary
responsibility for its development and commercialization in multiple
sclerosis. Bayer HealthCare holds the right to co-promote alemtuzumab in
MS in the United States. Upon commercialization, Bayer will receive
contingent payments based on global sales revenue.
About Aubagio® (teriflunomide)
Aubagio is approved in the United States, European Union, Australia,
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, South
Korea and Switzerland, with additional marketing applications under
review by regulatory authorities globally.
Aubagio is an immunomodulator with anti-inflammatory properties.
Although the exact mechanism of action for Aubagio is not fully
understood, it may involve a reduction in the number of activated
lymphocytes in the central nervous system (CNS). Aubagio is supported by
one of the largest clinical programs of any MS therapy, with more than
5,000 trial participants in 36 countries. Some patients in extension
trials have been treated for up to 10 years.
About Genzyme, a Sanofi Company
Genzyme has pioneered the development and delivery of transformative
therapies for patients affected by rare and debilitating diseases for
over 30 years. We accomplish our goals through world-class research and
with the compassion and commitment of our employees. With a focus on
rare diseases and multiple sclerosis, we are dedicated to making a
positive impact on the lives of the patients and families we serve. That
goal guides and inspires us every day. Genzyme’s portfolio of
transformative therapies, which are marketed in countries around the
world, represents groundbreaking and life-saving advances in medicine.
As a Sanofi company, Genzyme benefits from the reach and resources of
one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, with a shared
commitment to improving the lives of patients. Learn more at www.genzyme.com.
Genzyme® and Aubagio® are registered trademarks
and LemtradaTM is a trademark of Genzyme Corporation.
Rebif® is a registered trademark of EMD Serono, Inc.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes
therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core
strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms:
diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer
healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi
is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
Sanofi Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.
Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts.
These statements include projections and estimates and their underlying
assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and
expectations with respect to future financial results, events,
operations, services, product development and potential, and statements
regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally
identified by the words “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”,
“estimates”, “plans” and similar expressions. Although Sanofi’s
management believes that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that
forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks
and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally
beyond the control of Sanofi, that could cause actual results and
developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or
projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These
risks and uncertainties include among other things, the uncertainties
inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis,
including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as
the FDA or the EMA, regarding whether and when to approve any drug,
device or biological application that may be filed for any such product
candidates as well as their decisions regarding labelling and other
matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of
such product candidates, the absence of guarantee that the product
candidates if approved will be commercially successful, the future
approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives, the Group’s
ability to benefit from external growth opportunities, trends in
exchange rates and prevailing interest rates, the impact of cost
containment policies and subsequent changes thereto, the average number
of shares outstanding as well as those discussed or identified in the
public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by Sanofi, including those
listed under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements” in Sanofi’s annual report on Form 20-F for
the year ended December 31, 2013. Other than as required by applicable
law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking information or statements.
Copyright Business Wire 2014