Bristol-Myers
Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) announced today its first release of new
data from a Phase IIIb RA trial showing that the T-cell co-stimulation
modulator, Orencia ® (abatacept), in combination with
methotrexate (MTX) achieved significantly higher rates of DAS-defined
(DAS28 CRP <2.6) remission at 12 months than treatment with standard of
care agent MTX (60.9% vs. 45.2%, respectively), in biologic and
MTX-naïve patients with early active RA. The data are being presented
this week at the 2014 annual meeting of the European League Against
Rheumatism (EULAR).
In this trial, known as AVERT (Assessing Very Early Rheumatoid
arthritis Treatment), a co-primary endpoint assessed maintenance
of remission following the withdrawal of all RA drug therapy including Orencia,
MTX and steroids. A small but statistically significantly higher number
of patients treated with Orencia plus MTX, versus MTX alone, for
12 months maintained remission 6 months after all RA treatment was
withdrawn.
Orencia was well tolerated in the study patients. In particular,
serious adverse events, serious infection events and discontinuation due
to serious adverse events were comparable to patients treated with MTX.
“Remission of both clinical symptoms and radiographic joint damage is an
important and achievable goal in the management of rheumatoid arthritis,
particularly in the early disease phase,” said Paul Emery, M.D.,
Arthritis Research UK Professor of Rheumatology and Head of the Academic
Division of Musculoskeletal Disease, Leeds Institute of Molecular
Medicine, University of Leeds, United Kingdom. “Data from the AVERT
trial show that patients taking a combination of Orencia plus
methotrexate achieved higher rates of remission than treating them with
methotrexate alone. Interestingly, this benefit was maintained in some
patients even after all RA treatment had been withdrawn.”
“These data demonstrating higher remission rates and a similar safety
profile for Orencia plus methotrexate versus methotrexate alone,
in conjunction with insights from the withdrawal phase of the study,
support the use of Orencia as a first line biologic therapy for
patients with RA,” said Michael Giordano, senior vice president, head of
development, Oncology and Immunology, Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Data from the AVERT Trial
AVERT is a Phase IIIb, active-controlled study including 351 adult
patients with symptoms of RA for less than two years, positive for
anti-CCP antibodies, DAS28 CRP >3.2 and naïve to treatment with
methotrexate and biologic therapies for RA. The patients were randomly
assigned to 12 months of weekly treatment in one of three groups: Orencia
125 mg subcutaneous plus MTX; Orencia 125 mg subcutaneous
alone; or MTX alone. Participants who had a DAS28 CRP <3.2 (indicating
low disease activity) after the 12-month treatment phase were able to
continue in a withdrawal period up to 12 months, where all RA treatment
including Orencia, MTX and steroids were withdrawn. The
co-primary endpoints compared the proportion of patients with DAS28 CRP
<2.6 (defined as disease remission in the trial) at month 12 and both
months 12 and 18 for combination therapy versus MTX alone.
At 12 months, significantly more patients on Orencia combination
therapy achieved DAS28-defined remission (60.9%, Orencia plus
MTX; 45.2%, MTX alone). Similar results at 12 months were seen with more
stringent measures of efficacy including Boolean remission (37.0%, Orencia
plus MTX; 22.4%, MTX alone), CDAI remission (42%, Orencia plus
MTX; 27.6% MTX alone), and SDAI remission (42%, Orencia plus MTX;
25% MTX alone).
Greater benefits on MRI endpoints were also observed with combination
therapy vs. MTX alone, including improvements in synovitis and osteitis,
and less progression of joint erosions. At 12 months the adjusted mean
change from baseline in total synovitis score was -2.35 for Orencia plus
MTX vs. -0.68 for MTX alone; the adjusted mean change from baseline in
total osteitis score was -2.58 for Orencia plus MTX vs. -0.68 for
MTX alone; and the adjusted mean change from baseline in total erosion
score was 0.19 for Orencia plus MTX vs. 1.52 for MTX alone.
A monotherapy arm of the AVERT trial resulted in a similar number of
patients treated with Orencia in the absence of MTX achieving
DAS-defined remission as compared to MTX-treated patients at 12 months
(42.5% versus 45.2%, respectively). While the rates were similar at 12
months, Orencia monotherapy resulted in trends towards higher
DAS-defined remission rates than MTX monotherapy at most earlier time
points.
After 12 months, following rapid treatment withdrawal of all RA therapy
including Orencia, MTX and steroids in patients achieving DAS
<3.2, 79.4% of patients went back on therapy because of worsening RA
symptoms. However, a small and statistically significantly higher number
of patients treated with Orencia combination therapy were able to
maintain drug-free remission versus MTX alone up to Month 18 (14.8%
versus 7.8%, respectively), 6 months after drug withdrawal. Drug-free
remission rates were 12.4% for Orencia monotherapy.
Orencia, as monotherapy or in combination with MTX, in early RA
patients had a comparable safety profile to MTX. Over 12 months
of treatment, 6.7%, 12.1%, and 7.8% of patients on Orencia plus
MTX, Orencia alone, and MTX alone, respectively, experienced a
serious adverse event and 1.7%, 4.3% and 2.6% led to discontinuation.
Serious infections were observed in 0.8% of patients in the combination
arm and 3.4% in the Orencia monotherapy arm. None of the patients
in the MTX alone arm experienced a serious infection.
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, chronic, autoimmune disease
characterized by inflammation in the lining of joints (or synovium),
causing joint damage with chronic pain, stiffness, swelling and fatigue.
RA causes limited range of motion and decreased joint function. The
condition is more common in women than in men, who account for 75% of
patients diagnosed with RA.
About ORENCIA® (abatacept)
ORENCIA SC and IV is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, inducing
major clinical response, inhibiting the progression of structural
damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with
moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. ORENCIA may be used
as monotherapy or concomitantly with disease-modifying antirheumatic
drugs (DMARDs) other than tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists.
ORENCIA IV is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in pediatric
patients 6 years of age and older with moderately to severely active
polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. ORENCIA IV may be used as
monotherapy or concomitantly with methotrexate (MTX). ORENCIA SC has not
been studied in pediatric patients.
ORENCIA should not be administered concomitantly with TNF antagonists.
ORENCIA is not recommended for use concomitantly with other biologic
rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy, such as anakinra.
ORENCIA is intended for use under the guidance of a physician or
healthcare practitioner.
Indication/Usage and Important Safety Information for ORENCIA®
(abatacept)
Indication/Usage
Adult Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): ORENCIA® (abatacept)
is a prescription medicine that reduces signs and symptoms in adults
with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including those who
have not been helped enough by other medicines for RA. ORENCIA may
prevent further damage to your bones and joints and may help your
ability to perform daily activities. In adults, ORENCIA may be used
alone or with other RA treatments other than tumor necrosis factor (TNF)
antagonists.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA): ORENCIA also reduces signs
and symptoms in children and adolescents 6 years of age and older with
moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
ORENCIA may be used alone or with methotrexate (MTX).
Important Safety Information About ORENCIA®
(abatacept)
Inform your healthcare provider of the following, before you receive
treatment with ORENCIA:
Infections: If you have any kind of infection, even if it is
small (such as an open cut or sore), an infection that is in your whole
body (such as the flu), an infection that will not go away, or a history
of infections that keep coming back. ORENCIA may make your immune system
less able to fight infections, so you may be more likely to get
infections or any infection you have may get worse.
Tuberculosis: If you have had tuberculosis (TB), a positive skin
test for TB, or if you recently have been in close
contact with someone who has had TB. If you get any of the symptoms of
TB (a dry cough that does not go away, weight loss, fever, night
sweats), call your healthcare provider right away. Before you start
ORENCIA, your healthcare provider may examine you for TB or perform a
skin test.
If you have or have had Viral Hepatitis. Before you use ORENCIA,
your healthcare provider may examine you for hepatitis.
If you have a history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary (lung) Disease
(COPD).
If you are scheduled to have Surgery.
Allergies to the Ingredients of ORENCIA®(abatacept):
The ingredients of intravenous (IV) ORENCIA are: abatacept, maltose,
monobasic sodium phosphate, and sodium chloride for administration. The
ingredients of subcutaneous (SC) ORENCIA are: abatacept, sucrose,
poloxamer 188, monobasic sodium phosphate monohydrate, dibasic sodium
phosphate anhydrous, and water for injection.
Vaccinations: If you have recently received a vaccination or are
scheduled for any vaccination. If you are receiving ORENCIA, and for 3
months after you stop receiving ORENCIA, you should not take live
vaccines.
Diabetes: If you have diabetes and use a blood glucose monitor to
check your sugar levels. The infusion of ORENCIA contains
maltose, a sugar that can give falsely high blood glucose readings with
some monitors on the day you receive your infusion. Your healthcare
provider may tell you to use a different way to monitor your blood
sugar levels. ORENCIA for SC injection does not contain maltose;
therefore, you do not need to change the way you monitor your blood
sugar if you are taking ORENCIA subcutaneously.
Pregnancy: If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or
are thinking about becoming pregnant. It is not known if ORENCIA can
harm your unborn baby.
Breastfeeding: You will need to decide to either breast-feed or
receive treatment with ORENCIA, but not both.
If you Take Any Other Kinds of Medicine, including prescription
and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
If you are Taking Other Biologic Medicines to Treat RA such as:
Enbrel® (etanercept), Humira® (adalimumab),
Remicade® (infliximab), Kineret® (anakinra),
Rituxan® (rituximab), Simponi® (golimumab), Cimzia®
(certolizumab pegol), Actemra® (tocilizumab). You may have a
higher chance of getting a serious infection if you take ORENCIA with
other biologic medicines.
Possible Side Effects of ORENCIA® (abatacept)
ORENCIA can cause serious side effects including:
-
Serious infections. ORENCIA can make you more likely to get
infections or make the infection that you have get worse. Some
patients have died from these infections. Call your healthcare
provider immediately if you feel sick or get any of the following
signs of infection: fever; feel very tired; cough; feel flu-like; or
warm, red or painful skin.
-
Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can happen on the day of
treatment or the day after receiving ORENCIA. Tell your healthcare
provider or get emergency medical help right away if you have hives;
swollen face, eyelids, lips, or tongue; or trouble breathing.
-
Hepatitis B infection. If you are a carrier of the hepatitis B
virus (a virus that affects the liver), the virus can become active
while you use ORENCIA. Your healthcare provider may do a blood test
before you start or while using ORENCIA.
-
Vaccinations. You should not receive ORENCIA®
(abatacept) with certain types of vaccines. ORENCIA may cause some
vaccinations to be less effective.
-
Respiratory problems in patients with COPD. You may get certain
respiratory problems more often if you receive ORENCIA and have COPD,
including: worsened COPD, pneumonia, cough, or trouble breathing.
-
Cancer (malignancies). Certain kinds of cancer have been
reported in patients receiving ORENCIA. It is not known if ORENCIA
increases your chance of getting certain kinds of cancer.
Common side effects with ORENCIA are headache, upper respiratory
tract infection, sore throat, and nausea. Other side effects in children
and adolescents may include diarrhea, cough, fever, and abdominal pain.
Note concerning use in children under 18 years of age: ORENCIA
for SC injection has not been studied in children under 18 years of age,
therefore it is not known if ORENCIA for SC injection is safe and
effective in children under 18 years of age.
Please
read the Patient Information in the Full US Prescribing Information.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission
is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help
patients prevail over serious diseases.
For more information about Bristol-Myers Squibb, visit www.bms.com,
or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews
Orencia ® (abatacept) is a registered
trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb Immunoscience
The immune system is the body’s natural defense against disease. These
processes come into play in almost every human disease. That is why
Bristol-Myers Squibb is focused on exploring ways to harness the body’s
own immune system to treat immune-related diseases with high unmet
medical needs, including RA – a chronic, systemic, inflammatory
autoimmune disorder that affects the joints.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term
is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
regarding the research, development and commercialization of
pharmaceutical products. Such forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties,
including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and
could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from
current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed.
Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated
together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol-Myers Squibb's
business, particularly those identified in the cautionary factors
discussion in Bristol-Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2013 in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and
our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Bristol-Myers Squibb undertakes no
obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as
a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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