New long-term efficacy and safety data contribute to the
understanding of potential clinical effects of Aubagio®
(teriflunomide) and Lemtrada®
(alemtuzumab)
Additional presentations on Genzyme’s research and development
programs reinforce the company’s commitment to advancing the field of MS
Genzyme,
a Sanofi
company, announced today that new investigational data on its marketed
treatments, Aubagio® (teriflunomide) and Lemtrada®
(alemtuzumab), as well as data from the company’s MS pipeline, will be
presented during the 31st Congress of the European Committee
for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS). The meeting,
to be held in Barcelona, Spain, October 7-10th, will feature
more than 50 platform and poster presentations of investigational data
from across Genzyme’s MS franchise.
In addition to its marketed therapies, Genzyme has an MS R&D pipeline
seeking to address unmet needs for relapsing and progressive forms of MS
through research in selective immunomodulation, neuroprotection and
remyelination.
The list of Genzyme-sponsored data presentations including the company’s
Satellite Symposium at ECTRIMS is as follows. Additional
investigator-sponsored data will also be presented.
Aubagio:
-
Reduced risk of disability progression in patients with MS treated
with early vs delayed teriflunomide 14 mg (P555, Poster Session I;
October 8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Teriflunomide efficacy on annualized relapse rate and expanded
disability status scores: 2.5-year follow-up in the TOWER extension
study in patients with relapsing MS (P1099, Poster Session I; October
8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Teriflunomide efficacy in subsets of patients with relapsing MS:
Results from TEMSO and TOWER studies (P1048, Poster Session I; October
8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Teriflunomide safety in subsets of patients with relapsing MS: Results
from TEMSO and TOWER studies (P1057, Poster Session I; October 8; 3:45
– 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Effect of teriflunomide on relapses associated with disability
worsening: Results from TEMSO and TOWER studies (P1031, Poster Session
I; October 8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST )
-
Efficacy of teriflunomide treatment in achieving no evidence of
disease activity over a period of 6 months to 2 years in the TEMSO
study (P1037, Poster Session I; October 8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Predicting treatment response to teriflunomide in the TEMSO study
using the modified RIO score (P1131, Poster Session I; October 8; 3:45
– 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Efficacy of teriflunomide in MS patients with a primary presentation
of optic neuritis: a subgroup analysis from the Phase III TOPIC study
(P1042, Poster Session I; October 8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Biodistribution of teriflunomide in naïve rats vs. rats with
experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (P354, Poster Session I;
October 8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Cost-effectiveness of first-line disease-modifying treatments for
relapsing remitting MS (P660, Poster Session I; October 8; 3:45 – 5:00
p.m. CEST)
-
Treatment satisfaction with injectable disease-modifying therapy in
patients with isolated demyelinating syndrome or relapsing-remitting
MS (P594, Poster Session I; October 8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Teriflunomide mechanism of action: Linking species’ sensitivities to
pregnancy outcomes (P1033, Poster Session I; October 8; 3:45 – 5:00
p.m. CEST)
-
Exploring the clinical course of hair thinning associated with
teriflunomide: An update to the teriflunomide real-world case series
(P1113, Poster Session I; October 8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Characterizing the impact of teriflunomide on adaptive immune cell
substrates, repertoire and function in patients with
relapsing-remitting MS: TERI-DYNAMIC (P1044, Poster Session I; October
8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST )
-
Improvements in patient-reported outcomes with teriflunomide: Week 24
interim results from the US cohort of the Teri-PRO Phase IV study
(P562, Poster Session I; October 8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Efficacy of teriflunomide treatment in achieving no evidence of
disease activity (NEDA) in the TEMSO long-term extension study (P1047,
Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Safety and efficacy of transitioning to teriflunomide in patients
switching from other disease-modifying therapies, including
natalizumab (P1039, Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
CEST)
-
Long-term safety of teriflunomide: 2.5-year follow-up in the TOWER
extension study in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (EP1460,
Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Teriflunomide slows brain volume loss in relapsing MS: a SIENA
analysis of the TEMSO MRI dataset (Parallel Session 13, Late Breaking
News, Oral Platform Presentation; October 10; 9:03 – 9:14 a.m. CEST)
Lemtrada:
-
Improvement in relapse outcomes following switch from subcutaneous
interferon beta-1a to alemtuzumab: CARE-MS II extension study (P639,
Poster Session I; October 8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
No evidence of disease activity achieved in patients with active
relapsing-remitting MS who switched to alemtuzumab from subcutaneous
interferon beta-1a: CARE-MS I and II extension (P637, Poster Session
I; October 8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Detection and management of immune thrombocytopenia in
alemtuzumab-treated patients in the MS clinical development program
(P590, Poster Session I; October 8; 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Durable efficacy of alemtuzumab on clinical outcomes over 5 years in
CARE-MS II with most patients free from treatment for 4 years (P1102,
Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Alemtuzumab demonstrates durable reduction of MRI activity over 5
years in CARE-MS I with the majority of patients treatment-free for 4
years (P1100, Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Alemtuzumab demonstrates durable reduction of MRI activity over 5
years in CARE-MS II with most patients free from treatment for 4 years
(P1103, Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Durable improvement in expanded disability status scale functional
systems scores over 4 years with alemtuzumab despite a majority of
patients not receiving treatment since year 1 (P1104, Poster Session
II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Sustained reduction in disability with alemtuzumab is associated with
durable quality-of-life improvement on SF-36 over 4 years in CARE-MS
II patients with RRMS though most were treatment-free after Year 1
(P1152, Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Durable efficacy of alemtuzumab in CARE-MS II patients with
highly-active RRMS: 4-year outcomes (P1106, Poster Session II; October
9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST )
-
Durable improvement in clinical outcomes with alemtuzumab following
switch from subcutaneous interferon beta-1a in treatment-naïve
patients with active RRMS: 3-year follow-up of the CARE-MS I extension
study (P1096, Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Durable improvement in clinical outcomes with alemtuzumab following
switch from subcutaneous interferon beta-1a in patients with active
RRMS: 3-year follow-up of the CARE-MS II extension study (P1101,
Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Switching from subcutaneous interferon beta-1a to alemtuzumab further
decreases new lesion activity and slows brain volume loss in
treatment-naïve patients with active RRMS: CARE-MS I extension study
(P1088, Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Alemtuzumab improves disability outcomes vs. subcutaneous interferon
beta-1a in CARE-MS I and II patients with active relapsing MS using
the novel SAD-plus endpoint (P1132, Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30
– 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Pregnancy outcomes in patients with active RRMS who received
alemtuzumab in the clinical development program (P1120, Poster Session
II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Detection of thyroid malignancies in alemtuzumab-treated patients in
the MS clinical development program (P1117, Poster Session II; October
9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Quality-of-life improvements in patients with active RRMS are not
impacted by acute infections after receiving alemtuzumab in CARE-MS II
(P1188, Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
TREAT-MS: design and baseline characteristics of a non-interventional
study to establish effectiveness, quality-of-life, cognition,
health-related, and work-capacity data on alemtuzumab in MS patients
in Germany (P1145, Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Patient characteristics and compliance with alemtuzumab infusion
schedule and premedication regimen: EMERALD study (EP1468, E-Poster
Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Durable efficacy of alemtuzumab on clinical outcomes over 5 years in
treatment-naïve patients with active RRMS with most patients not
receiving treatment for 4 years: CARE-MS I extension study (Platform
Session 152: Free Communications Platform Presentations; October 9;
9:15 – 10:15 a.m. CEST)
-
Alemtuzumab slows brain volume loss over 5 years in patients with
active RRMS with most patients not receiving treatment for 4 years:
CARE-MS I and II extension study (Platform Session 151: Free
Communications Platform Presentations; October 9; 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
CEST)
MS Pipeline:
-
Safety, tolerability and pharmacodynamic characterization of
vatelizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting very-late-antigen
(VLA)-2: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase I study
(P1077, Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Characterization of vatelizumab, a novel antibody that binds VLA-2
(P1062, Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
EMPIRE: A randomized, placebo-controlled study assessing efficacy,
safety and dose response of vatelizumab in patients with RRMS (EP1458,
Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
GZ402668, a next-generation anti-CD52 antibody, binds to a unique
epitope on human CD52 and displays decreased cytokine release (EP1448,
E-Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
-
Targeting innate immune cells as a novel therapeutic approach for MS
(P1069, Poster Session II; October 9; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. CEST)
Abstracts are available on the ECTRIMS website.
Genzyme Satellite Symposium
“Preserving Brain and Function;
Evolution from T and B Cell Pathophysiology to Treatment”
Date:
Thursday, October 8; 7:45 – 8:45 a.m.
Location: Hall A
Aubagio® (teriflunomide) U.S. Indication
Aubagio
is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of
multiple sclerosis.
Important Safety Information About Aubagio
WARNING: HEPATOTOXICITY AND RISK OF TERATOGENICITY
Severe
liver injury including fatal liver failure has been reported in patients
treated with leflunomide, which is indicated for rheumatoid arthritis. A
similar risk would be expected for teriflunomide because recommended
doses of teriflunomide and leflunomide result in a similar range of
plasma concentrations of teriflunomide. AUBAGIO is contraindicated in
patients with severe hepatic impairment and in patients taking
leflunomide. Concomitant use of AUBAGIO with other potentially
hepatotoxic drugs may increase the risk of severe liver injury. Obtain
transaminase and bilirubin levels within 6 months before initiation of
AUBAGIO therapy. Monitor ALT levels at least monthly for 6 months after
starting AUBAGIO. If drug induced liver injury is suspected, discontinue
AUBAGIO and start an accelerated elimination procedure with
cholestyramine or charcoal. Patients with pre-existing liver disease may
be at increased risk of developing elevated serum transaminases when
taking AUBAGIO. Based on animal data, AUBAGIO may cause major birth
defects if used during pregnancy. Pregnancy must be excluded before
starting AUBAGIO. AUBAGIO is contraindicated in pregnant women or women
of childbearing potential who are not using reliable contraception.
Pregnancy must be avoided during AUBAGIO treatment or prior to the
completion of an accelerated elimination procedure after AUBAGIO
treatment.
Warnings and Precautions
Patients with pre-existing acute or
chronic liver disease, or those with serum ALT >2 times the upper limit
of normal (ULN) before initiating treatment, should not normally be
treated with AUBAGIO. In clinical trials, if ALT elevation was >3 times
the ULN on 2 consecutive tests, patients discontinued AUBAGIO and
underwent accelerated elimination. Consider additional monitoring if
co-administering AUBAGIO with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs;
monitor patients who develop symptoms suggestive of hepatic dysfunction
(eg, unexplained nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, or
jaundice and/or dark urine).
Before starting therapy, use of reliable contraception must be
confirmed, and the patient counseled on risks to the fetus. Patients
with delayed onset of menses or other reason to suspect pregnancy should
immediately see their physician for pregnancy testing. Patients who
become pregnant or wish to become pregnant should discontinue treatment,
followed by accelerated elimination until plasma concentrations of <0.02
mcg/mL are verified, a level expected to pose minimal risk to the fetus.
Women who become pregnant while taking AUBAGIO may enroll in the AUBAGIO
pregnancy registry by calling 1-800-745-4447, option 2. Teriflunomide is
eliminated slowly from the plasma—it takes an average of 8 months, or up
to 2 years, to reach plasma concentrations <0.02 mcg/mL. Elimination may
be accelerated by administration of cholestyramine or charcoal, but this
may cause disease activity to return in patients who were responding to
AUBAGIO.
Decreases in white blood cell counts, mainly of neutrophils and
lymphocytes, and platelets have been reported with AUBAGIO. Obtain a
complete blood cell count within 6 months before starting treatment,
with further monitoring based on signs and symptoms of bone marrow
suppression. AUBAGIO is not recommended for patients with severe
immunodeficiency, bone marrow disease, or severe uncontrolled
infections. Tuberculosis (TB) has been observed in clinical studies of
AUBAGIO. Before starting treatment, screen patients for latent TB
infection with a tuberculin test. Treatment in patients with acute or
chronic infections should not be started until the infection(s) is
resolved. Administration of live vaccines is not recommended. The risk
of malignancy, particularly lymphoproliferative disorders, or infection
may be increased with the use of some medications with immunosuppressive
potential, including teriflunomide. Peripheral neuropathy, including
polyneuropathy and mononeuropathy, has been reported with AUBAGIO. Age
>60 years, concomitant neurotoxic medications, and diabetes may increase
the risk. If peripheral neuropathy is suspected, consider discontinuing
treatment and performing accelerated elimination.
Interstitial lung disease and rare cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and
toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported with leflunomide; a
similar risk would be expected for teriflunomide. If a severe skin
reaction develops with AUBAGIO, stop treatment and use accelerated
elimination.
Blood pressure increases and hypertension have occurred with AUBAGIO.
Measure blood pressure at treatment initiation and manage any elevations
during treatment.
Adverse Reactions: The most frequent adverse reactions (≥10% and
≥2% greater than placebo) with AUBAGIO 7 mg and 14 mg and placebo,
respectively, were headache (18% and 16% vs 15%), ALT increased (13% and
15% vs 9%), diarrhea (13% and 14% vs 8%), alopecia (10% and 13% vs 5%),
and nausea (8% and 11% vs 7%).
Drug Interactions: Monitor patients when teriflunomide is
coadministered with warfarin, or with drugs metabolized by CYP1A2,
CYP2C8, substrates of OAT3 transporters, substrates of BCRP, or
OATP1B1/1B3 transporters.
Use in Specific Populations: AUBAGIO is detected in human semen.
To minimize any possible fetal risk, men not wishing to father a child
and their female partners should use reliable contraception. Men wishing
to father a child should discontinue therapy and undergo accelerated
elimination, with verification of plasma concentrations <0.02 mcg/mL.
Nursing mothers should not use AUBAGIO.
Please click here
for full US Prescribing Information for Aubagio, including Boxed WARNING.
About Aubagio® (teriflunomide)
Aubagio
is approved in more than 50 countries, with additional marketing
applications under review by regulatory authorities globally. More than
40,000 people have been treated with Aubagio worldwide.
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.
Lemtrada® (alemtuzumab) U.S. Indication
LEMTRADA is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms
of multiple sclerosis (MS). Because of its safety profile, the use of
LEMTRADA should generally be reserved for patients who have had an
inadequate response to two or more drugs indicated for the treatment of
MS.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
LEMTRADA is contraindicated in patients
who are infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) because
LEMTRADA causes prolonged reductions of CD4+ lymphocyte counts.
Important Safety Information About Lemtrada for U.S. Patients
WARNING: AUTOIMMUNITY, INFUSION REACTIONS, AND MALIGNANCIES
LEMTRADA causes serious, sometimes fatal, autoimmune conditions such
as immune thrombocytopenia and anti-glomerular basement membrane
disease. Monitor complete blood counts with differential, serum
creatinine levels, and urinalysis with urine cell counts at periodic
intervals for 48 months after the last dose of LEMTRADA.
LEMTRADA causes serious and life-threatening infusion reactions.
LEMTRADA must be administered in a setting with appropriate equipment
and personnel to manage anaphylaxis or serious infusion reactions.
Monitor patients for two hours after each infusion. Make patients aware
that serious infusion reactions can also occur after the 2-hour
monitoring period.
LEMTRADA may cause an increased risk of malignancies, including
thyroid cancer, melanoma, and lymphoproliferative disorders. Perform
baseline and yearly skin exams.
Because of the risk of autoimmunity, infusion reactions, and
malignancies, LEMTRADA is available only through restricted distribution
under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. Call
1-855-676-6326 to enroll in the LEMTRADA REMS Program.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Autoimmunity: Treatment with LEMTRADA can result in the formation
of autoantibodies and increase the risk of serious autoimmune mediated
conditions, and may increase the risk of other autoimmune conditions
because of the broad range of autoantibody formation. Obtain complete
blood counts (CBC) with differential, serum creatinine levels, and
urinalysis with cell counts before starting treatment and then at
monthly intervals for 48 months after the last dose of LEMTRADA, or
longer, if clinically indicated.
Infusion Reactions: LEMTRADA causes cytokine release syndrome
resulting in infusion reactions. In clinical studies, 92% of
LEMTRADA-treated patients experienced infusion reactions. Serious
reactions occurred in 3% of these patients and included anaphylaxis in 2
patients (including anaphylactic shock), angioedema, bronchospasm,
hypotension, chest pain, bradycardia, tachycardia (including atrial
fibrillation), transient neurologic symptoms, hypertension, headache,
pyrexia, and rash. In some patients, infusion reactions were reported
more than 24 hours after LEMTRADA infusion. Premedicate patients with
corticosteroids immediately prior to LEMTRADA infusion for the first 3
days of each treatment course. Consider pretreatment with antihistamines
and/or antipyretics. Infusion reactions may occur despite pretreatment.
Malignancies: Monitor for symptoms of thyroid cancer. Because
LEMTRADA is an immunommodulatory therapy, caution should be exercised in
initiating LEMTRADA in patients with pre-existing or ongoing
malignancies.
LEMTRADA REMS Program: Only prescribers, patients, pharmacies and
healthcare facilities certified and enrolled in the REMS program can
prescribe, receive, dispense or administer LEMTRADA. Healthcare
facilities must have on-site access to equipment and personnel trained
to manage infusion reactions (including anaphylaxis and cardiac and
respiratory emergencies).
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) occurred in 2% of LEMTRADA-treated
patients in clinical studies in MS. One LEMTRADA-treated patient
developed ITP that went unrecognized prior to the implementation of
monthly monitoring requirements, and died from an intracerebral
hemorrhage. ITP has been diagnosed more than 3 years after the last
LEMTRADA dose. If ITP is confirmed, promptly initiate medical
intervention.
Glomerular nephropathies occurred in 0.3% of LEMTRADA-treated
patients in MS clinical trials and have been diagnosed up to 40 months
after the last dose of LEMTRADA. Anti-glomerular basement membrane
(anti-GBM disease) can lead to renal failure requiring dialysis and
transplantation and has in post-marketing cases of MS patients treated
with alemtuzumab. Anti-GBM disease can be life-threatening if untreated;
early detection and treatment may decrease the risk of poor outcomes.
Autoimmune thyroid disorders occurred in 34% of LEMTRADA-treated
patients in clinical studies. Newly diagnosed thyroid disorders occurred
throughout the uncontrolled clinical study follow-up period, more than 7
years after the first LEMTRADA dose. Serious thyroid events occurred in
2% of patients, including cardiac and psychiatric events. In
LEMTRADA-treated patients, 3% underwent thyroidectomy. In patients with
an ongoing thyroid disorder, LEMTRADA should be administered only if the
potential benefit justifies the potential risks. Obtain thyroid function
tests prior to initiation of treatment and every 3 months until 48
months after the last infusion, or longer, if clinically indicated.
Thyroid disease poses special risks in women who are pregnant.
Autoimmune cytopenias occurred in LEMTRADA-treated MS patients in
clinical trials. One LEMTRADA-treated patient with autoimmune
pancytopenia died from sepsis. Prompt medical intervention is indicated
if a cytopenia is confirmed.
Infections occurred in 71% of LEMTRADA-treated patients compared
to 53% of patients treated with interferon beta-1a. Serious infections
occurred in 3% of patients treated with LEMTRADA and 1% of patients
treated with interferon beta-1a and included: appendicitis,
gastroenteritis, pneumonia, herpes zoster, and tooth infection. Consider
delaying LEMTRADA administration in patients with active infection until
the infection is fully controlled.
-
Do not administer live viral vaccines following a course of LEMTRADA,
as patients may be at increased risk of infection.
-
Concomitant use of antineoplastic or immunosuppressive therapies could
increase the risk of immunosuppression.
-
Herpes viral infection developed in 16% of LEMTRADA-treated patients
compared to 3% of interferon beta-1a patients. Administer antiviral
prophylaxis for herpetic viral infections starting on the first day of
each treatment course and continue for a minimum of two months
following treatment with LEMTRADA or until CD4+ lymphocyte count is
≥200 cells per microliter, whichever occurs later.
-
Cervical human papilloma virus (HPV) infection occurred in 2% of
LEMTRADA treated patients. Annual screening is recommended for female
patients.
-
Active and latent tuberculosis cases occurred in 0.3% of
LEMTRADA-treated patients, most often in endemic regions.
-
Fungal infections, especially oral and vaginal candidiasis, occurred
in 12% of LEMTRADA-treated patients compared to 3% of interferon
beta-1a patients.
-
Cases of listeria meningitis occurred within 1 month of LEMTRADA
dosing. Advise patients to avoid or adequately heat foods that are
potential sources for Listeria monocytogenes.
-
Before initiating LEMTRADA, consider screening patients at high risk
of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection.
Carriers of HBV and/or HCV who receive LEMTRADA may be at risk of
irreversible liver damage relative to a potential virus reactivation.
Pneumonitis, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis and
pneumonitis with fibrosis, occurred in 6 of 1217 (0.5%) LEMTRADA-treated
patients in clinical studies. Advise patients to report symptoms of
pneumonitis (e.g., shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, chest pain or
tightness, and hemoptysis).
Drug Products with Same Active Ingredient: LEMTRADA contains the
same active ingredient (alemtuzumab) found in CAMPATH®. If LEMTRADA is
considered for use in a patient who has previously received CAMPATH,
exercise increased vigilance for additive and long-lasting effects on
the immune system.
Adverse Reactions
In clinical trials, the most common
adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% and >interferon beta-1a) with LEMTRADA
vs interferon beta-1a were: rash (53% vs 6%), headache (52% vs 23%),
pyrexia (29% vs 9%), nasopharyngitis (25% vs 19%), nausea (21% vs 9%),
urinary tract infection (19% vs 8%), fatigue (18% vs 13%), insomnia (16%
vs 15%), upper respiratory tract infection (16% vs 13%), herpes viral
infection (16% vs 3%), urticaria (16% vs 2%), pruritus (14% vs 2%),
thyroid gland disorders (13% vs 3%), fungal infection (13% vs 4%),
arthralgia (12% vs 9%), pain in extremity (12% vs 9%), back pain (12% vs
8%), diarrhea (12% vs 6%), sinusitis (11% vs 8%), oropharyngeal pain
(11% vs 5%), paresthesia (10% vs 8%), dizziness (10% vs 5%), abdominal
pain (10% vs 5%), flushing (10% vs 4%), and vomiting (10% vs 3%).
Use in Specific Populations
LEMTRADA should be used during
pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to
the fetus. Autoantibodies may be transferred from the mother to the
fetus during pregnancy. Placental transfer of anti-thyroid antibodies
resulted in a case of neonatal Graves’ disease. Safety and effectiveness
in pediatric patients less than 17 years of age have not been
established. Use of LEMTRADA is not recommended in pediatric patients
due to the risks of autoimmunity and infusion reactions, and because it
may increase the risk of malignancies.
Please click here
for full US Prescribing Information for Lemtrada, including Boxed WARNING.
About Lemtrada® (alemtuzumab)
Lemtrada
is approved in more than 40 countries, with additional marketing
applications under review. Lemtrada is supported by a comprehensive and
extensive clinical development program that involved nearly 1,500
patients worldwide and 5,400 patient-years of follow-up.
Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD52, a protein
abundant on T and B cells. Circulating T and B cells are thought to be
responsible for the damaging inflammatory process in MS. Although the
exact mechanism of action for alemtuzumab is unknown, it is presumed to
deplete circulating T and B lymphocytes after each treatment course.
Lymphocyte counts then increase over time with a reconstitution of the
lymphocyte population that varies for the different lymphocyte subtypes.
Genzyme holds the worldwide rights to alemtuzumab and has responsibility
for its development and commercialization in multiple sclerosis. Bayer
Healthcare receives contingent payments based on global sales revenue.
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®, Aubagio® and Lemtrada®
are registered trademarks of Genzyme Corporation. All rights reserved.
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, 2014. Other than as required by applicable
law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking information or statements.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150923005629/en/
Copyright Business Wire 2015