Interim Analysis from Phase 3 Open-Label Extension Study Shows Sustained Benefits of Soliris ® (Eculizumab) Treatment for Patients with Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis
New Data Presented at the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine Annual
Meeting Further Substantiate and Extend Results from Pivotal REGAIN Study
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN) announced today results from an interim analysis of an ongoing Phase 3 open-label
extension study of the pivotal, placebo-controlled REGAIN study of Soliris® (eculizumab) for the treatment of patients
with refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive. The new results
show sustained treatment benefits across a range of MG-specific assessment scales through an additional 52 weeks for patients who
continued to receive Soliris, and also demonstrate rapid, significant and sustained improvements through 52 weeks for patients who
had crossed over from placebo in REGAIN to Soliris treatment in the extension study. The safety profile of Soliris was consistent
with that observed in the REGAIN study. The results are presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of
Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) in Phoenix, Arizona.
“There is an urgent need for a treatment for patients with refractory gMG who have attempted multiple therapies and continue to
suffer from severe symptoms and complications,” said Professor James F. Howard, MD, Department of Neurology at the University of
North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA, and lead investigator in REGAIN and its open-label extension study. “These new results build on
the findings of the REGAIN study, and it is encouraging to see the rapid and sustained benefits of Soliris treatment with patients
recovering functional ability to carry out activities of daily living, and quality of life.”
Results presented show that the benefits for patients treated with Soliris in REGAIN through 26 weeks were maintained in the
extension study across all four assessment scales for an additional 52 weeks (78 weeks in total). For patients who received placebo
in REGAIN and then were treated with Soliris in the extension study, significant treatment benefits occurred within 1 to 4 weeks
and were sustained through 52 weeks across all four assessment scales.1
Treatment benefits in the REGAIN open-label extension study 1
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Assessment scale |
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Soliris |
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Soliris/Soliris |
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Soliris/Soliris |
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Placebo |
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Placebo/Soliris |
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Placebo/Soliris |
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REGAIN – week 26
n=55-56
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extension – week 26
n=47-49
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extension – week 52
n=20
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REGAIN – week 26
n=59
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extension – week 26
n=55-56
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extension – week 52
n=20
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MG-ADL |
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-4.4 |
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[-5.6, -3.3] |
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-5.2 |
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[-6.3, -4.2] |
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-4.4 |
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[-6.0, -2.7] |
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-2.3 |
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[-3.2, -1.5] |
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-4.9 |
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[-5.8, -4.0] |
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-5.3 |
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[-6.8 -3.7] |
QMG |
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-5.0 |
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[-6.4, -3.6] |
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-5.2 |
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[-6.7, -3.6] |
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-4.5 |
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[-6.7, -2.3] |
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-1.7 |
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[-2.7, -0.6] |
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-4.8 |
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[-6.4, -3.3] |
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-6.4 |
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[-8.8 -4.0] |
MGC |
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-8.4 |
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[-10.7, -6.2] |
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-10.0 |
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[-12.3, -7.8] |
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-8.8 |
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[-11.9, -5.6] |
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-5.0 |
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[-6.8, -3.2] |
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-10.0 |
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[-12.0, -8.0] |
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-10.0 |
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[-13.3,-6.7] |
MG-QoL 15 |
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-12.8 |
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[-16.6, -9.0] |
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-15.2 |
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[-19.0, -11.3] |
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-14.9 |
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[-21.7, -8.1] |
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-5.4 |
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[-7.8, -2.9] |
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-12.9 |
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[-16.6, -9.1] |
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-16.2 |
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[-21.3,-11.1] |
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Treatment effects measured in decreased mean scores (using repeated measures from baseline) at given time points compared to
baseline at enrollment in the REGAIN study (summarized for patients who enrolled in the extension study) [95% confidence
intervals]
MG-ADL – MG-Activities of Daily Living, a patient-reported assessment of functional ability to carry out daily activities
QMG – Quantitative MG, a clinical assessment of muscle strength by physicians
MGC – MG Composite, a patient- and physician-reported assessment of functional ability and signs and symptoms of MG
MG-QoL 15 – MG Quality of Life 15, a patient-reported assessment of MG-specific quality of life
“We are grateful to the patients and investigators who continue to participate in this ongoing extension study that further
substantiates the rapid and sustained benefits of complement inhibition for this debilitating, chronic and progressive neurological
disorder,” said John Orloff, M.D., Executive Vice President and Head of Research & Development at Alexion.
Patients with refractory gMG represent an ultra-rare subset of patients2-5 who have difficulties walking, talking,
swallowing and breathing normally despite multiple therapies for MG. Exacerbations and crises of their disease may require
hospitalization and intensive care and may be life-threatening.6-8 Chronic uncontrolled activation of the complement
cascade, a part of the immune system, can play a major role in the debilitating symptoms and potentially life-threatening
complications of the disease.9-11
Soliris is the first and only complement inhibitor, and the only complement-based therapy approved in the European Union (EU)
for the treatment of patients with refractory gMG who are anti-AChR antibody-positive. Alexion’s supplemental Biologics License
Application (sBLA) in the U.S. and a supplemental new drug application in Japan for Soliris for similar indications have been
accepted for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW),
respectively. Soliris has received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for the treatment of patients with MG in the U.S. and EU, and for
the treatment of patients with refractory gMG in Japan.
About the Open-Label Extension Study (MG-302)
94% (117/125) of patients who completed the REGAIN study enrolled in the open-label extension, of which 56 continued to receive
Soliris (Soliris/Soliris group) and 61 were switched from placebo to Soliris (placebo/Soliris group) within two weeks of completing
the REGAIN study. Patients were not informed of prior treatment assignment in REGAIN through a four-week blinded induction phase,
after which all patients received ongoing open-label treatment with Soliris (1,200 mg/dose) every two weeks. For this interim
analysis, 49 patients in the Soliris/Soliris group and 56 patients in the placebo/Soliris group completed week 26 assessments; 20
patients in each group completed week 52 assessments. Patient numbers for scores at week 26 may differ slightly because a total
score could not be computed when an assessment was missed or data were not complete. Mean scores over time were calculated using
repeated measures from baseline. The study is ongoing and planned to continue until January 2019.
About REGAIN (MG-301)
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter Phase 3 clinical study that evaluated the efficacy and
safety of Soliris over 26 weeks in 125 patients with refractory gMG who had a confirmed diagnosis of MG with positive serologic
test for antibodies against AChR. Patients initially received 900 mg of Soliris or placebo weekly for 4 weeks followed by 1,200 mg
of Soliris or placebo 1 week later, and then 1,200 mg of Soliris or placebo every 2 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint of change
from baseline in MG-ADL total score at week 26, as well as the three secondary endpoints —changes from baseline in QMG, MGC, and
MG-QoL 15—were assessed using a worst-rank analysis. The study narrowly missed statistical significance on the primary endpoint
(p=0.0698). However, 18 out of 22 pre-specified endpoints and analyses showed results with p-values <0.05 across the four
assessment scales, supporting early, sustained and substantial responses. The safety profile was consistent with what has been
reported for Soliris during the past 10 years in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic
uremic syndrome (aHUS).
The REGAIN study (MG-301) and its open-label extension study (MG-302) are sponsored by Alexion.
About Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis
Patients with refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive
represent an ultra-rare subset of MG patients2-4 who continue to suffer from severe disease symptoms and complications
despite therapies currently used for MG.2,3,12
MG is a debilitating, chronic and progressive autoimmune neuromuscular disease that can occur at any age but most commonly
begins for women before the age of 40 and men after the age of 60.6,7,13,14 It typically begins with weakness in the
muscles that control the movements of the eyes and eyelids, and often progresses to the more severe and generalized form, known as
gMG with weakness of the head, neck, trunk, limb and respiratory muscles.14
While most patients with gMG can be managed with therapies for MG, 10% to 15% of patients are considered refractory—meaning they
fail to respond adequately to or cannot tolerate multiple therapies for MG and continue to suffer profound muscle weakness, and
severe disease symptoms that limit function.2,4,12 Patients with refractory gMG can suffer from slurred speech; choking;
impaired swallowing; double or blurred vision; disabling fatigue; immobility requiring assistance; shortness of breath, and
episodes of respiratory failure. Complications, exacerbations and myasthenic crises can require hospital and intensive care unit
admissions with prolonged stays and can be life-threatening.6-8
In patients with anti-AChR antibody-positive MG, the body’s own immune system turns on itself to produce antibodies against
AChR, a receptor located on muscle cells in the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and used by nerve cells to communicate with the
muscles these nerves control.6,7 The binding of these antibodies to AChR activates the complement cascade, another part
of the immune system, which leads to a localized destruction of the muscle membrane at the NMJ. As a result, the communication
between nerve and muscle is impaired, which in turn leads to a loss of normal muscle function.9-11,15
About Soliris ® (eculizumab)
Soliris® is a first-in-class complement inhibitor that works by inhibiting the terminal part of the complement
cascade, a part of the immune system that, when activated in an uncontrolled manner, plays a role in serious ultra-rare disorders
like paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR)
antibody-positive refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG).
Soliris is approved in the U.S., EU, Japan and other countries as the first and only treatment for patients with PNH and aHUS,
and in the EU as the first and only treatment for refractory gMG in patients who are anti-AChR antibody-positive. Soliris is not
indicated for the treatment of patients with Shiga-toxin E. coli-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS). Alexion and Soliris
have received some of the pharmaceutical industry's highest honors for the medical innovation in complement inhibition: the Prix
Galien USA (2008, Best Biotechnology Product) and France (2009, Rare Disease Treatment).
For more information on Soliris, please see full prescribing information for Soliris, including BOXED WARNING regarding risk of
serious meningococcal infection, available at www.soliris.net.
Important Soliris Safety Information
The U.S. prescribing information for Soliris includes the following warnings and precautions: Life-threatening and fatal
meningococcal infections have occurred in patients treated with Soliris. Meningococcal infection may become rapidly
life-threatening or fatal if not recognized and treated early. Comply with the most current Centers for Disease Control (CDC)’s
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for meningococcal vaccination in patients with complement
deficiencies. Immunize patients with meningococcal vaccines at least two weeks prior to administering the first dose of Soliris,
unless the risks of delaying Soliris therapy outweigh the risk of developing a meningococcal infection. Monitor patients for early
signs of meningococcal infections and evaluate immediately if infection is suspected. Soliris is available only through a
restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Under the Soliris REMS, prescribers must enroll in the
program. Enrollment in the Soliris REMS program and additional information are available by telephone: 1-888-SOLIRIS
(1-888-765-4747) or at www.solirisrems.com .
Patients may have increased susceptibility to infections, especially with encapsulated bacteria. Aspergillus infections have
occurred in immunocompromised and neutropenic patients. Children treated with Soliris may be at increased risk of developing
serious infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib). Soliris treatment of
patients with PNH should not alter anticoagulant management because the effect of withdrawal of anticoagulant therapy during
Soliris treatment has not been established. Administration of Soliris may result in infusion reactions, including anaphylaxis or
other hypersensitivity reactions.
In patients with PNH, the most frequently reported adverse events observed with Soliris treatment in clinical studies were
headache, nasopharyngitis, back pain and nausea. In patients with aHUS, the most frequently reported adverse events observed with
Soliris treatment in clinical studies were headache, diarrhea, hypertension, upper respiratory infection, abdominal pain, vomiting,
nasopharyngitis, anemia, cough, peripheral edema, nausea, urinary tract infections, and pyrexia.
About Alexion
Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and delivering life-transforming therapies for patients with
devastating and rare disorders. Alexion is the global leader in complement inhibition and has developed and commercializes the
first and only approved complement inhibitor to treat patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic
uremic syndrome (aHUS), and refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). In addition, Alexion has two highly innovative enzyme
replacement therapies for patients with life-threatening and ultra-rare metabolic disorders, hypophosphatasia (HPP) and lysosomal
acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D). As the leader in complement biology for over 20 years, Alexion focuses its research efforts on
novel molecules and targets in the complement cascade, and its development efforts on the core therapeutic areas of hematology,
nephrology, neurology, and metabolic disorders. This press release and further information about Alexion can be found at: www.alexion.com.
[ALXN-G]
Forward-Looking Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements related to the potential medical benefits of
Soliris® (eculizumab) for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and Alexion's future clinical, regulatory and
commercial plans for Soliris for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Forward-looking statements are subject to factors that may
cause Alexion's results and plans to differ from those expected, including for example, the risks and uncertainties of drug
development, decisions of regulatory authorities regarding the adequacy of our research, marketing approval or material limitations
on the marketing of eculizumab for the treatment of gMG, delays, interruptions or failures in the manufacture and supply of our
products and our product candidates, failure to satisfactorily address matters raised by the FDA and other regulatory agencies, the
possibility that results of clinical trials are not predictive of safety and efficacy results of our products in broader patient
populations, the possibility that clinical trials of our product candidates could be delayed, the adequacy of our pharmacovigilance
and drug safety reporting processes, the risk that third party payers (including governmental agencies) will not reimburse or
continue to reimburse for the use of our products at acceptable rates or at all, the outcome of challenges and opposition
proceedings to our intellectual property, assertion or potential assertion by third parties that the manufacture, use or sale of
our products infringes their intellectual property, risks regarding government investigations, including investigations of Alexion
by the SEC and DOJ, the risk that anticipated regulatory filings are delayed, the risk that estimates regarding the number of
patients with gMG are inaccurate, and a variety of other risks set forth from time to time in Alexion's filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risks discussed in Alexion's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the period ended June 30, 2017 and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Alexion does not intend
to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except when a duty
arises under law.
References
- Howard JF, Wang JJ, O’Brien F, Mantegazza R and the REGAIN study group. Efficacy of eculizumab is
maintained beyond 26 weeks in patients with AChR+ refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). Poster (abstract 211), annual
meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), September 14, 2017.
- Silvestri N, Wolfe G. Treatment-refractory myasthenia gravis. J. Clin Neuromuscul Dis.
2014;15(4):167-178.
- Howard J. Targeting the Complement System in Refractory Myasthenia Gravis. Supplement to Neurology
Reviews. February 2016.
- Suh J., Goldstein JM, Nowak RJ. Clinical Characteristics of Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Patients.
Yale J Biol Med. 2013;86(2):255-260.
- Regulation (EU) No 536/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on
clinical trials on medicinal products for human use, and repealing Directive 2001/20/EC. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32000R0141&qid=1421232987002&from=EN.
Accessed on June 26, 2017.
- Howard JF, Barohn RJ, Cutter GR et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II study
of eculizumab in patients with refractory generalized myasthenia gravis. Muscle Nerve. 2013;48(1):76-84.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Myasthenia Gravis Fact Sheet. Publication
date May 2017. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/myasthenia_gravis/detail_myasthenia_gravis.htm.
- Sathasivam S. Diagnosis and management of myasthenia gravis. Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry.
January/February 2014.
- Tüzün E, Huda R, Christadoss P. Complement and cytokine based therapeutic strategies in myasthenia
gravis. JAutoimmun. 2011;37(2):136-143.
- Meriggioli MN, Sanders DB. Muscle autoantibodies in myasthenia gravis: beyond diagnosis? Expert Rev.
Clin.Immunol. 2012;8(5), 427-428.
- Conti-Fine, et al. Myasthenia gravis: past, present, and future. J Clin Invest. 2006;
116:2843-2354.
- Sanders DB, Wolfe, GI, Benatar M, et al. International consensus guidance for management of
myasthenia gravis: Executive summary. Neurology. 2016 Jul 26;87(4):419-25.
- Huda R, Tüzün E, Christadoss P. Targeting complement system to treat myasthenia gravis. Rev.
Neurosci. 2014; 25(4): 575–583.
- Meriggioli MN, Sanders DB. Autoimmune myasthenia gravis: emerging clinical and biological
heterogeneity. Lancet Neurol. 2009-8(5): 475-490.
- Buzzard, K. A., N. J. Meyer, T. A. Hardy, D. S. Riminton and S. W. Reddel. Induction intravenous
cyclophosphamide followed by maintenance oral immunosuppression in refractory myasthenia gravis. Muscle Nerve. 2015;52(2):
204-210.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Media
Arne Naeveke, PhD, 475-230-3774
Executive Director, Product Communications
or
Investors
Elena Ridloff, CFA, 475-230-3601
Vice President, Investor Relations
or
Catherine Hu, 475-230-3599
Director, Investor Relations
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