Exelixis Initiates Phase 3 Pivotal Trial (COSMIC-311) of Cabozantinib in Patients with
Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Who Have Progressed after Prior VEGFR-Targeted Therapy
– Thyroid cancer is the most rapidly increasing cancer in the U.S., with
incidence tripling over the past 30 years –
Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL) today announced the initiation of a phase 3 pivotal trial (COSMIC-311) of single-agent
cabozantinib in patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who have progressed after up to two prior
vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-targeted therapies. The co-primary endpoints for the trial are progression-free
survival and objective response rate.
“Cabozantinib has demonstrated encouraging clinical activity in patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid
cancer in phase 1 and 2 studies, suggesting it may be a promising treatment option for patients who have progressed after prior
VEGFR-targeting therapy,” said Gisela Schwab, M.D., President, Product Development and Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer,
Exelixis. “We look forward to enrolling patients in this global trial to learn more about the potential of cabozantinib for this
intractable form of thyroid cancer.”
COSMIC-311 is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 pivotal trial that aims to enroll
approximately 300 patients at approximately 150 sites globally. Patients will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either
cabozantinib 60 mg or placebo once daily.
“With the incidence of thyroid cancer increasing more rapidly than any other type of cancer in the U.S., and limited options
available to patients whose disease has progressed following anti-VEGFR therapy, there is an urgent need for new treatments,” said
Marcia Brose, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery and Director of the Center for Rare
Cancers and Personalized Therapy at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, and principal investigator of the
trial. “Given the positive results from earlier stage trials, we are eager to learn more from this phase 3 study about
cabozantinib’s potential benefit in this patient population.”
More information about this trial is available at
ClinicalTrials.gov.
About Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma
Thyroid cancer is commonly diagnosed at a younger age than most other adult cancers and is the most rapidly increasing cancer in
the U.S., tripling in incidence in the past three decades.1 Approximately 54,000 new cases of thyroid cancer will be
diagnosed in the U.S. in 2018.1 Nearly three out of four of these cases will be in women.1 Cancerous thyroid
tumors include differentiated, medullary and anaplastic forms.1
Differentiated thyroid tumors, which make up about 90 percent of all thyroid cancers, are typically treated with surgery
followed by ablation of the remaining thyroid with radioiodine.2 Approximately 5 to 15 percent of differentiated thyroid
tumors are resistant to radioiodine treatment.3 For these patients, life expectancy is only three to six years from the
time metastatic lesions are detected.4,5,6
About CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
CABOMETYX tablets are approved in the United States for the treatment of patients with advanced RCC. CABOMETYX tablets are also
approved in: the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Australia, Switzerland and South Korea for the treatment of advanced RCC in
adults who have received prior VEGF-targeted therapy; in the European Union for previously untreated intermediate- or poor-risk
advanced RCC; and in Canada for adult patients with advanced RCC who have received prior VEGF targeted therapy. In March 2017, the
FDA granted orphan drug designation to cabozantinib for the treatment of advanced HCC. In May 2018, the FDA accepted Exelixis’
supplemental New Drug Application for CABOMETYX as a treatment for patients with previously treated HCC and assigned it a
Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date of January 14, 2019. On March 28, 2018, Ipsen announced that the European Medicines
Agency validated its application for a new indication for cabozantinib as a treatment for previously treated advanced HCC in the
European Union; on September 20, 2018 the CHMP provided a positive opinion for CABOMETYX as a monotherapy for the treatment of HCC
in adults who have been previously treated with sorafenib. In 2016, Exelixis granted Ipsen exclusive rights for the
commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib outside of the United States and Japan. In 2017, Exelixis
granted exclusive rights to Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for the commercialization and further clinical development of
cabozantinib for all future indications in Japan.
CABOMETYX is not indicated for radioiodine-refractory DTC.
Please see Important Safety Information below and full U.S. prescribing information at
https://cabometyx.com/downloads/CABOMETYXUSPI.pdf.
U.S. Important Safety Information
- Hemorrhage: Severe and fatal hemorrhages have occurred with CABOMETYX. In two RCC studies, the
incidence of Grade ? 3 hemorrhagic events was 3% in CABOMETYX-treated patients. Do not administer CABOMETYX to patients that
have or are at risk for severe hemorrhage.
- Gastrointestinal (GI) Perforations and Fistulas: In RCC studies, fistulas were reported in 1%
of CABOMETYX-treated patients. Fatal perforations occurred in patients treated with CABOMETYX. In RCC studies, gastrointestinal
(GI) perforations were reported in 1% of CABOMETYX-treated patients. Monitor patients for symptoms of fistulas and perforations,
including abscess and sepsis. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who experience a fistula which cannot be appropriately managed or
a GI perforation.
- Thrombotic Events: CABOMETYX treatment results in an increased incidence of thrombotic events.
In RCC studies, venous thromboembolism occurred in 9% (including 5% pulmonary embolism) and arterial thromboembolism occurred in
1% of CABOMETYX-treated patients. Fatal thrombotic events occurred in the cabozantinib clinical program. Discontinue CABOMETYX in
patients who develop an acute myocardial infarction or any other arterial thromboembolic complication.
- Hypertension and Hypertensive Crisis: CABOMETYX treatment results in an increased incidence of
treatment-emergent hypertension, including hypertensive crisis. In RCC studies, hypertension was reported in 44% (18% Grade
? 3) of CABOMETYX-treated patients. Monitor blood pressure prior to initiation and regularly during CABOMETYX treatment.
Withhold CABOMETYX for hypertension that is not adequately controlled with medical management; when controlled, resume CABOMETYX
at a reduced dose. Discontinue CABOMETYX for severe hypertension that cannot be controlled with anti-hypertensive therapy.
Discontinue CABOMETYX if there is evidence of hypertensive crisis or severe hypertension despite optimal medical management.
- Diarrhea: In RCC studies, diarrhea occurred in 74% of patients treated with CABOMETYX.
Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 11% of patients treated with CABOMETYX. Withhold CABOMETYX in patients who develop intolerable
Grade 2 diarrhea or Grade 3-4 diarrhea that cannot be managed with standard antidiarrheal treatments until improvement to Grade
1; resume CABOMETYX at a reduced dose.
- Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE): In RCC studies, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia
(PPE) occurred in 42% of patients treated with CABOMETYX. Grade 3 PPE occurred in 8% of patients treated with CABOMETYX. Withhold
CABOMETYX in patients who develop intolerable Grade 2 PPE or Grade 3 PPE until improvement to Grade 1; resume CABOMETYX at a
reduced dose.
- Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS), a syndrome of subcortical vasogenic
edema diagnosed by characteristic finding on MRI, occurred in the cabozantinib clinical program. Perform an evaluation for RPLS
in any patient presenting with seizures, headache, visual disturbances, confusion or altered mental function. Discontinue
CABOMETYX in patients who develop RPLS.
- Embryo-fetal Toxicity may be associated with CABOMETYX. Advise pregnant women of the potential
risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during CABOMETYX treatment and for 4
months after the last dose.
- Adverse Reactions: The most commonly reported (?25%) adverse reactions are: diarrhea, fatigue,
nausea, decreased appetite, hypertension, PPE, weight decreased, vomiting, dysgeusia, and stomatitis.
- Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: If concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors cannot be avoided,
reduce the CABOMETYX dosage.
- Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: If concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inducers cannot be avoided,
increase the CABOMETYX dosage.
- Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed while taking CABOMETYX and for 4 months after the
final dose.
- Hepatic Impairment: In patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment, reduce the CABOMETYX
dosage. CABOMETYX is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information
https://cabometyx.com/downloads/CABOMETYXUSPI.pdf.
About Exelixis
Founded in 1994, Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL) is a commercially successful, oncology-focused biotechnology company that strives
to accelerate the discovery, development and commercialization of new medicines for difficult-to-treat cancers. Following early
work in model genetic systems, we established a broad drug discovery and development platform that has served as the foundation for
our continued efforts to bring new cancer therapies to patients in need. We discovered our three commercially available products,
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib), COMETRIQ® (cabozantinib) and COTELLIC® (cobimetinib), and have entered into partnerships with leading
pharmaceutical companies to bring these important medicines to patients worldwide. Supported by revenues from our marketed products
and collaborations, we are committed to prudently reinvesting in our business to maximize the potential of our pipeline. We are
supplementing our existing therapeutic assets with targeted business development activities and internal drug discovery – all to
deliver the next generation of Exelixis medicines and help patients recover stronger and live longer. In July 2018, Exelixis was
added to the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) MidCap 400 index, which measures the performance of profitable mid-sized companies.
For more information about Exelixis, please visit
www.exelixis.com, follow
@ExelixisInc on Twitter or like
Exelixis, Inc. on Facebook.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements related to: the potential of
cabozantinib as a treatment option for patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer who have progressed after
prior VEGFR-targeting therapy; and Exelixis’ plans to reinvest in its business to maximize the potential of the company’s pipeline,
including through targeted business development activities and internal drug discovery. Any statements that refer to expectations,
projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements and are based upon
Exelixis’ current plans, assumptions, beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections. Forward-looking statements involve risks
and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking
statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: risks and uncertainties related to
regulatory review and approval processes and Exelixis’ compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements; the potential
failure of cabozantinib to demonstrate safety and/or efficacy in COSMIC-311; uncertainties inherent in the product development
process, including evolving regulatory requirements, slower than anticipated patient enrollment or inability to identify a
sufficient number of clinical trial sites; the costs of conducting clinical trials, including Exelixis’ dependence on third-party
vendors for the development, manufacture and supply of cabozantinib; Exelixis’ ability to protect its intellectual property rights;
market competition; changes in economic and business conditions; and other factors affecting Exelixis and its development programs
discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Exelixis’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) on August 1, 2018, and in Exelixis’ future filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in
this press release are based on information available to Exelixis as of the date of this press release, and
Exelixis undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein.
Exelixis, the Exelixis logo, CABOMETYX, COMETRIQ and COTELLIC are registered U.S. trademarks.
1 American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Thyroid Cancer.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/thyroid-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed October 2018.
2 Cooper DS, et al. 2009. Revised American Thyroid Association management guidelines for patients with thyroid
nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer: the American Thyroid Association (ATA) Guidelines Taskforce on Thyroid Nodules and
Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid. 19:1167–1214.
3 Worden F. 2014. Treatment strategies for radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. Ther Adv
Med Oncol. 6:267–279.
4 Xing M, Haugen BR, Schlumberger M. 2013. Progress in molecular-based management of differentiated thyroid cancer.
Lancet. 381:1058–1069.
5 Pacini F, et al. 2012. Radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer: unmet needs and future
directions. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab. 7:541–554.
6 Durante C, et al. 2006. Long-term outcome of 444 patients with distant metastases from papillary and follicular
thyroid carcinoma: benefits and limits of radioiodine therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 91:2892–2899.
Investors:
Exelixis, Inc.
Susan Hubbard, 650-837-8194
EVP, Public Affairs and
Investor Relations
shubbard@exelixis.com
or
Media:
Exelixis, Inc.
Lindsay Treadway, 650-837-7522
Senior Director, Public Affairs and Advocacy Relations
ltreadway@exelixis.com
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