SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/
-- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL) today announced that it had entered into an exclusive license and
supply agreement with Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Kissei") to develop and commercialize TAVALISSE™ in all current and
potential indications in Japan, China, Taiwan and the Republic of Korea. Kissei is a Japan-based pharmaceutical
company addressing patients' unmet medical needs through its research, development and commercialization efforts, as well as
through collaborations with partners. TAVALISSE is commercially available in the U.S. for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in
adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment.
"Kissei is a leading Japanese pharmaceutical company with significant development experience and a track record of commercial
success in Asian markets. Their commitment to develop TAVALISSE in ITP, and potential future indications in these territories,
makes Kissei an optimal partner as we seek to expand the global market opportunity for this important new therapeutic," said
Raul Rodriguez, president and CEO of Rigel. "This agreement demonstrates our approach to entering
strategic markets outside of the U.S. and emphasizes the unmet need that exists for chronic ITP, among other rare blood
disorders."
Under the terms of the agreement, Rigel will receive an upfront cash payment of $33 million,
with the potential for an additional $147 million in development and commercial milestone payments,
and will receive product transfer price payments in the mid to upper twenty percent range based on tiered net sales for the
exclusive supply of TAVALISSE. Kissei receives exclusive rights to TAVALISSE in ITP and all future indications in Japan, China, Taiwan, and the Republic of
Korea. Rigel retains the global rights, excluding these Asian countries, to develop and commercialize TAVALISSE in ITP and any
additional indications.
On May 29, 2018, TAVALISSE was launched for commercial use in the U.S. Kissei will initially
seek local country approval for TAVALISSE in ITP and conduct clinical studies as required by the country's Pharmaceuticals and
Medical Devices Agency. Japan has the third highest prevalence of chronic ITP in the world
behind the U.S. and EU. The EU is another significant market in which Rigel is exploring partnership opportunities.
"Our extensive experience with in-licensed and proprietary therapies provides the infrastructure and expertise needed to
successfully commercialize fostamatinib in Japan, and other markets," said Mutsuo Kanzawa, Chairman and CEO of Kissei. "We look forward to working closely with Rigel to demonstrate the
value of this medication in addressing the significant unmet medical needs of patients with chronic ITP and other rare blood
disorders."
About ITP
In patients with ITP, the immune system attacks and destroys the body's own blood platelets, which play an active role
in blood clotting and healing. Common symptoms of ITP are excessive bruising and bleeding. People suffering with
chronic ITP may live with an increased risk of severe bleeding events that can result in serious medical complications or even
death. Current therapies for ITP include steroids, blood platelet production boosters (TPOs) and splenectomy. However, not
all patients respond to existing therapies. As a result, there remains a significant medical need for additional treatment
options for patients with ITP.
About TAVALISSE
Indication
TAVALISSE™ (fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate) tablets is indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult
patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment.
Important Safety Information
Warnings and Precautions
- Hypertension can occur with TAVALISSE treatment. Patients with pre-existing hypertension may be more susceptible to the
hypertensive effects. Monitor blood pressure every 2 weeks until stable, then monthly, and adjust or initiate antihypertensive
therapy for blood pressure control maintenance during therapy. If increased blood pressure persists, TAVALISSE interruption,
reduction, or discontinuation may be required.
- Elevated liver function tests (LFTs), mainly ALT and AST, can occur with TAVALISSE. Monitor LFTs monthly during treatment.
If ALT or AST increase to >3 x upper limit of normal, manage hepatotoxicity using TAVALISSE interruption, reduction, or
discontinuation.
- Diarrhea occurred in 31% of patients and severe diarrhea occurred in 1% of patients treated with TAVALISSE. Monitor
patients for the development of diarrhea and manage using supportive care measures early after the onset of symptoms. If
diarrhea becomes severe (?Grade 3), interrupt, reduce dose or discontinue TAVALISSE.
- Neutropenia occurred in 6% of patients treated with TAVALISSE; febrile neutropenia occurred in 1% of patients. Monitor the
ANC monthly and for infection during treatment. Manage toxicity with TAVALISSE interruption, reduction, or
discontinuation.
- TAVALISSE can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Advise pregnant women the potential risk to a fetus.
Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 1 month after the
last dose. Verify pregnancy status prior to initiating TAVALISSE. It is unknown if TAVALISSE or its metabolite is present in
human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, advise a lactating woman not to
breastfeed during TAVALISSE treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose.
Drug Interactions
- Concomitant use of TAVALISSE with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increases exposure to the major active metabolite of TAVALISSE
(R406), which may increase the risk of adverse reactions. Monitor for toxicities that may require a reduction in TAVALISSE
dose.
- It is not recommended to use TAVALISSE with strong CYP3A4 inducers, as concomitant use reduces exposure to R406.
- Concomitant use of TAVALISSE may increase concentrations of some CYP3A4 substrate drugs and may require a dose reduction of
the CYP3A4 substrate drug.
- Concomitant use of TAVALISSE may increase concentrations of BCRP substrate drugs (eg, rosuvastatin) and P-Glycoprotein
(P-gp) substrate drugs (eg, digoxin), which may require a dose reduction of the BCRP and P-gp substrate drug.
Adverse Reactions
- Serious adverse drug reactions in the ITP double-blind studies were febrile neutropenia, diarrhea, pneumonia, and
hypertensive crisis, which occurred in 1% of TAVALISSE patients. In addition, severe adverse reactions occurred including
dyspnea and hypertension (both 2%), neutropenia, arthralgia, chest pain, diarrhea, dizziness, nephrolithiasis, pain in
extremity, toothache, syncope, and hypoxia (all 1%).
- Common adverse reactions (?5% and more common than placebo) from FIT-1 and FIT-2 included: diarrhea, hypertension, nausea,
dizziness, ALT and AST increased, respiratory infection, rash, abdominal pain, fatigue, chest pain, and neutropenia.
Please see www.TAVALISSE.com for full Prescribing Information.
To report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA, visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088).
TAVALISSE is a trademark of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
About Rigel (www.rigel.com)
Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a biotechnology company dedicated to discovering, developing and providing novel small
molecule drugs that significantly improve the lives of patients with immune and hematologic disorders, cancer and rare diseases.
Rigel's pioneering research focuses on signaling pathways that are critical to disease mechanisms. The company's first FDA
approved product is TAVALISSE™ (fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate), an oral spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor, for the
treatment of adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment.
Rigel's clinical programs include an upcoming Phase 3 study of fostamatinib in autoimmune hemolytic anemia and an ongoing Phase 1
study of R835, a proprietary molecule from its interleukin receptor associated kinase (IRAK) program. In addition, Rigel has
product candidates in development with partners BerGenBio AS, Daiichi Sankyo, and Aclaris Therapeutics.
About Kissei (https://www.kissei.co.jp)
Kissei is a Japanese pharmaceutical company with approximately 70 years of history, specialized in the field of
urology, kidney-dialysis and unmet medical needs. Silodosin is a Kissei product for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of
benign prostatic hyperplasia which is sold worldwide through its licensees. Kissei aims to develop innovative pharmaceutical
products that contribute to the improvement of medicine and the health of people around the world by aggressive incorporation of
leading-edge technology and joint research and collaborations with our foreign and domestic partners.
Forward Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, the payments that will be
received by Rigel under the Collaboration and License Agreement and that ITP will be the first indication pursued under such
agreement in Japan. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of
historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "planned," "will," "may," and similar expressions
are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Rigel's current
expectations and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such forward looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include,
without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with the commercialization of TAVALISSE; risks that the FDA or
other regulatory authorities may make adverse decisions regarding TAVALISSE; risks that TAVALISSE clinical trials may not be
predictive of real-world results or of results in subsequent clinical trials; risks that TAVALISSE may have unintended side
effects, adverse reactions or incidents of misuses; the availability of resources to develop Rigel's product candidates; market
competition; Rigel's partners' ability to obtain marketing approval for fostamatinib; and whether and when any of the milestone
payments or product transfer price payments will ever be paid under Rigel's collaboration agreements, as well as other risks
detailed from time to time in Rigel's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2018. Rigel does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking
statements and expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any
forward-looking statements contained herein.
Contact: David Burke
Phone: 650.624.1232
Email: dburke@rigel.com
Media Contact: Jessica Daitch
Phone: 917.816.6712
Email: jessica.daitch@syneoshealth.com
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SOURCE Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.