CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 26, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AGIO), a leader in the
field of cellular metabolism to treat cancer and rare genetic diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for TIBSOVO® (ivosidenib) in combination with azacitidine for the
treatment of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with an IDH1 mutation in adult patients who are ≥75 years old or who have
comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy.
“Outcomes for newly diagnosed AML patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy are still poor, and there are no approved
options specifically for patients with an IDH1 mutation,” said Chris Bowden, M.D., chief medical officer at Agios. “The
Breakthrough Therapy designation provides further support that combining azacitidine and ivosidenib for these patients has the
potential to be a compelling treatment option.”
The FDA's Breakthrough Therapy designation is intended to expedite the development and review of a drug candidate that is
planned to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition when preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may
demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints.
Results from the Phase 1/2 study of ivosidenib in combination with azacitidine were last presented at the 17th
International Symposium on Acute Leukemias in Munich. In the ivosidenib arm of the Phase 1b portion of the study, 23 patients
received 500 mg of ivosidenib daily plus azacitidine. The median age was 76 years old, and 52% of patients were age 75 or older.
The safety profile of combination therapy remains consistent with the safety profile of ivosidenib and azacitidine alone in this
patient population. As of the August 1, 2018 data cutoff, mean neutrophil and platelet counts were maintained near or above
thresholds for complete response (CR) with partial hematologic recovery (CRh) while on study treatment with ivosidenib and
azacitidine. Overall, 78% (18/23) of patients had a response and 57% (13/23) of patients had a CR. The median duration of CR had
not been reached (95% CI 7.7, NE). In addition, the 12-month survival rate was 82%.
Ivosidenib is not approved in any country for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed AML or approved in combination with
azacitidine.
About TIBSOVO® (ivosidenib)
TIBSOVO® (ivosidenib) is an isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) inhibitor indicated for the treatment
of adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a susceptible IDH1 mutation as detected by an
FDA-approved test. For more information, visit TIBSOVO.com.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: DIFFERENTIATION SYNDROME
Patients treated with TIBSOVO have experienced symptoms of differentiation syndrome, which can be fatal if not treated.
Symptoms may include fever, dyspnea, hypoxia, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural or pericardial effusions, rapid weight gain or
peripheral edema, hypotension, and hepatic, renal, or multi-organ dysfunction. If differentiation syndrome is suspected,
initiate corticosteroid therapy and hemodynamic monitoring until symptom resolution. |
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Differentiation Syndrome: See Boxed WARNING. In the clinical trial, 19% (34/179) of patients with relapsed or
refractory AML treated with TIBSOVO experienced differentiation syndrome. Differentiation syndrome is associated with rapid
proliferation and differentiation of myeloid cells and may be life-threatening or fatal if not treated. Symptoms of differentiation
syndrome in patients treated with TIBSOVO included noninfectious leukocytosis, peripheral edema, pyrexia, dyspnea, pleural
effusion, hypotension, hypoxia, pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, pericardial effusion, rash, fluid overload, tumor lysis syndrome, and
creatinine increased. Of the 34 patients who experienced differentiation syndrome, 27 (79%) recovered after treatment or after dose
interruption of TIBSOVO. Differentiation syndrome occurred as early as 1 day and up to 3 months after TIBSOVO initiation and has
been observed with or without concomitant leukocytosis.
If differentiation syndrome is suspected, initiate dexamethasone 10 mg IV every 12 hours (or an equivalent dose of an
alternative oral or IV corticosteroid) and hemodynamic monitoring until improvement. If concomitant noninfectious leukocytosis is
observed, initiate treatment with hydroxyurea or leukapheresis, as clinically indicated. Taper corticosteroids and hydroxyurea
after resolution of symptoms and administer corticosteroids for a minimum of 3 days. Symptoms of differentiation syndrome may recur
with premature discontinuation of corticosteroid and/or hydroxyurea treatment. If severe signs and/or symptoms persist for more
than 48 hours after initiation of corticosteroids, interrupt TIBSOVO until signs and symptoms are no longer severe.
QTc Interval Prolongation: Patients treated with TIBSOVO can develop QT (QTc) prolongation and ventricular
arrhythmias. One patient developed ventricular fibrillation attributed to TIBSOVO. Concomitant use of TIBSOVO with drugs known to
prolong the QTc interval (e.g., anti-arrhythmic medicines, fluoroquinolones, triazole anti-fungals, 5-HT3 receptor
antagonists) and CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase the risk of QTc interval prolongation. Conduct monitoring of electrocardiograms
(ECGs) and electrolytes. In patients with congenital long QTc syndrome, congestive heart failure, electrolyte abnormalities, or in
those who are taking medications known to prolong the QTc interval, more frequent monitoring may be necessary.
Interrupt TIBSOVO if QTc increases to greater than 480 msec and less than 500 msec. Interrupt and reduce TIBSOVO if QTc
increases to greater than 500 msec. Permanently discontinue TIBSOVO in patients who develop QTc interval prolongation with signs or
symptoms of life-threatening arrhythmia.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Guillain-Barré syndrome occurred in <1% (2/258) of patients treated with TIBSOVO in
the clinical study. Monitor patients taking TIBSOVO for onset of new signs or symptoms of motor and/or sensory neuropathy such as
unilateral or bilateral weakness, sensory alterations, paresthesias, or difficulty breathing. Permanently discontinue TIBSOVO in
patients who are diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
- The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) of any grade were fatigue (39%), leukocytosis (38%), arthralgia (36%), diarrhea
(34%), dyspnea (33%), edema (32%), nausea (31%), mucositis (28%), electrocardiogram QT prolonged (26%), rash (26%), pyrexia
(23%), cough (22%), and constipation (20%).
- The most frequently reported ≥Grade 3 adverse reactions (≥5%) were electrocardiogram QT prolonged (10%), dyspnea (9%),
leukocytosis (8%), tumor lysis syndrome (6%), and differentiation syndrome (5%).
- Serious adverse reactions (≥5%) were differentiation syndrome (10%), leukocytosis (10%), and electrocardiogram QT prolonged
(7%). There was one case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Reduce TIBSOVO dose with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Monitor patients
for increased risk of QTc interval prolongation.
Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO.
Sensitive CYP3A4 Substrates: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO.
QTc Prolonging Drugs: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO. If co-administration is unavoidable, monitor patients
for increased risk of QTc interval prolongation.
LACTATION
Many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not
to breastfeed during treatment with TIBSOVO and for at least 1 month after the last dose.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.
About Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
AML, a cancer of blood and bone marrow characterized by rapid disease progression, is the most common acute leukemia
affecting adults. Undifferentiated blast cells proliferate in the bone marrow rather than mature into normal blood cells. AML
incidence significantly increases with age, and the median age of diagnosis is 68. The vast majority of patients do not respond to
chemotherapy and progress to relapsed/refractory AML. The five-year survival rate for AML is approximately 27 percent. IDH1
mutations are present in about 6 to 10 percent of AML cases.
About Agios
Agios is focused on discovering and developing novel investigational medicines to treat cancer and rare genetic
diseases through scientific leadership in the field of cellular metabolism. In addition to an active research and discovery
pipeline across both therapeutic areas, Agios has two approved oncology precision medicines and multiple first-in-class
investigational therapies in clinical and/or preclinical development. All Agios programs focus on genetically identified patient
populations, leveraging our knowledge of metabolism, biology and genomics. For more information, please visit the company's website
at www.agios.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include those regarding the potential benefits of TIBSOVO® (ivosidenib); and the
benefit of Agios’ strategic plans and focus. The words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "plans,"
"will," "outlook" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking
statements contain these identifying words. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from Agios' current expectations and beliefs. For
example, the FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy designation for TIBSOVO® (ivosidenib) in combination with azacitidine is not a guarantee of
approval. Management's expectations and, therefore, any forward-looking statements in this press release could also be affected by
risks and uncertainties relating to a number of other important factors, including: Agios' results of clinical trials and
preclinical studies, including subsequent analysis of existing data and new data received from ongoing and future studies; the
content and timing of decisions made by the U.S. FDA, the EMA or other regulatory authorities, investigational review boards at
clinical trial sites and publication review bodies; Agios' ability to obtain and maintain requisite regulatory approvals and to
enroll patients in its planned clinical trials; unplanned cash requirements and expenditures; competitive factors; Agios' ability
to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for any product candidates it is developing;
Agios' ability to maintain key collaborations, such as its agreements with Celgene and CStone Pharmaceuticals; and general economic
and market conditions. These and other risks are described in greater detail under the caption "Risk Factors" included in Agios’
public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak
only as of the date hereof, and Agios expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Investor & Media Contact
Holly Manning, 617-844-6630
Associate Director, Investor Relations
Holly.Manning@agios.com
