Seattle Genetics And Bristol-Myers Squibb Announce Initiation Of Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Of ADCETRIS® (Brentuximab Vedotin) In Combination With Opdivo (Nivolumab) In Relapsed Or Refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

BOTHELL, Wash. & PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) today announced that the companies have initiated a phase 1/2 clinical trial of ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) in combination with Opdivo (nivolumab) for patients with CD30-expressing relapsed or refractory B-cell and T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). This is the second of two trials being conducted under a previously announced clinical trial collaboration agreement between Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Seattle Genetics. ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to CD30, a marker expressed on Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and several types of NHL, which combines the targeting ability of a monoclonal antibody with a highly potent cell-killing agent. Recent preclinical data suggest that ADCETRIS causes immunogenic cell death of tumor cells, providing rationale for combination with Opdivo, a human antibody that targets and inhibits the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1), resulting in T-cell activation. Opdivo is part of a new class of cancer immunotherapy treatments known as checkpoint inhibitors, which are designed to harness the body’s own immune system in fighting cancer by targeting distinct regulatory components of the immune system.

“This is the second corporate-sponsored clinical trial to evaluate ADCETRIS combined with a checkpoint inhibitor to determine if the combination can improve patient outcomes”

“This is the second corporate-sponsored clinical trial to evaluate ADCETRIS combined with a checkpoint inhibitor to determine if the combination can improve patient outcomes,” said Jonathan Drachman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, Research and Development at Seattle Genetics. “This study is a part of a broad development program that includes more than 70 ongoing clinical trials evaluating ADCETRIS in multiple lines of therapy for Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and as part of novel combinations that could result in improved clinical benefit with manageable safety profiles. Our goal is to establish ADCETRIS as the foundation of care for CD30-expressing lymphomas.”

The phase 1/2 open-label, multi-center, clinical trial is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and antitumor activity of ADCETRIS in combination with Opdivo in patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-expressing NHL. The study will consist of a phase 1 dose evaluation portion followed by a single-arm phase 2 portion that will expand enrollment to treat disease-specific cohorts with relapsed or refractory DLBCL, PTCL or CTCL at the recommended dose level and treatment schedule. The primary endpoints are safety, tolerability and objective response rate of the combination of ADCETRIS with Opdivo. The secondary endpoints include duration of response, complete response rate with the combination regimen, duration of complete response, progression-free survival and overall survival. The trial is being conducted at multiple centers in the United States, Canada and Europe and is designed to enroll approximately 120 patients.

“Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to strengthen its industry-leading development program for Opdivo and its rapidly expanding hematology portfolio,” said Michael Giordano, senior vice president, Head of Development, Oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “We are pleased to collaborate with Seattle Genetics on clinical research that focuses on novel combination regimens in areas of serious unmet need.”

In addition to the two ongoing Opdivo combination trials under the collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb, ADCETRIS is being evaluated in more than 70 ongoing clinical trials including the ECHELON-1 phase 3 trial in frontline HL, the ECHELON-2 phase 3 trial in frontline mature T-cell lymphoma and the ALCANZA phase 3 trial in CTCL. Opdivo is being evaluated either as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies in some of the hardest-to-treat hematologic cancers, including multiple myeloma, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas including follicular and DLBCL. Opdivo has Breakthrough Therapy designation for the treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma after failure of autologous stem cell transplant and brentuximab vedotin.

ADCETRIS is not currently approved for frontline treatment or for the treatment of NHL other than relapsed systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL). Opdivo is not currently approved for the treatment of lymphoma.

About ADCETRIS^® (Brentuximab Vedotin)

ADCETRIS is an ADC comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seattle Genetics’ proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-expressing tumor cells. CD30 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily. In HL, CD30 may be involved in tumor cell proliferation by interacting with immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.

ADCETRIS for intravenous injection has received approval from the FDA for three indications: (1) regular approval for the treatment of patients with classical HL after failure of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not auto-HSCT candidates, (2) regular approval for the treatment of classical HL patients at high risk of relapse or progression as post-auto-HSCT consolidation, and (3) accelerated approval for the treatment of patients with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen. The sALCL indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for the sALCL indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. Health Canada granted ADCETRIS approval with conditions for relapsed or refractory HL and sALCL.

ADCETRIS was granted conditional marketing authorization by the European Commission in October 2012 for two indications: (1) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive HL following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a treatment option, and (2) the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory sALCL. ADCETRIS has received marketing authorization by regulatory authorities in more than 55 countries. See important safety information below.

Seattle Genetics and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) are jointly developing ADCETRIS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seattle Genetics has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights and Takeda has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world. Seattle Genetics and Takeda are funding joint development costs for ADCETRIS on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where Takeda is solely responsible for development costs.

About Opdivo

Bristol-Myers Squibb has a broad, global development program to study Opdivo in multiple tumor types consisting of more than 50 trials – as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies – in which more than 8,000 patients have been enrolled worldwide. Opdivo is the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world in July 2014, and currently has regulatory approval in more than 40 countries including the United States, Japan, and in the European Union.

About Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancers that originate in the lymphatic system. There are two major categories of lymphoma: HL and NHL. HL is distinguished from other types of lymphoma by the presence of one characteristic type of cell, known as the Reed-Sternberg cell. The Reed-Sternberg cell generally expresses CD30. NHL is further categorized into indolent (low-grade) or aggressive, including DLBCL. DLBCL is the most common type of NHL.

About Seattle Genetics

Seattle Genetics is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer. Seattle Genetics is leading the field in developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a technology designed to harness the targeting ability of antibodies to deliver cell-killing agents directly to cancer cells. The company’s lead product, ADCETRIS^® (brentuximab vedotin) is a CD30-targeted ADC that, in collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, is commercially available in more than 55 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Japan and members of the European Union. Additionally, ADCETRIS is being evaluated broadly in more than 70 ongoing clinical trials in CD30-expressing malignancies. Seattle Genetics is also advancing a robust pipeline of clinical-stage programs, including vadastuximab talirine (SGN-CD33A; 33A), denintuzumab mafodotin (SGN-CD19A; 19A), SGN-LIV1A, SGN-CD70A, ASG-22ME, ASG-15ME and SEA-CD40. Seattle Genetics has collaborations for its ADC technology with a number of leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, Agensys (an affiliate of Astellas), Bayer, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer. More information can be found at www.seattlegenetics.com.

Immuno-Oncology at Bristol-Myers Squibb

Surgery, radiation, cytotoxic or targeted therapies have represented the mainstay of cancer treatment over the last several decades, but long-term survival and a positive quality of life have remained elusive for many patients with advanced disease.

To address this unmet medical need, Bristol-Myers Squibb is leading research in an innovative field of cancer research and treatment known as Immuno-Oncology, which involves agents whose primary mechanism is to work directly with the body’s immune system to fight cancer. The company is exploring a variety of compounds and immunotherapeutic approaches for patients with different types of cancer, including researching the potential of combining Immuno-Oncology agents that target different pathways in the treatment of cancer.

Bristol-Myers Squibb is committed to advancing the science of Immuno-Oncology, with the goal of changing survival expectations and the way patients live with cancer.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol-Myers Squibb, visit www.bms.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews.

ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) U.S. Important Safety Information

BOXED WARNING

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML): JC virus infection resulting in PML and death can occur in patients receiving ADCETRIS^® (brentuximab vedotin).

Contraindication

ADCETRIS is contraindicated with concomitant bleomycin due to pulmonary toxicity (e.g., interstitial infiltration and/or inflammation).

Warnings and Precautions

• Peripheral neuropathy: ADCETRIS treatment causes a peripheral neuropathy that is predominantly sensory. Cases of peripheral motor neuropathy have also been reported. ADCETRIS-induced peripheral neuropathy is cumulative. Monitor patients for symptoms of neuropathy, such as hypoesthesia, hyperesthesia, paresthesia, discomfort, a burning sensation, neuropathic pain or weakness and institute dose modifications accordingly.
• Anaphylaxis and infusion reactions: Infusion-related reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred with ADCETRIS. Monitor patients during infusion. If an infusion-related reaction occurs, interrupt the infusion and institute appropriate medical management. If anaphylaxis occurs, immediately and permanently discontinue the infusion and administer appropriate medical therapy.
• Hematologic toxicities: Prolonged (=1 week) severe neutropenia and Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia or anemia can occur with ADCETRIS. Febrile neutropenia has been reported with ADCETRIS. Monitor complete blood counts prior to each dose of ADCETRIS and consider more frequent monitoring for patients with Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. Monitor patients for fever. If Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia develops, consider dose delays, reductions, discontinuation, or G-CSF prophylaxis with subsequent doses.
• Serious infections and opportunistic infections: Infections such as pneumonia, bacteremia, and sepsis or septic shock (including fatal outcomes) have been reported in patients treated with ADCETRIS. Closely monitor patients during treatment for the emergence of possible bacterial, fungal or viral infections.
• Tumor lysis syndrome: Closely monitor patients with rapidly proliferating tumor and high tumor burden.
• Increased toxicity in the presence of severe renal impairment: The frequency of =Grade 3 adverse reactions and deaths was greater in patients with severe renal impairment compared to patients with normal renal function. Avoid the use of ADCETRIS in patients with severe renal impairment.
• Increased toxicity in the presence of moderate or severe hepatic impairment: The frequency of =Grade 3 adverse reactions and deaths was greater in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment compared to patients with normal hepatic function. Avoid the use of ADCETRIS in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment.
• Hepatotoxicity: Serious cases of hepatotoxicity, including fatal outcomes, have occurred with ADCETRIS. Cases were consistent with hepatocellular injury, including elevations of transaminases and/or bilirubin, and occurred after the first dose of ADCETRIS or rechallenge. Preexisting liver disease, elevated baseline liver enzymes, and concomitant medications may also increase the risk. Monitor liver enzymes and bilirubin. Patients experiencing new, worsening, or recurrent hepatotoxicity may require a delay, change in dose, or discontinuation of ADCETRIS.
• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML): JC virus infection resulting in PML and death has been reported in ADCETRIS-treated patients. First onset of symptoms occurred at various times from initiation of ADCETRIS therapy, with some cases occurring within 3 months of initial exposure. In addition to ADCETRIS therapy, other possible contributory factors include prior therapies and underlying disease that may cause immunosuppression. Consider the diagnosis of PML in any patient presenting with new-onset signs and symptoms of central nervous system abnormalities. Hold ADCETRIS if PML is suspected and discontinue ADCETRIS if PML is confirmed.
• Pulmonary Toxicity: Events of noninfectious pulmonary toxicity including pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease, and acute respiratory distress syndrome, some with fatal outcomes, have been reported. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of pulmonary toxicity, including cough and dyspnea. In the event of new or worsening pulmonary symptoms, hold ADCETRIS dosing during evaluation and until symptomatic improvement.
• Serious dermatologic reactions: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), including fatal outcomes, have been reported with ADCETRIS. If SJS or TEN occurs, discontinue ADCETRIS and administer appropriate medical therapy.
• Embryo-fetal toxicity: Fetal harm can occur. Advise pregnant women of the potential hazard to the fetus.

Most Common Adverse Reactions:

ADCETRIS was studied as monotherapy in 160 patients with relapsed classical HL and sALCL in two uncontrolled single-arm trials. Across both trials, the most common adverse reactions (=20%), regardless of causality, were neutropenia, peripheral sensory neuropathy, fatigue, nausea, anemia, upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, pyrexia, rash, thrombocytopenia, cough and vomiting.

ADCETRIS was studied in 329 patients with classical HL at high risk of relapse or progression post-auto-HSCT in a placebo-controlled randomized trial. The most common adverse reactions (=20%) in the ADCETRIS-treatment arm (167 patients), regardless of causality, were neutropenia, peripheral sensory neuropathy, thrombocytopenia, anemia, upper respiratory tract infection, fatigue, peripheral motor neuropathy, nausea, cough, and diarrhea.

Drug Interactions:

Concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers, or P-gp inhibitors, has the potential to affect the exposure to monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE).

Use in Specific Populations:

MMAE exposure and adverse reactions are increased in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment or severe renal impairment. Avoid use.

For additional Important Safety Information, including Boxed WARNING, please see the full Prescribing Information for ADCETRIS at http://www.seattlegenetics.com/pdf/adcetris_USPI.pdf.

Indication and Important Safety Information for OPDIVO^® (nivolumab)

INDICATION

OPDIVO^® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis

Immune-mediated pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease, including fatal cases, occurred with OPDIVO treatment. Across the clinical trial experience with solid tumors, fatal immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred with OPDIVO. Monitor patients for signs with radiographic imaging and symptoms of pneumonitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater pneumonitis. Permanently discontinue OPDIVO for Grade 3 or 4 and withhold until resolution for Grade 2. In Checkmate 057, immune-mediated pneumonitis, including interstitial lung disease, occurred in 3.4% (10/287) of patients receiving OPDIVO: Grade 3 (n=5), Grade 2 (n=2), and Grade 1 (n=3).

Immune-Mediated Colitis

Immune-mediated colitis can occur with OPDIVO treatment. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of colitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 (of more than 5 days duration), 3, or 4 colitis. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 2 or 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 or recurrent colitis upon restarting OPDIVO. In Checkmate 057, diarrhea or colitis occurred in 17% (50/287) of patients receiving OPDIVO. Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 2.4% (7/287) of patients: Grade 3 (n=3), Grade 2 (n=2), and Grade 1 (n=2).

Immune-Mediated Hepatitis

Immune-mediated hepatitis can occur with OPDIVO treatment. Monitor patients for abnormal liver tests prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater transaminase elevations. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 2 and permanently discontinue for Grade 3 or 4 immune-mediated hepatitis. In Checkmate 057, one patient (0.3%) developed immune-mediated hepatitis.

Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies

Hypophysitis, adrenal insufficiency, thyroid disorders, and type 1 diabetes mellitus can occur with OPDIVO treatment. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypophysitis, signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency during and after treatment, thyroid function prior to and periodically during treatment and hyperglycemia. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater hypophysitis. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 2 or 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 hypophysitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 3 or 4 adrenal insufficiency. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 2 and permanently discontinue for Grade 3 or 4 adrenal insufficiency. Administer hormone replacement therapy for hypothyroidism. Initiate medical management for control of hyperthyroidism. Administer insulin for type 1 diabetes. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 hyperglycemia. In Checkmate 037, 066, and 057, <1.0% of OPDIVO-treated patients developed adrenal insufficiency. In Checkmate 057, Grade 1 or 2 hypothyroidism, including thyroiditis, occurred in 7% (20/287) and elevated TSH occurred in 17% of patients receiving OPDIVO. Grade 1 or 2 hyperthyroidism occurred in 1.4% (4/287) of patients.

Immune-Mediated Nephritis and Renal Dysfunction

Immune-mediated nephritis can occur with OPDIVO treatment. Monitor patients for elevated serum creatinine prior to and periodically during treatment. For Grade 2 or 3 increased serum creatinine, withhold OPDIVO and administer corticosteroids; if worsening or no improvement occurs, permanently discontinue OPDIVO. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 4 serum creatinine elevation and permanently discontinue OPDIVO. In Checkmate 057, Grade 2 immune-mediated renal dysfunction occurred in 0.3% (1/287) of patients receiving OPDIVO.

Immune-Mediated Rash

Immune-mediated rash can occur with OPDIVO treatment. Severe rash (including rare cases of fatal toxic epidermal necrolysis) occurred in the clinical program of OPDIVO. Monitor patients for rash. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 3 or 4 rash. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4. In Checkmate 057, immune-mediated rash occurred in 6% (17/287) of patients receiving OPDIVO, including four Grade 3 cases.

Immune-Mediated Encephalitis

Immune-mediated encephalitis can occur with OPDIVO treatment. Withhold OPDIVO in patients with new-onset moderate to severe neurologic signs or symptoms and evaluate to rule out other causes. If other etiologies are ruled out, administer corticosteroids and permanently discontinue OPDIVO for immune-mediated encephalitis. Across clinical trials of 8490 patients receiving OPDIVO as a single agent or in combination with ipilimumab, <1.0% of patients were identified as having encephalitis. In Checkmate 057, fatal limbic encephalitis occurred in one patient (0.3%) receiving OPDIVO.

Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions

Based on the severity of the adverse reaction, permanently discontinue or withhold treatment, administer high-dose corticosteroids, and, if appropriate, initiate hormone-replacement therapy. The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred in <1.0% of OPDIVO-treated patients: uveitis, pancreatitis, facial and abducens nerve paresis, demyelination, polymyalgia rheumatica, autoimmune neuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, hypopituitarism, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Across clinical trials of OPDIVO as a single agent administered at doses 3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, additional clinically significant, immune-mediated adverse reactions were identified: motor dysfunction, vasculitis, and myasthenic syndrome.

Infusion Reactions

Severe infusion reactions have been reported in <1.0% of patients in clinical trials of OPDIVO as a single agent. Discontinue OPDIVO in patients with Grade 3 or 4 infusion reactions. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion in patients with Grade 1 or 2. In Checkmate 057 and 066, Grade 2 infusion reactions occurred in 1.0% (5/493) of patients receiving OPDIVO.

Embryofetal Toxicity

Based on its mechanism of action, OPDIVO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with an OPDIVO-containing regimen and for at least 5 months after the last dose of OPDIVO.

Lactation

It is not known whether OPDIVO is present in human milk. Because many drugs, including antibodies, are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from OPDIVO-containing regimen, advise women to discontinue breastfeeding during treatment.

Serious Adverse Reactions

In Checkmate 057, serious adverse reactions occurred in 47% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients were pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, dyspnea, pleural effusion, and respiratory failure.

Common Adverse Reactions

In Checkmate 057, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported with OPDIVO were fatigue (49%), musculoskeletal pain (36%), cough (30%), decreased appetite (29%), and constipation (23%).

Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO.