MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - YM BioSciences Inc. (NYSE MKT: YMI, TSX: YM), a drug development company advancing hematology and cancer related
products, today reported interim results from the Phase I/II study of
CYT387, a JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor currently being evaluated for the
treatment of myelofibrosis, which were included in an abstract
submitted to the American Society of Hematology in August 2012. Updated
results will be presented in an Oral Session at the 2012 Annual Meeting
of the American Society of Hematology to be held in Atlanta, Georgia on
December 9, 2012.
"Treatment with CYT387 provides sustained transfusion independence in a
substantial number of patients with myelofibrosis. In addition, many
patients experience rapid, meaningful and durable reductions of
splenomegaly and improvements of constitutional symptoms. CYT387 has
also proven safe for patients and well-tolerated, even with prolonged
administration of more than two and a half years," said Mark Kowalski,
M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer and Vice President, Regulatory
Affairs at YM BioSciences. "We look forward to expanding on these
results at ASH when we report final nine-month data from this trial."
The CYT387 Phase I/II study enrolled 166 patients across six study
sites. At the time the ASH abstract was submitted, the median duration
of follow-up was 16.1 months (ongoing) with a range of 0.7 to 31.0
months (ongoing).
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Durable transfusion independence responses were observed in more than
half of the RBC transfusion dependent subjects with a maximal
transfusion-free period exceeding two years and ongoing. In addition,
the percentage of all subjects requiring RBC transfusions substantially
decreased over the treatment period.
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Treatment with CYT387 resulted in rapid and sustained reductions in
splenomegaly with a maximal response duration approaching two years.
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The majority of subjects reporting constitutional symptoms at baseline
experienced complete resolution or marked improvement by six months
with measurable improvement within the first month of therapy.
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Higher transfusion independence and spleen response rates were seen in
the 300mg dose group compared to the 150mg QD or 150mg BID dose groups.
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While 90% of subjects reported at least one treatment-related AE, the
majority were reported as Grade 1.
For the first 60 consecutively enrolled subjects for whom the most
mature data is available, the median follow-up period was 21.5 months
(ongoing) with a range of 2.9 to 31.0 months (ongoing).
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The anemia and spleen response rates in these subjects, per IWG-MRT
(International Working Group for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research
and Treatment), were 59% and 48%, respectively.
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Among 33 of these subjects who were RBC transfusion dependent by IWG-MRT
criteria, 70% achieved a minimum 12-week period without transfusions,
with a maximal transfusion-free period of greater than two years and
ongoing.
ASH Oral Session:
Title: Phase I/II Study of CYT387, a JAK1/JAK2 Inhibitor for the
Treatment of Myelofibrosis Session Name: 634. Myeloproliferative
Syndromes - Clinical: Myeloproliferative Neoplasms - Novel Therapies I
Session Date: Sunday, December 9, 2012; 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM (Presentation
Time: 5:15 PM)
Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Room B213-B214
About CYT387:
CYT387 is an orally administered inhibitor of both the JAK1 and JAK2
kinases, which have been implicated in a family of hematological
conditions known as myeloproliferative neoplasms, including
myelofibrosis, and as well in numerous other disorders including
indications in hematology, oncology and inflammatory diseases.
Myelofibrosis is a chronic debilitating disease in which a patient's
bone marrow is replaced by scar tissue and for which treatment options
are limited or unsatisfactory. Both the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and the European Commission have designated CYT387
an Orphan Drug for the treatment of myelofibrosis.
About YM BioSciences
YM BioSciences Inc. is a drug development company primarily focused on
advancing CYT387, an orally administered inhibitor of both the JAK1 and
JAK2 kinases, which have been implicated in a number of hematological
and immune cell disorders including myeloproliferative neoplasms and
inflammatory diseases as well as certain cancers. Positive interim
results have been reported from a Phase I/II trial of CYT387 in 166
patients with myelofibrosis. YM's portfolio also includes nimotuzumab,
a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting EGFR with an enhanced
side-effect profile over currently marketed EGFR-targeting antibodies.
Nimotuzumab is being evaluated in numerous Phase II and III trials
worldwide. In addition, YM has several preclinical programs underway
with candidates from its library of novel compounds identified through
internal research conducted at YM BioSciences Australia.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which reflect
the Company's current expectation regarding future events. These
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may
cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different
from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not
limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely
completion of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate
alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product
development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process
or the ability to obtain drug product in sufficient quantity or at
standards acceptable to health regulatory authorities to complete
clinical trials or to meet commercial demand; and other risks detailed
from time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly and annual
reporting. Certain of the assumptions made in preparing forward-looking
statements include but are not limited to the following: that CYT387
and nimotuzumab will generate positive efficacy and safety data in
ongoing and future clinical trials, and that YM as well as CIMYM's
various licensees will complete their respective clinical trials and
disclose data within the timelines communicated in this release. Except
as required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation
to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE YM BioSciences Inc.