Amgen Submits Supplemental Biologics License Application For BLINCYTO (Blinatumomab)

March 2, 2016 |

15 min read

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., March 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced the submission of a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for BLINCYTO^® (blinatumomab) to include new data supporting the treatment of pediatric and adolescent patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). BLINCYTO, the first-and-only FDA-approved bispecific CD19-directed CD3 T cell engager (BiTE^®) immunotherapy, is currently available under an accelerated approval in the U.S. for the treatment of Ph- relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor ALL, a rare and rapidly progressing cancer of the blood and bone marrow impacting both adults and children.^1,2

ALL is the most common type of cancer in children.³ While 95 percent of children with ALL achieve a complete remission with first-line treatment, approximately 650 children in the U.S. each year will relapse or be refractory to treatment.^4-6 Pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory ALL have poor long-term outcomes, with an overall survival of less than 10 percent.⁷New approaches are needed to improve response rates and help certain patients meet eligibility requirements to receive an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT), the only potentially curative option for patients with relapsed or refractory disease.

“Children with relapsed or refractory ALL have very poor long-term outcomes and currently there are limited available therapies to induce remission,” said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. “We look forward to collaborating with regulatory authorities to make BLINCYTO available to this ultra-orphan patient population with a high unmet medical need.”

The sBLA is based on data from the Phase 1/2 ‘205 single-arm trial, which found that treatment with BLINCYTO induced complete remission in a clinically meaningful number of pediatric patients with Ph- relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor ALL. Overall, the types of serious adverse events (AEs) reported in the pediatric population are consistent with the known BLINCYTO safety profile. The FDA approved prescribing information for BLINCYTO includes a boxed warning for cytokine release syndrome and neurologic toxicities.

About Study ‘205
Study ‘205 evaluated BLINCYTO in a Phase 1/2 single-arm, multicenter, dose-finding, efficacy trial in patients less than 18 years of age with Ph- B-cell precursor ALL that was refractory, had relapsed at least twice or relapsed after an alloHSCT. Treatment in this study has been completed, and subjects are being monitored for long-term efficacy. The data will be submitted for publication.

The most frequently reported serious AEs were pyrexia, febrile neutropenia, cytokine release syndrome, sepsis, device-related infection, overdose, convulsion, respiratory failure, hypoxia, pneumonia and multi-organ failure.

About BLINCYTO^® (blinatumomab)
BLINCYTO is a bispecific CD19-directed CD3 T cell engager (BiTE^®) antibody construct that binds specifically to CD19 expressed on the surface of cells of B-lineage origin and CD3 expressed on the surface of T cells.

BLINCYTO was granted breakthrough therapy and priority review designations by the FDA, and is now approved in the U.S. for the treatment of Ph- relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor ALL. This indication is approved under accelerated approval. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification of clinical benefit in subsequent trials.

BLINCYTO was also recently granted conditional marketing authorization in the European Union for the treatment of adults with Ph- relapsed or refractory B-precursor ALL.

About BiTE^® Technology
Bispecific T cell engager (BiTE^®) antibody constructs are a type of immunotherapy being investigated for fighting cancer by helping the body’s immune system to detect and target malignant cells. The modified antibodies are designed to engage two different targets simultaneously, thereby juxtaposing T cells (a type of white blood cell capable of killing other cells perceived as threats) to cancer cells. BiTE^® antibody constructs help place the T cells within reach of the targeted cell, with the intent of allowing T cells to inject toxins and trigger the cancer cell to die (apoptosis). BiTE^®antibody constructs are currently being investigated for their potential to treat a wide variety of cancers. For more information, visit www.biteantibodies.com.

BLINCYTO^® U.S. Product Safety Information

Important Safety Information Regarding BLINCYTO^® (blinatumomab) U.S. Indication

This safety information is specific to the current U.S. approved indication.

WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME and NEUROLOGICAL TOXICITIES

Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), which may be life-threatening or fatal, occurred in patients receiving BLINCYTO^®. Interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTO^® as recommended.
Neurological toxicities, which may be severe, life-threatening or fatal, occurred in patients receiving BLINCYTO^®. Interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTO^® as recommended.

Contraindications
BLINCYTO^®is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to blinatumomab or to any component of the product formulation.

Warnings and Precautions

Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): Life-threatening or fatal CRS occurred in patients receiving BLINCYTO^®. Infusion reactions have occurred and may be clinically indistinguishable from manifestations of CRS. Closely monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serious events such as pyrexia, headache, nausea, asthenia, hypotension, increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), increased total bilirubin (TBILI), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), capillary leak syndrome (CLS), and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome (HLH/MAS). Interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTO^® as outlined in the Prescribing Information (PI).

Neurological Toxicities: Approximately 50% of patients receiving BLINCYTO^® in clinical trials experienced neurological toxicities. Severe, life-threatening, or fatal neurological toxicities occurred in approximately 15% of patients, including encephalopathy, convulsions, speech disorders, disturbances in consciousness, confusion and disorientation, and coordination and balance disorders. The median time to onset of any neurological toxicity was 7 days. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms and interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTO^® as outlined in the PI.

Infections: Approximately 25% of patients receiving BLINCYTO^® experienced serious infections, some of which were life-threatening or fatal. Administer prophylactic antibiotics and employ surveillance testing as appropriate during treatment. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms of infection and treat appropriately, including interruption or discontinuation of BLINCYTO^® as needed.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS): Life-threatening or fatal TLS has been observed. Preventive measures, including pretreatment nontoxic cytoreduction and on treatment hydration, should be used during BLINCYTO^® treatment. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of TLS and interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTO^® as needed to manage these events.

Neutropenia and Febrile Neutropenia, including life-threatening cases, have been observed. Monitor appropriate laboratory parameters during BLINCYTO^® infusion and interrupt BLINCYTO^® if prolonged neutropenia occurs.

Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines: Due to the possibility of neurological events, including seizures, patients receiving BLINCYTO^® are at risk for loss of consciousness, and should be advised against driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities such as operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery while BLINCYTO^® is being administered.

Elevated Liver Enzymes: Transient elevations in liver enzymes have been associated with BLINCYTO^® treatment. The majority of these events were observed in the setting of CRS. The median time to onset was 15 days. Grade 3 or greater elevations in liver enzymes occurred in 6% of patients outside the setting of CRS and resulted in treatment discontinuation in less than 1% of patients. Monitor ALT, AST, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and TBILI prior to the start of and during BLINCYTO^® treatment. BLINCYTO^® treatment should be interrupted if transaminases rise to > 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or if TBILI rises to > 3 times ULN.

Leukoencephalopathy: Although the clinical significance is unknown, cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes showing leukoencephalopathy have been observed in patients receiving BLINCYTO^®, especially in patients previously treated with cranial irradiation and anti-leukemic chemotherapy. Preparation and administration errors have occurred with BLINCYTO^® treatment. Follow instructions for preparation (including admixing) and administration in the PI strictly to minimize medication errors (including underdose and overdose).

Adverse Reactions
The most commonly reported adverse reactions ( 20%) in clinical trials were pyrexia (62%), headache (36%), peripheral edema (25%), febrile neutropenia (25%), nausea (25%), hypokalemia (23%), rash (21%), tremor (20%), diarrhea (20%) and constipation (20%).

Serious adverse reactions were reported in 65% of patients. The most common serious adverse reactions ( 2%) included febrile neutropenia, pyrexia, pneumonia, sepsis, neutropenia, device-related infection, tremor, encephalopathy, infection, overdose, confusion, Staphylococcal bacteremia, and headache.

U.S. Dosage and Administration Guidelines
BLINCYTO^® is administered as a continuous intravenous infusion at a constant flow rate using an infusion pump which should be programmable, lockable, non-elastomeric, and have an alarm. It is very important that the instructions for preparation (including admixing) and administration provided in the full Prescribing Information are strictly followed to minimize medication errors (including underdose and overdose).

Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information and medication guide for BLINCYTO^® at www.BLINCYTO.com.

About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.

Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people’s lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world’s leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.

For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.

Forward-Looking Statements
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CONTACT:
Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Kristen Davis, 805-447-3008 (media)
Kristen Neese, 805-313-8267 (media)
Arvind Sood, 805-447-1060 (investors)

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