Seattle Genetics Initiates Clinical Trial Of ADCETRIS (Brentuximab Vedotin) In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, A Chronic Autoimmune Disease

BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) today announced the initiation of a phase 2 clinical trial evaluating ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus). Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system overreacts and attacks healthy organs, causing inflammation, pain, permanent organ damage or death. ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to CD30, which is expressed on activated lymphocytes that are thought to play a key role in the development of autoimmune diseases, including lupus. The trial is designed to assess the safety and activity of ADCETRIS in adult patients with lupus. ADCETRIS is currently not approved for the treatment of lupus.

“Lupus is a debilitating autoimmune disorder that can affect many of the body’s organ systems, causing a number of serious symptoms. Treatment options are limited, with few FDA-approved disease-modifying therapeutics available”

“Lupus is a debilitating autoimmune disorder that can affect many of the body’s organ systems, causing a number of serious symptoms. Treatment options are limited, with few FDA-approved disease-modifying therapeutics available,” said Clay B. Siegall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Seattle Genetics. “Based on a retrospective review of information collected from patients being treated with ADCETRIS in the U.S. for lymphoma, we noted some patients reported clinical improvement of concomitant autoimmune diseases, including lupus. Since elevated CD30 expression has been previously reported in lupus patients, we are enthusiastic to evaluate ADCETRIS as a potential treatment option for this disease.”

The study is a phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-escalation clinical trial. The primary objective is evaluation of the safety of ADCETRIS in adults with active lupus. In addition, the trial will evaluate the activity and pharmacokinetics of ADCETRIS in lupus. ADCETRIS will be administered every three weeks and approximately 40 patients will be enrolled at multiple centers in the United States.

About Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage multiple organ systems in the body, often leading to death without treatment. In lupus, the immune system, the part of the body that identifies and fights off foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria, fails to function correctly, creating autoantibodies (antibodies directed against self, or host proteins) and other autoimmune responses that attack and destroy healthy tissue, resulting in inflammation, pain and damage. According to the Lupus Foundation, an estimated 5 million people throughout the world have various forms of lupus and at least 1.5 million people in the U.S. are living with the disease. Lupus affects mostly women of childbearing age (age 15 to 44); however, men, children and teenagers develop lupus as well.

About ADCETRIS

ADCETRIS is being evaluated broadly in more than 30 ongoing clinical trials, including four phase 3 studies, in earlier lines of its approved HL and sALCL indications as well as in many additional types of CD30-positive malignancies, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, B-cell lymphomas and mature T-cell lymphomas.

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 cells.

ADCETRIS for intravenous injection received accelerated approval from the FDA and approval with conditions from Health Canada for two indications: (1) the treatment of patients with HL after failure of ASCT or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not ASCT candidates, and (2) the treatment of patients with sALCL after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen. The indications for ADCETRIS are approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. An improvement in patient-reported outcomes or survival has not been established. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

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 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 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 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 target 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 for two indications 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 30 ongoing clinical trials in CD30-expressing malignancies. Seattle Genetics is also advancing a robust pipeline of clinical-stage programs, including SGN-CD19A, SGN-CD33A, 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.

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.

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. 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: Pulmonary toxicity has been reported with ADCETRIS. A causal association with single-agent ADCETRIS has not been established. In the event of new or worsening pulmonary symptoms (e.g., cough, dyspnea), perform a prompt diagnostic evaluation and institute appropriate medical therapy.
• 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.

Adverse Reactions:

ADCETRIS was studied as monotherapy in 160 patients in two phase 2 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.

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 www.seattlegenetics.com.

Forward Looking Statement

Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward looking, such as those, among others, relating to the therapeutic potential of ADCETRIS for use in lupus. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include risk of adverse events as ADCETRIS advances in clinical trials, unexpected clinical trial results and regulatory action. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Seattle Genetics is contained in the company’s 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Seattle Genetics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.