Imago BioSciences Expands Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Bomedemstat (IMG-7289) for the Treatment of Myelofibrosis into Hong Kong

November 30, 2020 |

4 min read

Imago BioSciences, Inc., (“Imago”) a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative treatments for myeloid diseases, today announced the expansion of its global Phase 2b clinical study evaluating bomedemstat (IMG-7289) for the treatment of advanced myelofibrosis (MF) into Hong Kong, where the first patient has now been enrolled and dosed at the Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital and the University of Hong Kong.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Imago BioSciences, Inc., (“Imago”) a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative treatments for myeloid diseases, today announced the expansion of its global Phase 2b clinical study evaluating bomedemstat (IMG-7289) for the treatment of advanced myelofibrosis (MF) into Hong Kong, where the first patient has now been enrolled and dosed at the Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital and the University of Hong Kong. Myelofibrosis is a rare bone marrow cancer that interferes with the production of blood cells.

In addition to Hong Kong, the Phase 2b study continues to actively enroll patients in the U.S., U.K., and E.U. The study is in the final stages of completing enrollment and continues to dose patients to evaluate safety, tolerability and efficacy.

“Patients with myelofibrosis around the world are still in need of new treatment options,” said Hugh Young Rienhoff, Jr. M.D., Chief Executive Officer, Imago BioSciences. “We are progressing well with enrollment and are pleased to continue expanding our global Phase 2 study into new geographies like Hong Kong. We are encouraged by the signs of clinical activity and safety of bomedemstat as a treatment alternative for patients who do not benefit from the current standards of care.”

Bomedemstat is an inhibitor of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), an epigenetic regulator critical for self-renewal of malignant myeloid cells and the differentiation of myeloid progenitors. Data presented at the 25^th European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Congress in June demonstrated that the first-in-class LSD1 inhibitor was well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities or safety signals. Furthermore, recent data demonstrates the potential of bomedemstat as a monotherapy in intermediate-2 and high-risk patients with myelofibrosis who have become intolerant of, resistant to or are ineligible for a Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor.

Bomedemstat was recently granted PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of MF. The EMA reviewed bomedemstat non-clinical and clinical data from the ongoing Phase 2 study. The PRIME initiative was launched by the EMA in 2016 to provide proactive and enhanced support to the developers of promising medicines with the view of accelerating their evaluation to reach patients faster.

About Bomedemstat (IMG-7289)

Bomedemstat is an orally available small molecule discovered and developed by Imago BioSciences that inhibits lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1 or KDM1A), an enzyme shown to be vital in cancer stem/progenitor cells, particularly neoplastic bone marrow cells. In non-clinical studies, bomedemstat demonstrated robust in vivo anti-tumor efficacy across a range of myeloid malignancies as a single agent and in combination with other therapeutic agents. Bomedemstat is an investigational agent currently being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03136185, NCT04262141, NCT04254978 and NCT04081220).

Bomedemstat has U.S. FDA Orphan Drug and Fast Track Designation for the treatment of myelofibrosis and essential thrombocythemia, Orphan Drug Designation for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and PRIME designation by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of MF.

Bomedemstat is being evaluated in two open-label Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of advanced myelofibrosis (MF) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), bone marrow cancers that interfere with the production of blood cells. MF patients who are resistant to a Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor are eligible for the study of bomedemstat. ET patients who have failed one standard of care treatment are eligible for the bomedemstat ET study.

About Imago BioSciences

Imago BioSciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of hematologic disorders targeting epigenetic enzymes. Imago has developed a series of compounds that inhibit LSD1, an epigenetic enzyme critical for cancer stem cell function and blood cell differentiation. Imago is advancing the clinical development of its first LSD1 inhibitor, bomedemstat, for the treatment of myeloid neoplasms. Imago BioSciences is backed by leading private, corporate, and public investors including Farallon Capital Management, LLC., funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., funds and accounts managed by Blackrock Advisors, LLC., Surveyor Capital (a Citadel company), Irving Investors, Kingdon Capital Management, a fund managed by Blackstone Life Sciences, Frazier Healthcare Partners, Omega Funds, Amgen Ventures, MRL Ventures Fund, HighLight Capital, Pharmaron, Greenspring Associates and Xeraya Capital. The company is based in South San Francisco, California. To learn more, visit www.imagobio.com, www.myelofibrosisclinicalstudy.com, www.etclinicalstudy.com and follow us on Twitter @ImagoBioRx, Facebook and LinkedIn.