Global Phase 3 Program Expected to Commence Before End of Q3 2017
International Phase 3 Trials Entitled “ULTIMATE I” and “ULTIMATE II” to be Led by Lawrence Steinman, MD, of Stanford University
NEW YORK, Aug. 01, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TG Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:TGTX) announced today that it has reached an agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) on the design of two Phase 3 clinical trials for TG-1101 (ublituximab), the Company’s glycoengineered anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of relapsing forms of Multiple Sclerosis (RMS). The SPA provides agreement that the two Phase 3 trial designs adequately address objectives that, if met, would support the regulatory submission for approval of TG-1101.
The RMS Phase 3 program consists of two trials, called the ULTIMATE I and ULTIMATE II trials. Each trial is a global, randomized, multi-center, double-blinded, double-dummy, active-controlled study comparing TG-1101 (ublituximab) to teriflunomide in subjects with RMS. The primary endpoint for each study is Annualized Relapse Rate (ARR) following 96 weeks of treatment. Each trial will enroll approximately 440 subjects, randomized in a 1:1 ratio, with approximately 880 patients to be enrolled across both trials.
Lawrence Steinman, MD, George A. Zimmermann Professor and Professor of Pediatrics, Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford University, and global study chair for both ULTIMATE I and ULTIMATE II trials commented, “B-cell targeted therapy with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies has been shown to be very active in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, and with the recent approval of ocrelizumab, we have entered a new era of B-cell targeted therapy for MS. The Phase 2 data recently presented for ublituximab demonstrates an encouraging safety and efficacy profile in the treatment of MS with this novel glycoengineered anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. We are excited to lead this global Phase 3 program, and believe the unique attributes of ublituximab, in particular the rapid infusion times and potential pricing advantages, may provide added convenience and enhance patient care and access over currently available therapies.”
Michael S. Weiss, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TG Therapeutics, stated “Reaching agreement with the FDA on the design of our Phase 3 program for TG-1101 in RMS has been a priority for us and we would like to thank the FDA for its invaluable guidance throughout this process. We have long believed the potential of TG-1101 is beyond oncology and believe this significant Phase 3 program will establish TG-1101 as an important new drug in the treatment of MS. The early data from our Phase 2 clinical trial, the highly successful pivotal results for the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody ocrelizumab in MS, and the substantial safety data generated in our oncology program, gives us a high level of confidence in the potential for a successful outcome.” Mr. Weiss continued, “Our team in concert with our CRO has been hard at work on the logistics and the launch of these Phase 3 trials on a global basis, and we look forward to enrolling our first patient before the end of the summer.”
ABOUT TG THERAPEUTICS, INC.
TG Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of novel treatments for B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases. Currently, the company is developing two therapies targeting hematological malignancies and autoimmune diseases. TG-1101 (ublituximab) is a novel, glycoengineered monoclonal antibody that targets a specific and unique epitope on the CD20 antigen found on mature B-lymphocytes. TG Therapeutics is also developing TGR-1202, an orally available PI3K delta inhibitor. The delta isoform of PI3K is strongly expressed in cells of hematopoietic origin and is believed to be important in the proliferation and survival of B-lymphocytes. Both TG-1101 and TGR-1202 are in clinical development for patients with hematologic malignancies, with TG-1101 also in clinical development for autoimmune disorders. The Company also has preclinical programs to develop IRAK4 inhibitors, BET inhibitors, and anti-PD-L1 and anti-GITR antibodies. TG Therapeutics is headquartered in New York City.
About Special Protocol Assessments
The Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) process is a procedure by which the FDA provides official evaluation and written guidance on the design and size of proposed protocols that are intended to form the basis for a new drug application.
Final marketing approval depends on the results of efficacy, the adverse event profile and an evaluation of the benefit/risk of treatment demonstrated in the Phase 3 clinical program. The SPA agreement may only be changed through a written agreement between the sponsor and the FDA, or if the FDA becomes aware of a substantial scientific issue essential to product efficacy or safety. For more information on Special Protocol Assessment, please visit: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/ucm080571.pdf.
Cautionary Statement
Statements included in this press release, particularly those with respect to anticipating the benefit of the early data seen in the Phase 2 MS trial, as well as anticipating the timing of the release of additional data from our Phase 2 MS trial and the timing of the first patient enrolled into our MS Phase 3 program may be forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Among the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially are the following: our ability to successfully and cost-effectively complete the MS Phase 2 trial; the risk that early clinical results that supported our decision to move forward will not be reproduced in additional patients in expansion cohorts or in the MS Phase 3 program; the risk that the clinical results from the MS Phase 3 program, will be not positive and/or will not support regulatory approval of TG-1101 for MS; the risk that TG-1101 will not have a differentiated profile from the other drugs in the class; the risk that some of the perceived attributes of TG-1101, in particular the infusion times and potential pricing advantages may not be incorporated into future plans and other risk factors identified from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements set forth in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. We do not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. This press release and prior releases are available at www.tgtherapeutics.com. The information found on our website is not incorporated by reference into this press release and is included for reference purposes only.
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Jenna Bosco Vice President- Investor Relations TG Therapeutics, Inc. Telephone: 212.554.4351 Email: ir@tgtxinc.com
