CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA & OSAKA, Japan I July 11, 2018 I Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) today announced that the randomized, Phase 3 TOURMALINE-MM3 study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating single-agent oral NINLARO® (ixazomib) as a maintenance therapy resulted in a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo. The trial evaluated the effect of NINLARO as a maintenance therapy in adult patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma who responded to high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Takeda plans to submit data from the trial to regulatory agencies around the world. NINLARO is currently not approved as a maintenance therapy for multiple myeloma following ASCT.

“Within the maintenance setting, it is critical that we find agents that are efficacious, tolerable and convenient,” said Jesús Gomez Navarro, M.D., Vice President, Head of Oncology Clinical Research and Development, Takeda. “The results of the TOURMALINE-MM3 trial represent an important step toward the goal of expanding the use of NINLARO as a maintenance therapy. This is the first and only Phase 3 placebo-controlled study evaluating a proteasome inhibitor in this setting and we look forward to discussions with Health Authorities around the world.”

There were no new safety signals found in TOURMALINE-MM3. The safety profile of NINLARO in the maintenance setting is consistent with previously reported results of single-agent NINLARO use.

Full data results will be submitted for presentation at the 60th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in December.

About the TOURMALINE-MM3 Trial

TOURMALINE-MM3 is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 3 study of 656 patients, designed to determine the effect of NINLARO® (ixazomib) maintenance therapy on progression-free survival (PFS), compared to placebo, in participants with multiple myeloma who have had a response (complete response [CR], very good partial response [VGPR], or partial response [PR]) to induction therapy followed by high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS). A key secondary endpoint includes overall survival (OS). For additional information: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02181413.

About NINLARO® (ixazomib) capsules

NINLARO® (ixazomib) is an oral proteasome inhibitor which is also being studied across the continuum of multiple myeloma treatment settings as well as systemic light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. It was the first oral proteasome inhibitor to enter Phase 3 clinical trials and to receive approval. NINLARO was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2015 following a priority review and by the European Commission in November 2016. In the U.S. and Europe, NINLARO is indicated in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. NINLARO has received marketing authorization by regulatory authorities in more than 55 countries.

Ixazomib was granted orphan drug designation in multiple myeloma in both the U.S. and Europe in 2011 and for AL amyloidosis in both the U.S. and Europe in 2012. Ixazomib received Breakthrough Therapy status by the U.S. FDA for relapsed or refractory systemic light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, a related ultra orphan disease, in 2014. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare granted Orphan Drug designation to ixazomib in 2016.

The comprehensive ixazomib clinical development program, TOURMALINE, includes a total of six ongoing pivotal trials – five, which together are investigating every major multiple myeloma patient population, and one in light-chain amyloidosis:

  • TOURMALINE-MM1, investigating ixazomib vs. placebo in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma
  • TOURMALINE-MM2, investigating ixazomib vs. placebo in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
  • TOURMALINE-MM3, investigating ixazomib vs. placebo as maintenance therapy in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma following induction therapy and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT)
  • TOURMALINE-MM4, investigating ixazomib vs. placebo as maintenance therapy in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who have not undergone ASCT; this study is currently enrolling
  • TOURMALINE-MM5, investigating ixazomib plus dexamethasone vs. pomalidomide plus dexamethasone in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma who have become resistant to lenalidomide
  • TOURMALINE-AL1, investigating ixazomib plus dexamethasone vs. physician choice of selected regimens in patients with relapsed or refractory AL amyloidosis; this study is currently enrolling

For more information about actively enrolling Phase 3 studies please visit: https://www.tourmalinetrials.com/

In addition to the TOURMALINE program, ixazomib is being evaluated in multiple therapeutic combinations for various patient populations in investigator initiated studies globally.

About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) is a global, research and development-driven pharmaceutical company committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on oncology, gastroenterology and neuroscience therapeutic areas plus vaccines. Takeda conducts R&D both internally and with partners to stay at the leading edge of innovation. Innovative products, especially in oncology and gastroenterology, as well as Takeda’s presence in emerging markets, are currently fueling the growth of Takeda. Approximately 30,000 Takeda employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients, working with Takeda’s partners in health care in more than 70 countries.

SOURCE: Takeda Pharmaceutical Co