- Mode of action of ERYASP1 confirmed in different solid tumor indications
- Clinical trial application submitted for Phase II study in pancreatic cancer following EMA Scientific Advice
- Potential to target major unmet medical needs representing a multi-billion market opportunity
LYON, France I January 7, 2014 I ERYTECH Pharma (Euronext Paris: FR0011471135 – ERYP), a French biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative treatments for acute leukemia and other oncology indications with unmet medical needs, provides an update on its development plans to broaden the scope of its lead product ERYASP into the large field of solid tumors and announces the launch of a Phase II study in pancreatic cancer.
After having performed multiple clinical studies with promising results in acute leukemia, the research and development teams of ERYTECH have, in collaboration with researchers at the world renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, worked intensively at confirming the mode of action and the potential of ERYASP in other cancer indications. In extensive testing on a large number of tumor samples, it was found and published in a high ranking peer reviewed journal2 that 50% to 90% of known solid tumors are eligible for treatment through the concept of tumor starvation by administration of asparaginase. ERYTECH has demonstrated that solid tumors such as pancreatic, liver, bladder and ovarian cancer are potentially sensitive to an asparaginase-based treatment, which represents a multi-billion market opportunity3 for the product, potentially an order of magnitude much larger than the already sizeable opportunity in acute leukemia.
The company has retained pancreatic cancer, a very aggressive form of cancer with few treatment options, as the lead indication for ERYASP in solid tumors. In Europe and the USA alone, every year about 140,000 patients are newly diagnosed with pancreas cancer. With an overall 5 year survival of 6 to 10%, pancreas cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer.
Having already successfully completed a Phase I study in late stage pancreas cancer, in which the tolerability of ERYASP has been confirmed in this very fragile patient population, ERYTECH has decided to continue the development in solid tumors by performing a Phase II study in second line pancreas cancer. In a study of about 100 patients, ERYASP in addition to the best standard of care will be compared to the best standard of care alone in a 2-to 1 randomization.
Thanks to an exclusive license from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the USA, ERYTECH has a proprietary companion test allowing to identify the potential responders to treatment with asparaginase, in view of offering personalized treatment.
Scientific advice has been obtained from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and a clinical trial application (CTA) has subsequently been submitted to the ANSM, the French authority for drug safety. Professor Pascal Hammel, gastro-enterologist and oncologist at Hôpital Beaujon (Clichy-Paris, France), will be the principal investigator of the study. Patient enrollment is expected to start in Q2 2014. ERYASP already holds orphan drug designation for the treatment of pancreas cancer in Europe and the USA.
“The extensive research work performed by our teams in collaboration with leading scientists at the MD Anderson Cancer center confirms the interest of asparaginase based products in the treatment of solid tumors. Our unique formulation in red blood cells opens the perspective to offer a therapeutic alternative to a large number of these cancer patients.” said Dr Yann Godfrin, CSO at ERYTECH.
“We look forward to evaluating the efficacy of the ERYASP product in patients affected by non-resectable pancreas cancer. Asparagine tumor starvation is an interesting approach to treat cancer and can contribute to enlarge our therapeutic arsenal against this terrible disease. In addition the Phase I clinical data showed a good safety profile so far.” said Professor Pascal Hammel, gastro-enterologist and oncologist at Hôpital Beaujon.
About pancreas cancer:
Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. Every year about 45,000 patients are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the US, and about 95,000 in Europe. According to the American Cancer Society, for all stages of pancreatic cancer combined, the one-year relative survival rate is 20%, and the five-year rate is 6% to 10%. Pancreatic cancer is currently the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the EU for men and women. Death rates from the disease are predicted to rise from 7.85 in 2009 to 8.01 in 2013 per 100,000 among men, and from 5.33 to 5.54 per 100,000 among women in same period. In fact, the pancreas is the only major cancer site for which no improvements in mortality rates is predicated4.
About ERYTECH and ERYASP/GRASPA®: www.erytech.com
Created in Lyon in 2004, ERYTECH is a French biopharmaceutical company providing new prospects for cancer patients, particularly those with acute leukemia and selected solid tumors.
Every year about 50,000 patients are diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) or Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), the two forms of acute leukemia. Today, for about 80% of these patients, mainly adults and relapsing patients, there is no adequate solution due to the toxicity of existing treatments. By encapsulating the asparaginase enzyme in red blood cells, ERYTECH has developed ERYASP/GRASPA®, an original and effective treatment that targets leukemia cells through “starvation” while significantly reducing the side effects for patients, and allowing all patients to be treated, even the most fragile ones, representing a market opportunity of more than EUR 1 billion. ERYASP/GRASPA® is currently completing Phase III clinical development in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and is in Phase IIb clinical trial in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The product also received FDA clearance to start clinical development in ALL in the USA. ERYTECH has concluded distribution partnership agreements for Europe with Orphan Europe (Recordati Group), and with TEVA for Israel.
The company is also developing other indications in solid tumors and certain orphan indications outside oncology. ERYTECH has its own GMP-approved and operational manufacturing site.
SOURCE: Erytech
Post Views: 219
- Mode of action of ERYASP1 confirmed in different solid tumor indications
- Clinical trial application submitted for Phase II study in pancreatic cancer following EMA Scientific Advice
- Potential to target major unmet medical needs representing a multi-billion market opportunity
LYON, France I January 7, 2014 I ERYTECH Pharma (Euronext Paris: FR0011471135 – ERYP), a French biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative treatments for acute leukemia and other oncology indications with unmet medical needs, provides an update on its development plans to broaden the scope of its lead product ERYASP into the large field of solid tumors and announces the launch of a Phase II study in pancreatic cancer.
After having performed multiple clinical studies with promising results in acute leukemia, the research and development teams of ERYTECH have, in collaboration with researchers at the world renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, worked intensively at confirming the mode of action and the potential of ERYASP in other cancer indications. In extensive testing on a large number of tumor samples, it was found and published in a high ranking peer reviewed journal2 that 50% to 90% of known solid tumors are eligible for treatment through the concept of tumor starvation by administration of asparaginase. ERYTECH has demonstrated that solid tumors such as pancreatic, liver, bladder and ovarian cancer are potentially sensitive to an asparaginase-based treatment, which represents a multi-billion market opportunity3 for the product, potentially an order of magnitude much larger than the already sizeable opportunity in acute leukemia.
The company has retained pancreatic cancer, a very aggressive form of cancer with few treatment options, as the lead indication for ERYASP in solid tumors. In Europe and the USA alone, every year about 140,000 patients are newly diagnosed with pancreas cancer. With an overall 5 year survival of 6 to 10%, pancreas cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer.
Having already successfully completed a Phase I study in late stage pancreas cancer, in which the tolerability of ERYASP has been confirmed in this very fragile patient population, ERYTECH has decided to continue the development in solid tumors by performing a Phase II study in second line pancreas cancer. In a study of about 100 patients, ERYASP in addition to the best standard of care will be compared to the best standard of care alone in a 2-to 1 randomization.
Thanks to an exclusive license from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the USA, ERYTECH has a proprietary companion test allowing to identify the potential responders to treatment with asparaginase, in view of offering personalized treatment.
Scientific advice has been obtained from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and a clinical trial application (CTA) has subsequently been submitted to the ANSM, the French authority for drug safety. Professor Pascal Hammel, gastro-enterologist and oncologist at Hôpital Beaujon (Clichy-Paris, France), will be the principal investigator of the study. Patient enrollment is expected to start in Q2 2014. ERYASP already holds orphan drug designation for the treatment of pancreas cancer in Europe and the USA.
“The extensive research work performed by our teams in collaboration with leading scientists at the MD Anderson Cancer center confirms the interest of asparaginase based products in the treatment of solid tumors. Our unique formulation in red blood cells opens the perspective to offer a therapeutic alternative to a large number of these cancer patients.” said Dr Yann Godfrin, CSO at ERYTECH.
“We look forward to evaluating the efficacy of the ERYASP product in patients affected by non-resectable pancreas cancer. Asparagine tumor starvation is an interesting approach to treat cancer and can contribute to enlarge our therapeutic arsenal against this terrible disease. In addition the Phase I clinical data showed a good safety profile so far.” said Professor Pascal Hammel, gastro-enterologist and oncologist at Hôpital Beaujon.
About pancreas cancer:
Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. Every year about 45,000 patients are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the US, and about 95,000 in Europe. According to the American Cancer Society, for all stages of pancreatic cancer combined, the one-year relative survival rate is 20%, and the five-year rate is 6% to 10%. Pancreatic cancer is currently the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the EU for men and women. Death rates from the disease are predicted to rise from 7.85 in 2009 to 8.01 in 2013 per 100,000 among men, and from 5.33 to 5.54 per 100,000 among women in same period. In fact, the pancreas is the only major cancer site for which no improvements in mortality rates is predicated4.
About ERYTECH and ERYASP/GRASPA®: www.erytech.com
Created in Lyon in 2004, ERYTECH is a French biopharmaceutical company providing new prospects for cancer patients, particularly those with acute leukemia and selected solid tumors.
Every year about 50,000 patients are diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) or Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), the two forms of acute leukemia. Today, for about 80% of these patients, mainly adults and relapsing patients, there is no adequate solution due to the toxicity of existing treatments. By encapsulating the asparaginase enzyme in red blood cells, ERYTECH has developed ERYASP/GRASPA®, an original and effective treatment that targets leukemia cells through “starvation” while significantly reducing the side effects for patients, and allowing all patients to be treated, even the most fragile ones, representing a market opportunity of more than EUR 1 billion. ERYASP/GRASPA® is currently completing Phase III clinical development in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and is in Phase IIb clinical trial in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The product also received FDA clearance to start clinical development in ALL in the USA. ERYTECH has concluded distribution partnership agreements for Europe with Orphan Europe (Recordati Group), and with TEVA for Israel.
The company is also developing other indications in solid tumors and certain orphan indications outside oncology. ERYTECH has its own GMP-approved and operational manufacturing site.
SOURCE: Erytech
Post Views: 219
