• All 7 out of 7 eligible patients with relapsed/refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, with or without Richter’s transformation, responded to treatment (Objective Response Rate of 100%)
  • GLPG5201 showed an acceptable safety profile with no cytokine release syndrome (CRS) higher than grade 2, or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) observed

MECHELEN, Belgium I February 09, 2023 I Galapagos NV (Euronext & NASDAQ: GLPG) today presented encouraging data at the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)-European Hematology Association (EHA) 5th European CAR T-cell Meeting in Rotterdam.

CD19-directed CAR-T therapy has the potential to improve survival for patients with a broad range of B-cell malignancies such as Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL).

EUPLAGIA-1 is an ongoing Phase 1/2 study in heavily pre-treated patients with rrCLL and rrSLL, with or without Richter’s transformation (RT), to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of GLPG5201, a fresh CD19 CAR-T product candidate manufactured at point-of-care. As of 9 January 2023, 7 patients diagnosed with rrCLL (4 patients with RT) were enrolled in the study (n=4 at dose level 1 (DL1); n=3 at dose level 2 (DL2)). All patients received GLPG5201 as a fresh infusion with a median vein-to-vein time of 7 days. The dose levels that are evaluated in the Phase 1 part of the study are 35×106 (DL1), 100×106 (DL2) and 300×106 (dose level 3 (DL3)) CAR+ viable T cells.

The initial results from these 7 patients that were eligible for efficacy analysis (cut-off date: 9 January 2023) indicated that a 7-day vein-to-vein time is feasible and demonstrated strong and consistent in vivo CAR-T expansion levels. Moreover, the initial efficacy results are encouraging with an objective response rate (ORR) of 100% observed. 6 out of 7 patients (86%) reached a complete response (CR) and all Richter’s patients achieved a CR. A duration of response of up to 7.9 months has been reported and follow-up is ongoing. Only 1 patient (DL1) progressed (progressive disease, PD, after partial response, PR) and had a CD19-negative relapse with confirmed Richter’s transformation.

In the safety analysis of these 7 patients, adverse events were consistent with the known toxicities of CD19 CAR-T treatment. None of the patients experienced a cytokine release syndrome (CRS) higher than grade 2 at both dose levels and no immune effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) was reported. No dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) were reported and the majority of grade ≥3 adverse events were hematological. Only one serious adverse event was reported at DL2 with a patient experiencing a CRS grade 2, but the event was resolved after 7 days.

“We were very pleased to present strong initial data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 study of our fresh CD19 CAR-T candidate manufactured at point-of-care. This marks an important milestone in our journey to transform the lives of patients with severe blood cancers, including patients with RT, through the acceleration of innovation and breakthrough science”, said Dr. Paul Stoffels1, CEO of Galapagos. “We look forward to reporting Phase 1 topline data around mid-year.”

Details of the poster presentation:

Abstract Title Authors Presentation date/time
Initial Clinical Results of Euplagia-1, a Phase I/II Trial of Point-of-Care
Manufactured GLPG5201 in R/R CLL/SLL with or without Richter’s transformation

 

Nuria Martinez-Cibrian, Sergi Betriu, Valentin Ortiz-Maldonado, Daniel Estban, Leticia Alserawan, Mercedes Montoro, Anna DD van Muyden, Maike Spoon, Margot J. Pont, Christian Jacques, Julio Delgado Poster Number: CART2023: 206
Date: 9 February 2023, 13:15 CET
Session: 704

About point-of-care manufacturing (Cocoon®)

CellPoint has developed, in a strategic collaboration with Lonza, a novel point-of-care supply model, which is designed to enable clinicians to administer fresh CAR-T cells within 7 days of leukapheresis, without complex logistics or cryopreservation, thereby aiming to address important limitations of current CAR-T treatments. The proprietary platform consists of CellPoint’s end-to-end xCellit workflow management and monitoring software and Lonza’s Cocoon® Platform, a functionally closed, automated manufacturing platform for cell therapies.

About the EUPLAGIA-1 study (EudraCT 2021-003815-25)
EUPLAGIA-1 is an ongoing Phase 1/2 open-label, multi-center study evaluating the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of point-of-care manufactured GLPG5201 in patients with relapsed/refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (rrCLL) and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (rrSLL), with or without Richter’s transformation (RT). GLPG5201 is a second generation anti-CD19/4-1BB CAR-T product candidate, administered as intravenous infusion of a fresh product candidate in a single fixed dose. Patients with CD19+ rrCLL or rrSLL with >2 lines of therapy are eligible to participate, and patients with RT are eligible regardless of prior therapy. The primary objective of the Phase 1 part of the study is to evaluate safety and determine the recommended dose for the Phase 2 part of the study. The primary objective of the Phase 2 part of the study is to assess the objective response rate (ORR) and the secondary objectives include the analysis of the complete response rate (CRR), duration of response, progression free survival, overall survival, safety pharmacokinetic profile, and feasibility of point-of-care manufacturing.

The planned dose levels that are evaluated in the Phase 1 part of the study are 35×106 (DL1), 100×106 (DL2) and 300×106 (DL3) CAR+ viable T cells. The study uses a Bayesian Optimal Interval (BOIN) design (n=15 patients) for Phase 1. Following screening and enrolment, patients will receive ibrutinib continuously until leukapheresis of mononuclear cells. During GLPG5201 manufacturing, patients receive cyclophosphamide (300 mg/m2/day)/fludarabine (30 mg/m2/day) for 3 days. After a resting period of at least 2 days, GLPG5201 is administered via intravenous infusion. All patients remain hospitalized for at least 7 days and the end-of-study visit is at Week 14 post CAR-T infusion. The study is currently enrolling rrCLL/SLL patients in Europe, including patients with Richter’s transformation, and we aim to provide topline results for Phase 1 around mid-2023.

About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is one of the chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (lymphoid neoplasms). It is characterized by a progressive accumulation of functionally incompetent lymphocytes, which are usually monoclonal in origin. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Small Lymphocytic Leukemia (SLL) are essentially the same type of B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), with the only difference the location where the primary cancer occurs. CLL affects B-cells in the blood and bone marrow and SLL cancer cells are located in lymph nodes and/or the spleen2. Richter’s transformation is an uncommon clinicopathological condition observed in patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). It is characterized by the sudden transformation of the CLL into a significantly more aggressive form of large cell lymphoma, and occurs in approximately 2-10% of all CLL patients. CLL/SLL usually follows an indolent course and is an incurable disease. Patients who develop relapsed and refractory disease and become resistant to new agents have a dismal prognosis and a high unmet medical need for new therapeutic options such as CAR-T cells. With estimated incidence of 4.7 new cases per 100,000 individuals, CLL/SLL are the most prevalent lymphoid malignancy and are the most common adult leukemias in the US and in Europe3.

About Galapagos
Galapagos is a fully integrated biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative medicines. We are committed to improving patients’ lives worldwide by targeting diseases with high unmet needs. Our R&D capabilities cover multiple drug modalities, including small molecules and cell therapies. Our portfolio comprises discovery through to Phase 4 programs in immunology, oncology, and other indications. Our first medicine for rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis is available in Europe and Japan. CellPoint was acquired by Galapagos in June 2022. For additional information, please visit glpg.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.

1 Acting via Stoffels IMC BV
2 Wierda WG. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/ Small lymphocytic lymphoma fact sheet. In: Foundation LR, editor: https://www.lymphoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/LRF_FACTSHEET_CLL_SLL.pdf.2018.
3 Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, Jemal A. Cancer Statistics, 2021. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2021;71(1):7-33. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173

SOURCE: Galapagos