CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA & OSAKA, Japan I June 05, 2019 I Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502/NYSE: TAK) today announced that the Phase 3 TOURMALINE-AL1 clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory systemic light-chain (AL) amyloidosis did not meet the first of two primary endpoints. Treatment with NINLAROTM (ixazomib) in combination with dexamethasone did not demonstrate a significant improvement in overall hematologic response compared to physician’s choice of standard of care regimens. As a result of this analysis, Takeda has decided to discontinue the trial.

“While we are disappointed with this outcome, we aim to maximize our learnings from this trial and share findings with the community in hopes of helping to improve care for patients living with this devastating disease,” said Phil Rowlands, Ph.D., Head, Oncology Therapeutic Area Unit, Takeda. “This has been one of the largest studies ever conducted in systemic light-chain AL amyloidosis and we are proud to have led it. This study demonstrated our dedication to this rare and traditionally difficult-to-enroll patient population and we thank the patients and investigators for their engagement and participation. We remain optimistic about NINLARO and continue to investigate NINLARO in patient populations across the continuum of multiple myeloma care.”

An Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) did not raise any concerns about the safety profile of NINLARO in this setting. Patients are encouraged to consult their study investigators to address any questions.

About the TOURMALINE-AL1 Trial

TOURMALINE-AL1 (NCT01659658) is an international, randomized, controlled, open-label, multicenter, Phase 3 study, designed to determine whether NINLAROTM (ixazomib) in combination with dexamethasone improves hematologic response, 2-year vital organ (heart or kidney) deterioration and mortality rate versus a physician’s choice of a chemotherapy regimen in participants diagnosed with relapsed or refractory systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis. Patients were randomly selected to receive either NINLARO plus dexamethasone, or physician’s choice of dexamethasone plus melphalan; dexamethasone plus cyclophosphamide; dexamethasone plus thalidomide; dexamethasone plus lenalidomide; or dexamethasone alone. For more information, please visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01659658.

About AL Amyloidosis

Primary AL amyloidosis is a condition that falls under the umbrella of plasma cell dyscrasias. AL amyloidosis arises from a clonal plasma cell that produces abnormal immunoglobulin light-chain fragments. These misfolded light-chains form insoluble fibrils that aggregate as amyloid deposits in organs and tissues throughout the body, ultimately leading to organ dysfunction and death. The most common organs affected are the kidneys, heart, liver, and autonomic or peripheral nerves. There are currently no treatments approved for the treatment of AL amyloidosis.

About NINLARO™ (ixazomib) capsules

NINLARO™ (ixazomib) is an oral proteasome inhibitor which is being studied across the continuum of multiple myeloma treatment settings. NINLARO was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2015 and 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 is currently approved in more than 60 countries, including the United States, Japan and in the European Union, with more than 10 regulatory filings currently under review. It was the first oral proteasome inhibitor to enter Phase 3 clinical trials and to receive approval.

The comprehensive ixazomib clinical development program, TOURMALINE, includes four ongoing pivotal trials, which together are investigating major multiple myeloma patient populations.

  • 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

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/NYSE:TAK) is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to patients by translating science into highly-innovative medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Gastroenterology (GI), Neuroscience and Rare Diseases. We also make targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in people’s lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries and regions.

For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com

SOURCE: Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.