New Phase III data demonstrate that ACZ885 achieved rapid and long-lasting clinical remission after just one dose in children and adults with a group of rare but potentially life-threatening autoinflammatory diseases called Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS)
Basel, SWITZERLAND | October 27, 2008 | New Phase III data demonstrate that ACZ885 (canakinumab), a biological drug in development, achieved rapid and long-lasting clinical remission after just one dose in children and adults with a group of rare but potentially life-threatening autoinflammatory diseases called Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS)[1]. Due to the long duration of response, patients only needed further treatment every two months[1].
* Patients with rare autoinflammatory syndromes achieved remission after a single ACZ885 dose – treatment needed only every two months to maintain response[1]
* ACZ885 demonstrated potential to rapidly control Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, the most severe form of arthritis in children[2]
* Orphan drug status granted to ACZ885 in the EU and US, filing on track in the EU and US
* Studies of ACZ885 currently under way in rheumatoid arthritis and gout using an innovative tailored approach with biomarkers
In addition, preliminary results of a Phase I/II study in Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA), the most severe form of arthritis in children, showed that most patients treated with ACZ885 achieved substantial clinical improvement within 15 days[2].
The data, presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) meeting in San Francisco, confirm the potential of ACZ885 to fulfill an unmet medical need in the treatment of autoinflammatory diseases, which can cause life-long debilitating symptoms and potentially fatal complications[3].
"The results for ACZ885 are exciting for patients and for the medical community," said Professor Philip Hawkins of the National Amyloidosis Centre at the Royal Free and University College Medical School, London. "Current treatments are not always effective, and are also short-acting and often poorly tolerated by patients. The rapid and long-lasting remission induced by ACZ885 is an important and much-needed development for both children and adults with CAPS."
The significant findings are based on the selective mechanism of action of ACZ885, a fully human monoclonal antibody. Unlike other agents, ACZ885 solely blocks interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), the form of the interleukin-1 protein that sustains autoinflammatory diseases such as CAPS.
CAPS, including Muckle-Wells Syndrome, are characterized by a single gene mutation that activates excessive production of IL-1ß. This leads to symptoms such as fever, fatigue, skin rash, painful joints and muscles, and severe headache. In addition, patients can suffer from more debilitating complications like hearing loss and amyloidosis, which may lead to accumulations of amyloidosis (a protein) in kidneys causing dialysis or transplantation[3].
IL-1ß is also thought to play a pivotal role in Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA)[4], causing symptoms such as destructive arthritis, fever and rash. Suboptimal treatment can lead to growth retardation and joint and bone disability, as well as developmental and social consequences and life-threatening complications such as Macrophage Activated Syndrome, mostly caused by infections and requiring immediate intensive care[4].
"Children and adults affected by these inflammatory diseases have to cope daily with very distressing and debilitating symptoms," said Trevor Mundel, MD, Head of Global Development Functions at Novartis Pharma AG. "We are extremely encouraged by these results that highlight the potential of ACZ885 to address the enormous unmet need in patients with these conditions."
The potential of ACZ885 is reflected in its broad development program. In addition to the studies in CAPS and SJIA, it is also being investigated in more common inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which affects up to 1% of the world’s population[5]. Studies are currently under way in RA using an innovative tailored approach with biomarkers to predict response to treatment. If successful, these will give suitable patients a personalized approach to the treatment of their disease.
The six-month CAPS clinical trial presented at ACR involved patients aged nine to 74 years old and was divided into three parts. In the first part lasting two months, 35 patients received a single dose of ACZ885 by subcutaneous injection. All but one patient (97.1%) showed a rapid and long-lasting clinical and biochemical response[1].
After this, 31 patients who maintained their response proceeded to part two, a randomized six-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled withdrawal design study. Patients were treated every two months and if a relapse occurred, they discontinued and entered part three[1].
Part two of the study included the primary endpoint, a comparison between the number of patients treated every two months with ACZ885 who experienced disease outbreaks or ‘flares’ vs. those on placebo. Results showed that no patients in the ACZ885 group experienced a disease flare compared to 81% (13 out 15 patients) in the placebo group (p<0.001). Markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A) were normalized in patients treated with ACZ885, but increased significantly for those on placebo.
The study is being concluded with a four-month open-label, active-treatment period to provide further efficacy and safety data. All patients are subsequently being offered the chance to take part in an additional Phase III study to provide long-term information about the efficacy and safety of ACZ885.
The most common adverse event reported was upper respiratory tract infection. No deaths or serious adverse events were reported, and there were no discontinuations due to adverse events in the overall study[1].
Preliminary data from the Phase I/II study in SJIA[2] demonstrated that patients aged four to 19 years treated with ACZ885 achieved substantial clinical improvement (measured by the pediatric ACR50 scale) within 15 days. Importantly, four patients achieved complete remission of the disease, i.e. no arthritis inflammation in joints, no fever, and no disease activity according to the physicians’ assessment[2].
Orphan drug status has been granted to ACZ885 in the European Union and US for treating CAPS and SJIA, and filing is on track in CAPS in the EU and US. Orphan drugs are those designed to treat serious or life-threatening diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 people (in the US)[6] or fewer than five out of 10,000 people (in the EU)[7].
About Novartis
Novartis AG provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, diagnostic tools and consumer health products. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2007, the Group’s continuing operations (excluding divestments in 2007) achieved net sales of USD 38.1 billion and net income of USD 6.5 billion. Approximately USD 6.4 billion was invested in R&D activities throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 97,000 full-time associates and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
References
[1.] Lachmann H.J. et al. Efficacy and Safety of Canakinumab (ACZ885), a Fully Human Anti-Interleukin-1ß Antibody, in Cryopyrin Associated Periodic Fever Syndrome: Results of a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Phase III Study. Poster presentation at ACR Congress, October 27, 2008, San Francisco, California, US.
[2.] Ruperto, N. et al. ACZ885 (canakinumab), a new IL-1ß blocking monoclonal antibody has a beneficial effect in children with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA). Oral presentation at ACR Congress, October 29 2008, San Francisco, California, US.
[3.] http://www.capscommunity.com/index.html, last accessed October 21, 2008. http://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/index.php, last accessed October 21, 2008.
[4.] Dinarello C.A. Blocking IL-1 in systemic inflammation. JEM Vol. 201, No. 9, May 2, 2005 1355-1359.
[5.] Datamonitor Report, 2007.
[6.] http://www.fda.gov/orphan, last accessed October 21, 2008.
[7.] http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_threats/non_com/rare_6_en.htm, last accessed October 21, 2008.
SOURCE: Novartis
Post Views: 86
New Phase III data demonstrate that ACZ885 achieved rapid and long-lasting clinical remission after just one dose in children and adults with a group of rare but potentially life-threatening autoinflammatory diseases called Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS)
Basel, SWITZERLAND | October 27, 2008 | New Phase III data demonstrate that ACZ885 (canakinumab), a biological drug in development, achieved rapid and long-lasting clinical remission after just one dose in children and adults with a group of rare but potentially life-threatening autoinflammatory diseases called Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS)[1]. Due to the long duration of response, patients only needed further treatment every two months[1].
* Patients with rare autoinflammatory syndromes achieved remission after a single ACZ885 dose – treatment needed only every two months to maintain response[1]
* ACZ885 demonstrated potential to rapidly control Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, the most severe form of arthritis in children[2]
* Orphan drug status granted to ACZ885 in the EU and US, filing on track in the EU and US
* Studies of ACZ885 currently under way in rheumatoid arthritis and gout using an innovative tailored approach with biomarkers
In addition, preliminary results of a Phase I/II study in Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA), the most severe form of arthritis in children, showed that most patients treated with ACZ885 achieved substantial clinical improvement within 15 days[2].
The data, presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) meeting in San Francisco, confirm the potential of ACZ885 to fulfill an unmet medical need in the treatment of autoinflammatory diseases, which can cause life-long debilitating symptoms and potentially fatal complications[3].
"The results for ACZ885 are exciting for patients and for the medical community," said Professor Philip Hawkins of the National Amyloidosis Centre at the Royal Free and University College Medical School, London. "Current treatments are not always effective, and are also short-acting and often poorly tolerated by patients. The rapid and long-lasting remission induced by ACZ885 is an important and much-needed development for both children and adults with CAPS."
The significant findings are based on the selective mechanism of action of ACZ885, a fully human monoclonal antibody. Unlike other agents, ACZ885 solely blocks interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), the form of the interleukin-1 protein that sustains autoinflammatory diseases such as CAPS.
CAPS, including Muckle-Wells Syndrome, are characterized by a single gene mutation that activates excessive production of IL-1ß. This leads to symptoms such as fever, fatigue, skin rash, painful joints and muscles, and severe headache. In addition, patients can suffer from more debilitating complications like hearing loss and amyloidosis, which may lead to accumulations of amyloidosis (a protein) in kidneys causing dialysis or transplantation[3].
IL-1ß is also thought to play a pivotal role in Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA)[4], causing symptoms such as destructive arthritis, fever and rash. Suboptimal treatment can lead to growth retardation and joint and bone disability, as well as developmental and social consequences and life-threatening complications such as Macrophage Activated Syndrome, mostly caused by infections and requiring immediate intensive care[4].
"Children and adults affected by these inflammatory diseases have to cope daily with very distressing and debilitating symptoms," said Trevor Mundel, MD, Head of Global Development Functions at Novartis Pharma AG. "We are extremely encouraged by these results that highlight the potential of ACZ885 to address the enormous unmet need in patients with these conditions."
The potential of ACZ885 is reflected in its broad development program. In addition to the studies in CAPS and SJIA, it is also being investigated in more common inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which affects up to 1% of the world’s population[5]. Studies are currently under way in RA using an innovative tailored approach with biomarkers to predict response to treatment. If successful, these will give suitable patients a personalized approach to the treatment of their disease.
The six-month CAPS clinical trial presented at ACR involved patients aged nine to 74 years old and was divided into three parts. In the first part lasting two months, 35 patients received a single dose of ACZ885 by subcutaneous injection. All but one patient (97.1%) showed a rapid and long-lasting clinical and biochemical response[1].
After this, 31 patients who maintained their response proceeded to part two, a randomized six-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled withdrawal design study. Patients were treated every two months and if a relapse occurred, they discontinued and entered part three[1].
Part two of the study included the primary endpoint, a comparison between the number of patients treated every two months with ACZ885 who experienced disease outbreaks or ‘flares’ vs. those on placebo. Results showed that no patients in the ACZ885 group experienced a disease flare compared to 81% (13 out 15 patients) in the placebo group (p<0.001). Markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A) were normalized in patients treated with ACZ885, but increased significantly for those on placebo.
The study is being concluded with a four-month open-label, active-treatment period to provide further efficacy and safety data. All patients are subsequently being offered the chance to take part in an additional Phase III study to provide long-term information about the efficacy and safety of ACZ885.
The most common adverse event reported was upper respiratory tract infection. No deaths or serious adverse events were reported, and there were no discontinuations due to adverse events in the overall study[1].
Preliminary data from the Phase I/II study in SJIA[2] demonstrated that patients aged four to 19 years treated with ACZ885 achieved substantial clinical improvement (measured by the pediatric ACR50 scale) within 15 days. Importantly, four patients achieved complete remission of the disease, i.e. no arthritis inflammation in joints, no fever, and no disease activity according to the physicians’ assessment[2].
Orphan drug status has been granted to ACZ885 in the European Union and US for treating CAPS and SJIA, and filing is on track in CAPS in the EU and US. Orphan drugs are those designed to treat serious or life-threatening diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 people (in the US)[6] or fewer than five out of 10,000 people (in the EU)[7].
About Novartis
Novartis AG provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, diagnostic tools and consumer health products. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2007, the Group’s continuing operations (excluding divestments in 2007) achieved net sales of USD 38.1 billion and net income of USD 6.5 billion. Approximately USD 6.4 billion was invested in R&D activities throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 97,000 full-time associates and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
References
[1.] Lachmann H.J. et al. Efficacy and Safety of Canakinumab (ACZ885), a Fully Human Anti-Interleukin-1ß Antibody, in Cryopyrin Associated Periodic Fever Syndrome: Results of a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Phase III Study. Poster presentation at ACR Congress, October 27, 2008, San Francisco, California, US.
[2.] Ruperto, N. et al. ACZ885 (canakinumab), a new IL-1ß blocking monoclonal antibody has a beneficial effect in children with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA). Oral presentation at ACR Congress, October 29 2008, San Francisco, California, US.
[3.] http://www.capscommunity.com/index.html, last accessed October 21, 2008. http://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/index.php, last accessed October 21, 2008.
[4.] Dinarello C.A. Blocking IL-1 in systemic inflammation. JEM Vol. 201, No. 9, May 2, 2005 1355-1359.
[5.] Datamonitor Report, 2007.
[6.] http://www.fda.gov/orphan, last accessed October 21, 2008.
[7.] http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_threats/non_com/rare_6_en.htm, last accessed October 21, 2008.
SOURCE: Novartis
Post Views: 86
