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Verastem Oncology Reports Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results
Quarter Highlighted by FDA Approval of COPIKTRA™ (duvelisib) Capsules
Exclusive License Agreement Executed with
Company Secures
“During the third quarter, we achieved a remarkable milestone with our
lead product COPIKTRA™ (duvelisib) receiving its first regulatory
approval from the
“The COPIKTRA launch is well underway and proceeding on track,” said
Third Quarter 2018 and Recent Highlights:
COPIKTRA (duvelisib)
-
COPIKTRA (duvelisib) Capsules Approved by the
FDA – OnSeptember 24, 2018 , theU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA ) approved COPIKTRA, an oral inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and the first approved dual inhibitor of PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma. COPIKTRA was approved for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) after at least two prior therapies. COPIKTRA also received accelerated approval for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after at least two prior systemic therapies. The indication in FL is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication is contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. The commercial launch of COPIKTRA is ongoing. -
COPIKTRA Added to NCCN Guidelines for CLL/SLL and FL – In
early
October 2018 , following its approval by theFDA , the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN) added COPIKTRA to the Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines). Physicians use the NCCN Guidelines as the standard resource for determining the best course of treatment for patients, and the Company believes these updated guidelines will increase awareness for COPIKTRA and help health care providers make informed decisions for patients battling these difficult to treat advanced cancers. -
Phase 3 DUO Study Results Published in the Journal BLOOD
– In early
October 2018 , the results of the randomized, multicenter, open-label Phase 3 DUO™ study (NCT02004522), which evaluated COPIKTRA versus ofatumumab in patients with relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL, were published online in the peer-reviewed journal Blood. The full manuscript titled “The phase 3 DUO trial: duvelisib versus ofatumumab in relapsed and refractory CLL/SLL,” is available at www.bloodjournal.org. -
Investigator-Sponsored Study Initiated Evaluating COPIKTRA in
Combination with Venetoclax – In early
September 2018 , the first patient was dosed in a multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial investigating COPIKTRA in combination with venetoclax, an oral selective inhibitor of BCL-2, in patients with relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL. Preclinical data support this combination, as COPIKTRA has been shown to upregulate BCL-2 transcript and protein expression levels and potentially enhance the ability of venetoclax to induce apoptosis in ex vivo human CLL cells. The primary objectives of the Phase 1 portion of the trial are to determine the maximum tolerated dose and the recommended Phase 2 dose of venetoclax for this combination regimen. The trial is being led byMatthew Davids , M.D., MMSc, Assistant Professor of Medicine,Harvard Medical School , and Associate Director,Center for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ,Dana-Farber Cancer Institute . -
Eight Abstracts Selected for Presentation at the
Upcoming American Society of Hematology 2018 Annual Meeting (ASH 2018) – InNovember 2018 , the Company announced that eight abstracts were selected for presentation, including one oral presentation, at ASH 2018 which is being heldDecember 1-4, 2018 inSan Diego, CA. The oral presentation will highlight data from the Phase 1 study evaluating COPIKTRA in combination with romidepsin in relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Additional poster presentations will showcase preclinical and clinical data reinforcing the potential of COPIKTRA.
Corporate and Financial
-
Signed Exclusive License Agreement with
CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Limited (CSPC) for the Development and Commercialization of Duvelisib inChina – InSeptember 2018 ,Verastem Oncology announced its entry into an exclusive license agreement with CSPC to develop and commercialize COPIKTRA inChina ,Hong Kong ,Macau andTaiwan (collectively, the CSPC Territory) for all oncology indications. Under the terms of the agreement, Verastem Oncology is to receive an upfront payment of$15.0 million and is entitled to receive aggregate payments of up to$160.0 million if certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones are successfully achieved, plus double-digit royalties on net sales of products containing duvelisib in the CSPC Territory. CSPC will receive exclusive rights to develop and commercialize COPIKTRA and hold the marketing authorization and product license for COPIKTRA in the CSPC Territory. Additionally, CSPC will have the right to collaborate with Verastem Oncology on certain global development and clinical trial activities and will share pro-rata in the cost of studies that they elect to participate in. CSPC is a leading pharmaceutical group inChina . CSPC has been listed on the Main Board of theHong Kong Stock Exchange since 1994 and is currently a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Index. CSPC is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative and generic drugs inChina . -
Collaboration with
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for Development of Duvelisib in Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma -Verastem Oncology’s duvelisib was selected for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Therapy Acceleration Program® (TAP) which provides additional resources to support the development of therapies for patients with blood cancers. The Company plans to use the TAP funds to conduct certain translational and clinical activities relating to the development of duvelisib for the treatment of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma (PTCL). LLS and Verastem Oncology will share the cost of the PTCL development program, portions of which will be conducted in collaboration withMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center ,The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute , TheWashington University inSt. Louis and Stanford University . -
Sale of Convertible Senior Notes for Gross Proceeds of
$150 Million – InOctober 2018 , the Company completed an offering of 5.00% convertible senior notes due 2048 through a registered direct offering. The Company received net proceeds of$145.1 million , after transaction fees and expenses. -
Robert E. Gagnon Appointed Chief Financial Officer –
In
August 2018 , Mr. Gagnon was appointed Chief Financial Officer. He comes to Verastem Oncology fromHarvard Bioscience, Inc. , where he served as Chief Financial Officer. Prior toHarvard Bioscience , he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer atClean Harbors, Inc. , as well as Chief Accounting Officer and Controller atBiogen Idec, Inc. Earlier, he worked in a variety of senior positions atDeloitte & Touche, LLP , andPrice Waterhouse Coopers, LLP . Mr. Gagnon holds an M.B.A. from theMIT Sloan School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting fromBentley College . His prior experience heading global finance operations, and his overall business acumen, will be a great asset to the Company as it executes on its growth strategy. -
Gina Consylman Appointed to Board of Directors –
In
October 2018 , Ms. Consylman was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors (the Board) and will serve as Chair of the Board’s Audit Committee. Ms. Consylman replacesLouise Phanstiel who left the Board to pursue other professional opportunities. Ms. Consylman currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer ofIronwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , a commercial biotech company, where she oversees the finance, planning, accounting, tax, treasury and insurance functions. Prior to joining Ironwood, she held various senior level accounting and corporate controller positions atAnalogic Corporation ,Biogen Inc. , andVarian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc. Ms. Consylman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting fromJohnson & Wales University , a Master of Science degree in taxation fromBentley University and is a Certified Public Accountant. -
Hagop Youssoufian , MSc, M.D., Appointed Head of Medical Strategy – InOctober 2018 , the Company announced that Dr. Youssoufian would transition to Head of Medical Strategy from his prior role as Head of Hematology andOncology Development . Dr. Youssoufian will be taking over responsibilities fromDiep Le , M.D., Ph.D., who stepped down as Chief Medical Officer.
Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results
License revenue for the three months ended
Verastem Oncology began commercial sales of COPIKTRA within
Costs of revenues, excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets
(cost of revenues) of approximately
Research and development expense for the 2018 Quarter was
Selling, general and administrative expense for the 2018 Quarter was
Amortization of acquired intangible assets for the 2018 Quarter of
approximately
Net loss for the 2018 Quarter was
As of
The number of outstanding common shares as of
Indications and Usage
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)
COPIKTRA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CLL or SLL after at least two prior therapies.
Follicular Lymphoma (FL)*
COPIKTRA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory FL after at least two prior systemic therapies.
*This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate (ORR). Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
COPIKTRA Clinical Trials
Efficacy in Relapsed or Refractory CLL/SLL
A randomized, multicenter, open-label trial (DUO™; NCT02004522) compared COPIKTRA versus ofatumumab in 319 adult patients with CLL (N = 312) or SLL (N = 7) after at least one prior therapy. The study randomized patients with a 1:1 ratio to receive either COPIKTRA 25mg BID until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, or ofatumumab for 7 cycles.
The approval of COPIKTRA was based on efficacy and safety analysis of patients with at least 2 prior lines of therapy, where the benefit:risk appeared greater in this more heavily pretreated population compared to the overall trial population.
In this subset (95 randomized to COPIKTRA, 101 to ofatumumab), the median patient age was 69 years (range: 40 to 90 years), 59% were male, and 88% had an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1. Forty-six percent received 2 prior lines of therapy, and 54% received 3 or more prior lines. At baseline, 52% of patients had at least one tumor ≥ 5 cm, and 22% of patients had a documented 17p deletion.
During randomized treatment, the median duration of exposure to COPIKTRA was 13 months (range: 0.2 to 37), with 80% of patients receiving at least 6 months and 52% receiving at least 12 months of COPIKTRA. The median duration of exposure to ofatumumab was 5 months (range: < 0.1 to 6).
Efficacy was based on progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by an Independent Review Committee (IRC). Other efficacy measures included overall response rate (ORR). Efficacy of COPIKTRA compared to ofatumumab specifically in patients treated with at least two prior therapies is below.
Outcome per IRC |
COPIKTRA
N = 95 |
Ofatumumab
N = 101 |
||||||
PFS | ||||||||
Number of events, n (%) | 55 (58) | 70 (69) | ||||||
Progressive disease | 44 | 62 | ||||||
Death | 11 | 8 | ||||||
Median PFS (SE), months a | 16.4 (2.1) | 9.1 (0.5) | ||||||
Hazard Ratio (SE), b COPIKTRA/ofatumumab |
0.40 (0.2) | |||||||
Response rate | ||||||||
ORR, n (%) c | 74 (78) | 39 (39) | ||||||
CR | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||||||
PR | 74 (78) | 39 (39) | ||||||
Difference in ORR, % (SE) | 39 (6.4) |
Abbreviations: CR = complete response; IRC = Independent Review Committee; PFS = progression-free survival; PR = partial response; SE = standard error |
a Kaplan-Meier estimate |
b Standard Error of ln(hazard ratio) = 0.2 |
c IWCLL or Revised International Working Group criteria, with modification for treatment-related lymphocytosis |
Efficacy in Relapsed or Refractory FL
Efficacy of COPIKTRA in patients with previously treated FL is based on a single-arm, multicenter trial (DYNAMO™; NCT01882803).
In DYNAMO, COPIKTRA 25 mg BID was administered in patients with FL (N = 83) who were refractory to rituximab and to either chemotherapy or radioimmunotherapy. Refractory disease was defined as less than a partial remission or relapse within 6 months after the last dose. The trial excluded patients with Grade 3b FL, large cell transformation, prior allogeneic transplant, and prior exposure to a PI3K inhibitor or to a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
The median age was 64 years (range: 30 to 82 years), 68% were male, and 37% had bulky disease assessed at baseline (target lesion ≥ 5 cm). Patients had a median of 3 prior lines of therapy (range: 1 to 10), with 94% being refractory to their last therapy and 81% being refractory to 2 or more prior lines of therapy. Most patients (93%) had an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1.
The median duration of exposure to COPIKTRA was 5 months (range: 0.4 to 24), with 41% of patients receiving at least 6 months and 10% receiving at least 12 months of COPIKTRA.
Efficacy was based on overall response rate and duration of response as assessed by an IRC, as shown below.
Endpoint |
FL
N = 83 |
|||
ORR, n (%) a | 35 (42) | |||
95% CI | (31, 54) | |||
CR, n (%) | 1 (1) | |||
PR, n (%) | 34 (41) | |||
Duration of response | ||||
Range, months | 0.0+ to 41.9+ | |||
Patients maintaining response at 6 months, n/N (%) | 15/35 (43) | |||
Patients maintaining response at 12 months, n/N (%) | 6/35 (17) |
Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval; CR = complete response; IRC = Independent Review Committee; ORR = overall response rate; PR = partial response |
a Per IRC according to Revised International Working Group criteria |
+ Denotes censored observation |
Important Safety Information
WARNING: FATAL AND SERIOUS TOXICITIES: INFECTIONS, DIARRHEA OR COLITIS, CUTANEOUS REACTIONS, and PNEUMONITIS
See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning
- Fatal and/or serious infections occurred in 31% of COPIKTRA-treated patients. Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection. Withhold COPIKTRA if infection is suspected.
- Fatal and/or serious diarrhea or colitis occurred in 18% of COPIKTRA-treated patients. Monitor for the development of severe diarrhea or colitis. Withhold COPIKTRA.
- Fatal and/or serious cutaneous reactions occurred in 5% of COPIKTRA-treated patients. Withhold COPIKTRA.
- Fatal and/or serious pneumonitis occurred in 5% of COPIKTRA-treated patients. Monitor for pulmonary symptoms and interstitial infiltrates. Withhold COPIKTRA.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Infections: Serious, including fatal (18/442; 4%), infections occurred in 31% of patients receiving COPIKTRA 25 mg BID (N=442). The most common serious infections were pneumonia, sepsis, and lower respiratory infections. Median time to onset of any grade infection was 3 months (range: 1 day to 32 months), with 75% of cases occurring within 6 months. Treat infections prior to initiation of COPIKTRA. Advise patients to report new or worsening signs and symptoms of infection. For grade 3 or higher infection, withhold COPIKTRA until infection has resolved. Resume COPIKTRA at the same or reduced dose.
Serious, including fatal, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) occurred in 1% of patients taking COPIKTRA. Provide prophylaxis for PJP during treatment with COPIKTRA and following completion of treatment with COPIKTRA until the absolute CD4+ T cell count is greater than 200 cells/μL. Withhold COPIKTRA in patients with suspected PJP of any grade, and permanently discontinue if PJP is confirmed.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation/infection occurred in 1% of patients taking COPIKTRA. Consider prophylactic antivirals during COPIKTRA treatment to prevent CMV infection including CMV reactivation. For clinical CMV infection or viremia, withhold COPIKTRA until infection or viremia resolves. If COPIKTRA is resumed, administer the same or reduced dose and monitor patients for CMV reactivation by PCR or antigen test at least monthly.
Diarrhea or Colitis: Serious, including fatal (1/442; <1%), diarrhea or colitis occurred in 18% of patients receiving COPIKTRA 25 mg BID (N=442). Median time to onset of any grade diarrhea or colitis was 4 months (range: 1 day to 33 months), with 75% of cases occurring by 8 months. The median event duration was 0.5 months (range: 1 day to 29 months; 75th percentile: 1 month).
Advise patients to report any new or worsening diarrhea. For patients presenting with mild or moderate diarrhea (Grade 1-2) (i.e., up to 6 stools per day over baseline) or asymptomatic (Grade 1) colitis, initiate supportive care with antidiarrheal agents, continue COPIKTRA at the current dose, and monitor the patient at least weekly until the event resolves. If the diarrhea is unresponsive to antidiarrheal therapy, withhold COPIKTRA and initiate supportive therapy with enteric acting steroids (e.g., budesonide). Monitor the patient at least weekly. Upon resolution of the diarrhea, consider restarting COPIKTRA at a reduced dose.
For patients presenting with abdominal pain, stool with mucus or blood, change in bowel habits, peritoneal signs, or with severe diarrhea (Grade 3) (i.e., > 6 stools per day over baseline), withhold COPIKTRA and initiate supportive therapy with enteric acting steroids (e.g., budesonide) or systemic steroids. A diagnostic work-up to determine etiology, including colonoscopy, should be performed. Monitor at least weekly. Upon resolution of the diarrhea or colitis, restart COPIKTRA at a reduced dose. For recurrent Grade 3 diarrhea or recurrent colitis of any grade, discontinue COPIKTRA. Discontinue COPIKTRA for life-threatening diarrhea or colitis.
Cutaneous Reactions: Serious, including fatal (2/442; <1%), cutaneous reactions occurred in 5% of patients receiving COPIKTRA 25 mg BID (N=442). Fatal cases included drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Median time to onset of any grade cutaneous reaction was 3 months (range: 1 day to 29 months, 75th percentile: 6 months) with a median event duration of 1 month (range: 1 day to 37 months, 75th percentile: 2 months).
Presenting features for the serious events were primarily described as pruritic, erythematous, or maculo-papular. Less common presenting features include exanthem, desquamation, erythroderma, skin exfoliation, keratinocyte necrosis, and papular rash. Advise patients to report new or worsening cutaneous reactions. Review all concomitant medications and discontinue any medications potentially contributing to the event. For patients presenting with mild or moderate (Grade 1-2) cutaneous reactions, continue COPIKTRA at the current dose, initiate supportive care with emollients, antihistamines (for pruritus), or topical steroids, and monitor the patient closely. Withhold COPIKTRA for severe (Grade 3) cutaneous reaction until resolution. Initiate supportive care with steroids (topical or systemic) or antihistamines (for pruritus). Monitor at least weekly until resolved. Upon resolution of the event, restart COPIKTRA at a reduced dose. Discontinue COPIKTRA if severe cutaneous reaction does not improve, worsens, or recurs. For life-threatening cutaneous reactions, discontinue COPIKTRA. In patients with SJS, TEN, or DRESS of any grade, discontinue COPIKTRA.
Pneumonitis: Serious, including fatal (1/442; <1%), pneumonitis without an apparent infectious cause occurred in 5% of patients receiving COPIKTRA 25 mg BID (N=442). Median time to onset of any grade pneumonitis was 4 months (range: 9 days to 27 months), with 75% of cases occurring within 9 months. The median event duration was 1 month, with 75% of cases resolving by 2 months.
Withhold COPIKTRA in patients with new or progressive pulmonary signs and symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, hypoxia, interstitial infiltrates on a radiologic exam, or a decline by more than 5% in oxygen saturation, and evaluate for etiology. If the pneumonitis is infectious, patients may be restarted on COPIKTRA at the previous dose once the infection, pulmonary signs and symptoms resolve. For moderate non-infectious pneumonitis (Grade 2), treat with systemic corticosteroids and resume COPIKTRA at a reduced dose upon resolution. If non-infectious pneumonitis recurs or does not respond to steroid therapy, discontinue COPIKTRA. For severe or life-threatening non-infectious pneumonitis, discontinue COPIKTRA and treat with systemic steroids.
Hepatotoxicity: Grade 3 and 4 ALT and/or AST elevation developed in 8% and 2%, respectively, of patients receiving COPIKTRA 25 mg BID (N=442). Two percent of patients had both an ALT or AST > 3 X ULN and total bilirubin > 2 X ULN. Median time to onset of any grade transaminase elevation was 2 months (range: 3 days to 26 months), with a median event duration of 1 month (range: 1 day to 16 months).
Monitor hepatic function during treatment with COPIKTRA. For Grade 2 ALT/AST elevation (> 3 to 5 X ULN), maintain COPIKTRA dose and monitor at least weekly until return to < 3 X ULN. For Grade 3 ALT/AST elevation (> 5 to 20 X ULN), withhold COPIKTRA and monitor at least weekly until return to < 3 X ULN. Resume COPIKTRA at the same dose (first occurrence) or at a reduced dose for subsequent occurrences. For grade 4 ALT/AST elevation (> 20 X ULN), discontinue COPIKTRA.
Neutropenia: Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in 42% of patients receiving COPIKTRA 25 mg BID (N=442), with Grade 4 neutropenia occurring in 24% of all patients. Median time to onset of grade ≥3 neutropenia was 2 months (range: 3 days to 31 months), with 75% of cases occurring within 4 months.
Monitor neutrophil counts at least every 2 weeks for the first 2 months of COPIKTRA therapy, and at least weekly in patients with neutrophil counts < 1.0 Gi/L (Grade 3-4). Withhold COPIKTRA in patients presenting with neutrophil counts < 0.5 Gi/L (Grade 4). Monitor until ANC is > 0.5 Gi/L, then resume COPIKTRA at same dose for the first occurrence or at a reduced dose for subsequent occurrences.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on findings in animals and its mechanism of action, COPIKTRA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Conduct pregnancy testing before initiating COPIKTRA treatment. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
B-cell Malignancies Summary
Fatal adverse reactions within 30 days of the last dose occurred in 8% (36/442) of patients treated with COPIKTRA 25 mg BID. Serious adverse reactions were reported in 289 patients (65%). The most frequent serious adverse reactions that occurred were infection (31%), diarrhea or colitis (18%), pneumonia (17%), rash (5%), and pneumonitis (5%).
Adverse reactions resulted in treatment discontinuation in 156 patients (35%) most often due to diarrhea or colitis, infection, and rash. COPIKTRA was dose reduced in 104 patients (24%) due to adverse reactions, most often due to diarrhea or colitis and transaminase elevation. The most common adverse reactions (reported in ≥ 20% of patients) were diarrhea or colitis, neutropenia, rash, fatigue, pyrexia, cough, nausea, upper respiratory infection, pneumonia, musculoskeletal pain and anemia.
CLL/SLL: Fatal adverse reactions within 30 days of the last dose occurred in 12% (19/158) of patients treated with COPIKTRA and in 4% (7/155) of patients treated with ofatumumab. Serious adverse reactions were reported in 73% (115/158) of patients treated with COPIKTRA and most often involved infection (38%; 60/158) and diarrhea or colitis (23%; 36/158). COPIKTRA was discontinued in 57 patients (36%), most often due to diarrhea or colitis, infection, and rash. COPIKTRA was dose reduced in 46 patients (29%) due to adverse reactions, most often due to diarrhea or colitis and rash. The most common adverse reactions with COPIKTRA (reported in ≥20% of patients) were diarrhea or colitis, neutropenia, pyrexia, upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, rash, fatigue, nausea, anemia and cough.
FL: Serious adverse reactions were reported in 58% of patients and most often involved diarrhea or colitis, pneumonia, renal insufficiency, rash, and sepsis. The most common adverse reactions (≥20% of patients) were diarrhea or colitis, nausea, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, rash, neutropenia, cough, anemia, pyrexia, headache, mucositis, abdominal pain, vomiting, transaminase elevation, and thrombocytopenia. Adverse reactions resulted in COPIKTRA discontinuation in 29% of patients, most often due to diarrhea or colitis and rash. COPIKTRA was dose reduced in 23% due to adverse reactions, most often due to transaminase elevation, diarrhea or colitis, lipase increased and infection.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
- CYP3A Inducers: Coadministration with a strong CYP3A inducer may reduce COPIKTRA efficacy. Avoid coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inducers.
- CYP3A Inhibitors: Coadministration with a strong CYP3A inhibitor may increase the risk of COPIKTRA toxicities. Reduce COPIKTRA dose to 15 mg BID when coadministered with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor.
- CYP3A Substrates: Coadministration of COPIKTRA with sensitive CYP3A4 substrates may increase the risk of toxicities of these drugs. Consider reducing the dose of the sensitive CYP3A4 substrate and monitor for signs of toxicities of the coadministered sensitive CYP3A substrate.
About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) are cancers that affect lymphocytes and are essentially the same disease, with the only difference being the location where the cancer primarily occurs. When most of the cancer cells are located in the bloodstream and the bone marrow, the disease is referred to as CLL, although the lymph nodes and spleen are often involved. When the cancer cells are located mostly in the lymph nodes, the disease is called SLL. The symptoms of CLL/SLL include a tender, swollen abdomen and feeling full even after eating only a small amount. Other symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, anemia, bruising easily, night sweats, weight loss, and frequent infections. However, many patients with CLL/SLL will live for years without symptoms. There are approximately 200,000 patients in the US affected by CLL/SLL with nearly 20,000 new diagnoses this year alone. While there are therapies currently available, real-world data reveals that a significant number of patients either relapse following treatment, become refractory to current agents, or are unable to tolerate treatment, representing a significant medical need. The potential of additional oral agents, particularly as a monotherapy that can be used in the general community physician’s armamentarium, may hold significant value in the treatment of patients with CLL/SLL.
About Follicular Lymphoma
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is typically a slow-growing or indolent form of
non-Hodgkin lymphoma (
About COPIKTRA™ (duvelisib)
COPIKTRA is an oral inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and the first approved dual inhibitor of PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma, two enzymes known to help support the growth and survival of malignant B-cells. PI3K signaling may lead to the proliferation of malignant B-cells and is thought to play a role in the formation and maintenance of the supportive tumor microenvironment.2,3,4 COPIKTRA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) after at least two prior therapies and relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after at least two prior systemic therapies. COPIKTRA is also being developed by Verastem Oncology for the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), for which it has received Fast Track status, and is being investigated in combination with other agents through investigator-sponsored studies.5 For more information on COPIKTRA, please visit www.COPIKTRA.com. Information about duvelisib clinical trials can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About Verastem Oncology
Our first
Forward looking statements notice
This press release includes forward-looking statements about
Other risks and uncertainties include those identified under the heading
"Risk Factors" in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended
1 | Decision Resources Group 2018 Estimates. | |
2 | Winkler D.G., Faia K.L., DiNitto J.P. et al. PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma inhibition by IPI-145 abrogates immune responses and suppresses activity in autoimmune and inflammatory disease models. Chem Biol 2013; 20:1-11. | |
3 | Reif K et al. Cutting Edge: Differential Roles for Phosphoinositide 3 kinases, p110-gamma and p110-delta, in lymphocyte chemotaxis and homing. J Immunol 2004:173:2236-2240. | |
4 | Schmid M et al. Receptor Tyrosine Kinases and TLR/IL1Rs Unexpectedly activate myeloid cell PI3K, a single convergent point promoting tumor inflammation and progression. Cancer Cell 2011;19:715-727. | |
5 |
www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03372057. |
|
Verastem, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) |
||||||||
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2018 | 2017 | |||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and investments | $ | 145,639 | $ | 86,672 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net | 10,562 | — | ||||||
Inventory | 131 | — | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 2,397 | 1,115 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 1,210 | 861 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net | 21,969 | — | ||||||
Other assets | 1,247 | 1,143 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 183,155 | $ | 89,791 | ||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities | $ | 53,441 | $ | 17,128 | ||||
Long-term debt | 21,535 | 14,828 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 566 | 151 | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity | 107,613 | 57,684 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 183,155 | $ | 89,791 | ||||
Verastem, Inc. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share amounts) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
|||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||||
Revenue: | ||||||||||||||||||||
License revenue | $ | 15,000 | $ | — | $ | 25,000 | $ | — | ||||||||||||
Product revenue, net | 508 | — | 508 | — | ||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 15,508 | — | 25,508 | — | ||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Costs of revenues, excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets | 49 | — | 49 | — | ||||||||||||||||
Research and development | 11,571 | 17,743 | 34,886 | 35,170 | ||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 25,426 | 5,394 | 51,066 | 14,582 | ||||||||||||||||
Amortization of acquired intangible assets | 31 | — | 31 | — | ||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 37,077 | 23,137 | 86,032 | 49,752 | ||||||||||||||||
Loss from operations | (21,569 | ) | (23,137 | ) | (60,524 | ) | (49,752 | ) | ||||||||||||
Interest income | 763 | 121 | 1,297 | 416 | ||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (862 | ) | (110 | ) | (1,858 | ) | (231 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (21,668 | ) | $ | (23,126 | ) | $ | (61,085 | ) | $ | (49,567 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss per share—basic and diluted | $ | (0.29 | ) | $ | (0.61 | ) | $ | (0.99 | ) | $ | (1.33 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted-average number of common shares used in net loss per share-basic and diluted | 73,644 | 37,630 | 61,995 | 37,207 | ||||||||||||||||
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005865/en/
Source:
Verastem Oncology:
Brian Sullivan, +1 781-469-1636
Senior
Director, Corporate Development
bsullivan@verastem.com
or
Media:
FleishmanHillard
Adam
Silverstein, +1 917-697-9313
media@verastem.com
or
Investors:
Argot
Partners
Joseph Rayne, +1 617-340-6075
joseph@argotpartners.com