Takeda provides update on tourmaline-al1 phase 3 trial in al
amyloidosis
Cambridge, mass. & osaka, japan--(business wire)--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. ninlaro™ (ixazomib) capsules: global important safety information special warnings and precautionsthrombocytopenia has been reported with ninlaro (28% vs. 14% in the ninlaro and placebo regimens, respectively) with platelet nadirs typically occurring between days 14-21 of each 28-day cycle and recovery to baseline by the start of the next cycle. it did not result in an increase in hemorrhagic events or platelet transfusions. monitor platelet counts at least monthly during treatment with ninlaro and consider more frequent monitoring during the first three cycles. manage with dose modifications and platelet transfusions as per standard medical guidelines. gastrointestinal toxicities have been reported in the ninlaro and placebo regimens respectively, such as diarrhea (42% vs. 36%), constipation (34% vs. 25%), nausea (26% vs. 21%), and vomiting (22% vs. 11%), occasionally requiring use of antiemetic and anti-diarrheal medications, and supportive care. peripheral neuropathy was reported with ninlaro (28% vs. 21% in the ninlaro and placebo regimens, respectively). the most commonly reported reaction was peripheral sensory neuropathy (19% and 14% in the ninlaro and placebo regimens, respectively). peripheral motor neuropathy was not commonly reported in either regimen (< 1%). monitor patients for symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and adjust dosing as needed. peripheral edema was reported with ninlaro (25% vs. 18% in the ninlaro and placebo regimens, respectively). evaluate patients for underlying causes and provide supportive care, as necessary. adjust the dose of dexamethasone per its prescribing information or the dose of ninlaro for severe symptoms. cutaneous reactions occurred in 19% of patients in the ninlaro regimen compared to 11% of patients in the placebo regimen. the most common type of rash reported in both regimens was maculo-papular and macular rash. manage rash with supportive care, dose modification or discontinuation. hepatotoxicity, drug-induced liver injury, hepatocellular injury, hepatic steatosis, and hepatitis cholestatic have been uncommonly reported with ninlaro. monitor hepatic enzymes regularly and adjust dose for grade 3 or 4 symptoms. pregnancy- ninlaro can cause fetal harm. advise male and female patients of reproductive potential to use contraceptive measures during treatment and for an additional 90 days after the final dose of ninlaro. women of childbearing potential should avoid becoming pregnant while taking ninlaro due to potential hazard to the fetus. women using hormonal contraceptives should use an additional barrier method of contraception. lactation- it is not known whether ninlaro or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. there could be potential adverse events in nursing infants and therefore breastfeeding should be discontinued. special patient populationshepatic impairment: reduce the ninlaro starting dose to 3 mg in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment. renal impairment: reduce the ninlaro starting dose to 3 mg in patients with severe renal impairment or end-stage renal disease (esrd) requiring dialysis. ninlaro is not dialyzable and, therefore, can be administered without regard to the timing of dialysis. drug interactionsco-administration of strong cyp3a inducers with ninlaro is not recommended. adverse reactionsthe most frequently reported adverse reactions (≥ 20%) in the ninlaro regimen, and greater than in the placebo regimen, were diarrhea (42% vs. 36%), constipation (34% vs. 25%), thrombocytopenia (28% vs. 14%), peripheral neuropathy (28% vs. 21%), nausea (26% vs. 21%), peripheral edema (25% vs. 18%), vomiting (22% vs. 11%), and back pain (21% vs. 16%). serious adverse reactions reported in ≥ 2% of patients included thrombocytopenia (2%) and diarrhea (2%). for each adverse reaction, one or more of the three drugs was discontinued in ≤ 1% of patients in the ninlaro regimen. for european union summary of product characteristics: http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_gb/document_library/epar_-product_information/human/003844/wc500217620.pdffor us prescribing information: https://www.ninlarohcp.com/pdf/prescribing-information.pdffor canada product monograph: http://www.takedacanada.com/ninlaropm about takeda pharmaceutical companytakeda 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 important noticefor the purposes of this notice, “press release” means this document, any oral presentation, any question and answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by takeda pharmaceutical company limited (“takeda”) regarding this release. this press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. no shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. no offering of securities shall be made in the united states except pursuant to registration under the u.s. securities act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. this press release is being given (together with any further information which may be provided to the recipient) on the condition that it is for use by the recipient for information purposes only (and not for the evaluation of any investment, acquisition, disposal or any other transaction). any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws. the companies in which takeda directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. in this press release, “takeda” is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to takeda and its subsidiaries in general. likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. these expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. forward-looking statementsthis press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding takeda’s future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for takeda. in particular, this press release contains forecasts and management estimates related to the financial and operational performance of takeda, including statements regarding forecasts for revenue, operating profit, adjusted ebitda, profit before income taxes, net profit attributable to owners of takeda, basic earnings per share, amortization and impairment and other income/expense, underlying revenue, underlying core earnings margin, underlying core eps and net debt. without limitation, forward looking statements often include the words such as “targets”, “plans”, “believes”, “hopes”, “continues”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “will”, “may”, “should”, “would”, “could” “anticipates”, “estimates”, “projects” or words or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof. any forward-looking statements in this document are based on the current assumptions and beliefs of takeda in light of the information currently available to it. such forward-looking statements do not represent any guarantee by takeda or its management of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including but not limited to: the economic circumstances surrounding takeda’s business, including general economic conditions in japan, the united states and worldwide; competitive pressures and developments; applicable laws and regulations; the success of or failure of product development programs; decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; changes in exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or products candidates; and post-merger integration with acquired companies, any of which may cause takeda’s actual results, performance, achievements or financial position to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or financial position expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. for more information on these and other factors which may affect takeda’s results, performance, achievements, or financial position, see “item 3. key information—d. risk factors” in takeda’s registration statement on form 20-f filed with the u.s. securities and exchange commission, available on takeda’s website at: https://www.takeda.com/investors/reports/sec-filings/ or at www.sec.gov. neither takeda nor its management gives any assurances that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct, and actual results, performance or achievements could materially differ from expectations. persons receiving this press release should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. takeda undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make. past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results of takeda in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast or projection of takeda’s future results.
