Genasense
Generic name: oblimersen sodium
Treatment for: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Genta Completes Appeal of FDA Decision for Genasense in CLL
Submission Seeks Approval of Genasense in Relapsed/Refractory Patients
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., October 25, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genta Incorporated announced that the Company has completed the filing of the Company's formal appeal to Dr. Janet Woodcock, Acting Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation Research (CDER), at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The appeal asks that CDER approve the use of Genasense (oblimersen sodium) Injection plus chemotherapy for patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In December 2006, FDA issued a non-approvable letter for the Company's New Drug Application (NDA) for Genasense in CLL. This appeal has been submitted in accordance with the Formal Dispute Resolution process that exists within CDER. Responses to CDER appeals are typically made within 30 to 60 days.
The appeal reflects several considerations, including but not limited to the following:
- Complete responses -- the primary endpoint of the trial - were more than doubled in the Genasense group compared with controls who received chemotherapy alone. The difference was statistically significant.
- Complete response confers clinical benefit in CLL. By definition, a complete response requires elimination of all evidence of disease, normalization of blood counts, and resolution of symptoms.
- The median duration of complete response in patients who received Genasense has exceeded 3 years, at least 50% longer compared with controls, which is clinically meaningful and statistically significant. Survival information from this study will be updated at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in December 2007.
- The Genasense study is the only randomized controlled trial ever conducted in this population.
- The number, type, and severity of adverse reactions encountered with Genasense were comparable to other leukemia drugs, which are readily managed by specialists.
Genasense in CLL
In the pivotal Phase 3 trial, patients with relapsed or refractory CLL were randomly assigned to receive fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide (Flu/Cy) chemotherapy with or without Genasense. This trial - the first randomized study ever conducted in this population - achieved its primary endpoint, which was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of patients who achieved a complete or nodular partial response (CR/nPR) (17% vs. 7%; P=0.025). In addition, the duration of CR/nPR was significantly longer for patients treated with Genasense (median = not reached but exceeding 36 months in the Genasense group vs. 22 months for patients treated with chemotherapy alone).
Prior to randomization on this trial, patients were prospectively stratified according to criteria that reflected their responsiveness to prior chemotherapy. The CR/nPR response to Flu/Cy alone was both equally poor (6-7%) and numerically inferior in all stratification groups. Clear trends, evident across all strata, suggested that the best response to Genasense occurred in patients who had received less extensive therapy. In addition to achieving the prospectively defined, intent-to-treat primary endpoint, patients in the Genasense group who were protocol-defined as "non-refractory" to fludarabine (comprising more than 40% of the total population) achieved:
- A four-fold increase in CR/nPR (25% [13/51] vs. 6% [3/50]; P = 0.016)
- Increased time-to-progression (median = 12 months. vs. 10 months; P = N.S.)
- Increased overall survival (median not reached but exceeding 39 months. vs. 33 months; P = 0.05)
A scientific report of the safety and efficacy findings from this pivotal study was published earlier this year in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (25:1114, 2007).
Safety
Grade 3 or Grade 4 adverse events that occurred during treatment or within 30 days from last treatment in an increased percentage of patients in the Genasense group included, but were not limited to, thrombocytopenia, nausea, and intravenous-catheter complications. Adverse events resulted in discontinuation of therapy in an equal percentage of patients in both groups. Nine patients in the Genasense group and 5 patients in the chemotherapy-alone group had adverse events that resulted in death, including two patients in the Genasense group who died from complications associated with tumor lysis and infusion-related reactions.
About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
CLL is the most common form of leukemia in adults. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 8,000 patients will be diagnosed this year. More than 60,000 people in the U.S. currently have CLL. The disease arises in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that normally produces antibodies and serves important immune functions. Patients with CLL typically develop symptoms that may progress over a period of years, ultimately producing a generalized depression of immunity, marked increases in the size of spleen, liver and lymph nodes, and impaired production of other normal blood cells. Eventually, these problems may cause life-threatening complications, such as overwhelming infections and fatal bleeding. More information about CLL can be accessed at the website for the Lymphoma Research Foundation at: http://www.lymphoma.org.
About Genasense
Genasense inhibits production of Bcl-2, a protein made by cancer cells that is thought to block chemotherapy-induced apoptosis (programmed cell death). By reducing the amount of Bcl-2 in cancer cells, Genasense may enhance the effectiveness of current anticancer treatment. Genta is pursuing a broad clinical development program with Genasense evaluating its potential to treat various forms of cancer.
About Genta
Genta Incorporated is a biopharmaceutical company with a diversified product portfolio that is focused on delivering innovative products for the treatment of patients with cancer. The Company's research platform is anchored by two major programs: DNA/RNA-based Medicines and Small Molecules. Genasense (oblimersen sodium) Injection is the Company's lead compound from its DNA/RNA Medicines program. Genta is currently recruiting patients for a global Phase 3 trial of Genasense in patients with advanced melanoma. The leading drug in Genta's Small Molecule program is Ganite (gallium nitrate injection), which the Company is exclusively marketing in the U.S. for treatment of symptomatic patients with cancer related hypercalcemia that is resistant to hydration. The Company has developed an oral formulation of the active ingredient in Ganite that is currently undergoing initial clinical trials as a potential treatment for diseases associated with accelerated bone loss. Genta is partnered with IDIS on a program whereby both Ganite and Genasense are available on a "named-patient" basis in countries outside the United States.
Safe Harbor
This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to business conducted by Genta Incorporated. By their nature, forward-looking statements and forecasts involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Forward- looking statements include, without limitation, statements about:
- the Company's ability to obtain necessary regulatory approval for Genasense from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") or European Medicines Agency ("EMEA");
- the safety and efficacy of the Company's products or product candidates;
- the Company's assessment of its clinical trials;
- the commencement and completion of clinical trials;
- the Company's ability to develop, manufacture, license and sell its products or product candidates;
- the Company's ability to enter into and successfully execute license and collaborative agreements, if any;
- the adequacy of the Company's capital resources and cash flow projections, and the Company's ability to obtain sufficient financing to maintain the Company's planned operations;
- the adequacy of the Company's patents and proprietary rights;
- the impact of litigation that has been brought against the Company and its officers and directors and any proposed settlement of such litigation; and
- the other risks described under Certain Risks and Uncertainties Related to the Company's Business, as contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially. For a discussion of those risks and uncertainties, please see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2006 and its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Posted: October 2007
Related articles
- FDA Appeal Decision Indicates that Genasense Approval in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Will Require Additional Confirmatory Trial - March 9, 2009
- Genta to Appeal FDA Decision on New Drug Application for Genasense in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - December 12, 2008
- Genta Receives Complete Response Letter from FDA to Amended Application of Genasense in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - December 3, 2008
- FDA Accepts Genta's NDA Amendment as Complete Response for Genasense Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - July 14, 2008
- Genta Submits NDA Amendment to FDA for Genasense as Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - June 6, 2008
- FDA Indicates That Genasense Approval in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Will Require Additional Confirmatory Data - March 17, 2008
- FDA Extends Review of Genasense NDA Appeal in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - January 14, 2008
- Genta Appeals FDA Decision on Genasense in CLL - April 4, 2007
- Genta Announces the Company Will Appeal FDA Action on New Drug Application of Genasense in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - February 6, 2007
- Genta Receives Non-Approvable Notice for Application of Genasense in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - December 15, 2006
- FDA Extends Review Period for Genasense New Drug Application in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - October 30, 2006
- Briefing Documents Posted for FDA Committee Review of Genasense New Drug Application - September 5, 2006
- Genta Announces FDA's Oncology Drug Advisory Committee Will Review Genasense as Treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - July 27, 2006
- Genasense New Drug Application Accepted for Review by FDA - March 1, 2006
- Genta Files New Drug Application for FDA Approval of Genasense Plus Chemotherapy for Patients with Advanced or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - December 29, 2005
- Genta Initiates New Drug Application for Genasense in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - June 30, 2005
- Genta Announces Withdrawal of New Drug Application for Genasense in Melanoma - May 13, 2004
- FDA Advisory Committee Reviews Genasense For Use in Advanced Melanoma - May 3, 2004
- Genta and Aventis Announce Genasense Expanded Access Program for Patients with Advanced Melanoma - April 20, 2004
- Aventis and Genta Announce FDA Acceptance and Priority Review of New Drug Application for Genasense in Advanced Melanoma - February 6, 2004
Genasense (oblimersen sodium) FDA Approval History
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