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news.Amgen and Janssen Pharmaceuticals are collaborating in multiple clinical trials assessing the combination of KYPROLIS (carfilzomib) and DARZALEX (daratumumab) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).
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Under the terms of the agreement, the companies may elect to supply drug only or supply drug and share development costs on a study-by-study basis.
The first study initiated as part of this agreement is a Phase 3 registrational trial evaluating KYPROLIS in combination with DARZALEX and dexamethasone compared to KYPROLIS and dexamethasone alone in patients with multiple myeloma who have had one, two or three prior lines of therapy.
The rationale for combining these agents is that they have demonstrated substantial activity in multiple myeloma, with distinct and complementary mechanisms of action. The study is anticipated to start enrolling patients in April 2017.
Amgen executive vice president of research and development Sean Harper said: "Given the relapsing nature of multiple myeloma, several options are needed to attack the disease differently and keep patients in remission as long as possible.
"We are excited to collaborate with Janssen to evaluate the potential of combining KYPROLIS, a powerful proteasome inhibitor, with DARZALEX, the first human anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of multiple myeloma in the relapsed setting."
As part of an earlier and separate agreement, Amgen is also supplying KYPROLIS for Janssen's open-label Phase 1b study. The combination of DARZALEX and KYPROLIS is being investigated in this Phase 1b study in two cohorts.
One cohort includes DARZALEX in combination with KYPROLIS and dexamethasone in patients who previously received one to three prior lines of therapy.
The second cohort includes DARZALEX in combination with KYPROLIS, REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone in subjects with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, regardless of transplantation eligibility. Both Phase 1 cohorts are fully enrolled.
About the Phase 3 Study Design
The proposed study design is a Phase 3, open-label, randomized study in multiple myeloma patients with one, two or three prior lines of therapy.
Patients will be treated to progression. In the first arm, patients will receive KYPROLIS twice weekly at 56 mg/m2 and dexamethasone in combination with DARZALEX (KdD). In the second arm (control), patients will receive KYPROLIS twice weekly at 56 mg/m2 and dexamethasone (Kd).
The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) and the key secondary endpoints are overall response rate, minimal residual disease and overall survival.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer, characterized by a recurring pattern of remission and relapse.
It is a rare and very aggressive disease that accounts for approximately one percent of all cancers.
In the U.S., there are nearly 95,000 people living with, or in remission from, multiple myeloma.
Approximately 30,330 Americans are diagnosed with multiple myeloma each year and 12,650 patient deaths are reported on an annual basis.
About Amgen's Commitment to Oncology
Amgen Oncology is committed to helping patients take on some of the toughest cancers, such as those that have been resistant to drugs, those that progress rapidly through the body and those where limited treatment options exist. Amgen's supportive care treatments help patients combat certain side effects of strong chemotherapy, and our targeted medicines and immunotherapies focus on more than a dozen different malignancies, ranging from blood cancers to solid tumors. With decades of experience providing therapies for cancer patients, Amgen continues to grow its portfolio of innovative and biosimilar oncology medicines.
About KYPROLIS (carfilzomib)
Proteasomes play an important role in cell function and growth by breaking down proteins that are damaged or no longer needed.
KYPROLIS has been shown to block proteasomes, leading to an excessive build-up of proteins within cells.
In some cells, KYPROLIS can cause cell death, especially in myeloma cells because they are more likely to contain a higher amount of abnormal proteins.
KYPROLIS is approved in the U.S. for the following:
- In combination with dexamethasone or with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received one to three lines of therapy.
- As a single agent for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received one or more lines of therapy.
KYPROLIS is also approved in Argentina, Israel, Kuwait, Mexico, Thailand, Colombia, Korea, Canada, Switzerland, Russia, Brazil and the European Union. Additional regulatory applications for KYPROLIS are underway and have been submitted to health authorities worldwide.