The NDA is based on results from the Phase II ACE-LY-004 clinical trial, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of acalabrutinib in patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy. This follows the FDA's recent Breakthrough Therapy Designation for acalabrutinib.
Sean Bohen, Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer, said: "FDA's acceptance of the acalabrutinib application and Priority Review illustrates the impact it could have on patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma as we work to bring this potential medicine to those in need as quickly as possible."
Priority Review is granted to applications for medicines that, if approved, would offer a significant improvement in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of serious conditions. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date is during the first quarter of 2018.
Flavia Borellini, PhD, Acerta Pharma Chief Executive Officer, said: "We believe acalabrutinib has the potential to be a very important treatment option for patients with this life-threatening blood cancer. The FDA's NDA acceptance exemplifies our progress in the acalabrutinib development programme and continues our momentum as we seek to transform care for people with haematologic malignancies."
Results from the ACE-LY-004 clinical trial will be submitted for presentation at a forthcoming medical meeting. The acalabrutinib development programme includes both monotherapy and combination therapy strategies in a broad range of blood cancers and solid tumours. The programme includes the Phase III ACE-LY-308 clinical trial evaluating acalabrutinib as a 1st-line treatment for patients with MCL.