SUMMIT, N.J. & CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) and Acceleron Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: XLRN) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Reblozyl (luspatercept-aamt) for the treatment of anemia in adult patients with beta thalassemia who require regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.1 Reblozyl is not indicated for use as a substitute for RBC transfusions in patients who require immediate correction of anemia.1 Reblozyl is the first and only FDA-approved erythroid maturation agent, representing a new class of therapy which works by regulating late-stage red blood cell maturation to help patients reduce their RBC transfusion burden.1

“Today’s approval is an important milestone and underscores our continued commitment to patients with hematology disorders,” said Nadim Ahmed, President, Global Hematology and Oncology for Celgene. “There are very limited options for patients living with anemia due to beta thalassemia who are dependent on long term red blood cell transfusions. We are pleased to make Reblozyl available as a new therapy for these patients to help address their anemia, a significant clinical complication of beta thalassemia.”2

“We’re thrilled that Acceleron’s first approved medicine is one with the potential to help patients with beta thalassemia, who have been in need of new treatments for this lifelong disease,” said Habib Dable, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acceleron. “We are enormously grateful to the patients, families and caregivers who participated in and supported our research. Their contributions have been essential in helping to ensure that Reblozyl would emerge successfully from our longstanding collaboration with Celgene.”

Beta thalassemia is a rare, inherited blood disorder caused by a genetic defect in hemoglobin. The disease is associated with ineffective erythropoiesis, which results in the production of fewer and less healthy RBCs, often leading to severe anemia – a condition that can be debilitating and can lead to more severe complications for patients – as well as other serious health issues.2,3 Treatment options for anemia associated with beta thalassemia are limited, consisting mainly of RBC transfusions, which have the potential to contribute to iron overload, which can cause serious complications such as organ damage.4

The approval of Reblozyl for beta thalassemia, which received a Priority Review designation from the FDA, is based on results from the pivotal, Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter BELIEVE trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Reblozyl for the treatment of anemia in adult patients with beta thalassemia who require regular RBC transfusions (defined as 6-20 RBC units per 24 weeks, with no transfusion-free period greater than 35 days during that period).1 All patients were eligible to receive best supportive care, which included RBC transfusions; iron-chelating agents; use of antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal therapy; and/or nutritional support, as needed.1 The trial achieved a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in the primary endpoint.1 In the Reblozyl arm, 21.4% of patients (n=48) achieved a ≥33% reduction from baseline in RBC transfusion burden (with a reduction of at least 2 units) during weeks 13–24 after randomization, compared to 4.5% (n=5) in the placebo arm (risk difference [95% CI]: 17.0 [10.4, 23.6], P<0.0001).1

The study also met key secondary endpoints, including transfusion burden reduction of at least 33% (with a reduction of at least 2 units), during weeks 37 to week 48, which was achieved in 19.6% (n=44) of patients in the Reblozyl arm and 3.6% (n=4) in the placebo arm (risk difference [95% CI]: 16.1 [9.8, 22.4], P<0.0001).1

Other efficacy endpoints included transfusion burden reduction of ≥50% (with a reduction of at least 2 units) during weeks 13-24 and weeks 37-48.1 A ≥50% reduction in transfusion burden was observed in 7.6% of patients (n=17) receiving Reblozyl vs. 1.8% of patients (n=2) in the placebo arm at weeks 13-24 (risk difference [95% CI]: 5.8 [1.6, 10.1], P=0.0303), and 10.3% of patients (n=23) vs. 0.9% of patients (n=1) at weeks 37-48 (risk difference [95% CI]: 9.4 [5, 13.7], P=0.0017), respectively.1

In the BELIEVE trial, thromboembolic events, including deep vein thromboses, pulmonary embolus, portal vein thrombosis, and ischemic stroke, were experienced in 3.6% (8/223) of Reblozyl treated patients.1 Hypertension was reported in 10.7% (61/571) of Reblozyl-treated patients across the clinical development program.1 Reblozyl may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 3.6% of patients receiving Reblozyl.1 Serious adverse reactions reported in 1% of patients were cerebrovascular accident and deep vein thrombosis.1 One patient died due to an unconfirmed case of AML.1 The most common adverse reactions (at least 10% for Reblozyl, and 1% more than placebo) were headache (26% vs 24%), bone pain (20% vs 8%), arthralgia (19% vs 12%), fatigue (14% vs 13%), cough (14% vs 11%), abdominal pain (14% vs 12%), diarrhea (12% vs 10%) and dizziness (11% vs 5%) .1

Permanent discontinuation due to an adverse reaction (Grades 1-4) occurred in 5.4% of patients who received Reblozyl.1 The most frequent adverse reactions requiring permanent discontinuation in patients who received Reblozyl included arthralgia (1%), back pain (1%), bone pain (<1%), and headache (<1%).1 Dosage reductions due to an adverse reaction occurred in 2.7% of patients who received Reblozyl.1 The most frequent adverse reactions requiring a dosage reduction in >0.5% of patients who received Reblozyl included hypertension and headache.1 Dosage interruptions due to an adverse reaction occurred in 15.2% of patients who received Reblozyl.1 The most frequent adverse reactions requiring a dosage interruption in >1% of patients who received Reblozyl included upper respiratory tract infection, ALT increase, and cough.1

Reblozyl is anticipated to be available 1 week following the FDA approval.

About BELIEVE

BELIEVE is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study comparing Reblozyl + best supportive care (BSC) versus placebo + BSC in adults who require regular RBC transfusions (6-20 RBC units per 24 weeks with no transfusion-free period greater than 35 days during that period) due to beta thalassemia.1 Best supportive care included RBC transfusions; iron-chelating agents; use of antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal therapy; and/or nutritional support as needed. The median age of patients was 30 years in both treatment arms.1 336 patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either Reblozyl (224 patients) or placebo (112 patients) at a starting dose of 1.0 mg/kg by subcutaneous injection every 21 days for up to 48 weeks.1 Patients had the option to cross over to the luspatercept-aamt treatment groups only after all patients completed the treatment period, and after unblinding based on the recommendation of an independent Data Safety Monitoring Committee. Patients treated with luspatercept-aamt will be followed for up to 5 years. The study was conducted at 65 sites in 15 countries.1

About Reblozyl

Reblozyl is a first-in-class erythroid maturation agent that promotes late-stage red blood cell maturation in animal models.1 Celgene and Acceleron are jointly developing Reblozyl as part of a global collaboration.

Additional Clinical Investigation

The FDA is also evaluating luspatercept-aamt for the treatment of anemia in adults with very low- to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who have ring sideroblasts and require RBC transfusions. The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action, date of April 4, 2020 for this indication. In Europe, Celgene’s Marketing Authorization Application for the treatment of anemia in adults with beta thalassemia or MDS is currently under review.

A Phase 2 trial (BEYOND) in adult patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia5; a Phase 3 trial (COMMANDS) in ESA-naïve, lower-risk MDS patients6; and a Phase 2 trial in myelofibrosis patients are ongoing.7 For more information, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Reblozyl has not been approved as safe and effective for use in patients with MDS or myelofibrosis in any country.

Indication
Reblozyl is indicated for the treatment of anemia in adult patients with beta thalassemia who require regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions

Reblozyl is not indicated for use as a substitute for RBC transfusions in patients who require immediate correction of anemia

Important Safety Information

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Thrombosis/Thromboembolism
Thromboembolic events (TEE) were reported in 8/223 (3.6%) Reblozyl-treated patients. TEEs included deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, portal vein thrombosis, and ischemic stroke. Patients with known risk factors for thromboembolism, (splenectomy or concomitant use of hormone replacement therapy), may be at further increased risk of thromboembolic conditions. Consider thromboprophylaxis in patients at increased risk of TEE. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of thromboembolic events and institute treatment promptly.

Hypertension
Hypertension was reported in 10.7% (61/571) of Reblozyl-treated patients. Across clinical studies, the incidence of grade 3-4 hypertension ranged from 1.8% to 8.6%. In patients with beta thalassemia with normal baseline blood pressure, 13 (6.2%) patients developed systolic blood pressure (SBP) >130 mm Hg and 33 (16.6%) patients developed diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >80 mm Hg. Monitor blood pressure prior to each administration. Manage new or exacerbations of preexisting hypertension using anti-hypertensive agents.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Reblozyl may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Reblozyl caused increased post-implantation loss, decreased litter size, and an increased incidence of skeletal variations in pregnant rat and rabbit studies. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS
Serious adverse reactions occurring in 1% of patients included cerebrovascular accident and deep vein thrombosis. A fatal adverse reaction occurred in one patient treated with Reblozyl who died due to an unconfirmed case of AML.

Most common adverse reactions (at least 10% for Reblozyl, and 1% more than placebo) were headache (26% vs 24%), bone pain (20% vs 8%), arthralgia (19% vs 12%), fatigue (14% vs 13%), cough (14% vs 11%), abdominal pain (14% vs 12%), diarrhea (12% vs 10%) and dizziness (11% vs 5%).1

LACTATION
It is not known whether Reblozyl is excreted into human milk or absorbed systemically after ingestion by a nursing infant. Reblozyl was detected in milk of lactating rats. When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, and because of the unknown effects of Reblozyl in infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue treatment. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose. (Article from : www.drugs.com)