Hana Biosciences reports complete data from Marqibo Phase 2 RALLY trial for relapsed/refractory adult ALL

Jun 8 2010

• Marqibo administered as third-, fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-line single-agent therapy
• 35% overall response rate with a predictable and manageable toxicity profile
• 20% complete response (CR) and CR with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) rate
• 5.3 month median CR/CRi duration and 7.4 month median survival in responders

Hana Biosciences Inc., (OTCBB:HNAB), today announced complete data from its pivotal, Phase 2 RALLY clinical trial for Marqibo® (vincristine sulfate liposome injection) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory adult Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Results from the RALLY trial demonstrated compelling evidence of single-agent, anti-leukemic activity in an advanced, heavily pre-treated, adult ALL population.

An analysis of the 65 evaluable subjects demonstrated an overall response in 35 percent of the subjects and a complete response (CR) or CR with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) in 20 percent of the subjects. The estimated median overall survival in complete responders was 7.4 months, with five patients having an overall survival greater than one year. The estimated median duration of CR/CRi was 5.3 months. Ten patients treated with Marqibo went on to receive a potentially life-saving stem cell transplant. There were no unexpected toxicities.

"We believe these data position Marqibo as an effective treatment for relapsed/refractory adult ALL patients with limited to no current options, as efficacy was demonstrated in second and third salvage settings, as third- through fifth-line therapy, and in both B- and T-lineage ALL," said Anne Hagey, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Hana Biosciences. "Based upon these data, we are moving forward with our plan to initiate a rolling NDA submission with the hopes of bringing a much needed therapy to patients with no standard treatment options. In addition, the complete RALLY results reinforce our belief that Marqibo has the potential to be an important and useful stand-alone therapy in relapsed adult leukemia. We look forward to additional and continued development in combination therapy in leukemia and lymphomas."

"The results of the RALLY trial demonstrate a clinically meaningful benefit for patients who have relapsed multiple times or who have progressed following two or more prior lines of therapy," said Susan O'Brien, M.D., Professor of Medicine in the Leukemia Department at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center and RALLY study lead investigator. "Based on historical data with single-agent therapy, one would have expected no more than a 4 percent CR/CRi rate in such an advanced leukemia population. Marqibo's CR/CRi rate of 20 percent would be an extremely important step forward in the treatment of adult ALL"