Genzyme announces key data from AUBAGIO Phase III trial on multiple sclerosis

Oct 15 2012

Genzyme, a Sanofi company (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) announced today that key data from the TOWER trial were presented at the 28^th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS). In the study, once-daily, oral AUBAGIO^® 14 mg significantly reduced the annualized relapse rate and slowed progression of disability in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to placebo. In addition, the proportion of patients treated with AUBAGIO who were relapse-free was significantly higher compared to placebo.

TOWER (Teriflunomide Oral in people With relapsing multiplE scleRosis) is a randomized, double-blind Phase III trial that enrolled 1,169 patients with relapsing MS across 26 countries and compared 7 mg or 14 mg once-daily, oral AUBAGIO against placebo. The company announced positive top-line results in June. In September, the FDA approved AUBAGIO as a once-daily oral treatment for patients with relapsing forms of MS. Marketing applications for AUBAGIO are currently under review by the EMA and other regulatory authorities.

"Slowing the progression of disability is a major goal in treating MS and remains a significant unmet need for many patients," said Ludwig Kappos, M.D., Chair of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, who presented the key TOWER results. "The TOWER study results are consistent with the Phase lll TEMSO data, both in terms of the effect on progression of disability and the manageable safety profile of AUBAGIO."

TOWER data presented for the first time today for the 14 mg dose include:

• A 36.3 percent reduction in annualized relapse rate>
• A 31.5 percent reduction in the risk of 12-week sustained accumulation of disability, the main secondary endpoint, as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), compared to placebo>

In addition, a 22.3 percent reduction in annualized relapse rate>

"AUBAGIO is the first and only oral MS therapy to significantly slow the progression of disability in two Phase III trials," said David Meeker, M.D., President and CEO, Genzyme. "The convenience of a once daily oral therapy offers a meaningful alternative for patients wanting to avoid the burden of regular injections."

Patients who completed the trial were followed for a period between 48 and 173 weeks. The average duration of AUBAGIO exposure in TOWER was 18 months.

Adverse events observed in the trial were consistent with those seen in previous studies of AUBAGIO in MS. The proportion of patients with treatment-emergent adverse events was similar across all treatment arms. The most common adverse events reported more frequently in the AUBAGIO arms were headache, ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) elevations, hair thinning, diarrhea, nausea and neutropenia. As previously reported, there was one death from a respiratory infection in the placebo arm and three deaths in the teriflunomide arms from a motor vehicle accident, suicide and sepsis.

The FDA has approved AUBAGIO as a once-daily, oral immunomodulator indicated for patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The ongoing AUBAGIO clinical development program, involving more than 5,000 patients in 36 countries, is among the largest of any MS therapy. Some patients in extension trials have been treated up to 10 years.

AUBAGIO is an immunomodulator with anti-inflammatory properties. Although the exact mechanism of action for AUBAGIO is not fully understood, it may involve a reduction in the number of activated lymphocytes in the central nervous system (CNS).

The U.S. AUBAGIO label includes a boxed warning citing the risk of hepatotoxicity and, teratogenicity (based on animal data). In MS clinical studies included in the U.S. label, the incidence of serious adverse events were similar among AUBAGIO and placebo-treated patients. The most common adverse events associated with AUBAGIO in MS patients included increased ALT levels, alopecia, diarrhea, influenza, nausea and paresthesia.

The labeling for AUBAGIO was also informed by the estimated 2.1 million years of patient exposure globally since the launch of leflunomide, which is indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. AUBAGIO is the principal active metabolite of leflunomide. Severe liver injury including fatal liver failure has been reported in patients treated with leflunomide.

Source: Genzyme