Actelion is granted marketing authorization by the European Commission for Ledaga (chlormethine gel) for the treatment of MF-CTCL
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Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd /
Actelion is granted marketing authorization by the European Commission for
Ledaga (chlormethine gel) for the treatment of MF-CTCL
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
ALLSCHWIL/BASEL, SWITZERLAND - 07 March 2017 - Actelion Ltd (SIX: ATLN)
announced today that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization
for the use of Ledaga(®) (chlormethine gel) 160 micrograms/g for the treatment
of mycosis fungoides-type cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (MF-CTCL).
MF-CTCL is a rare, potentially life-threatening immune system cancer that is
chronic and usually progresses slowly. The course of disease in individual
patients is unpredictable. In about 34% of cases, a progression of the disease
is observed, and in the most advanced stages, MF-CTCL cells can metastasize to
other body tissues, including the liver, spleen and lungs.
Ledaga is indicated for the topical treatment of mycosis fungoides-type
cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (MF type CTCL) in adult patients.
The market authorization for Ledaga is based on the results of the pivotal 201
study, the largest randomized controlled study ever conducted in early stage MF-
CTCL, involving 260 patients. In this study, within the efficacy evaluable (EE)
population, 77% of patients who were treated for at least 6 months with
chlormethine gel achieved a clinical response in the Composite Assessment of
Index Lesion Severity (CAILS) score, while 59% of those treated with the
compounded control had a clinical response. A response was defined as at least a
50% improvement in the baseline CAILS score. Complete response was achieved in
19% of patients treated with chlormethine gel in the EE population versus 15% of
patients treated with the compounded control. Reductions in mean CAILS scores
were seen as early as four weeks into the study, with further reductions
observed with continuing therapy.
In the 201 study, the most frequent adverse reactions reported with chlormethine
gel were skin related: dermatitis (54.7%; e.g., skin irritation, erythema, rash,
urticaria, skin-burning sensation, pain of the skin), pruritus (20.3%), skin
infections (11.7%), skin ulceration and blistering (6.3%), and skin
hyperpigmentation (5.5%). No evidence of systemic absorption of chlormethine was
observed with the treatment.
Actelion is working diligently to launch Ledaga in the EU as rapidly as
possible. Actelion has agreed to a list of post-approval measures with the CHMP
(Committee for Medical Products for Human Use, the scientific committee of the
European Medicines Agency). Subject to fulfilling the agreed commitments and
achieving market access in various countries, a potential first European launch
of Ledaga is not expected before January 2018.
###
Notes to Editor:
ABOUT LEDAGA (CHLORMETHINE)
Ledaga (chlormethine) is an alkylating drug indicated for the treatment of
mycosis fungoides-type cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma (MF-CTCL) formulated as a
topical, once-daily, colorless gel.
Chlormethine gel, under the brand name Valchlor® (mechlorethamine) is
commercially available in the US (since 2013) and in Israel through special
import authorization procedure (since 2016). In France, patients benefit from
the drug under a temporary authorization for use ("ATU") program initiated
during the second half of 2014.
ABOUT MF-CTCL
Mycosis fungoides-type cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma (MF-CTCL) is a rare, but
serious and life-threatening, immune system cancer that appears in the skin. MF-
CTCL is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
MF-CTLC typically appears in patients over 50 years of age (median age is 54),
and is more common in men. It presents first as dry skin and a red rash, with or
without itching. As a result, MF-CTLC is often mistaken for eczema or psoriasis,
delaying diagnosis. MF-CTLC goes on to form scaly plaques on the skin, which can
cover small or large areas of the skin. Large bumps or tumor nodules may also
develop, and lymph nodes may be involved.
While MF-CTCL is a chronic and usually slowly progressing disease, the course of
disease in individual patients is unpredictable, with some patient progressing
into advanced stages. In about 34% of cases, a progression of the disease is
observed, and in the most advanced stages, MF-CTCL cells can metastasize to
other body tissues, including the liver, spleen and lungs.
Current research suggests that patients who are diagnosed in early stages of MF-
CTCL have a normal life expectancy, however, the average time to diagnosis
ranges from two to seven years. An important therapeutic objective in treating
MF-CTLC is prevention of disease progression. Failure to maintain MF-CTLC in its
early stages results in a drastically reduced median survival.
ABOUT STUDY 201
Study 201 was a multicenter, randomized, observer-blinded, active-controlled,
12-month study of Stage I and IIA MF-type CTCL patients, conducted in 13 centers
in the US to evaluate the efficacy and safety of chlormethine gel compared with
chlormethine HCl 0.02% compounded in Aquaphor(®) ointment. In total, 260
patients were randomized 1:1 to topical treatment with chlormethine gel or
chlormethine HCl 0.02% compounded in Aquaphor(®) ointment once daily for up to
12 months.
In the study, within the efficacy evaluable (EE) population, 77% of patients
treated with chlormethine gel had a clinical response at 12 months, in the
Composite Assessment of Index Lesion Severity (CAILS*) score, while 59% of those
treated with the compounded control achieved a confirmed response. (*A response
was defined as at least a 50% improvement in the baseline CAILS score).
Complete response was achieved in 19% of patients treated with chlormethine gel
versus 15% of patients treated with the compounded control in the EE population.
Reductions in mean lesion severity (CAILS) were seen as early as four weeks,
with further reductions observed with continuing therapy.
The most frequent adverse reactions reported with chlormethine gel were skin
related: dermatitis (54.7%; e.g., skin irritation, erythema, rash, urticaria,
skin-burning sensation, pain of the skin), pruritus (20.3%), skin infections
(11.7%), skin ulceration and blistering (6.3%), and skin hyperpigmentation
(5.5%). No clinical evidence of systemic absorption of chlormethine was observed
with the treatment.
Actelion Ltd.
Actelion Ltd. is a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery,
development and commercialization of innovative drugs for diseases with
significant unmet medical needs.
Actelion is a leader in the field of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Our
portfolio of PAH treatments covers the spectrum of disease, from WHO Functional
Class (FC) II through to FC IV, with oral, inhaled and intravenous medications.
Although not available in all countries, Actelion has treatments approved by
health authorities for a number of specialist diseases including Type 1 Gaucher
disease, Niemann-Pick type C disease, Digital Ulcers in patients suffering from
systemic sclerosis, and mycosis fungoides type cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Founded in late 1997, with now over 2,600 dedicated professionals covering all
key markets around the world including Europe, the US, Japan, China, Russia and
Mexico, Actelion has its corporate headquarters in Allschwil / Basel,
Switzerland.
Actelion shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol: ATLN) as
part of the Swiss blue-chip index SMI (Swiss Market Index SMI(®)). All
trademarks are legally protected by their respective owners.
For further information please contact:
Andrew C. Weiss
Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Gewerbestrasse 16, CH-4123 Allschwil
+41 61 565 62 62
www.actelion.com
The above information contains certain "forward-looking statements", relating to
the company's business, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking
terminology such as "estimates", "believes", "expects", "may", "are expected
to", "will", "will continue", "should", "would be", "seeks", "pending" or
"anticipates" or similar expressions, or by discussions of strategy, plans or
intentions. Such statements include descriptions of the company's investment
and research and development programs and anticipated expenditures in connection
therewith, descriptions of new products expected to be introduced by the company
and anticipated customer demand for such products and products in the company's
existing portfolio. Such statements reflect the current views of the company
with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties
and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the company to be materially different from any future results,
performances or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-
looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties
materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results
may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed,
estimated or expected.
Press Release PDF:
http://hugin.info/131801/R/2085215/786252.pdf
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Source: Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd via GlobeNewswire
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 07.03.2017 - 07:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 528499
Anzahl Zeichen: 11149
contact information:
Town:
Allschwil
Kategorie:
Business News
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