REDWOOD CITY, Calif., and BANNOCKBURN, Ill., Jan. 11, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherus BioSciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHRS ) and Baxalta Incorporated (NYSE: BXLT ) today announced that CHS-0214, a proposed biosimilar of Enbrel ® (etanercept), met its primary endpoint in a confirmatory, double-blind, randomized, controlled, two-part clinical study. This ongoing study is evaluating the efficacy and safety of CHS-0214 compared to Enbrel in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis that is inadequately controlled with methotrexate alone. The study continues as planned until Week 52.
The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of subjects achieving ACR20 (20% improvement according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria) at Week 24. The primary endpoint was within the pre-specified margins for demonstrating equivalence of CHS-0214 compared to Enbrel. There were no clinically meaningful differences in the safety and immunogenicity profiles of the two products.
“Rheumatoid arthritis that remains active despite methotrexate treatment has a significant impact on a patient’s health and quality of life,” said Barbara Finck, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Coherus. “If approved, CHS-0214 has the potential to expand access and treatment options for patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases for which etanercept is indicated.”
This rheumatoid arthritis study is the second of two, large, Phase 3 confirmatory trials intended for inclusion in global marketing applications for CHS-0214. Results for the first Phase 3 study in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were released in November 2015 and showed that this first study also met its primary endpoints.
“We are pleased that this second pivotal clinical study comparing CHS-0214 to Enbrel has met its primary endpoint,” said Denny Lanfear, President and Chief Executive Officer of Coherus. “We look forward to advancing this product to registration in various territories in 2016.”
“Etanercept transformed the treatment for many with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, significantly improving patients’ quality of life,” said Dagmar Rosa-Björkeson, Executive Vice President and President, Biosimilars of Baxalta. “This important clinical milestone, adding to previously-announced positive data in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, brings us one step closer to expanding treatment options for patients.”
About CHS-0214, a proposed biosimilar of Enbrel ® (etanercept)
CHS-0214 was evaluated in two comprehensive single-dose, cross-over pharmacokinetic / bioequivalence (PK / BE) studies in healthy volunteers. In both trials, CHS-0214 demonstrated PK similarity to Enbrel ® based on pre-specified pharmacokinetic criteria. The safety profiles of CHS-0214 and Enbrel ® were similar in these studies.
CHS-0214 was also evaluated in a confirmatory, double-blind, randomized, controlled, two-part Phase 3 study in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. At Week 12, the primary endpoints, the mean percent change in PASI from baseline and the proportion of subjects achieving 75% improvement in PASI from baseline, were within the pre-specified margins for demonstrating equivalence of CHS-0214 compared to Enbrel ® . There were no clinically meaningful differences in the safety profiles of the products.
About Coherus BioSciences, Inc.
Coherus is a leading pure-play global biosimilar platform company that develops and commercializes high-quality therapeutics for major regulated markets. Biosimilars are intended for use in place of existing, branded biologics to treat a range of chronic and often life-threatening diseases, with the potential to reduce costs and expand patient access. Composed of a team of proven industry veterans with world-class expertise in process science, analytical characterization, protein production and clinical-regulatory development, Coherus is positioned as a leader in the global biosimilar marketplace. Coherus is advancing three late-stage clinical products towards commercialization, CHS-1701 (pegfilgrastim biosimilar), CHS-0214 (etanercept biosimilar) and CHS-1420 (adalimumab biosimilar), as well as developing a robust pipeline of future products. For additional information, please visit www.coherus.com .
Forward Looking Statement For Coherus
To the extent that statements contained in this press release are not descriptions of historical facts regarding Coherus, they are forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the ability of Coherus to obtain regulatory approvals on its desired timelines and the potential benefits of CHS-0214. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that relate to future events and the actual results could differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainties inherent in the biosimilar development process, including the regulatory approval process, the timing of the actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities, clinical results, changes in laws and regulations, product quality or supply for CHS-0214 and Enbrel®, patient safety and patent litigation. Coherus undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of the company in general, see the company's current and future reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015.
About Baxalta Incorporated
Baxalta Incorporated (NYSE: BXLT ) is a $6 billion global biopharmaceutical leader developing, manufacturing and commercializing therapies for orphan diseases and underserved conditions in hematology, oncology and immunology. Driven by passion to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives, Baxalta’s broad and diverse pipeline includes biologics with novel mechanisms and advanced technology platforms such as gene therapy. The Baxalta Global Innovation and R&D Center is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Launched in 2015 following separation from Baxter International, Baxalta’s heritage in biopharmaceuticals spans decades. Baxalta’s therapies are available in more than 100 countries and it has advanced biological manufacturing operations across 12 facilities, including state-of-the-art recombinant production and plasma fractionation. Headquartered in Northern Illinois, Baxalta employs 16,000 employees worldwide.
Forward Looking Statement For Baxalta
This release includes forward-looking statements concerning Baxalta’s collaboration with Coherus on CHS-0214, including expectations with regard to future regulatory actions and potential impact on patients. Such statements are made of the date that they were first issued and are based on current expectations, beliefs and assumptions of management. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond Baxalta's control and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including the following: clinical trial results; satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; changes in laws and regulations; product quality, manufacturing or supply issues; patient safety issues; and other risks identified in Baxalta's Registration Statement on Form 10 and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings, all of which are available on Baxalta's website. Baxalta expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.
Enbrel ® is a registered trademark of Amgen, Inc.
COHERUS INVESTOR AND MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Vendola, M.D. kvendola@coherus.com +1 (650) 437-6239 BAXALTA INVESTOR CONTACT: Mary Kay Ladone mary.kay.ladone@baxalta.com +1 (224) 948-3371 Lorna Williams lorna.williams@baxalta.com +1 (224) 948-3511 BAXALTA MEDIA CONTACT: Albert Liao media@baxalta.com +1 (617) 834-9285
