WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 05, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ: BGNE ) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative molecularly-targeted and immuno-oncology drugs for the treatment of cancer, today presented updated clinical data from an ongoing Phase I study of BTK inhibitor BGB-3111 in patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) at the 2016 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. The updated clinical data continue to demonstrate that BGB-3111 is well-tolerated and highly active in WM, with an overall response rate of 94%, including a major response rate of 78% and a very good partial response (VGPR) rate of 34%, at a median follow-up time of 9.6 months.
“The updated data on BGB-3111 in Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia continue to show deep and durable responses in a larger number of patients, notably a high rate of VGPRs, and no disease progression on treatment to date,” commented Constantine Tam, MD, Disease Group Lead for Low Grade Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia, coordinating principal investigator of the study.
“Based on the continued strength of the efficacy and safety data from our Phase I trial of BGB-3111 in Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, we will begin a global Phase III trial of BGB-3111 versus ibrutinib in patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia in late 2016 or early 2017. We look forward to advancing BGB-3111 into late stage development both globally and in China for WM and other indications,” commented Jane Huang, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Hematology at BeiGene.
Summary of Results from an Ongoing Phase 1 Study
The multi-center, open-label Phase 1 trial of BGB-3111 as monotherapy in B-cell malignancies is being conducted in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and the US and is comprised of two parts – dose-escalation and dose-expansion in disease-specific cohorts, including relapsed / refractory and treatment naïve WM patients. The dose-escalation component of the trial tested total daily doses ranging from 40 mg to 320 mg, and the ongoing dose-expansion component is testing doses of 160 mg twice a day (BID) or 320 mg once a day (QD). As of November 21, 2016, 45 patients with WM were enrolled in the study. Responses were determined according to the modified Sixth International Workshop on WM (IWWM) criteria.
As of October 3, 2016, the cutoff date for the current analysis, 33 patients were included in the safety analysis, and 32 of the 33 patients were evaluable for response as one patient had IgM < 500mg/dl at baseline. Adverse events (AEs) were generally mild in severity, self-limited, and usually encountered only in the earlier part of the treatment course. The most frequent AEs (≥20%) of any attribution were upper respiratory tract infection (39%), petechiae / purpura / contusion (33%), nausea (24%), diarrhea (24%), and constipation (21%), all of which were grade 1 or 2 in severity except for one case of diarrhea (3%). Four serious AEs (SAEs) were assessed as possibly related to BGB-3111, including one case each of grade 3 cryptococcal meningitis, grade 3 pneumonia, grade 2 atrial fibrillation (AF), and grade 2 vomiting. Other grade 3 or greater events considered possibly related to BGB-3111 included two cases of neutropenia and one case each of diarrhea, hypertension, increased liver function test, pulmonary hypertension, and vomiting. In total, three cases of atrial fibrillation were reported (all grade 1 or 2), and two of the three occurred in patients with pre-existing AF. No serious hemorrhage (≥ grade 3 hemorrhage or CNS hemorrhage of any grade) was reported. The only treatment discontinuation was due to exacerbation of pre-existing bronchiectasis in a patient who achieved a VGPR on BGB-3111, and the subsequent death of this patient was also the only fatal event in the study and was assessed by the investigator to be unrelated to study treatment.
After a median follow-up of 9.6 months (3.0-24.7 months), the rate of overall response, defined as minor response or better, was 94% (30/32). The major response rate, defined as partial response (PR) or better, was 78% (25/32). VGPRs (≥90% reduction or normalization of IgM and reduction in lymphadenopathy / splenomegaly) have been observed in 34% (11/32) and PRs (50-89% reduction in IgM and reduction in lymphadenopathy / splenomegaly) in 44% (14/32) of patients to date. There have been no cases of disease progression.
MYD88 and CXCR4 mutational analysis results were available for 23 patients who were evaluable for response at the data cutoff. Preliminary sequencing data showed that of 18 evaluable patients with the MYD88 L265P / CXCR4 WT genotype, eight achieved VGPRs, seven achieved PRs, two achieved MRs, and one had stable disease (SD). The two patients with the MYD88 L265P / CXCR4 WHIM genotype achieved a PR and an MR, respectively. Responses were also seen in MYD88 WT patients, including one PR, one MR, and one SD among three evaluable patients. Analysis of patient response by genomic characteristics is ongoing.
About BGB-3111
BGB-3111 is a potent and highly selective investigational small molecule inhibitor of BTK. BGB-3111 has demonstrated higher selectivity against BTK than ibrutinib (the only BTK inhibitor currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency) based on biochemical assays, higher exposure than ibrutinib based on their respective Phase I experience, and sustained 24-hour BTK occupancy in both the blood and the lymph node.
About BeiGene
BeiGene is a global, clinical-stage, research-based biotechnology company focused on molecularly targeted and immuno-oncology cancer therapeutics. With a team of over 300 scientists, clinicians and staff in mainland China, the United States, Australia and Taiwan, BeiGene is advancing a pipeline consisting of novel oral small molecules and monoclonal antibodies for cancer. BeiGene is working to create combination solutions aimed to have both a meaningful and lasting impact on cancer patients.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws, including statements regarding the encouraging clinical data of BGB-3111, the potential implications of these data for the future development of BGB-3111, and BeiGene’s advancement of, and anticipated clinical development and regulatory milestones and plans related to BGB-3111. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including BeiGene's ability to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of its drug candidates; the clinical results for its drug candidates, which may not support further development; actions of regulatory agencies, which may affect the initiation, timing and progress of clinical trials; BeiGene's ability to achieve market acceptance in the medical community necessary for commercial success; BeiGene's ability to obtain and maintain protection of intellectual property for its technology and drugs; BeiGene's reliance on third parties to conduct preclinical studies and clinical trials; BeiGene’s limited operating history and BeiGene's ability to obtain additional funding for operations and to complete the development and commercialization of its drug candidates, as well as those risks more fully discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in BeiGene’s most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in BeiGene's subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and BeiGene undertakes no duty to update such information unless required by law.
Investor/Media Contact Lucy Li, Ph.D. +1 781-801-1800 ir@beigene.com media@beigene.com
