What can we help you find?

June 3, 2019 3:15 pm ET

AstraZeneca and Merck’s LYNPARZA Increased the Median Time Without Disease Progression or Death by 4.2 Months Versus Physician’s Choice of Chemotherapy Following Two or More Prior Lines of Chemotherapy

AstraZeneca and Merck’s LYNPARZA is the First and Only PARP Inhibitor to Demonstrate Efficacy Versus Chemotherapy in This Setting

KENILWORTH, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AstraZeneca and Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States
and Canada), today presented full results from the Phase 3 SOLO3 trial
which evaluated LYNPARZA, compared to chemotherapy, for the treatment of
platinum-sensitive relapsed patients with germline BRCA1/2-mutated
(gBRCAm) advanced ovarian cancer, who have received two more
prior lines of chemotherapy. The results were presented at the 55^th
Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in
Chicago.

The results from the trial showed a statistically-significant and
clinically-meaningful improvement in objective response rate (ORR) in
the LYNPARZA arm compared to the chemotherapy arm (ORR; 72.2% for
LYNPARZA vs 51.4% for chemotherapy; 95% CI: 1.40 to 4.58; p=0.002).

The key secondary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) was also
significantly increased in the LYNPARZA arm (13.4 months) compared to
the chemotherapy arm (9.2 months; PFS HR 0.62 [p=0.013]).

Summary of endpoints [i]
			LYNPARZA (300 mg bd)			Chemotherapy
ORR (primary endpoint)
Number of patients			151			72
Number of patients with response (%)			109 (72.2%)			37 (51.4%)
Odds ratio (95% CI)			2.53 (1.40, 4.58)
p-value			0.002
PFS (key secondary endpoint) [ii]
Number of patients			178			88
Number of patients with event (%)			110 (61.8%)			49 (55.7%)
Hazard ratio (95% CI)			0.62 (0.43, 0.91)
Median in months			13.4			9.2
p-value			0.013
iAssessed by blinded independent central review
iiAnalysis was done at 64.5% maturity

José Baselga, executive vice president, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said,
“This trial shows that LYNPARZA has the potential to provide a
much-needed improvement and alternative over standard-of-care
chemotherapy for certain patients with relapsed BRCA-mutated
advanced ovarian cancer. This is the fourth positive Phase 2 or Phase 3
trial in advanced ovarian cancer for LYNPARZA across multiple lines of
therapy. We look forward to discussing these results with regulatory
authorities.”

Dr. Roy Baynes, senior vice president and head of global clinical
development, chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories, said,
“LYNPARZA is the first and only PARP inhibitor to demonstrate efficacy
versus chemotherapy in relapsed BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian
cancer following two or more prior lines of chemotherapy. The positive
SOLO3 results reaffirm AstraZeneca and Merck’s ongoing commitment to
explore potential treatment options beyond standard-of-care for BRCA-mutated
patients with advanced stage disease.”

The safety and tolerability profile of LYNPARZA in SOLO3 was consistent
with previous trials. The most common adverse events (AEs) ≥ 20% were
nausea (64.6%), fatigue/asthenia (52.2%), anemia (51.1%), vomiting
(38.2%), diarrhea (28.1%) and abdominal pain (21.3%). The most common ≥
Grade 3 AEs were anemia (21.3%), neutropenia (9.6%), fatigue/asthenia
(4.5%) and thrombocytopenia (3.9%). AEs led to dose interruption in 48%
percent of patients on LYNPARZA vs. 42% in the chemotherapy arm, while
7% of patients discontinued treatment vs. 20% in the chemotherapy arm.

LYNPARZA is currently approved in 64 countries, including those in the
EU, for the maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian
cancer regardless of BRCA status. It is approved in the U.S. as
first-line maintenance treatment in BRCAm advanced ovarian cancer
following response to platinum-based chemotherapy. It is also approved
in 38 countries, including the U.S., countries in the EU and Japan, for
germline BRCAm HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer previously
treated with chemotherapy; in the EU this includes locally advanced
breast cancer. Regulatory reviews are underway in other jurisdictions
for both ovarian cancer and breast cancer.

About SOLO3

SOLO3 is a Phase 3 randomized, open-label,
controlled, multi-center trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of
LYNPARZA tablets following two or more prior lines of chemotherapy. The
trial randomized 266 patients with a deleterious or suspected
deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Eligible patients
were randomized (2:1) to receive LYNPARZA 300mg tablets twice daily or
physician’s choice single-agent chemotherapy (paclitaxel, topotecan,
pegylated liposomal doxorubicin or gemcitabine). The primary endpoint
was overall response rate (ORR) by blinded independent central review
and key secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS),
time to second disease progression or death and overall survival.

About Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of
cancer death in women worldwide, with a five-year survival rate of 19%.
In 2018, there were over 295,000 new cases diagnosed and around 185,000
deaths. Over 70% of women with ovarian cancer have advanced disease at
the time of diagnosis, with up to 80% at risk of recurrence after
initial treatment. Effective treatments are needed in later lines of
therapy as patients typically obtain limited benefit after two prior
lines of chemotherapy.

About BRCA


BRCA1 and BRCA2 are human
genes that produce proteins responsible for repairing damaged DNA and
play an important role in maintaining the genetic stability of cells.
When either of these genes is mutated, or altered, such that its protein
product either is not made or does not function correctly, DNA damage
may not be repaired properly, and cells become unstable. As a result,
cells are more likely to develop additional genetic alterations that can
lead to cancer.

About LYNPARZA

^®

(olaparib)

LYNPARZA
is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to
potentially exploit DNA damage response (DDR) pathway deficiencies, such
as BRCA mutations, to preferentially kill cancer cells.
Inhibition of PARP with LYNPARZA leads to the trapping of PARP bound to
DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse
and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death.
LYNPARZA is being tested in a range of tumor types with defects and
dependencies in the DDR.

LYNPARZA, which is being jointly developed and commercialized by
AstraZeneca and Merck, has a broad and advanced clinical trial
development program, and AstraZeneca and Merck are working together to
understand how it may affect multiple PARP-dependent tumors as a
monotherapy and in combination across multiple cancer types.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS

There are no contraindications for
LYNPARZA.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute
Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML): Occurred in <1.5% of patients exposed to
LYNPARZA monotherapy, and the majority of events had a fatal outcome.
The duration of therapy in patients who developed secondary MDS/AML
varied from <6 months to >2 years. All of these patients had previous
chemotherapy with platinum agents and/or other DNA-damaging agents,
including radiotherapy, and some also had a history of more than one
primary malignancy or of bone marrow dysplasia.

Do not start LYNPARZA until patients have recovered from hematological
toxicity caused by previous chemotherapy (≤Grade 1). Monitor complete
blood count for cytopenia at baseline and monthly thereafter for
clinically significant changes during treatment. For prolonged
hematological toxicities, interrupt LYNPARZA and monitor blood count
weekly until recovery.

If the levels have not recovered to Grade 1 or less after 4 weeks, refer
the patient to a hematologist for further investigations, including bone
marrow analysis and blood sample for cytogenetics. Discontinue LYNPARZA
if MDS/AML is confirmed.

Pneumonitis: Occurred in <1% of patients exposed to LYNPARZA, and
some cases were fatal. If patients present with new or worsening
respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and fever, or a
radiological abnormality occurs, interrupt LYNPARZA treatment and
initiate prompt investigation. Discontinue LYNPARZA if pneumonitis is
confirmed and treat patient appropriately.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on its mechanism of action and
findings in animals, LYNPARZA can cause fetal harm. A pregnancy test is
recommended for females of reproductive potential prior to initiating
treatment.

Females

Advise females of reproductive potential of the
potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception during
treatment and for 6 months following the last dose.

Males

Advise male patients with female partners of
reproductive potential or who are pregnant to use effective
contraception during treatment and for 3 months following the last dose
of LYNPARZA and to not donate sperm during this time.

ADVERSE REACTIONS—First-Line Maintenance BRCAm Advanced
Ovarian Cancer

Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in
≥10% of patients in clinical trials of LYNPARZA in the first-line
maintenance setting for SOLO-1 were: nausea (77%), fatigue
(67%), abdominal pain (45%), vomiting (40%), anemia (38%), diarrhea
(37%), constipation (28%), upper respiratory tract
infection/influenza/nasopharyngitis/bronchitis (28%), dysgeusia (26%),
decreased appetite (20%), dizziness (20%), neutropenia (17%), dyspepsia
(17%), dyspnea (15%), leukopenia (13%), UTI (13%), thrombocytopenia
(11%), and stomatitis (11%).

Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in ≥25% of patients in
clinical trials of LYNPARZA in the first-line maintenance setting for
SOLO-1 were: decrease in hemoglobin (87%), increase in mean
corpuscular volume (87%), decrease in leukocytes (70%), decrease in
lymphocytes (67%), decrease in absolute neutrophil count (51%), decrease
in platelets (35%), and increase in serum creatinine (34%).

ADVERSE REACTIONS—Maintenance Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Most
common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in ≥20% of patients in clinical
trials of LYNPARZA in the maintenance setting for SOLO-2
were: nausea (76%), fatigue (including asthenia) (66%), anemia (44%),
vomiting (37%), nasopharyngitis/upper respiratory tract infection
(URI)/influenza (36%), diarrhea (33%), arthralgia/myalgia (30%),
dysgeusia (27%), headache (26%), decreased appetite (22%), and
stomatitis (20%).

Study 19: nausea (71%), fatigue (including asthenia) (63%),
vomiting (35%), diarrhea (28%), anemia (23%), respiratory tract
infection (22%), constipation (22%), headache (21%), decreased appetite
(21%), and dyspepsia (20%).

Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in ≥25% of patients in
clinical trials of LYNPARZA in the maintenance setting (SOLO-2/Study
19) were: increase in mean corpuscular volume (89%/82%), decrease in
hemoglobin (83%/82%), decrease in leukocytes (69%/58%), decrease in
lymphocytes (67%/52%), decrease in absolute neutrophil count (51%/47%),
increase in serum creatinine (44%/45%), and decrease in platelets
(42%/36%).

ADVERSE REACTIONS—Advanced gBRCAm ovarian cancer

Most
common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in ≥20% of patients in clinical
trials of LYNPARZA for advanced gBRCAm ovarian cancer after 3
or more lines of chemotherapy (pooled from 6 studies) were:
fatigue/asthenia (66%), nausea (64%), vomiting (43%), anemia (34%),
diarrhea (31%), nasopharyngitis/upper respiratory tract infection (URI)
(26%), dyspepsia (25%), myalgia (22%), decreased appetite (22%), and
arthralgia/musculoskeletal pain (21%).

Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in ≥25% of patients in
clinical trials of LYNPARZA for advanced gBRCAm ovarian cancer (pooled
from 6 studies) were: decrease in hemoglobin (90%), mean corpuscular
volume elevation (57%), decrease in lymphocytes (56%), increase in serum
creatinine (30%), decrease in platelets (30%), and decrease in absolute
neutrophil count (25%).

ADVERSE REACTIONS—gBRCAm, HER2-negative metastatic breast
cancer

Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in ≥20% of
patients in OlympiAD were: nausea (58%), anemia (40%), fatigue
(including asthenia) (37%), vomiting (30%), neutropenia (27%),
respiratory tract infection (27%), leukopenia (25%), diarrhea (21%), and
headache (20%).

Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in ≥25% of patients in OlympiAD
were: decrease in hemoglobin (82%), decrease in lymphocytes (73%),
decrease in leukocytes (71%), increase in mean corpuscular volume (71%),
decrease in absolute neutrophil count (46%), and decrease in platelets
(33%).

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Anticancer Agents: Clinical studies of LYNPARZA in combination
with other myelosuppressive anticancer agents, including DNA-damaging
agents, indicate a potentiation and prolongation of myelosuppressive
toxicity.

CYP3A Inhibitors: Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate
CYP3A inhibitors. If a strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitor must be
co-administered, reduce the dose of LYNPARZA. Advise patients to avoid
grapefruit, grapefruit juice, Seville oranges, and Seville orange juice
during LYNPARZA treatment.

CYP3A Inducers: Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A
inducers when using LYNPARZA. If a moderate inducer cannot be avoided,
there is a potential for decreased efficacy of LYNPARZA.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Lactation: No data are available regarding the presence of
olaparib in human milk, its effects on the breastfed infant or on milk
production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in
the breastfed infant, advise a lactating woman not to breastfeed during
treatment with LYNPARZA and for 1 month after receiving the final dose.

Pediatric Use: The safety and efficacy of LYNPARZA have not been
established in pediatric patients.

Hepatic Impairment: No adjustment to the starting dose is
required in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment
(Child-Pugh classification A and B). There are no data in patients with
severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh classification C).

Renal Impairment: No adjustment to the starting dose is necessary
in patients with mild renal impairment (CLcr=51-80 mL/min) but patients
should be monitored closely for toxicity. In patients with moderate
renal impairment (CLcr=31-50 mL/min), reduce the dose to 200 mg twice
daily. There are no data in patients with severe renal impairment or
end-stage renal disease (CLcr ≤30 mL/min).

INDICATIONS

LYNPARZA is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated:

First-Line Maintenance BRCAm Advanced Ovarian Cancer

For
the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or
suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm
or sBRCAm) advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or
primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to
first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Select patients with gBRCAm
advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer
for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.

Maintenance Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

For the maintenance
treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian
tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who are in complete or partial
response to platinum-based chemotherapy.

Advanced gBRCAm ovarian cancer

For the treatment of
adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated
(gBRCAm) advanced ovarian cancer who have been treated with 3 or
more prior lines of chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on
an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.

gBRCAm, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer

In
patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human
epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast
cancer who have been treated with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant,
adjuvant or metastatic setting. Patients with hormone receptor
(HR)-positive breast cancer should have been treated with a prior
endocrine therapy or be considered inappropriate for endocrine therapy.
Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion
diagnostic for LYNPARZA.

Please

click
here for complete Prescribing Information, including Patient Information
(Medication Guide)

.

About the AstraZeneca and Merck Strategic Oncology Collaboration

In
July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States
and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to
co-develop and co-commercialize LYNPARZA, the world’s first PARP
inhibitor, and potential new medicine selumetinib, a MEK inhibitor, for
multiple cancer types. Working together, the companies will develop
LYNPARZA and selumetinib in combination with other potential new
medicines and as monotherapies. Independently, the companies will
develop LYNPARZA and selumetinib in combination with their respective
PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines.

Merck’s Focus on Cancer

Our goal is to translate
breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people
with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to
people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to
our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer,
Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with
one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than
30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through
strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several
promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the
treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology
clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.

About Merck

For more than a century, Merck, a leading global
biopharmaceutical company known as MSD outside of the United States and
Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and
vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Through our
prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health
products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries
to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our
commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching
policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the
forefront of research to advance the prevention and treatment of
diseases that threaten people and communities around the world –
including cancer, cardio-metabolic diseases, emerging animal diseases,
Alzheimer’s disease and infectious diseases including HIV and Ebola. For
more information, visit www.merck.com
and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram,
YouTube
and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA

This
news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the “company”)
includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe
harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and
expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant
risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to
pipeline products that the products will receive the necessary
regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially
successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or
uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from
those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry
conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest
rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of
pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the
United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost
containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained
by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development,
including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to
accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties
or delays; financial instability of international economies and
sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents
and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to
litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results
to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements can be found in the company’s 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K
and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

Media:
Pamela Eisele
(267) 305-3558

Michael Close
(267) 305-1211

Investors:
Teri Loxam
(908) 740-1986

Michael DeCarbo
(908) 740-1807