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DRUG APPROVALS BY DR ANTHONY MELVIN CRASTO
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J and J gets green light for front-line Velcade in EU
Bortezomib
Johnson & Johnson’s multiple myeloma treatment Velcade has been cleared as a first-line therapy in the EU, boosting the number of patients eligible for treatment with the drug.
The European Commission gave the go-ahead for Velcade (bortezomib) as induction therapy in combination with dexamethasone and thalidomide in previously-untreated multiple myeloma patients who are eligible for high-dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.
http://www.pharmatimes.com/Article/13-08-09/J_J_gets_green_light_for_front-line_Velcade_in_EU.aspx
Bortezomib bound to the core particle in a yeast proteasome. The bortezomib molecule is in the center colored by atom type (boron = pink, carbon = cyan, nitrogen = blue, oxygen = red), surrounded by the local protein surface. The blue patch is catalyticthreonine residue whose activity is blocked by the presence of bortezomib.
Bortezomib (INN, originally codenamed PS-341; marketed as Velcade by Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Bortecad by Cadila Healthcare) is the first therapeutic proteasome inhibitor to be tested in humans. It is approved in the U.S. for treating relapsedmultiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. In multiple myeloma, complete clinical responses have been obtained in patients with otherwise refractory or rapidly advancing disease.
Bortezomib was originally synthesized in 1995 (MG-341) at a company called Myogenics, which soon changed its name to ProScript. After promising preclinical results, the drug (PS-341) was tested in a small Phase I clinical trial on patients with multiple myeloma cancer. ProScript ran out of money and was bought by Leukosite in May 1999. Leukosite in turn was bought byMillennium Pharmaceuticals in October 1999. At this point in time, the project had low priority amongst other projects at the company. This changed significantly when one of the first volunteers to receive the drug in the clinical trial achieved a complete response and were still alive four years later. At the time this was a remarkable result. Later clinical experimentation indicates the possibility of a complete response in 15% of patients in a similar condition, when treated with bortezomib.
In May 2003, seven years after the initial synthesis, bortezomib (Velcade) was approved in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in multiple myeloma, based on the results from the SUMMIT Phase II trial.
Another commercially available bortezomib product – Bortenat (Natco Pharma, India), reportedly contains substantially more active entity than declared, potentially and even more resulting in increase toxicity. Moreover, Bortenat has some other chemical and formulation deviations from the registered ethic product Velcade (Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Janssen-Cilag), with unclear clinical impact
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British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has submitted a marketing authorisation application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its cervical cancer vaccine, Cervarix [Human papillomavirus bivalent (types 16 and 18) vaccine, recombinant].
The application in the EU is to allow administration of the vaccine in a two dosing schedule (0, 6 months) in 9-14 year old girls.
Intended to serve as an alternative dosing schedule, the two-dose schedule will help prevent premalignant genital (cervical, vulvar and vaginal) lesions and cervical cancer causally related to certain oncogenic Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types. It does not seek to replace the three-dose schedule.
read all at
Cervarix is a vaccine against certain types of cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV).
Cervarix is designed to prevent infection from HPV types 16 and 18, that cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases. These types also cause most HPV-induced genital and head and neck cancers. Additionally, some cross-reactive protection against virus strains 45 and 31 were shown in clinical trials. Cervarix also contains AS04, a proprietary adjuvant that has been found to boost the immune system response for a longer period of time.
Cervarix is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. An alternative product, from Merck & Co., is known as Gardasil.
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Oral Anti-Cancer Therapy Pomalidomide Now Approved by European Commission as Treatment for Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma – a Rare Form of Blood Cancer
POMALIDOMIDE
4-amino-2-(2,6-dixopiperidin-3- yl)isoindoline-l,3-dione; 3-(4-amino-l,3-dioxo-l,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidine- 2,6-dione; 3-(4-amino-l ,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)piperidine-2,6-dione; 1 ,3-dioxo-2-(2,6- dioxopiperidin-3-yl)-4-aminoisoindoline; 3-(l,3-dioxo-4-aminoisoindolin-2-yl)- piperidine-2,6-dione;
BOUDRY, Switzerland–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 9, 2013–Celgene International Sàrl, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted approval for Pomalidomide Celgene®▼(pomalidomide),
in combination with dexamethasone, for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (rrMM) in adult patients who have received at least two prior therapies including both lenalidomide and bortezomib and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.1 Celgene intends to launch Pomalidomide Celgene in the EU under the trade name “IMNOVID®”, following submission of a regulatory notification to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to change the trade name.
READ ALL AT
http://www.pharmalive.com/ec-approves-celgene-blood-cancer-drug
CAS 19171-19-8
Pomalidomide, an analogue of thalidomide, is an immunomodulatory antineoplastic agent. FDA approved on February 8, 2013.
Pomalidomide is indicated for patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies including lenalidomide and bortezomib and have demonstrated disease progression on or within 60 days of completion of the last therapy.
Pomalidomide (INN, originally CC-4047 or 3-amino-thalidomide, trade name Pomalyst[1] in the US) is a derivative of thalidomidemarketed by Celgene. It is anti-angiogenic and also acts as an immunomodulator. Pomalidomide was approved in February 2013 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.[2] It received a similar approval from the European Commission in August 2013, and is expected to be marketed in Europe under the brand nameImnovid.[3]
Origin and development
The parent compound of pomalidomide, thalidomide, was originally discovered to inhibit angiogenesis in 1994.[4] Based upon this discovery, thalidomide was taken into clinical trials for cancer, leading to its ultimate FDA approval for multiple myeloma.[5] Further structure activity studies done in Dr. Robert D’Amato’s lab at Boston Children’s Hospital led to the first claim in 1995 that amino-thalidomide had antitumor activity.[6] Interestingly, the pronounced anti-tumor activity is due to its ability to directly inhibit both the tumor cell and vascular compartments of myeloma cancers.[7] This dual activity of pomalidomide makes it more efficacious than thalidomide in vitro and in vivo.[8]
Clinical trials
Phase I trial results showed tolerable side effects.[9]
Phase II clinical trials for multiple myeloma and myelofibrosis reported ‘promising results’.[10][11]
Phase III results were reported at ASH in 2012 and showed significant extension of progression-free survival (median 3.6 months vs. 1.8 months; P < 0.001), and overall survival in patients taking pomalidomide and dexamethasone v. dexamethasone alone.[12]
Mechanism
Pomalidomide directly inhibits angiogenesis and myeloma cell growth. This dual effect is central to its activity in myeloma, rather than other pathways such as TNF alpha inhibition, since potent TNF alpha inhibitors including rolipram and pentoxifylline do not inhibit myeloma cell growth nor angiogenesis.[7] Up regulation of Interferon gamma, IL-2 and IL-10 as well as down regulation of IL-6 have been reported for pomalidomide. These changes may contribute to pomalidomide’s anti-angiogenic and anti-myeloma activities.
Pregnancy and sexual contact warnings
Because Pomalyst can cause harm to unborn babies when administered during pregnancy, women taking Pomalyst must not become pregnant. Women must produce two negative pregnancy tests and use contraception methods before beginning Pomalyst. Women must commit either to abstain continuously from heterosexual sexual intercourse or to use two methods of reliable birth control, beginning 4 weeks prior to initiating treatment with Pomalyst, during therapy, during dose interruptions and continuing for 4 weeks following discontinuation of Pomalyst therapy. Pomalyst is present in the semen of patients receiving the drug. Therefore, males must always use a latex or synthetic condom during any sexual contact with females of reproductive potential while taking POMALYST and for up to 28 days after discontinuing Pomalyst, even if they have undergone a successful vasectomy. Male patients taking Pomalyst must not donate sperm.
Pomalidomide simple structure, synthesis is relatively easy. The glutamine ( 1 ), the compound 2 protected amino, thionyl chloride to ring palladium on carbon hydrogenation later deprotected to give compound 3 , 3 , and 4 direct condensation Pomalidomide.
PATENTS
| US PATENT No | Patent ExpirY | patent use code |
|---|---|---|
| 5635517 | Jul 24, 2016 | U-1359 |
| 6045501 | Aug 28, 2018 | U-1361 |
| 6315720 | Oct 23, 2020 | U-1361 |
| 6316471 | Aug 10, 2016 | U-1360 |
| 6476052 | Jul 24, 2016 | U-1360 |
| 6561976 | Aug 28, 2018 | U-1361 |
| 6561977 | Oct 23, 2020 | U-1361 |
| 6755784 | Oct 23, 2020 | U-1361 |
| 6908432 | Aug 28, 2018 | U-1361 |
| 8158653 | Aug 10, 2016 | |
| 8198262 | Oct 19, 2024 | U-1360 |
| 8204763 | Aug 28, 2018 | U-1361 |
| 8315886 | Oct 23, 2020 | U-1361 |
| Exclusivity Code | Exclusivity Date |
|---|---|
| ODE | Feb 8, 2020 |
| NCE | Feb 8, 2018 |
| Country | Patent Number | Approved | Expires (estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 8198262 | 2013-02-08 | 2024-10-19 |
| United States | 8204763 | 2013-02-08 | 2018-08-28 |
| United States | 8315886 | 2013-02-08 | 2020-10-23 |
| Country | Patent Number | Approved | Expires (estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 5635517 | 2013-02-08 | 2016-07-24 |
| United States | 6045501 | 2013-02-08 | 2018-08-28 |
| United States | 6315720 | 2013-02-08 | 2020-10-23 |
| United States | 6316471 | 2013-02-08 | 2016-08-10 |
| United States | 6476052 | 2013-02-08 | 2016-07-24 |
| United States | 6561976 | 2013-02-08 | 2018-08-28 |
| United States | 6561977 | 2013-02-08 | 2020-10-23 |
| United States | 6755784 | 2013-02-08 | 2020-10-23 |
| United States | 6908432 | 2013-02-08 | 2018-08-28 |
| United States | 8158653 | 2013-02-08 | 2016-08-10 |
Pomalidomide-2013, FDA approved anticancer drugs. Pomalidomide isthalidomide (thalidomide) derivative, for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Trade name Pomalyst, developed by Celgene.
Pomalidomide simple structure, synthesis is relatively easy. (From glutamine 1 ), the compound 2 is protected amino, thionyl chloride off ring after deprotection to obtain a compound with palladium on carbon hydrogenation of 3 , 3 and 4 the direct condensation Pomalidomide.
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http://www.google.com/patents/WO2012177678A2?cl=en
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Figure 1: Chronological view of the history of thalidomide and its analogs
 |
|
| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
|---|---|
| 4-Amino-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)isoindole-1,3-dione | |
| Clinical data | |
| Trade names | Imnovid, Pomalyst |
| Licence data | EMA:Link, US FDA:link |
| Pregnancy cat. |
|
| Legal status | |
| Routes | Oral |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Protein binding | 12–44% |
| Metabolism | Hepatic (mostly CYP1A2 andCYP3A4 mediated; some minor contributions by CYP2C19 andCYP2D6) |
| Half-life | 7.5 hours |
| Excretion | Urine (73%), faeces (15%) |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 19171-19-8  |
| ATC code | L04AX06 |
| PubChem | CID 134780 |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C13H11N3O4 |
| Mol. mass | 273.24 g/mol |
Figure 2: The mechanism of TLP in multiple myeloma. TLP refers to thalidomide, lenalidomide and pomalidomide.
CLIP
HONORED
Celgene’s George Muller (left) and Roger Shen-Chu Chen celebrate at the Heroes of Chemistry banquet.
Credit: Linda Wang/C&EN
The satisfaction of helping patients is what drives George Muller as an industrial scientist. Muller is coinventor of Celgene’s Polamyst for multiple myeloma.
“It’s wonderful to be able to think that the work one did in the lab ended up helping patients,” he says. “Over my career, I’ve met patients who were taking drugs on which I had worked. It’s always amazing to see the positive effects on the lives of these patients. Some of them get their lives back.”
Muller says that during the course of developing Pomalyst, they made hundreds of compounds. “We worked on the project for probably 15-plus years,” he says. The drug was approved in 2014.
References
- “Pomalyst (Pomalidomide) Official Website”. Celgene Corporation. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
- “Pomalyst (Pomalidomide) Approved By FDA For Relapsed And Refractory Multiple Myeloma”. The Myeloma Beacon. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
- “Pomalidomide Approved In Europe For Relapsed And Refractory Multiple Myeloma”. The Myeloma Beacon. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
- D’Amato, Robert J.; Loughnan, Michael S.; Flynn, Evelyn; Folkman, Judah (1994). “Thalidomide is an inhibitor of angiogenesis”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 91 (9): 4082–5. Bibcode:1994PNAS…91.4082D. doi:10.1073/pnas.91.9.4082. JSTOR 2364596. PMC 43727. PMID 7513432.
- http://vectorblog.org/2013/04/from-thalidomide-to-pomalyst-better-living-through-chemistry/
- http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=5,712,291.PN.&OS=PN/5,712,291&RS=PN/5,712,291
- D’Amato, R; Lentzsch, S; Anderson, KC; Rogers, MS (2001). “Mechanism of action of thalidomide and 3-aminothalidomide in multiple myeloma”. Seminars in Oncology 28 (6): 597–601. doi:10.1016/S0093-7754(01)90031-4. PMID 11740816.
- Lentzsch, S; Rogers, MS; Leblanc, R; Birsner, AE; Shah, JH; Treston, AM; Anderson, KC; D’Amato, RJ (2002). “S-3-Amino-phthalimido-glutarimide inhibits angiogenesis and growth of B-cell neoplasias in mice”. Cancer Research 62 (8): 2300–5. PMID 11956087.
- Streetly, Matthew J.; Gyertson, Kylie; Daniel, Yvonne; Zeldis, Jerome B.; Kazmi, Majid; Schey, Stephen A. (2008). “Alternate day pomalidomide retains anti-myeloma effect with reduced adverse events and evidence of in vivo immunomodulation”. British Journal of Haematology 141 (1): 41–51. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07013.x. PMID 18324965.
- Jump up^ “Promising Results From 2 Trials Highlighting Pomalidomide Presented At ASH” (Press release). Celgene. December 11, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- Jump up^ Tefferi, Ayalew (December 8, 2008). “Pomalidomide Therapy in Anemic Patients with Myelofibrosis: Results from a Phase-2 Randomized Multicenter Study”. 50th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition. San Francisco. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- Jump up^ “Phase III Study (MM-003) of Pomalidomide Plus Low-Dose Dexamethasone Demonstrates Significant Progression-Free and Overall Survival Improvement for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma.”. 11 Dec 2012.
External links
POMALYST is an immunomodulatory antineoplastic agent. The chemical name is (RS)-4-Amino-2-(2,6-dioxo-piperidin-3-yl)-isoindoline-1,3dione and it has the following chemical structure:
 |
The empirical formula for pomalidomide is C13H11N3O4 and the gram molecular weight is 273.24.
Pomalidomide is a yellow solid powder. It has limited to low solubility into organic solvents and it has low solubility in all pH solutions (about 0.01 mg/mL). Pomalidomide has a chiral carbon atom which exists as a racemic mixture of the R(+) and S(-) enantiomers.
POMALYST is available in 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg and 4 mg capsules for oral administration. Each capsule contains pomalidomide as the active ingredient and the following inactive ingredients: mannitol, pregelatinized starch and sodium stearyl fumarate. The 1 mg capsule shell contains gelatin, titanium dioxide, FD&C blue 2, yellow iron oxide, white ink and black ink. The 2 mg capsule shell contains gelatin, titanium dioxide, FD&C blue 2, yellow iron oxide, FD&C red 3 and white ink. The 3 mg capsule shell contains gelatin, titanium dioxide, FD&C blue 2, yellow iron oxide and white ink. The 4 mg capsule shell contains gelatin, titanium dioxide, FD&C blue 1, FD&C blue 2 and white ink.
NDA 204026
APPR..2013-02-08
Dosages/Routes/Forms
Celgene
| Strength | Form/Route | Marketing Status | RLD | TE Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1MG | CAPSULE;ORAL | 1 | 0 | |
| 2MG | CAPSULE;ORAL | 1 | 0 | |
| 3MG | CAPSULE;ORAL | 1 | 0 | |
| 4MG | CAPSULE;ORAL | 1 | 1 |
Approval History
2013-10-03
001
Manufacturing Change or Addition
Biosimilars applications under review by EMA – 2013 Q2
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is the body responsible for approval of biosimilars within the EU. A legal framework for approving biosimilars was established in 2003. Approval of biosimilars is based on an abbreviated registration process, which allows biosimilars manufacturers to provide a reduced package of information compared to originator drugs, provided they can prove ‘similarity’ to the originator or ‘reference drug’.
read all at
http://www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Biosimilars-applications-under-review-by-EMA-2013-Q2
Soliris Gets Thumbs Up From EMA’s COMP
eculizumab
CAS number 219685-50-4
Alexion’s Soliris® (eculizumab) Receives Positive Opinion from the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products for Treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXN) today announced that Soliris® (eculizumab), the company’s first-in-class terminal complement inhibitor, has received a positive opinion for orphan medicinal product designation from the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a life-threatening, ultra-rare neurological disorder. The positive opinion of the COMP has now been forwarded to the European Commission for final approval and publication in the community register. Soliris is not approved in any country for the treatment of patients with NMO
http://www.pharmalive.com/soliris-gets-thumbs-up-from-emas-comp
Soliris is a formulation of eculizumab which is a recombinant humanized monoclonal IgG2/4;κ antibody produced by murine myeloma cell culture and purified by standard bioprocess technology. Eculizumab contains human constant regions from human IgG2 sequences and human IgG4 sequences and murine complementarity-determining regions grafted onto the human framework light- and heavy-chain variable regions. Eculizumab is composed of two 448 amino acid heavy chains and two 214 amino acid light chains and has a molecular weight of approximately 148 kDa.
Eculizumab (INN and USAN; trade name Soliris®) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that is a first-in-class terminal complement inhibitor and the first therapy approved for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare, progressive, and sometimes life-threatening disease characterized by excessive destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis).[1] It costs £400,000 ($US 600,000) per year per patient.[1]
Eculizumab also is the first agent approved for the treatment of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), an ultra-rare genetic disease that causes abnormal blood clots to form in small blood vessels throughout the body, leading to kidney failure, damage to other vital organs and premature death.[2][3]
In clinical trials in patients with PNH, eculizumab was associated with reductions in chronic hemolysis, thromboembolic events, and transfusion requirements, as well as improvements in PNH symptoms, quality of life, and survival.[1][4][5][6] Clinical trials in patients with aHUS demonstrated inhibition of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA),[7] the formation of blood clots in small blood vessels throughout the body,[1][3][4] including normalization of platelets and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as maintenance or improvement in renal function.[7]
Eculizumab was discovered and developed by Alexion Pharmaceuticals and is manufactured by Alexion. It was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 16, 2007 for the treatment of PNH, and on September 23, 2011 for the treatment of aHUS. It was approved by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of PNH on June 20, 2007, and on November 24, 2011 for the treatment of aHUS. Eculizumab is currently being investigated as a potential treatment for other severe, ultra-rare disorders
- Hillmen, Young, Schubert, P, N, J, et al (2006). “The complement inhibitor eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria”.N Engl J Med 355 (12): 1233–1243. doi:10.1056/NEJMMoa061648. PMID 16990386.
- Noris, Caprioli, Bresin, M, J, E, et al. (2010). “Relative role of genetic complement abnormalities in sporadic and familial aHUS and their impact on clinical phenotype”. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 5: 1844–1859.
- Caprioli, Noris, Brioschi, J, M, S, et al (2006). “Genetics of HUS: the impact of MPC, CFH, and IF mutations on clinical presentation, response to treatment, and outcome”. Blood 108: 1267–1279.
- Hillman, Hall, Marsh, P, C, JC, et al (2004). “Effect of eculizumab on hemolysis and transfusion requirements in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria”. N Eng J Med 350: 552–559.
- Ray, Burrows, Ginsberg, Burrows, JG, RF, JS, EA (2000). “Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and the risk of venous thrombosis: review and recommendations for management of the pregnant and nonpregnant patient”. Haemostasis 30: 103–107.
- Kelly, Hill, Arnold, RJ, A, LM, et al (2011). “Long-term treatment with eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: sustained efficacy and improved survival”. Blood 117: 6786–6792.
- .Soliris® (eculizumab) prescribing information (2011). Cheshire, CT: Alexion Pharmaceuticals.http://www.soliris.net/sites/default/files/assets/soliris)pi.pdf.
Roche may bid for Alexion, gets Erivedge EU approval
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Erivedge , Vismodegib
The molecule also is known as GDC-0449 and RG3616.
read all at
http://pharmatimes.com/Article/13-07-15/Roche_may_bid_for_Alexion_gets_Erivedge_EU_approval.aspx
Vismodegib works by interfering with the membrane protein Smoothened, which provides positive signals to the Hh pathway. At present, there are no FDA-approved drugs targeting Hh signaling, although the pathway is the focus of investigation in a variety of cancers.
Meantime, Roche has obtained conditional European approval for Erivedge (vismodegib) for the treatment of adults with symptomatic metastatic basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or locally advanced BCC inappropriate for surgery or radiotherapy.
The Basel-based group noted that the approval makes Erivedge, a capsule taken once-a-day, the first licensed medicine for patients in the European Union “with this disfiguring and potentially life-threatening form of skin cancer”. Chief medical officer Hal Barron said the green light “is great news for patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma, who previously had no medicines to treat their disease”, adding that Erivedge substantially reduced tumour size in patients in clinical trials.
Under the conditional approval, Roche will provide additional data from an ongoing global safety study. Erivedge was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in January 2012 following a priority review.
Vismodegib (trade name Erivedge) is a drug for the treatment of basal-cell carcinoma(BCC). The approval of vismodegib on January 30, 2012, represents the first Hedgehog signaling pathway targeting agent to gain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.[1] The drug is also undergoing clinical trials for metastatic colorectal cancer,small-cell lung cancer, advanced stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, medulloblastomaand chondrosarcoma as of June 2011.[2] The drug was developed by the biotechnology /pharmaceutical company Genentech, which is headquartered at South San Francisco, California, USA.
Vismodegib is indicated for patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which has metastasized to other parts of the body, relapsed after surgery, or cannot be treated with surgery or radiation.[3]
Hedgehog Activation.
The substance acts as a cyclopamine-competitive antagonist of the smoothened receptor (SMO) which is part of the hedgehog signaling pathway.[2] SMO inhibition causes the transcription factors GLI1 and GLI2 to remain inactive, which prevents the expression of tumor mediating genes within the hedgehog pathway.[4] This pathway is pathogenetically relevant in more than 90% of basal-cell carcinomas.[5]
Ligand-dependent Hedgehog signaling.
- “Vismodegib, First Hedgehog Inhibitor, Approved for BCC Patients”.
- Molecule of the Month. June 2011.
- “FDA approves Erivedge (vismodegib) capsule, the first medicine for adults with advanced basal cell carcinoma”.
- “Vismodegib (GDC-0449) Smoothened Inhibitor – BioOncology”.
- H. Spreitzer (4 July 2011). “Neue Wirkstoffe – Vismodegib”. Österreichische Apothekerzeitung (in German) (14/2011): 10.
Vismodegib is Hedgehog (Hg) path inhibitors. Pka = 3.8 (pyridinium cation); soluble 0.1μg/mL (pH = 7), 0.99mg/mL (pH = 1), logP = 2.7. Vismodegib can be synthesized by the following route:
New Rule on Importing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) to the EU
READ ALL AT
http://ec.europa.eu/health/files/documents/active_pharmaceutical_
by WORLD DRUG TRACKER
DR ANTHONY CRASTO
Novo Nordisk Files for Regulatory Approval of Ideglira in the EU
May 31, 2013) – Novo Nordisk today announced the submission to the European Medicines Agency of the marketing authorisation application for the approval of IDegLira, the combination product of insulin degludec (Tresiba®), the once-daily new-generation basal insulin analogue, with an ultra-long duration of action, and liraglutide (Victoza®), the once-daily human GLP-1 analogue. IDegLira has been developed for the treatment of people with type 2 diabetes.
Takeda Submits Marketing Authorisation Application for Vedolizumab in Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease in the European Union
March 7, 2013
Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) today announced that a Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) has been submitted to The European Medicines Agency (EMA) for vedolizumab, an investigational, gut-selective humanized monoclonal antibody for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), the two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). If approved, vedolizumab would be the first and only gut-selective biologic agent for UC and CD on the market.
“Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are chronic debilitating diseases with important unmet medical needs, often affecting young people in the prime of their lives,” said Asit Parikh, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, general medicine, Takeda. “We are encouraged by the findings of GEMINI, the vedolizumab Phase 3 clinical development program, which studied approximately 3,000 patients in nearly 40 countries, making it the largest IBD clinical trial program conducted to date.”
Nearly four million people worldwide are affected by IBD, with UC affecting more than 500,000 people and CD affecting approximately 230,000 people in the EU. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic diseases that cause inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. Inflammation caused by CD can involve varying areas of the digestive tract, while UC impacts the colon only. CD and UC can be both painful and debilitating, which may sometimes lead to serious complications and can significantly impact the quality of life for patients.
The MAA submission was supported by Phase 3 clinical studies, GEMINI I, GEMINI II, GEMINI III and GEMINI LTS (Long-term Safety), which are part of the GEMINI Studies™, a four-study clinical research program to investigate the efficacy and safety of vedolizumab on clinical response and remission in moderately to severely active CD and UC patients, who had failed at least one conventional or anti-TNFα therapy.
“With a targeted mechanism of action, vedolizumab has clinical promise as a potential treatment option for people with moderate to severely active CD and UC,” said Paul Rutgeerts, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P., professor of medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. “While there is no known cure, there is a need for new CD and UC treatment options, in an effort to provide patients with additional choices for managing their disease, reducing symptoms and achieving remission.”
About Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is marked by inflammation in the lining of the GI tract. CD can impact any part of the digestive tract, and common symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and/or fever. UC impacts the large intestine only, which includes the colon and the rectum. The most common symptoms of UC include abdominal discomfort and blood or pus in diarrhea. There is no known cause for CD or UC, although many researchers believe that the interaction of an outside agent, such as a virus or bacteria, with the body’s immune system may trigger them. No cure exists for CD or UC; the aim of IBD treatments is to induce and maintain remission, or achieve extended periods of time when patients do not experience symptoms.
About vedolizumab
Vedolizumab was developed for the treatment of CD and UC, as a gut-selective, humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically antagonizes the alpha4beta7 (α4β7) integrin, which is expressed on a subset of circulating white blood cells. These cells have been shown to play a role in mediating the inflammatory process in CD and UC. α4β7 binds with a specific adhesion molecule primarily expressed in the intestinal tract. Therefore, vedolizumab, by preventing this interaction, has a gut selective effect.
About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Located in Osaka, Japan, Takeda is a research-based global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals. As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and one of the global leaders of the industry, Takeda is committed to strive towards better health for patients worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Additional information about Takeda is available through its corporate website, http://www.takeda.com.
Vedolizumab is a monoclonal antibody being developed by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.It binds to integrin α4β7(LPAM-1, lymphocyte Peyer’s patch adhesion molecule 1).[1][2]
The molecule was first identified by Dr. Andrew Lazarovits [1][2] as the murine MLN0002 homologue. His discovery of the mouse equivalent of this antibody—originally applied to anti-rejection strategies in kidney transplantation—was published in the journal Nature in 1996. The drug was then licensed to Millennium Pharmaceuticals of Boston for further development.
As of October 2009, vedolizumab is undergoing Phase III trials.[3] Clinical trials indicate that Vedolizumab was found safe and highly effective for inducing and maintaining clinical remission in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis [3]. Dr. Brian Faegan, head researcher, reported an absence of any instances of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), which is a particularly important finding [4]. It looks like it will be an effective abiologic agent without some of the toxicity issues previously seen with anti-TNF drugs .
It is widely believed now that “vedolizumab can be used either as a first-line treatment or in case of anti-TNF failure”
- Statement On A Nonproprietary Name Adopted By The USAN Council – Vedolizumab, American Medical Association.
- Soler, D; Chapman, T; Yang, LL; Wyant, T; Egan, R; Fedyk, ER (2009). “The binding specificity and selective antagonism of vedolizumab, an anti-alpha4beta7 integrin therapeutic antibody in development for inflammatory bowel diseases”. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 330 (3): 864–75. doi:10.1124/jpet.109.153973. PMID 19509315.
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00790933 Study of Vedolizumab (MLN0002) in Patients With Moderate to Severe Crohn’s Disease (GEMINI II)
GSK files for EU approval of trametinib for melanoma
N-(3-{3-Cyclopropyl-5-[(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)amino]-6,8-dimethyl-2,4,7-trioxo-3,4,6,7-tetrahydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-1(2H)-yl}phenyl)acetamide
Trametinib (GSK1120212) is experimental cancer drug. It is a MEK inhibitor drug with anti-cancer activity.[1]
Trametinib had good results for V600E mutated metastatic melanoma in a phase III clinical trial.[2]
- Trametinib, NCI Drug Dictionary
- METRIC phase III study: Efficacy of trametinib (T), a potent and selective MEK inhibitor (MEKi), in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), compared with chemotherapy (C) in patients (pts) with BRAFV600E/K mutant advanced or metastatic melanoma (MM).
FEBRUARY 12, 2013
The European Medicines Agency has given GlaxoSmithKline’s melanoma drug an accelerated review.
The drug – a MEK inhibitor called trametinib – is seeking a European licence as both a monotherapy and in combination with GSK’s investigational BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib, for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600 mutation.
The EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has granted GSK’s request for accelerated assessment of this application, meaning it may be on the market within six months if approved.
The application includes data from a Phase III study of trametinib monotherapy compared to the established chemotherapy agents dacarbazine or paclitaxel monotherapy in patients with BRAF V600 mutation positive metastatic melanoma
It also includes data from a randomised Phase I/II study comparing dabrafenib monotherapy to combination therapy with dabrafenib and trametinib in patients with BRAF V600 mutation positive metastatic melanoma
“We initiated a randomised study very early in the development programme to test whether the novel-novel combination could circumvent resistance to single agent anti-BRAF therapy and are encouraged by the results from this Phase I/II trial,” said Dr Rafael Amado, head of oncology R&D at GSK.
“We are planning further regulatory submissions based on these data, in the US and other countries in the coming months,” he added.
An application that has been granted accelerated assessment will have a maximum review time of 150 days, although the CHMP can extend this if needs be.
In August 2012, GSK announced regulatory submissions for dabrafenib monotherapy as a treatment for BRAF V600 metastatic melanoma in Europe and the USA, as well as a US submission for trametinib monotherapy as a treatment for BRAF V600 metastatic melanoma.
Trametinib and dabrafenib are investigational medicines and their use as monotherapy or combination therapy is not approved anywhere in the world.
Roche’s Zelboraf (vemurafenib) is currently the only licensed drug to treat BRAF positive melanoma patients, and is the first drug to increase overall survival in this patient population.
GSK is currently conducting a head-head Phase III trial against Zelboraf, with both of its drugs, results of which are expected next year. If approved GSK’s drugs will also be up against Bristol-Myers Squibb’s vaccine Yervoy, which works as a cancer vaccine.
Yervoy and Zelboraf are both expected to bring in peak annual sales of around $1 – $2 billion, making the new melanoma market a potentially lucrative venture for pharma.
New Drug Approvals 