AbbVie Receives Positive CHMP Opinion for Mirvetuximab Soravtansine (ELAHERE®) for the Treatment of Certain Adult Ovarian Cancer

Rhea-AI Summary

AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) has received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for mirvetuximab soravtansine (ELAHERE®). This recommendation is for the treatment of adult patients with folate receptor alpha (FRα)-positive, platinum-resistant and high-grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who have received one to three prior treatment regimens.

The CHMP's opinion is based on results from the Phase 3 MIRASOL clinical trial. A European Commission decision on this indication is expected later this year. ELAHERE® received full FDA approval in the United States in March 2024, and marketing authorization submissions are under review in multiple other countries.

Positive

• Positive CHMP opinion recommending marketing authorization for mirvetuximab soravtansine in Europe
• Potential new treatment option for certain ovarian cancer patients in the European Union
• Full FDA approval already granted in the United States in March 2024
• Marketing authorization submissions under review in multiple other countries

Negative

• None.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

This CHMP positive opinion for mirvetuximab soravtansine (ELAHERE®) marks a significant milestone in ovarian cancer treatment. The drug targets FRα-positive, platinum-resistant, high-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer, addressing a critical unmet need. The Phase 3 MIRASOL trial results supporting this opinion suggest potential efficacy in patients who've exhausted other options.

Importantly, this therapy's mechanism of action, targeting folate receptors, represents a novel approach in ovarian cancer treatment. If approved, it could offer a valuable alternative for patients who've developed resistance to platinum-based therapies, potentially improving outcomes in this difficult-to-treat population.

Oncology Doctor

The potential approval of mirvetuximab soravtansine in the EU is a promising development for ovarian cancer patients. This antibody-drug conjugate specifically targets folate receptor alpha (FRα), which is overexpressed in many ovarian cancers. Its efficacy in platinum-resistant cases is particularly noteworthy, as these patients often have treatment options.

The drug's full FDA approval in March 2024 lends credibility to its efficacy and safety profile. If approved in the EU, it could significantly impact treatment protocols, potentially becoming a go-to option for eligible patients who've progressed on standard therapies. This could lead to improved progression-free survival and quality of life for a subset of ovarian cancer patients.

Market Research Analyst

AbbVie's potential entry into the EU ovarian cancer market with mirvetuximab soravtansine could significantly impact its oncology portfolio. The ovarian cancer drug market is projected to grow substantially and a novel, targeted therapy like ELAHERE® could capture a significant share, especially in the platinum-resistant segment.

The drug's full FDA approval and potential EU authorization could drive sales growth for AbbVie, diversifying its revenue streams beyond its blockbuster Humira. Moreover, the ongoing review in multiple countries suggests a robust global commercialization strategy. This expansion could strengthen AbbVie's position in the competitive oncology market, potentially boosting investor confidence in the company's long-term growth prospects.

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced that the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion recommending the marketing authorization of mirvetuximab soravtansine (ELAHERE^®) for the treatment of adult patients with folate receptor alpha (FRα)-positive, platinum-resistant and high-grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who have received one to three prior treatment regimens. Patients with ovarian cancer are often diagnosed with late-stage disease, undergo surgery and are then primarily treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Over time patients may become resistant to platinum-based treatment and will require another therapy. The CHMP's opinion is supported by results of the Phase 3 MIRASOL clinical trial and the European Commission decision on this indication for mirvetuximab soravtansine is anticipated later this year.

"Following many years of development by the ImmunoGen team that is now part of AbbVie, we are hopeful to make mirvetuximab soravtansine available to eligible patients with ovarian cancer in the European Union. This positive opinion recognizes the unmet need for certain patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer," said Roopal Thakkar, M.D., executive vice president, research and development, chief scientific officer, AbbVie.

ELAHERE® (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) was granted full FDA approval in the United States in March 2024. Marketing authorization submissions for mirvetuximab soravtansine are under review in multiple other countries.

ABOUT THE PHASE 3 MIRASOL TRIAL
MIRASOL is a global Phase 3 open-label, randomized, controlled trial that enrolled 453 patients to compare the efficacy and safety of mirvetuximab soravtansine with the investigator's choice of single-agent chemotherapy (weekly paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan) in the treatment of platinum-resistant, high-grade serous ovarian cancer whose tumors express high levels of FRα (≥75% of cells with ≥2+ staining intensity). Participants had previously received one to three lines of prior therapy. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Key secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS).

Results of the study were previously shared in June 2023. More information can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 04209855).  

About Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of death from gynecological cancers. According to the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, in 2022 more than 320,000 women worldwide were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. By 2050 the annual incidence will have risen to nearly half a million, an increase of 55 percent. Most patients present with late-stage disease and will typically undergo surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the majority of patients eventually develop platinum-resistant disease, which is difficult to treat. In this setting, standard of care single-agent chemotherapies are associated with decreased efficacy and tolerability.

About Mirvetuximab Soravtansine 
Mirvetuximab soravtansine is a first-in-class ADC comprising a folate receptor-alpha binding antibody, cleavable linker, and the maytansinoid payload DM4, a potent tubulin inhibitor designed to kill the targeted cancer cells.

Mirvetuximab soravtansine is not approved in the EU. 

ELAHERE® (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) U.S. INDICATION and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 
ELAHERE® is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with folate receptor-alpha (FRα) positive, platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who have received one to three prior systemic treatment regimens. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved test.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 
WARNING: OCULAR TOXICITY 

• ELAHERE can cause severe ocular toxicities, including visual impairment, keratopathy, dry eye, photophobia, eye pain, and uveitis. 
• Conduct an ophthalmic exam including visual acuity and slit lamp exam prior to initiation of ELAHERE, every other cycle for the first 8 cycles, and as clinically indicated. 
• Administer prophylactic artificial tears and ophthalmic topical steroids. 
• Withhold ELAHERE for ocular toxicities until improvement and resume at the same or reduced dose. 
• Discontinue ELAHERE for Grade 4 ocular toxicities. 

WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS 
Ocular Disorders 
ELAHERE can cause severe ocular adverse reactions, including visual impairment, keratopathy (corneal disorders), dry eye, photophobia, eye pain, and uveitis. 

Ocular adverse reactions occurred in 59% of patients with ovarian cancer treated with ELAHERE. Eleven percent (11%) of patients experienced Grade 3 ocular adverse reactions, including blurred vision, keratopathy (corneal disorders), dry eye, cataract, photophobia, and eye pain; two patients (0.3%) experienced Grade 4 events (keratopathy and cataract). The most common (≥5%) ocular adverse reactions were blurred vision (48%), keratopathy (36%), dry eye (27%), cataract (16%), photophobia (14%), and eye pain (10%).  

The median time to onset for first ocular adverse reaction was 5.1 weeks (range: 0.1 to 68.6). Of the patients who experienced ocular events, 53% had complete resolution; 38% had partial improvement (defined as a decrease in severity by one or more grades from the worst grade at last follow up). Ocular adverse reactions led to permanent discontinuation of ELAHERE in 1% of patients.  

Premedication and use of lubricating and ophthalmic topical steroid eye drops during treatment with ELAHERE are recommended. Advise patients to avoid use of contact lenses during treatment with ELAHERE unless directed by a healthcare provider.  

Refer patients to an eye care professional for an ophthalmic exam including visual acuity and slit lamp exam prior to treatment initiation, every other cycle for the first 8 cycles, and as clinically indicated. Promptly refer patients to an eye care professional for any new or worsening ocular signs and symptoms. 

Monitor for ocular toxicity and withhold, reduce, or permanently discontinue ELAHERE based on severity and persistence of ocular adverse reactions. 

Pneumonitis 
Severe, life-threatening, or fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD), including pneumonitis, can occur in patients treated with ELAHERE. 

Pneumonitis occurred in 10% of patients treated with ELAHERE, including 1% with Grade 3 events and 1 patient (0.1%) with a Grade 4 event. One patient (0.1%) died due to respiratory failure in the setting of pneumonitis and lung metastases. One patient (0.1%) died due to respiratory failure of unknown etiology. Pneumonitis led to permanent discontinuation of ELAHERE in 3% of patients. 

Monitor patients for pulmonary signs and symptoms of pneumonitis, which may include hypoxia, cough, dyspnea, or interstitial infiltrates on radiologic exams. Infectious, neoplastic, and other causes for such symptoms should be excluded through appropriate investigations. Withhold ELAHERE for patients who develop persistent or recurrent Grade 2 pneumonitis until symptoms resolve to ≤ Grade 1 and consider dose reduction. Permanently discontinue ELAHERE in all patients with Grade 3 or 4 pneumonitis. Patients who are asymptomatic may continue dosing of ELAHERE with close monitoring. 

Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) 
Peripheral neuropathy occurred in 36% of patients with ovarian cancer treated with ELAHERE across clinical trials; 3% of patients experienced Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy adverse reactions included peripheral neuropathy (20%), peripheral sensory neuropathy (9%), paraesthesia (6%), neurotoxicity (3%), hypoaesthesia (1%), peripheral motor neuropathy (0.9%), polyneuropathy (0.3%), and peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy (0.1%). Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of neuropathy, such as paresthesia, tingling or a burning sensation, neuropathic pain, muscle weakness, or dysesthesia. For patients experiencing new or worsening PN, withhold dosage, dose reduce, or permanently discontinue ELAHERE based on the severity of PN. 

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity 
Based on its mechanism of action, ELAHERE can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman because it contains a genotoxic compound (DM4) and affects actively dividing cells. 

Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ELAHERE and for 7 months after the last dose. 

ADVERSE REACTIONS 
The most common (≥20 %) adverse reactions, including lab abnormalities, were increased aspartate aminotransferase, fatigue, increased alanine aminotransferase, blurred vision, nausea, increased alkaline phosphatase, diarrhea, abdominal pain, keratopathy, peripheral neuropathy, musculoskeletal pain, decreased lymphocytes, decreased platelets, decreased magnesium, decreased hemoglobin, dry eye, constipation, decreased leukocytes, vomiting, decreased albumin, decreased appetite, and decreased neutrophils. 

DRUG INTERACTIONS 
DM4 is a CYP3A4 substrate. Closely monitor patients for adverse reactions with ELAHERE when used concomitantly with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.  

USE IN SPECIAL POPULATIONS

Lactation 
Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with ELAHERE and for 1 month after the last dose. 

Hepatic Impairment 
Avoid use of ELAHERE in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin >1.5 ULN). 

Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING 

About AbbVie in Oncology
At AbbVie, we are committed to transforming standards of care for patients living with difficult-to-treat cancers. We are advancing a dynamic pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of cancer types in both blood cancers and solid tumors. We are focusing on creating targeted medicines that either impede the reproduction of cancer cells or enable their elimination. We achieve this through various, targeted treatment modalities including Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs), Immuno-Oncology, bi-specific antibody and CAR-T platforms.  Our dedicated and experienced team joins forces with innovative partners to accelerate the delivery of potential breakthrough medicines.

Today, our expansive oncology portfolio comprises of approved and investigational treatments for a wide range of blood and solid tumors. We are evaluating more than 20 investigational medicines in multiple clinical trials across some of the world's most widespread and debilitating cancers. As we work to have a remarkable impact on people's lives, we are committed to exploring solutions to help patients obtain access to our cancer medicines. For more information, please visit http://www.abbvie.com/oncology.

About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions and uses of future or conditional verbs, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, and changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines, to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

 

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SOURCE AbbVie

FAQ

What is the CHMP's recommendation for ELAHERE® (mirvetuximab soravtansine) by AbbVie (ABBV)?

The CHMP has adopted a positive opinion recommending marketing authorization of ELAHERE® for treating adult patients with FRα-positive, platinum-resistant and high-grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who have received one to three prior treatment regimens.

When did AbbVie (ABBV) receive FDA approval for ELAHERE® in the United States?

ELAHERE® (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) was granted full FDA approval in the United States in March 2024.

What clinical trial supported the CHMP's positive opinion for AbbVie's (ABBV) ELAHERE®?

The CHMP's opinion is supported by results of the Phase 3 MIRASOL clinical trial.

When is the European Commission decision expected for AbbVie's (ABBV) ELAHERE®?

The European Commission decision on this indication for mirvetuximab soravtansine is anticipated later this year (2024).