Caelum and Alexion Announce Upcoming CAEL-101 Data Presentations at the European Hematology Association Congress 2021
Caelum Biosciences and Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ALXN) announced the acceptance of two abstracts on CAEL-101 for e-poster presentation at the European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress 2021, scheduled from June 9 to 17, 2021. The abstracts will present new data from the Phase 2 study of CAEL-101 for AL amyloidosis, highlighting safety and tolerability in combination with standard therapy. The Phase 3 CARES program is underway, aiming to enroll approximately 370 patients globally. CAEL-101 is a first-in-class therapy potentially improving organ function by addressing amyloid deposits.
- Acceptance of two abstracts for presentation at EHA Congress highlights progress in CAEL-101 research.
- CAEL-101 has shown promise in improving organ function in patients with AL amyloidosis.
- Undergoing Phase 3 clinical program aims to enroll 370 patients, indicating strong clinical interest.
- No financial metrics or data on anticipated sales for CAEL-101 were provided.
- Forward-looking statements include risks of regulatory delays and uncertainties in clinical trial outcomes.
Caelum Biosciences and Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN) today announced that two abstracts on CAEL-101, a potentially first-in-class amyloid fibril targeted therapy, have been accepted for e-poster presentation at the European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress 2021, taking place virtually from June 9 to 17, 2021. Both presentations will include new data from the Phase 2 open-label dose escalation study evaluating the safety and tolerability of CAEL-101 in combination with standard-of-care (SoC) therapy in AL amyloidosis. One will feature data studying safety and tolerability in AL amyloidosis patients treated with 1000 mg/m2 CAEL-101 in combination with cyclophosphamide-bortezomib-dexamethasone plus daratumumab. The second will include new data further supporting the selection of the 1000 mg/m2 dose for the ongoing Phase 3 study and demonstrating the possible stabilization of cardiac disease as assessed by Mayo staging.
The abstracts accepted for e-poster presentations are listed below and are now available on the EHA website. All e-poster presentations will be made available on the virtual congress platform on June 11, 2021 at 09:00 a.m. CEST (3:00 a.m. EDT) and will be available throughout the duration of the Congress.
Safety and Tolerability of CAEL-101 in Combination with Cyclophosphamide-Bortezomib-Dexamethasone and Daratumumab in Patients with AL Amyloidosis. Abstract #EP1017– e-poster presentation; session title: Myeloma and other monoclonal gammopathies – Clinical.
Safety and Tolerability of CAEL-101 in Patients with AL Amyloidosis in a Phase 2 Study for a Median of 38 Weeks. Abstract #EP1018 – e-poster presentation; session title: Myeloma and other monoclonal gammopathies – Clinical.
As was previously announced, the Cardiac Amyloid Reaching for Extended Survival (CARES) Phase 3 clinical program to evaluate CAEL-101 in combination with SoC therapy in AL amyloidosis has begun. Enrollment is underway in two parallel Phase 3 studies – one in patients with Mayo stage IIIa disease (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04512235) and one in patients with Mayo stage IIIb disease (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04504825) – and will collectively enroll approximately 370 patients globally. The Phase 2 program continues with the ongoing evaluation of CAEL-101 in combination with SoC therapy plus daratumumab.
About CAEL-101
CAEL-101 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody (mAb) designed to improve organ function by reducing or eliminating amyloid deposits in the tissues and organs of patients with AL amyloidosis. The antibody is designed to bind to misfolded light chain protein and amyloid and shows binding to both kappa and lambda subtypes. In a Phase 1a/1b study, CAEL-101 demonstrated improved organ function, including cardiac and renal function, in 27 patients with relapsed and refractory AL amyloidosis who had previously not had an organ response to standard of care therapy. CAEL-101 has received Orphan Drug Designation from both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European Medicine Agency as a potential therapy for patients with AL amyloidosis.
About AL Amyloidosis
AL amyloidosis is a rare systemic disorder caused by an abnormality of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Misfolded immunoglobulin light chains produced by plasma cells aggregate and form fibrils that deposit in tissues and organs. This deposition can cause widespread and progressive organ damage and high mortality rates, with death most frequently occurring as a result of cardiac failure. Current standard of care includes plasma cell directed chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant, but these therapies do not address the organ dysfunction caused by amyloid deposition, and up to 80 percent of patients are ineligible for transplant.
AL amyloidosis is a rare disease but is the most common form of systemic amyloidosis. There are approximately 22,000 patients across the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. AL amyloidosis has a one-year mortality rate of 47 percent, 76 percent of which is caused by cardiac amyloidosis.
About Caelum Biosciences
Caelum Biosciences, Inc. (“Caelum”) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for rare and life-threatening diseases. Caelum’s lead asset, CAEL-101, is a novel antibody for the treatment of patients with amyloid light chain (“AL”) amyloidosis. In 2019, Caelum entered a collaboration agreement with Alexion under which Alexion acquired a minority equity interest in Caelum and an exclusive option to acquire the remaining equity in the company. Caelum was founded by Fortress Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: FBIO). For more information, visit www.caelumbio.com.
About Alexion
Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on serving patients and families affected by rare diseases and devastating conditions through the discovery, development and commercialization of life-changing medicines. As a leader in rare diseases for more than 25 years, Alexion has developed and commercializes two approved complement inhibitors to treat patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), as well as the first and only approved complement inhibitor to treat anti-acetylcholine receptor (AchR) antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Alexion also has two highly innovative enzyme replacement therapies for patients with life-threatening and ultra-rare metabolic disorders, hypophosphatasia (HPP) and lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) as well as the first and only approved Factor Xa inhibitor reversal agent. In addition, the company is developing several mid-to-late-stage therapies, including a copper-binding agent for Wilson disease, an anti-neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) antibody for rare Immunoglobulin G (IgG)-mediated diseases and an oral Factor D inhibitor as well as several early-stage therapies, including one for light chain (AL) amyloidosis, a second oral Factor D inhibitor and a third complement inhibitor. Alexion focuses its research efforts on novel molecules and targets in the complement cascade and its development efforts on hematology, nephrology, neurology, metabolic disorders, cardiology, ophthalmology and acute care. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Alexion has offices around the globe and serves patients in more than 50 countries. This press release and further information about Alexion can be found at: www.alexion.com.
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Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties relating to future events and the future performance of Alexion and its products, including statements related to: the anticipated benefits of CAEL-101 (including possible stabilization of cardiac disease as assessed by Mayo staging); CAEL-101 is designed to improve organ function by reducing or eliminating amyloid deposits in the tissues and organs of patients with AL amyloidosis; CAEL-101 is designed to bind to misfolded light chain protein and amyloid and shows binding to both kappa and lambda subtypes; characteristics of clinical trials for CAEL-101 including patients expected to be enrolled in the trials; the Company continues to progress efforts to innovate for patients. Forward-looking statements are subject to factors that may cause Alexion's or Caelum’s results and plans to differ materially from those expected by these forward looking statements, including for example: CAEL-101 may not generate the expected benefits to patients that are anticipated; anticipated regulatory approvals may be delayed or refused; results of clinical trials may not be sufficient to satisfy regulatory authorities to approve CAEL-101 as a treatment for AL amyloidosis or other indication (or they may request additional trials or additional information); results in clinical trials may not be indicative of results from later stage or larger clinical trials (or in broader patient populations once the product is approved for use by regulatory agencies); the possibility that results of clinical trials are not predictive of safety and efficacy and potency of CAEL-101 (or failure to adequately operate or manage clinical trials) which could cause us to discontinue sales of the product (or halt trials, delay or prevent submission of regulatory approval filings or result in denial of approval of product candidates); the severity of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the businesses, including on commercial and clinical trial and clinical development programs; unexpected delays in clinical trials; unexpected concerns regarding product candidates that may arise from additional data or analysis obtained during clinical trials or obtained once used by patients following product approval; future product improvements may not be realized due to expense or feasibility or other factors; delays (expected or unexpected) in the time it takes regulatory agencies to review and make determinations on applications for the marketing approval of products; inability to timely submit (or failure to submit) future applications for regulatory approval for products and product candidates; inability to timely initiate (or failure to initiate) and complete future clinical trials due to safety issues, IRB decisions, CMC-related issues, expense or unfavorable results from earlier trials (among other reasons); Alexion dependence on sales from complement inhibitors; future competition from biosimilars and novel products; decisions of regulatory authorities regarding the adequacy of the research, marketing approval or material limitations on the marketing of products; delays or the inability to launch product candidates due to regulatory restrictions, anticipated expense or other matters; interruptions or failures in the manufacture and supply of products and product candidates; failure to satisfactorily address matters raised by regulatory agencies regarding products and product candidates; uncertainty of long-term success in developing, licensing or acquiring other product candidates or additional indications for existing products; the adequacy of pharmacovigilance and drug safety reporting processes; failure to protect and enforce our data, intellectual property and proprietary rights and the risks and uncertainties relating to intellectual property claims, lawsuits and challenges against us (including intellectual property lawsuits relating to ULTOMIRIS brought by third parties); the risk that third party payors (including governmental agencies) will not reimburse or continue to reimburse for the use of our products at acceptable rates or at all; failure to realize the benefits and potential of investments, collaborations, licenses and acquisitions; the possibility that expected tax benefits will not be realized; potential declines in sovereign credit ratings or sovereign defaults in countries where products are sold; delay of collection or reduction in reimbursement due to adverse economic conditions or changes in government and private insurer regulations and approaches to reimbursement; adverse impacts on our supply chain, clinical trials, manufacturing operations, financial results, liquidity, hospitals, pharmacies and health care systems from natural disasters and global pandemics, including the coronavirus; uncertainties surrounding legal proceedings, company investigations and government investigations; the risk that estimates regarding the number of patients with AL amyloidosis and other indications we are pursuing are inaccurate; the risks of changing foreign exchange rates; risks relating to the potential effects of the Company's restructurings; and a variety of other risks set forth from time to time in Alexion's filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the risks discussed in Alexion's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and in our other filings with the SEC. Alexion disclaims any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except when a duty arises under law.
Forward-Looking Statement Regarding Acquisition of Alexion by AstraZeneca
This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “explore,” “evaluate,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” or “will,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Alexion’s and AstraZeneca plc’s “AstraZeneca”) control. Statements in this communication regarding Alexion, AstraZeneca and the combined company that are forward-looking, including anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, the impact of the proposed transaction on Alexion’s and AstraZeneca’s businesses and future financial and operating results, the amount and timing of synergies from the proposed transaction, the terms and scope of the expected financing for the proposed transaction, the aggregate amount of indebtedness of the combined company following the closing of the proposed transaction, are based on management’s estimates, assumptions and projections, and are subject to significant uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Alexion’s and AstraZeneca’s control. These factors include, among other things, market factors, competitive product development and approvals, pricing controls and pressures (including changes in rules and practices of managed care groups and institutional and governmental purchasers), economic conditions such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations, judicial decisions, claims and concerns that may arise regarding the safety and efficacy of in-line products and product candidates, changes to wholesaler inventory levels, variability in data provided by third parties, changes in, and interpretation of, governmental regulations and legislation affecting domestic or foreign operations, including tax obligations, changes to business or tax planning strategies, difficulties and delays in product development, manufacturing or sales including any potential future recalls, patent positions and the ultimate outcome of any litigation matter. Additional information concerning these risks, uncertainties and assumptions can be found in Alexion’s and AstraZeneca’s respective filings with the SEC, including the risk factors discussed in Alexion’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, in AstraZeneca’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and in each company’s future filings with the SEC. Important risk factors could cause actual future results and other future events to differ materially from those currently estimated by management, including, but not limited to, the risks that: a condition to the closing the proposed acquisition may not be satisfied; a regulatory approval that may
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