Aprea Therapeutics Receives FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Eprenetapopt for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Rhea-AI Summary

Aprea Therapeutics (Nasdaq: APRE) announced the FDA's Orphan Drug designation for eprenetapopt, aimed at treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This follows the prior Fast Track designation granted in November 2020. Orphan Drug designation offers several benefits, including a seven-year market exclusivity post-approval and FDA support in clinical trial design. Eprenetapopt is being developed to reactivate the mutant p53 protein in cancer cells, with additional designations for other conditions, including myelodysplastic syndromes and ovarian cancer.

Positive

• FDA granted Orphan Drug designation to eprenetapopt for AML, enhancing its market potential.
• Eprenetapopt also holds a Fast Track designation, expediting development.
• The drug shows promising pre-clinical anti-tumor activity across various cancers.

Negative

• A pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for eprenetapopt in MDS failed to meet its primary endpoint for complete remission.

BOSTON, April 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APRE), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel cancer therapeutics that reactivate the mutant tumor suppressor protein, p53, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug designation to eprenetapopt for treatment of AML.

“We are pleased to have been granted Orphan Drug designation by FDA for eprenetapopt in AML, building on the Fast Track designation in AML that was granted in November 2020,” said Christian S. Schade, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aprea. “We look forward to continued productive dialogue with FDA and bringing eprenetapopt to patients as soon as possible.”

Orphan Drug designation is granted by the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development to advance the evaluation and development of safe and effective therapies for the treatment of rare diseases or conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. The designation can provide development and commercial incentives for designated compounds and medicines, including eligibility for a seven-year period of market exclusivity in the U.S. after product approval, FDA assistance in clinical trial design, tax credits related to clinical trial expenses, and an exemption from FDA user fees.

About Aprea Therapeutics, Inc.

Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with research facilities in Stockholm, Sweden, focused on developing and commercializing novel cancer therapeutics that reactivate mutant tumor suppressor protein, p53. The Company’s lead product candidate is eprenetapopt (APR-246), a small molecule in clinical development for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Eprenetapopt has received Breakthrough Therapy, Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and Orphan Drug designation from the European Commission for MDS, AML and ovarian cancer. APR-548, a next generation small molecule reactivator of mutant p53, is being developed for oral administration. For more information, please visit the company website at www.aprea.com.

The Company may use, and intends to use, its investor relations website at https://ir.aprea.com/ as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

About p53, eprenetapopt and APR-548

The p53 tumor suppressor gene is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer, occurring in approximately 50% of all human tumors. These mutations are often associated with resistance to anti-cancer drugs and poor overall survival, representing a major unmet medical need in the treatment of cancer.

Eprenetapopt (APR-246) is a small molecule that has demonstrated reactivation of mutant and inactivated p53 protein – by restoring wild-type p53 conformation and function – thereby inducing programmed cell death in human cancer cells. Pre-clinical anti-tumor activity has been observed with eprenetapopt in a wide variety of solid and hematological cancers, including MDS, AML, and ovarian cancer, among others. Additionally, strong synergy has been seen with both traditional anti-cancer agents, such as chemotherapy, as well as newer mechanism-based anti-cancer drugs and immuno-oncology checkpoint inhibitors. In addition to pre-clinical testing, a Phase 1/2 clinical program with eprenetapopt has been completed, demonstrating a favorable safety profile and both biological and confirmed clinical responses in hematological malignancies and solid tumors with mutations in the TP53 gene.

A pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of eprenetapopt and azacitidine for frontline treatment of TP53 mutant MDS has been completed and failed to meet the primary endpoint of complete remission. Additional clinical trials in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors are ongoing. Eprenetapopt has received Breakthrough Therapy, Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA for MDS, Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA for AML, and Orphan Drug designation from the European Medicines Agency for MDS, AML and ovarian cancer.

APR-548 is a next-generation small molecule p53 reactivator. APR-548 has demonstrated high oral bioavailability, enhanced potency relative to eprenetapopt in TP53 mutant cancer cell lines and has demonstrated in vivo tumor growth inhibition following oral dosing of tumor-bearing mice. Enrollment in a Phase 1 clinical trial of APR-548 is anticipated to begin early in the second quarter of 2021.

About AML

AML is the most common form of adult leukemia, with the highest incidence in patients aged 60 years and older. AML is characterized by proliferation of abnormal immature white blood cells that impairs production of normal blood cells. AML can develop de novo or may arise secondary to progression of other hematologic disorders or from chemotherapy or radiation treatment for a different, prior malignancy; secondary AML carries a worse prognosis than de novo AML. Mutations in TP53, which are associated with poor overall prognosis, occur in approximately 20% of patients with newly diagnosed AML, more than 30% of patients with therapy-related AML and approximately 70-80% of patients with complex karyotype.

Forward-Looking Statement

Certain information contained in this press release includes “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, related to our study analyses, clinical trials, regulatory submissions and projected cash position. We may, in some cases use terms such as “future,” “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “targeting,” “confidence,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “likely,” “will,” “should” or other words that convey uncertainty of the future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of our management team that involve risks, potential changes in circumstances, assumptions, and uncertainties. Any or all of the forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong or be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including risks related to the success and timing of our clinical trials or other studies, risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic and the other risks set forth in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. For all these reasons, actual results and developments could be materially different from those expressed in or implied by our forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Source: Aprea Therapeutics, Inc.

Corporate Contacts:

Scott M. Coiante

Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

617-463-9385

Gregory A. Korbel

Chief Business Officer

617-463-9385

FAQ

What does the Orphan Drug designation mean for Aprea Therapeutics' eprenetapopt?

The Orphan Drug designation allows eprenetapopt to receive regulatory benefits such as a seven-year market exclusivity after approval, and assistance from the FDA in clinical trials.

What is the significance of the FDA's Fast Track designation for Aprea Therapeutics?

The Fast Track designation facilitates the development and approval process of eprenetapopt, helping to expedite patient access to the therapy.

What were the results of the Phase 3 trial for eprenetapopt?

The pivotal Phase 3 trial for eprenetapopt in treating myelodysplastic syndromes did not meet its primary endpoint of achieving complete remission.

How does eprenetapopt work in cancer treatment?

Eprenetapopt reactivates the mutant p53 protein in cancer cells, thereby promoting programmed cell death.

What other designations has eprenetapopt received?

Eprenetapopt has received Breakthrough Therapy, Orphan Drug, and Fast Track designations for multiple conditions, including myelodysplastic syndromes and ovarian cancer.