Eiger BioPharmaceuticals Announces Peginterferon Lambda to be Added to Multi-Center Phase 3 TOGETHER COVID-19 Study in Brazil

Rhea-AI Summary

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:EIGR) announced the inclusion of Peginterferon Lambda in the Phase 3 TOGETHER study targeting COVID-19 outpatients. The trial will evaluate Lambda's efficacy against emergency room visits and hospitalizations, with a target enrollment of 800 patients at various sites in Brazil and potential expansion to Toronto, Canada. The study aims to address the urgent need for outpatient treatments amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Lambda, an investigational agent, is recognized for its potential to stimulate immune responses and tackle emerging viral variants.

Positive

• Inclusion of Peginterferon Lambda in the multi-center Phase 3 TOGETHER study enhances EIGR's research portfolio.
• Lambda may offer a promising outpatient treatment for COVID-19, with prior Phase 2 data supporting its efficacy.
• Ongoing studies may increase investor confidence in Lambda's market potential.

Negative

• Lambda is still an investigational agent and not yet FDA approved, adding uncertainty to its commercial viability.
• The success of Lambda in the TOGETHER study remains uncertain until results are confirmed.

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:EIGR), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of targeted therapies for serious rare and ultra-rare diseases, today announced that Peginterferon Lambda (Lambda) will be added to the ongoing, multi-center, Phase 3 TOGETHER platform study in outpatients with COVID-19.

TOGETHER is an ongoing, multi-center, investigator-sponsored, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study evaluating multiple therapeutics in newly diagnosed, non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19, and will now include an investigational arm of Lambda as a single subcutaneous dose.  The primary endpoint is a clinical outcome comparing emergency room visits and/or hospitalization in each active arm versus placebo.  Each arm targets enrollment of up to 800 patients at high risk for developing complications from progression of COVID-19, with planned interim analyses for futility in each arm. The TOGETHER platform study is currently recruiting at eleven sites in Brazil and may expand to include a site in Toronto, Canada. 

"The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a global public health emergency, and outpatient treatments that can be quickly and efficiently administered to newly diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 patients are desperately needed with a goal of reducing COVID-19 complications," said Edward Mills, PhD, Principal Investigator, Professor of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact at McMaster University, Vancouver, Canada, who is leading the study with Gilmar Reis, MD, PhD, Co-Investigator, Associate Professor of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.  "The Phase 2 data generated with Lambda, as a single subcutaneous injection, in newly diagnosed outpatients with mild or moderate COVID-19, supports exploration of Lambda as a promising potential outpatient therapy."

"Resistance due to variants or new strains of SARS-CoV-2 is an ongoing concern with approved monoclonal antibodies and vaccines," said David Cory, President and Chief Executive Officer at Eiger.  "Lambda stimulates immune responses that are critical for the development of host protection during viral infections and may be ideal for addressing variants of SARS-CoV-2.  Based upon the convenience of administration and a mechanism that is agnostic to arising variants, we believe Lambda may be ideally suited to treat newly diagnosed COVID-19 outpatients."

For more information about the TOGETHER platform study (NCT04727424), please click here. 

About Peginterferon Lambda (Lambda)
Lambda is a well-characterized, late-stage, first-in-class, type III interferon (IFN) that stimulates immune responses that are critical for the development of host protection during viral infections.  Lambda targets type III IFN receptors which are distinct from the type I IFN receptors targeted by IFN alfa.  Binding leads to activation of JAK-STAT signaling pathway and upregulation of numerous IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs).  IFN lambda receptors are largely restricted to cells and tissues of epithelial origin, including respiratory epithelial cells.

IFN lambdas are critical for maintaining a balanced antiviral response in the respiratory tract.  They are induced at lower viral burden before type I IFNs to limit the initial infection by inducing viral resistance to cells and helping them deal with the virus load.  IFN lambda lacks the strong pro-inflammatory effects of type I IFNs and are tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory.  Administration of IFN lambda has been shown to suppress viral replication while stopping 'cytokine storm' from developing.

Eiger is developing Lambda as a monotherapy and in combination with lonafarnib boosted with ritonavir for the treatment of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection.  Lambda has been administered to over 3,000 subjects in 23 clinical trials of HBV, HCV, HDV and COVID-19.  Lambda is an investigational agent and not yet approved for any indication.  Eiger has received Orphan Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy Designation by FDA for Lambda in HDV.

Eiger licensed worldwide rights to Lambda from Bristol-Myers Squibb.

About Eiger
Eiger is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of targeted therapies for serious rare and ultra-rare diseases.

Eiger's lead clinical programs are focused on the development of foundational therapies for Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) infection, the most serious form of viral hepatitis, with two complementary HDV treatments.  Lonafarnib is a first-in-class, oral prenylation inhibitor in a global Phase 3 trial.  Peginterferon lambda is a first-in-class, well-tolerated type III interferon entering Phase 3.

Zokinvy^® for the treatment of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS or Progeria) and processing-deficient Progeroid Laminopathies is the Company's first FDA approved product.  A Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) is under review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). 

For additional information about Eiger and its clinical programs, please visit www.eigerbio.com.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties.  All statements other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our future financial condition, timing for and outcomes of clinical results, business strategy and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include terminology such as "will," "may," "continue," "plan," "expect," "could," "potential" or the negative of these terms.  Forward-looking statements are our current statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things, the potential of Lambda to be an effective therapy for newly diagnosed outpatients with COVID-19; and the potential for success of any of our product candidates.  These statements concern product candidates that have not yet been approved for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  No representation is made as to their safety or effectiveness for the purposes for which they are being investigated.  Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that Eiger makes, including additional applicable risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" sections in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and Eiger's subsequent filings with the SEC.  The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on information currently available to Eiger and speak only as of the date on which they are made.  Eiger does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

Investors and Media:

Sri Ryali
Email: sryali@eigerbio.com 
Phone: 1-650-272-6138

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SOURCE Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the TOGETHER study involving EIGR's Peginterferon Lambda?

The TOGETHER study evaluates the efficacy of Peginterferon Lambda as a treatment for newly diagnosed, non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

How many patients will be enrolled in the TOGETHER study?

The study targets enrollment of up to 800 patients at high risk for COVID-19 complications.

What are the primary endpoints of the TOGETHER study?

The primary endpoint is comparing clinical outcomes, specifically emergency room visits and hospitalizations, between the active arms and placebo.

Is Peginterferon Lambda approved for use in COVID-19?

No, Peginterferon Lambda is still investigational and has not yet been approved for any indication.

Where is the TOGETHER study being conducted?

The study is currently recruiting participants at eleven sites in Brazil, with potential expansion to Canada.