Exelixis Announces First Patient Enrolled in Phase 1 Trial Cohort Evaluating XL092 in Combination with Atezolizumab in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) announced the enrollment of the first patient in the dose-escalation cohort of a phase 1 trial (NCT03845166) for XL092, a next-generation oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This trial evaluates XL092 alone and in combination with atezolizumab for patients with advanced solid tumors. Preliminary findings suggest that XL092 may promote an immune-permissive environment and have a shorter pharmacokinetic half-life compared to cabozantinib, aiding in tolerability management. The trial, initiated in February 2019, will eventually explore various cancer types.
- Enrollment of the first patient into the phase 1 trial for XL092 signifies progress in cancer therapy development.
- XL092 shows potential in promoting an immune-permissive environment, potentially increasing efficacy when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
- The phase 1 trial is still ongoing, indicating uncertainty regarding the efficacy and safety of XL092.
- Clinical development depends on the successful completion of multiple trial phases, posing potential delays.
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) today announced enrollment of the first patient into the dose-escalation cohort of the combination arm of the phase 1 trial (NCT03845166) evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary anti-tumor activity of XL092 alone and in combination with atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ®) in patients with advanced solid tumors. XL092 is an investigational, next-generation oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets VEGF receptors, MET, AXL, MER and other kinases implicated in the growth and spread of cancer.
“This exciting update follows promising preclinical findings presented at the ENA Symposium suggesting that XL092, like cabozantinib, promotes an immune-permissive environment that may result in synergies with immune checkpoint inhibitors; however, as seen in the ongoing phase 1 study, XL092 has a much shorter pharmacokinetic half-life that may help physicians in managing tolerability,” said Gisela Schwab, M.D., President, Product Development and Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, Exelixis. “Enrolling the first patient into the combination therapy part of this trial is an important step forward in the development of XL092 as we explore how it may improve outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers and build on the success of our cabozantinib oncology franchise.”
Initiated in February 2019, the dose-escalation evaluation of the XL092 monotherapy arm of the phase 1 trial is ongoing. Once the recommended doses of both single-agent XL092 and XL092 in combination with atezolizumab are established, the trial will begin to enroll expansion cohorts for patients with clear cell and non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma, hormone-receptor positive breast cancer and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
More information about this trial is available at ClinicalTrials.gov.
About XL092
XL092 is a next-generation oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets VEGF receptors, MET, AXL, MER and other kinases implicated in cancer’s growth and spread. In designing XL092, Exelixis sought to build upon the experience and target profile of cabozantinib, the company’s flagship medicine, while improving key characteristics, including clinical half-life. XL092 is the first internally discovered Exelixis compound to enter the clinic following the company’s reinitiation of drug discovery activities.
About CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
In the U.S., CABOMETYX tablets are approved for the treatment of patients with advanced RCC and for the treatment of patients with HCC who have been previously treated with sorafenib. CABOMETYX tablets have also received regulatory approvals in the European Union, Japan and additional countries and regions worldwide. In 2016, Exelixis granted Ipsen exclusive rights for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib outside of the United States and Japan. In 2017, Exelixis granted exclusive rights to Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib for all future indications in Japan. Exelixis holds the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize cabozantinib in the United States.
Important Safety Information
Warnings and Precautions
Hemorrhage: Severe and fatal hemorrhages occurred with CABOMETYX. The incidence of Grade 3 to 5 hemorrhagic events was
Perforations and Fistulas: Gastrointestinal (GI) perforations, including fatal cases, occurred in
Thrombotic Events: CABOMETYX increased the risk of thrombotic events. Venous thromboembolism occurred in
Hypertension and Hypertensive Crisis: CABOMETYX can cause hypertension, including hypertensive crisis. Hypertension occurred in
Diarrhea: Diarrhea occurred in
Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE): PPE occurred in
Proteinuria: Proteinuria occurred in
Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ): ONJ occurred in <
Impaired Wound Healing: Wound complications occurred with CABOMETYX. Withhold CABOMETYX for at least 3 weeks prior to elective surgery. Do not administer CABOMETYX for at least 2 weeks after major surgery and until adequate wound healing is observed. The safety of resumption of CABOMETYX after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established.
Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS): RPLS, a syndrome of subcortical vasogenic edema diagnosed by characteristic findings on MRI, can occur with CABOMETYX. Evaluate for RPLS in patients presenting with seizures, headache, visual disturbances, confusion, or altered mental function. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop RPLS.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: CABOMETYX can cause fetal harm. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating CABOMETYX and advise them to use effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.
Adverse Reactions
The most commonly reported (≥
Drug Interactions
Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: If coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors cannot be avoided, reduce the CABOMETYX dosage. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: If coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inducers cannot be avoided, increase the CABOMETYX dosage. Avoid St. John’s wort.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed during CABOMETYX treatment and for 4 months after the final dose.
Hepatic Impairment: In patients with moderate hepatic impairment, reduce the CABOMETYX dosage. CABOMETYX is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information https://cabometyx.com/downloads/CABOMETYXUSPI.pdf.
About Exelixis
Founded in 1994, Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL) is a commercially successful, oncology-focused biotechnology company that strives to accelerate the discovery, development and commercialization of new medicines for difficult-to-treat cancers. Following early work in model system genetics, we established a broad drug discovery and development platform that has served as the foundation for our continued efforts to bring new cancer therapies to patients in need. Our discovery efforts have resulted in four commercially available products, CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib), COMETRIQ® (cabozantinib), COTELLIC® (cobimetinib) and MINNEBRO® (esaxerenone), and we have entered into partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies to bring these important medicines to patients worldwide. Supported by revenues from our marketed products and collaborations, we are committed to prudently reinvesting in our business to maximize the potential of our pipeline. We are supplementing our existing therapeutic assets with targeted business development activities and internal drug discovery — all to deliver the next generation of Exelixis medicines and help patients recover stronger and live longer. Exelixis is a member of the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) MidCap 400 index, which measures the performance of profitable mid-sized companies. For more information about Exelixis, please visit www.exelixis.com, follow @ExelixisInc on Twitter or like Exelixis, Inc. on Facebook.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements related to: Exelixis’ belief that the immune-permissive environment promoted by XL092 may result in synergies with immune checkpoint inhibitors and that XL092’s shorter pharmacokinetic half-life may help physicians in managing tolerability; the potential for XL092 to improve outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers and build on the success of Exelixis’ cabozantinib oncology franchise; and Exelixis’ plans to reinvest in its business to maximize the potential of the company’s pipeline, including through targeted business development activities and internal drug discovery. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements and are based upon Exelixis’ current plans, assumptions, beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: complexities and the unpredictability of the regulatory review and approval processes in the U.S. and elsewhere; Exelixis’ continuing compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements; the potential failure of XL092 or the combination of XL092 and atezolizumab to demonstrate safety and/or efficacy in NCT03845166 and in future trials; uncertainties inherent in the product development process; the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Exelixis’ research and development operations, including Exelixis’ ability to initiate new clinical trials and clinical trial sites, enroll clinical trial patients, conduct trials per protocol, and conduct drug research and discovery operations and related activities; the costs of conducting clinical trials, including the ability or willingness of Exelixis’ collaboration partners to invest in the resources necessary to complete the trials; Exelixis’ dependence on third-party vendors for the development, manufacture and supply of XL092; Exelixis’ ability to protect its intellectual property rights; market competition; changes in economic and business conditions; and other factors affecting Exelixis and its development programs discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Exelixis’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 6, 2020, and in Exelixis’ future filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Exelixis as of the date of this press release, and Exelixis undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, except as required by law.
Exelixis, the Exelixis logo, CABOMETYX, COMETRIQ and COTELLIC are registered U.S. trademarks. MINNEBRO is a Japanese trademark.
TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) is a registered trademark of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.
