FDA Approves Dose Escalation Label Update for Puma Biotechnology’s NERLYNX® (neratinib) in HER2-Positive Early Stage and Metastatic Breast Cancer

Rhea-AI Summary

Puma Biotechnology announced FDA approval for a labeling supplement for NERLYNX, incorporating dosing escalation based on findings from the Phase II CONTROL Trial. The new 133 count SKU aims to better meet patient needs. The CONTROL study demonstrated significant improvements, including a 60% reduction in Grade 3 diarrhea and 80% reduction in discontinuation rates, enhancing treatment tolerability. The company believes these changes will extend therapy duration and benefit more HER2-positive breast cancer patients.

Positive

• FDA approval for new labeling of NERLYNX strengthens market position.
• Dose escalation strategy leads to significant reduction in treatment-related side effects, enhancing patient compliance and potential revenue.
• New 133 count SKU aligns with patient treatment requirements, likely increasing market acceptance.

Negative

• No specific negative aspects reported.

Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBYI), a biopharmaceutical company, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a labeling supplement to the U.S. Prescribing Information for NERLYNX® that incorporates the use of NERLYNX dose escalation as evaluated in the Phase II CONTROL Trial and the new 133 count commercial NERLYNX SKU. The new 133 count SKU, i.e., a bottle containing a four-week supply of 133 tablets, is aligned with the use of NERLYNX dose escalation and designed to better support patient needs.

The CONTROL study was a multicenter, open-label, multi-cohort trial evaluating patients with early stage HER2-positive breast cancer treated with NERLYNX 240 mg daily for up to one year who received loperamide prophylaxis with additional anti-diarrheal treatment as needed (PRN) or NERLYNX dose escalation with loperamide as needed. Patients in the dose escalation cohort received NERLYNX 120 mg daily for Week 1, followed by NERLYNX 160 mg daily for Week 2, followed by NERLYNX 240 mg daily for Week 3 and thereafter for the duration of treatment.

Data from this study showed that dose escalation in the extended adjuvant setting, coupled with PRN Loperamide, led to a greater than 60% reduction in the percentage of patients who experienced Grade 3 diarrhea (40% vs. 13%), a 50% reduction in median cumulative days of Grade 3 diarrhea (5 days vs. 2.5 days) and an approximate 80% reduction in discontinuation rates (17% vs. 3%) when compared to ExteNET, where no dose escalation or antidiarrheal prophylaxis was mandated.

Hope S. Rugo, MD, Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco Comprehensive Cancer Center, said, “The inclusion of dose escalation in the prescribing information is a critical road-map for health care providers and patients as they seek to optimize treatment and reduce therapy-related toxicity in the early breast cancer and metastatic settings.”

Alan H. Auerbach, Chief Executive Officer and President of Puma, said, “We believe that utilizing dose escalation has the potential to improve the overall tolerability of NERLYNX and increase the average length of therapy, with the end result benefiting more patients battling breast cancer.”

About HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Up to 20% of patients with breast cancer tumors over-express the HER2 protein (HER2-positive disease) and in the ExteNET study, 57% of patients were found to have tumors that were hormone-receptor positive. HER2-positive breast cancer is often more aggressive than other types of breast cancer, increasing the risk of disease progression and death. Although research has shown that trastuzumab can reduce the risk of early stage HER2-positive breast cancer recurring, up to 25% of patients treated with trastuzumab experience recurrence within 10 years, the majority of which are metastatic recurrences.

About Puma Biotechnology

Puma Biotechnology, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company with a focus on the development and commercialization of innovative products to enhance cancer care. Puma in-licenses the global development and commercialization rights to PB272 (neratinib, oral), PB272 (neratinib, intravenous) and PB357. Neratinib, oral was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for the extended adjuvant treatment of adult patients with early stage HER2-overexpressed/amplified breast cancer, following adjuvant trastuzumab-based therapy, and is marketed in the United States as NERLYNX® (neratinib) tablets. In February 2020, NERLYNX was also approved by the FDA in combination with capecitabine for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens in the metastatic setting. NERLYNX was granted marketing authorization by the European Commission in 2018 for the extended adjuvant treatment of adult patients with early stage hormone receptor-positive HER2-overexpressed/amplified breast cancer and who are less than one year from completion of prior adjuvant trastuzumab-based therapy. NERLYNX is a registered trademark of Puma Biotechnology, Inc.

Further information about Puma Biotechnology may be found at www.pumabiotechnology.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

NERLYNX® (neratinib) tablets, for oral use

INDICATIONS AND USAGE: NERLYNX is a kinase inhibitor indicated:

• As a single agent, for the extended adjuvant treatment of adult patients with early stage HER2-positive breast cancer, to follow adjuvant trastuzumab-based therapy.
• In combination with capecitabine, for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, who have received two or more prior anti-HER2 based regimens in the metastatic setting.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: None

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

• Diarrhea: Manage diarrhea through either NERLYNX dose escalation or loperamide prophylaxis. If diarrhea occurs despite dose escalation or loperamide, treat with loperamide, additional antidiarrheals, fluids, and electrolytes as clinically indicated. Withhold NERLYNX in patients experiencing severe and/or persistent diarrhea. Permanently discontinue NERLYNX in patients experiencing Grade 4 diarrhea or Grade ≥ 2 diarrhea that occurs after maximal dose reduction.
• Hepatotoxicity: Monitor liver function tests monthly for the first 3 months of treatment, then every 3 months while on treatment and as clinically indicated. Withhold NERLYNX in patients experiencing Grade 3 liver abnormalities and permanently discontinue NERLYNX in patients experiencing Grade 4 liver abnormalities.
• Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: NERLYNX can cause fetal harm. Advise patients of potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception.

ADVERSE REACTIONS:

The most common adverse reactions (reported in ≥ 5% of patients) were as follows:

• NERLYNX as a single agent: Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, vomiting, rash, stomatitis, decreased appetite, muscle spasms, dyspepsia, AST or ALT increased, nail disorder, dry skin, abdominal distention, epistaxis, weight decreased, and urinary tract infection.
• NERLYNX in combination with capecitabine: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, constipation, fatigue/asthenia, weight decreased, dizziness, back pain, arthralgia, urinary tract infection, upper respiratory tract infection, abdominal distention, renal impairment, and muscle spasms.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Puma Biotechnology, Inc. at 1-844-NERLYNX (1-844-637-5969) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

DRUG INTERACTIONS:

• Gastric acid reducing agents: Avoid concomitant use with proton pump inhibitors. Separate NERLYNX by at least 3 hours with antacids. Separate NERLYNX by at least 2 hours before or 10 hours after H_2-receptor antagonists. Or separate NERLYNX by at least 3 hours with antacids.
• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors: Avoid concomitant use.
• P-gp and moderate CYP3A4 dual inhibitors: Avoid concomitant use.
• Strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers: Avoid concomitant use.
• Certain P-gp substrates: Monitor for adverse reactions of P-gp substrates for which minimal concentration change may lead to serious adverse reactions when used concomitantly with NERLYNX.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS:

• Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed.

Please see Full Prescribing Information for additional safety information.

To help ensure patients have access to NERLYNX, Puma has implemented the Puma Patient Lynx support program to assist patients and healthcare providers with reimbursement support and referrals to resources that can help with financial assistance. More information on the Puma Patient Lynx program can be found at www.NERLYNX.com or 1-855-816-5421.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements, that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Puma’s actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and actual outcomes and results could differ materially from these statements due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, any adverse impact on Puma’s business or the global economy and financial markets, generally, from the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the risk factors disclosed in the periodic and current reports filed by Puma with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including Puma’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Puma assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210701005217/en/

FAQ

What is the latest FDA approval related to Puma Biotechnology (PBYI)?

Puma Biotechnology received FDA approval for a labeling supplement for NERLYNX, which now includes dosing escalation guidelines based on the CONTROL Trial.

What improvements were observed in the CONTROL Trial for NERLYNX?

The CONTROL Trial showed over a 60% reduction in Grade 3 diarrhea and an 80% reduction in discontinuation rates among patients who underwent dose escalation.

What is the significance of the new 133 count SKU for NERLYNX?

The new 133 count SKU provides a four-week supply of NERLYNX, designed to better address patient needs and enhance treatment adherence.

How does NERLYNX benefit patients with HER2-positive breast cancer?

NERLYNX is indicated for treating HER2-positive breast cancer, significantly improving tolerability and potentially extending treatment duration for patients.