Puma Biotechnology Presents Updated Findings from the Phase II SUMMIT Basket Trial of Neratinib in EGFR Exon 18-Mutant NSCLC at the 2022 EORTC/NCI/AACR Symposium

Rhea-AI Summary

Puma Biotechnology (NASDAQ: PBYI) presented updated results from the Phase II SUMMIT trial on neratinib for EGFR exon 18-mutant NSCLC at the EORTC/NCI/AACR Symposium in Barcelona on October 27. The trial included 29 patients, showing an overall objective response rate (ORR) of 35%, with 50% in TKI-naïve patients. Adverse events were primarily diarrhea, with no grade 4 incidents reported. The interim findings indicate neratinib may be a promising option for patients with limited treatment options. Final data will be released later.

Positive

• Objective response rate (ORR) of 35% overall in EGFR exon 18-mutant NSCLC patients.
• 50% ORR in patients who were TKI-naïve, suggesting efficacy for previously untreated individuals.
• Promising interim results could expand treatment options for patients with limited alternatives.

Negative

• 79% of participants had prior treatment with EGFR-targeted TKIs, indicating a heavily pre-treated population.
• Common adverse events included diarrhea, with 10% experiencing grade 3 diarrhea and one patient discontinuing due to this side effect.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBYI), a biopharmaceutical company, presented updated findings from the Phase II SUMMIT basket trial of neratinib for EGFR exon 18-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients at the EORTC/NCI/AACR Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics Symposium that is taking place in Barcelona, Spain. The poster, entitled, "Neratinib efficacy in patients with EGFR exon 18-mutant non-small cell lung cancer: findings from the SUMMIT basket trial,” was presented by Alejandro Martínez Bueno, Head of Medical Oncology Service, Hospital Quirón Deuxes, Barcelona, Spain, on October 27 beginning at 10:00 a.m. CEST.

The Phase II SUMMIT ‘basket’ trial is an open-label, multicenter, multi-national study evaluating the safety and efficacy of neratinib administered daily to patients who have solid tumors with activating, EGFR exon 18 or HER2 mutations. In the EGFR exon 18-mutant cohort, patients with lung cancer with single or complex EGFR exon 18 mutations, who were EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) naïve or were previously exposed to EGFR TKI, were enrolled into this study and received 240 mg of neratinib monotherapy once daily. Anti-diarrheal prophylaxis with loperamide was required for the first 2 cycles.

This cohort of 29 patients had received 1-6 prior lines of therapy in the metastatic setting before entering the trial. Twenty-three patients (79%) had been previously treated with an EGFR-targeted TKI (e.g., afatinib, osimertinib).

The interim efficacy results showed that the objective response rate (ORR) was 35% overall, 30% in patients pretreated with TKIs, and 50% in patients not pretreated with TKIs. Response or stable disease lasting for ≥ 48 weeks was observed in 7 patients (6 PR, 1 SD). Final data will be presented at a later date.

The safety profile observed in the cohort of patients with EGFR exon 18-mutant NSCLC showed that for the 31 patients who received at least one dose of neratinib, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea were the most commonly reported adverse events. There were no reports of grade 4 diarrhea, 3 patients (10%) reported grade 3 diarrhea, and 1 patient (3%) permanently discontinued neratinib due to diarrhea.

Dr. Martínez, an investigator of the study from Hospital Quirón Deuxes, said, “We are very excited about these interim study results in patients with EGFR exon 18-mutant lung cancer, for whom treatment options are limited. This study shows that neratinib has the potential to be an efficacious and safe option to treat their disease, even following treatment with other TKIs and chemotherapy.”

Alan H. Auerbach, CEO and President of Puma Biotechnology, added, “We are very pleased to observe that treatment with neratinib led to meaningful responses in patients with EGFR exon 18-mutated NSCLC. Improving the lives of our cancer patients is our foremost goal, and we are pleased to see the benefit that was provided to these patients in the SUMMIT trial.”

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.

In September 2022, Puma entered into an exclusive license agreement for the development and commercialization of the anti-cancer drug alisertib, a selective, small molecule, orally administered inhibitor of aurora kinase A. Initially, Puma intends to focus the development of alisertib on the treatment of small cell lung cancer and breast cancer.

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

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 https://www.NERLYNX.com or 1-855-816-5421.

INDICATIONS:

NERLYNX^® (neratinib) tablets, for oral use, 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.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Regarding NERLYNX® (neratinib) U.S. Indication:

CONTRAINDICATIONS: None

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

• Diarrhea: Manage diarrhea through either NERLYNX dose escalation or loperamide prophylaxis. If diarrhea occurs despite recommended prophylaxis, treat with 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 https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

DRUG INTERACTIONS:

• Gastric acid reducing agents: Avoid concomitant use with proton pump inhibitors. Separate NERLYNX by at least 2 hours before or 10 hours after H₂-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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the development of Puma’s product candidates. All forward-looking statements 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, 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, 2021, and subsequent reports. 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/20221027005333/en/

Alan H. Auerbach or Mariann Ohanesian, Puma Biotechnology, Inc., +1 424 248 6500

info@pumabiotechnology.com

ir@pumabiotechnology.com

David Schull or Olipriya Das, Russo Partners, +1-212-845-4271

david.schull@russopartnersllc.com

olipriya.das@russopartnersllc.com

Source: Puma Biotechnology, Inc.

FAQ

What were the findings of Puma Biotechnology's neratinib trial presented on October 27?

The Phase II SUMMIT trial showed an objective response rate of 35% overall and 50% in TKI-naïve patients for neratinib in EGFR exon 18-mutant NSCLC.

What is the significance of the SUMMIT trial results for PBYI stock?

Positive interim results may boost investor confidence and indicate potential market opportunities for neratinib in a niche cancer treatment.

What is the safety profile of neratinib according to the recent trial?

Adverse events mainly included diarrhea, with 10% experiencing grade 3 diarrhea; however, no grade 4 diarrhea cases were reported.

How many patients were involved in the neratinib trial for NSCLC?

The trial involved 29 patients with EGFR exon 18 mutations.

When will the final data from the SUMMIT trial be released?

Final data from the SUMMIT trial will be presented at a later date.