FDA Grants Priority Review to Genentech’s Bispecific Antibody Glofitamab for People With Relapsed or Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Rhea-AI Summary

Genentech announced the FDA’s acceptance of their Biologics License Application for glofitamab, a bispecific antibody aimed at treating relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). If approved by July 1, 2023, it will be the first fixed-duration treatment for this aggressive cancer. In the Phase I/II NP30179 study, 40% of participants achieved complete response, with long-term remission observed. The drug is a part of an extensive bispecific antibody program, which includes the recently approved Lunsumio for follicular lymphoma.

Positive

• FDA accepted the Biologics License Application (BLA) for glofitamab with Priority Review.
• 40% of patients in the pivotal study achieved complete response.
• Glofitamab shows potential for long-term efficacy with 73.1% of complete responders maintaining remission after 12 months.
• The drug is part of a robust portfolio of bispecific antibodies, enhancing Genentech's competitive position.

Negative

• High percentage (85.1%) of study participants were refractory to their most recent therapies.

– If approved, glofitamab would be the first fixed-duration CD20xCD3 T-cell engaging bispecific antibody approved to treat the most aggressive type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma –

– Results from the pivotal Phase I/II NP30179 study showed glofitamab induced durable response rates in people with heavily pretreated large B-cell lymphoma, with 40% achieving a complete response –

– Glofitamab is part of Genentech’s industry-leading portfolio of T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies, which also includes the newly FDA-approved first-in-class Lunsumio to treat follicular lymphoma –

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the company’s Biologics License Application (BLA) and granted Priority Review for glofitamab, an investigational CD20xCD3 T-cell engaging bispecific antibody, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. LBCL is an aggressive (fast-growing) type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and is one of the most prevalent types of blood cancer among adults in the U.S. The FDA is expected to make a decision on approval of this novel cancer immunotherapy by July 1, 2023. If approved, glofitamab would be the first fixed-duration, off-the-shelf CD20xCD3 T-cell engaging bispecific antibody available to treat people with an aggressive lymphoma who have previously received multiple courses of treatment.

“Unfortunately, people with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma have a poor prognosis and desperately need additional therapies that are immediately available at the time of relapse,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. “Even for patients whose cancer is rapidly progressing, glofitamab given for a fixed duration has shown impressive efficacy and long-term durability, with patients continuing to experience a complete remission after treatment has concluded.”

The BLA is based on positive data from the pivotal Phase I/II NP30179 study, which included patients who had previously received multiple courses of therapy, with 85.1% of patients refractory to their most recent therapy and about one-third (33.1%) having received prior CAR T-cell therapy. Results showed that 40.0% of patients (n=62/155) achieved a complete response (CR; a disappearance of all signs of cancer), and 51.6% (n=80/155) achieved an objective response (OR; the combination of CR and partial response, a decrease in the amount of cancer in their body). The median follow-up time was 13.4 months. Among those who achieved a CR, 73.1% continued to experience a response at 12 months, while the median duration of CR was not reached. The median duration of response was 18.4 months.

An earlier cut-off of data from the Phase I/II study showed that glofitamab given as a fixed-duration treatment resulted in early and durable complete remissions. In this analysis, presented at the 64th American Society of Hematology 2022 Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine in December 2022, most patients who had achieved a CR at the end of treatment experienced durable responses. The median CR follow-up from the end of treatment was 11.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.5-16.4). Twelve months after the end of treatment with glofitamab, 61% of patients (n=37/61) maintained a CR, 92.6% remained progression-free, and only one patient (n=1/44) experienced disease progression.

The most common adverse event was cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which was generally low grade (48.1% of patients had Grade 1 and 12.3% had Grade 2). Most CRS events were associated with initial administration of glofitamab (in cycle 1). The incidence of Grade 3 or higher CRS was 3.9%, with no Grade 5 events. Only one patient (n=1/155) discontinued glofitamab due to CRS.

The FDA will review the glofitamab BLA under the granted Fast Track Designation. Data from the Phase I/II NP30179 study of glofitamab were submitted for review to the European Medicines Agency, and submissions to additional health authorities worldwide are ongoing.

Glofitamab is part of Genentech’s industry-leading CD20xCD3 T-cell engaging bispecific antibody clinical program, which is the broadest and most advanced in lymphoma. Genentech’s portfolio also includes Lunsumio^® (mosunetuzumab-axgb), which was granted accelerated approval by the FDA and conditional marketing authorization by the European Commission for the treatment of adults with R/R follicular lymphoma who have received at least two prior systemic therapies.

A robust clinical development program for glofitamab is ongoing, including the Phase III STARGLO trial, evaluating glofitamab in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GemOx) versus rituximab in combination with GemOx in patients with second-line plus diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant. Additional studies are ongoing to investigate the molecule as a monotherapy and in combination with other medicines for the treatment of patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, including DLBCL, mantle cell lymphoma and other blood cancers.

About the NP30179 Study

The NP30179 study [NCT03075696] is a Phase I/II, multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation and expansion study evaluating the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of glofitamab in people with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Outcome measures include complete response rate by an independent review committee (primary endpoint), overall response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival, safety and tolerability (secondary endpoints).

About Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) is an aggressive (fast-growing) blood cancer and is one of the most prevalent blood cancers among adults. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a subtype of LBCL, is the most common form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and accounts for almost a third of NHL diagnoses. While many patients are responsive to initial treatment, four out of 10 are not cured with the current standard of care, and the majority of patients who require subsequent lines of therapy have poor outcomes.

About Glofitamab

Glofitamab is an investigational CD20xCD3 T-cell engaging bispecific antibody designed to target CD3 on the surface of T cells and CD20 on the surface of B cells. Glofitamab was designed with a novel 2:1 structural format. This T-cell engaging bispecific antibody is engineered to have one region that binds to CD3, a protein on T cells, a type of immune cell, and two regions that bind to CD20, a protein on B cells, which can be healthy or malignant. This dual-targeting brings the T cell in close proximity to the B cell, activating the release of cancer cell-killing proteins from the T cell. A robust clinical development program for glofitamab is ongoing, investigating the molecule as a monotherapy and in combination with other medicines for the treatment of people with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and other blood cancers.

About Lunsumio^® (mosunetuzumab-axgb)

Lunsumio is a first-in-class CD20xCD3 T-cell engaging bispecific antibody designed to target CD20 on the surface of B cells and CD3 on the surface of T cells. This dual targeting activates and redirects a patient’s existing T cells to engage and eliminate target B cells by releasing cytotoxic proteins into the B cells. A robust clinical development program for Lunsumio is ongoing, investigating the molecule as a monotherapy and in combination with other medicines, for the treatment of people with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, including follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and other blood cancers.

Lunsumio U.S. Indication

LUNSUMIO (mosunetuzumab-axgb) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with follicular lymphoma whose cancer has come back or did not respond to previous treatment, and who have already received two or more treatments for their cancer.

It is not known if LUNSUMIO is safe and effective in children.

The conditional approval of LUNSUMIO is based on response rate. There are ongoing studies to establish how well the drug works.

What is the most important information I should know about LUNSUMIO?

LUNSUMIO may cause Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), a serious side effect that is common during treatment with LUNSUMIO and can also be severe or life-threatening.

Get medical help right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of CRS at any time, including:

• fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• chills
• low blood pressure
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• tiredness or weakness
• difficulty breathing
• headache
• confusion
• feeling anxious
• dizziness or light-headedness
• nausea
• vomiting

Due to the risk of CRS, you will receive LUNSUMIO on a “step-up dosing schedule.”

• The step-up dosing schedule is when you receive smaller “step-up” doses of LUNSUMIO on Day 1 and Day 8 of your first cycle of treatment
• You will receive a higher dose of LUNSUMIO on Day 15 of your first cycle of treatment
• If your dose of LUNSUMIO is delayed for any reason, you may need to repeat the step-up dosing schedule
• Before each dose in Cycle 1 and Cycle 2, you will receive medicines to help reduce your risk of CRS

Your healthcare provider will check you for CRS during treatment with LUNSUMIO and may treat you in a hospital if you develop signs and symptoms of CRS. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or completely stop your treatment with LUNSUMIO, if you have severe side effects.

What are the possible side effects of LUNSUMIO?

LUNSUMIO may cause serious side effects, including:

• Neurologic problems. Your healthcare provider will check you for neurologic problems during treatment with LUNSUMIO. Your healthcare provider may also refer you to a healthcare provider who specializes in neurologic problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of neurologic problems during or after treatment with LUNSUMIO, including:
  • headache
  • numbness and tingling of the arms, legs, hands, or feet
  • dizziness
  • confusion and disorientation
  • difficulty paying attention or understanding things
  • forgetting things or forgetting who or where you are
  • trouble speaking, reading, or writing
  • sleepiness or trouble sleeping
  • tremors
  • loss of consciousness
  • seizures
  • muscle problems or muscle weakness
  • loss of balance or trouble walking

• Serious infections. LUNSUMIO can cause serious infections that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will check you for signs and symptoms of infection before and during treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of infection during treatment with LUNSUMIO, including:
  • fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
  • cough
  • chest pain
  • tiredness
  • shortness of breath
  • painful rash
  • sore throat
  • pain during urination
  • feeling weak or generally unwell

• Low blood cell counts. Low blood cell counts are common during treatment with LUNSUMIO and can also be severe. Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell counts during treatment with LUNSUMIO. LUNSUMIO may cause the following low blood cell counts:
  • low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). Low white blood cells can increase your risk for infection
  • low red blood cell counts (anemia). Low red blood cells can cause tiredness and shortness of breath
  • low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). Low platelet counts can cause bruising or bleeding problems

• Growth in your tumor or worsening of tumor related problems (Tumor flare). LUNSUMIO may cause serious or severe worsening of your tumor. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of these signs or symptoms of tumor flare during your treatment with LUNSUMIO: tender or swollen lymph nodes, chest pain, cough, trouble breathing, and pain or swelling at the site of the tumor

Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or permanently stop treatment with LUNSUMIO if you develop severe side effects.

The most common side effects of LUNSUMIO include: tiredness, rash, fever, and headache.

The most common severe abnormal lab test results with LUNSUMIO include: decreased phosphate, increased glucose, and increased uric acid levels.

Before receiving LUNSUMIO, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have ever had an infusion reaction after receiving LUNSUMIO
• have an infection, or have had an infection in the past which lasted a long time or keeps coming back
• have or have had Epstein-Barr Virus
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. LUNSUMIO may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with LUNSUMIO
  
  Females who are able to become pregnant:
  • your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with LUNSUMIO
  • you should use an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for 3 months after the last dose of LUNSUMIO

• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if LUNSUMIO passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose of LUNSUMIO

Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What should I avoid while receiving LUNSUMIO?

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities if you develop dizziness, confusion, tremors, sleepiness, or any other symptoms that impair consciousness until your signs and symptoms go away. These may be signs and symptoms of CRS or neurologic problems.

These are not all the possible side effects of LUNSUMIO. Talk to your health care provider for more information about the benefits and risks of LUNSUMIO.

You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please see Important Safety Information, including Serious Side Effects, as well as the LUNSUMIO full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

About Genentech in Hematology

For more than 20 years, Genentech has been developing medicines with the goal to redefine treatment in hematology. Today, we’re investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options to people with diseases of the blood. For more information visit http://www.gene.com/hematology.

About Genentech

Founded more than 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.

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Source: Genentech

FAQ

What is the significance of the FDA's acceptance of the BLA for RHHBY?

The FDA's acceptance of the BLA for glofitamab marks a critical step towards providing a new treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma, with a decision expected by July 1, 2023.

What were the results of the NP30179 study for glofitamab (RHHBY)?

In the NP30179 study, 40% of patients achieved a complete response, showcasing the drug’s potential effectiveness for heavily pretreated patients.

How does glofitamab (RHHBY) compare to existing treatments?

Glofitamab, if approved, will be the first fixed-duration CD20xCD3 bispecific antibody, representing a novel approach compared to existing therapies for aggressive lymphomas.

What additional studies are being conducted for glofitamab (RHHBY)?

Genentech is conducting a Phase III trial (STARGLO) to evaluate glofitamab in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin against rituximab for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

What other products is Genentech developing in the same area as glofitamab (RHHBY)?

Genentech’s portfolio includes Lunsumio, which was recently approved for treating follicular lymphoma, showcasing its leadership in T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies.