Vertex Presents Positive Long-Term Data On CASGEVY™ (exagamglogene autotemcel) at the 2024 Annual European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress
Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced new long-term data for CASGEVY™ (exa-cel) at the 2024 EHA Congress. Data from the CLIMB-111, -121, and -131 trials, with follow-up over five years, show CASGEVY as a transformative and durable treatment for severe sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT). The efficacy results showed that 92.3% of patients with SCD were free from vaso-occlusive crises for at least 12 months, and 94.2% of TDT patients were transfusion-independent for at least 12 months. The safety profile was consistent with busulfan conditioning and autologous stem cell transplant.
- CASGEVY demonstrates transformative, consistent, and durable clinical benefit over five years.
- 92.3% of SCD patients were free from vaso-occlusive crises for at least 12 months.
- 94.2% of TDT patients were transfusion-independent for at least 12 months.
- The safety profile is consistent with busulfan conditioning and autologous stem cell transplant.
- CASGEVY is the first and only approved CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy.
- No new safety superiors or significant improvements compared to existing conditioning methods.
- Not all patients achieved transfusion independence; some required extended follow-up.
Insights
The recent data on CASGEVY™ (exagamglogene autotemcel) shows significant long-term efficacy in treating severe sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT). The results highlight the durable benefits with consistent fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels and allelic editing stability over an extended period of more than five years. This duration is particularly noteworthy as it demonstrates the potential for a long-lasting impact on patient health and quality of life. It's important to note that 92.3% of evaluable SCD patients were free from vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) for at least 12 months and 94.2% of TDT patients achieved transfusion independence for the same period. These results exceed typical clinical expectations for such chronic conditions, indicating that CASGEVY could be a game-changer in gene-editing therapies. Investors should consider the profound implications of these findings in terms of increased adoption and market penetration for Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals' presentation of long-term data for CASGEVY™ has substantial implications for its financial health and market position. Gene-editing therapies like CASGEVY, especially those showing durable and transformative benefits, often command
The long-term data for CASGEVY™ presented at the EHA Congress underscore its substantial clinical benefits for patients with severe SCD and TDT. The sustained absence of VOCs and transfusion independence observed in the majority of patients is significant, as these conditions typically involve recurrent crises and frequent blood transfusions, severely affecting patients' quality of life and health outcomes. The stability of allelic editing and fetal hemoglobin levels over time indicates that CASGEVY effectively targets and modifies the underlying genetic issues causing these disorders. However, it is also important to consider the safety profile, which is consistent with the known risks of busulfan conditioning and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Patients and healthcare providers will need to balance these risks against the potential for a functional cure, making CASGEVY a valuable yet complex option in the treatment landscape. As a retail investor, understanding the impact on patient outcomes can help gauge the therapy's potential market success and ethical considerations in its application.
- Results from CLIMB-111, -121 and -131 accepted for oral presentation -
- Data from these trials, with the longest follow-up of more than five years, demonstrate transformative, consistent and durable benefit of CASGEVY™ -
- Safety profile consistent with busulfan conditioning and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant -
The data being presented are from more than 100 patients (46 SCD; 56 TDT) treated with exa-cel in clinical trials, with the longest follow-up now extending more than 5 years. The efficacy results are consistent with the previously reported primary and key secondary endpoints analyses from these exa-cel studies and continue to demonstrate transformative clinical benefit with durable and stable levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and allelic editing.
“The transformative benefit seen in patients with sickle cell disease in the trial is impressive given the significant and cumulative burden of disease faced by people living with this blood disorder,” said Haydar Frangoul, M.D., M.S., Medical Director of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Sarah Cannon Research Institute and HCA Healthcare’s TriStar Centennial Children’s Hospital. “I am eager to offer this therapy and the opportunity of a potential functional cure to my eligible patients.”
“The comprehensive data set presented today for adult and adolescent TDT patients adds to the growing body of evidence for CASGEVY, and it is important to now ensure the availability of this innovative treatment to patients in the real world as soon as possible,” said Franco Locatelli, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of
New data presented from CASGEVY pivotal trials
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In SCD 36/39 (
92.3% ) evaluable patients (those with at least 16 months of follow-up) were free from vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) for at least 12 consecutive months (VF12), consistent with the previously reported primary endpoint data. Mean duration of VOC-free was 27.9 months, with a maximum of 54.8 months.-
38/39 (
97.4% ) patients with at least 16 months of follow-up were free from hospitalizations related to VOCs for at least 12 consecutive months (HF12), consistent with the previously reported key secondary endpoint data.
-
38/39 (
-
In TDT 49/52 (
94.2% ) evaluable patients (those with at least 16 months of follow-up) were transfusion-independent for at least 12 consecutive months with a mean weighted hemoglobin of at least 9 g/dL (TI12), consistent with the previously reported primary endpoint data. Mean duration of transfusion independence was 31.0 months, with a maximum of 59.4 months. -
All TDT patients dosed with at least 16 months of follow up are transfusion free.
- Two of the three patients who did not achieve TI12 in CLIMB-111 achieved TI12 in the long-term follow-up study, CLIMB-131, and have been transfusion independent for over one year. The third has been transfusion free for 3.4 months.
- Both SCD and TDT patients reported sustained and clinically meaningful improvements in their quality of life, including physical, emotional, social/family and functional well-being, and overall health status.
In both SCD and TDT patients, edited levels of BCL11A alleles were stable over time in bone marrow and peripheral blood indicating successful editing in the long-term hematopoietic stem cells. All patients engrafted neutrophils and platelets after exa-cel infusion. The safety profile of exa-cel was generally consistent with myeloablative conditioning with busulfan and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant.
These longer-term data for CASGEVY from the CLIMB clinical trials will be shared as outlined below:
- Abstracts S273 and S274 will be oral presentations entitled “Exagamglogene Autotemcel For Severe Sickle Cell Disease,” and “Exagamglogene Autotemcel For Transfusion-Dependent Beta-Thalassemia,” on Sunday, June 16 at 12:15 CEST and 12:30 CEST, respectively.
- Abstracts P1493 and P1525 will be poster presentations entitled “Health-Related Quality Of Life Improvements After Exagamglogene Autotemcel In Patients With Severe Sickle Cell Disease,” and “Health-Related Quality Of Life Improvements After Exagamglogene Autotemcel In Patients With Transfusion-Dependent Βeta-Thalassemia,” on Friday, June 14 at 18:00 CEST.
- These presentations will include updated pivotal trial data from patients treated with CASGEVY in CLIMB-111 and CLIMB-121 and followed in CLIMB-131.
Vertex will also share five health economics abstracts at the EHA Congress.
- Abstract P1483 is entitled “Adherence, Treatment Use, and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease With Recurrent Vaso-Occlusive Crises Treated With L-Glutamine, Voxelotor, or Crizanlizumab in the United States.”
- Abstract P1506 is entitled “Mortality and Clinical Complications Among Patients with Sickle Cell Disease With Recurrent VOCs in Canada.”
- Abstract P1507 is entitled “Treatment Utilization and Clinical Complications in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease Receiving Frequent Red Blood Cell Transfusions in the United States.”
- Abstract P2191 is entitled “Clinical Complications and Treatment Use Among Patients With Sickle Cell Disease With Recurrent Vaso-Occlusive Crises in the Netherlands.”
- Abstract PB3248 is entitled “Clinical Complications Among Patients With Transfusion-Dependent Beta-Thalassemia in the Netherlands.”
About Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
SCD is a debilitating, progressive, life shortening genetic disease. SCD patients report health-related quality of life scores well below the general population and significant health care resource utilization. SCD affects the red blood cells, which are essential for carrying oxygen to all organs and tissues of the body. SCD causes severe pain, organ damage and shortened life span due to misshapen or “sickled” red blood cells. The clinical hallmark of SCD is vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), which are caused by blockages of blood vessels by sickled red blood cells and result in severe and debilitating pain that can happen anywhere in the body at any time. SCD requires lifelong treatment and significant use of health care resources, and ultimately results in reduced life expectancy, decreased quality of life and reduced lifetime earnings and productivity. In
About Transfusion-Dependent Beta Thalassemia (TDT)
TDT is a serious, life-threatening genetic disease. TDT patients report health-related quality of life scores below the general population and significant health care resource utilization. TDT requires frequent blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy throughout a person’s life. Due to anemia, patients living with TDT may experience fatigue and shortness of breath, and infants may develop failure to thrive, jaundice and feeding problems. Complications of TDT can also include an enlarged spleen, liver and/or heart, misshapen bones and delayed puberty. TDT requires lifelong treatment and significant use of health care resources, and ultimately results in reduced life expectancy, decreased quality of life and reduced lifetime earnings and productivity. In
About CASGEVY™ (exagamglogene autotemcel [exa-cel])
CASGEVY™ is a non-viral, ex vivo CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited cell therapy for eligible patients with SCD or TDT, in which a patient’s own hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells are edited at the erythroid specific enhancer region of the BCL11A gene through a precise double-strand break. This edit results in the production of high levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF; hemoglobin F) in red blood cells. HbF is the form of the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin that is naturally present during fetal development, which then switches to the adult form of hemoglobin after birth.
CASGEVY has been shown to reduce or eliminate VOCs for patients with SCD and transfusion requirements for patients with TDT.
CASGEVY is approved for certain indications in multiple jurisdictions for eligible patients.
About the CLIMB Studies
The ongoing Phase 1/2/3 open-label trials, CLIMB-111 and CLIMB-121, are designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a single dose of CASGEVY in patients ages 12 to 35 years with TDT or with SCD, characterized by recurrent VOCs, respectively. The trials are now closed for enrollment. Patients will be followed for approximately two years after CASGEVY infusion. Each patient will be asked to participate in the ongoing long-term, open-label trial, CLIMB-131. CLIMB-131 is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CASGEVY in patients who received CASGEVY in other CLIMB studies. The trial is designed to follow patients for up to 15 years after CASGEVY infusion.
WHAT IS CASGEVY?
CASGEVY is a one-time therapy used to treat people aged 12 years and older with:
- sickle cell disease (SCD) who have frequent vaso-occlusive crises or VOCs
- beta thalassemia (β-thalassemia) who need regular blood transfusions
CASGEVY is made specifically for each patient, using the patient’s own edited blood stem cells, and increases the production of a special type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin F (fetal hemoglobin or HbF). Having more HbF increases overall hemoglobin levels and has been shown to improve the production and function of red blood cells. This can eliminate VOCs in people with sickle cell disease and eliminate the need for regular blood transfusions in people with beta thalassemia.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about CASGEVY?
After treatment with CASGEVY, you will have fewer blood cells for a while until CASGEVY takes hold (engrafts) into your bone marrow. This includes low levels of platelets (cells that usually help the blood to clot) and white blood cells (cells that usually fight infections). Your doctor will monitor this and give you treatment as required. The doctor will tell you when blood cell levels return to safe levels.
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Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following, which could be signs of low levels of platelet cells:
- severe headache
- abnormal bruising
- prolonged bleeding
- bleeding without injury such as nosebleeds; bleeding from gums; blood in your urine, stool, or vomit; or coughing up blood
-
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following, which could be signs of low levels of white blood cells:
- fever
- chills
- infections
You may experience side effects associated with other medicines administered as part of the treatment regimen for CASGEVY. Talk to your physician regarding those possible side effects. Your healthcare provider may give you other medicines to treat your side effects.
How will I receive CASGEVY?
Your healthcare provider will give you other medicines, including a conditioning medicine, as part of your treatment with CASGEVY. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of all medicines involved in your treatment.
After receiving the conditioning medicine, it may not be possible for you to become pregnant or father a child. You should discuss options for fertility preservation with your healthcare provider before treatment.
STEP 1: Before CASGEVY treatment, a doctor will give you mobilization medicine(s). This medicine moves blood stem cells from your bone marrow into the blood stream. The blood stem cells are then collected in a machine that separates the different blood cells (this is called apheresis). This entire process may happen more than once. Each time, it can take up to one week.
During this step rescue cells are also collected and stored at the hospital. These are your existing blood stem cells and are kept untreated just in case there is a problem in the treatment process. If CASGEVY cannot be given after the conditioning medicine, or if the modified blood stem cells do not take hold (engraft) in the body, these rescue cells will be given back to you. If you are given rescue cells, you will not have any treatment benefit from CASGEVY.
STEP 2: After they are collected, your blood stem cells will be sent to the manufacturing site where they are used to make CASGEVY. It may take up to 6 months from the time your cells are collected to manufacture and test CASGEVY before it is sent back to your healthcare provider.
STEP 3: Shortly before your stem cell transplant, your healthcare provider will give you a conditioning medicine for a few days in hospital. This will prepare you for treatment by clearing cells from the bone marrow, so they can be replaced with the modified cells in CASGEVY. After you are given this medicine, your blood cell levels will fall to very low levels. You will stay in the hospital for this step and remain in the hospital until after the infusion with CASGEVY.
STEP 4: One or more vials of CASGEVY will be given into a vein (intravenous infusion) over a short period of time.
After the CASGEVY infusion, you will stay in hospital so that your healthcare provider can closely monitor your recovery. This can take 4-6 weeks, but times can vary. Your healthcare provider will decide when you can go home.
What should I avoid after receiving CASGEVY?
- Do not donate blood, organs, tissues, or cells at any time in the future
What are the possible or reasonably likely side effects of CASGEVY?
The most common side effects of CASGEVY include:
- Low levels of platelet cells, which may reduce the ability of blood to clot and may cause bleeding
- Low levels of white blood cells, which may make you more susceptible to infection
Your healthcare provider will test your blood to check for low levels of blood cells (including platelets and white blood cells). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms:
- fever
- chills
- infections
- severe headache
- abnormal bruising
- prolonged bleeding
- bleeding without injury such as nosebleeds; bleeding from gums; blood in your urine, stool, or vomit; or coughing up blood
These are not all the possible side effects of CASGEVY. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
General information about the safe and effective use of CASGEVY
Talk to your healthcare provider about any health concerns.
Please see full Prescribing Information including Patient Information for CASGEVY.
About Vertex
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including acute and neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in
(VRTX-GEN)
Vertex Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, the statements by Haydar Frangoul, M.D., M.S., and Franco Locatelli, M.D., Ph.D., in this press release, and statements regarding our expectations for and the anticipated benefits of CASGEVY, our plans to share longer-term data for CASGEVY from the CLIMB clinical trials and to share health economics abstracts at the EHA Congress, and our plans for and design of the CLIMB studies. While we believe the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are accurate, these forward-looking statements represent the company's beliefs only as of the date of this press release and there are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that data from the company's development programs may not support registration or further development of its compounds due to safety, efficacy, and other reasons, and other risks listed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Vertex's most recent annual report and subsequent quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and available through the company's website at www.vrtx.com. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, or the scientific data presented. Vertex disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in this press release as new information becomes available.
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FAQ
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What makes CASGEVY™ a notable treatment according to Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
