Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AGIO), a leader in the field
of cellular metabolism pioneering therapies for rare diseases,
today reported new data from the ongoing extension study assessing
the long-term efficacy and safety of PYRUKYND
®
(mitapivat) in adults with pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency who had
participated in one of the pivotal studies, ACTIVATE and
ACTIVATE-T, conducted in not regularly transfused and regularly
transfused adults with PK deficiency, respectively. Data from the
studies were featured in multiple presentations at the 64th
American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition,
hosted Dec. 10-13, 2022, in New Orleans. PYRUKYND® is a
first-in-class, oral PK activator and the first approved
disease-modifying therapy for patients in the U.S. and EU with this
rare, debilitating, lifelong hemolytic anemia.
Long-term extension data (abstract # 2328) show
that previously reported effects of
PYRUKYND® on hemoglobin and transfusion burden
were maintained over time. As of the March 27, 2022 data cut-off,
the median duration of hemoglobin response among the 31 hemoglobin
responders from ACTIVATE and the long-term extension study was 18.3
months, with responses ongoing up to 32.9 months. Hemoglobin
response rate among patients who switched from placebo in ACTIVATE
to PYRUKYND® in the extension study (39.5 percent
Hb response rate) was similar to that observed in patients treated
with PYRUKYND® in ACTIVATE. All regularly transfused patients who
achieved transfusion-free status in ACTIVATE-T with
PYRUKYND® treatment maintained transfusion-free
status through the extension study for up to 38.3 months.
PYRUKYND® was well tolerated, and the safety
profile was consistent with that in ACTIVATE and ACTIVATE-T, as
well as previous studies.
“PYRUKYND® is the first oral agent that has the
potential to improve symptoms and long-term complications of PK
deficiency in adult patients,” said Rachael Grace, M.D., MMSc,
director of hematology clinical research at Boston Children’s
Hospital and investigator on the long-term extension study. “People
living with PK deficiency experience a wide range of complications
throughout their lives, including osteopenia, iron overload and
pulmonary hypertension, many of which occur at earlier ages than
would be expected. We are encouraged by the long-term extension
data reported today and look forward to researching the efficacy
and safety of PYRUKYND® in the ACTIVATE-Kids and ACTIVATE-KidsT
studies in pediatric PK deficiency patients who are not regularly
transfused and are regularly transfused, respectively.”
“Collectively, the data we have presented at ASH continue to
demonstrate the benefits of long-term treatment with
PYRUKYND® for adults with PK deficiency, including
improvements in hemoglobin, transfusion burden, iron overload and
patient-reported outcomes,” said Sarah Gheuens, M.D., Ph.D., chief
medical officer and head of R&D at Agios. “In addition to
progressing our pivotal trials in pediatric patients, we are
encouraged by the results from the long-term extension study of our
Phase 2 study of PYRUKYND® in both alpha- and
beta-thalassemia, which we also presented at ASH, and believe the
consistency of the data between indications further supports the
potential of PYRUKYND® to make a positive impact across rare blood
disorders with similar underlying pathophysiology.”
Agios also presented data at ASH further supporting the
potential of PYRUKYND® to address hallmark
symptoms and complications of PK deficiency. More details on the
presentations are provided below and on the ASH 2022 page on
Agios.com.
Long-term Improvements in Patient-reported Outcomes in
Patients with Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency Treated with Mitapivat
(Abstract #506)In an oral presentation, data from
ACTIVATE, ACTIVATE-T and the long-term extension study were
reported, showing that treatment with PYRUKYND®
was associated with long-term, durable and clinically meaningful
improvements in signs, symptoms and functional impacts,
irrespective of transfusion status. Patient-reported outcome (PRO)
improvements among patients treated with PYRUKYND®
were sustained over time in the long-term extension (LTE) study
through Week 84. At Week 84 of the LTE study, clinically meaningful
improvements in PROs mean scores were achieved in more than half of
patients. These results suggest that by improving health-related
quality of life, treatment with PYRUKYND® may
provide meaningful patient-centric benefits.
Mitapivat Improves Iron Overload in Patients with
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (Abstract #1021)In a poster
presentation, data from ACTIVATE and the long-term extension study
were reported that showed meaningful long-term improvements in key
systemic regulators of iron homeostasis and measures of iron
overload – including erythroferrone, soluble transferrin receptor
(sTfR) and hepcidin – continued up to 96 weeks in patients treated
with PYRUKYND®. Additionally, patients treated
with PYRUKYND® who had evidence of iron overload at baseline showed
clinically meaningful and continued improvements in iron overload
over time as measured by liver iron concentration (median [Q1, Q3]
decrease from baseline to Week 96 of PYRUKYND®
treatment of –1.95 [–4.85, –0.70] mg Fe/g dw). Ferritin levels
remained stable across both patient groups treated with
PYRUKYND® or placebo.
Mitapivat Improves Markers of Hemolysis and
Erythropoiesis in Patients with Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency
Irrespective of Hemoglobin Response (Abstract #3644)In a
separate poster presentation, data from the ACTIVATE study were
reported showing that treatment with PYRUKYND®
improved markers of hemolysis and ineffective erythropoiesis in
adults with PK deficiency. The analysis also shows that directional
improvements occur even in patients who did not achieve the
clinical trial definition of hemoglobin response.
PYRUKYND® was approved in February
2022 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
and received marketing authorization in November 2022 by the
European Medicines Agency (EMA) for adults with PK deficiency. Both
the FDA and EMA have granted orphan drug designation to
PYRUKYND® in PK deficiency. In addition, PYRUKYND® has
been granted FDA orphan drug designation for the treatment of
thalassemia and sickle cell disease, for which enrollment for
ongoing pivotal studies is underway.
Conference Call InformationAgios will host a
live investor event on Dec. 12, 2022, at 7:00 a.m.
CT in New Orleans to review the key clinical oral and poster
presentations from this year’s ASH meeting. The event will be
webcast live and can be accessed under “Events & Presentations”
in the Investors and Media section of the company's website
at www.agios.com. The archived webcast will be available on
the company's website beginning approximately two hours after the
event.
About PK DeficiencyPyruvate kinase (PK)
deficiency is a rare, inherited disease that presents as chronic
hemolytic anemia, which is the accelerated destruction of red blood
cells. The inherited mutation in the PKLR gene can cause a deficit
in energy within the red blood cell, as evidenced by lower PK
enzyme activity, a decline in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels
and a build-up of upstream metabolites, including 2,3-DPG
(2,3-diphosphoglycerate).
PK deficiency is associated with serious complications,
including gallstones, pulmonary hypertension, extramedullary
hematopoiesis, osteoporosis and iron overload and its sequelae,
which can occur regardless of the degree of anemia or transfusion
burden. PK deficiency can also cause quality of life problems,
including challenges with work and school activities, social life
and emotional health. Current management strategies for PK
deficiency, including red blood cell transfusions and splenectomy,
are associated with both short- and long-term risks. For more
information, please visit www.knowpkdeficiency.com.
About PYRUKYND®
(mitapivat)PYRUKYND is a pyruvate kinase activator
indicated for the treatment of hemolytic anemia in adults with
pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency in the United States, and for
the treatment of PK deficiency in adult patients in
the European Union.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATIONAcute
Hemolysis: Acute hemolysis with subsequent anemia has
been observed following abrupt interruption or discontinuation of
PYRUKYND in a dose-ranging study. Avoid abruptly discontinuing
PYRUKYND. Gradually taper the dose of PYRUKYND to discontinue
treatment if possible. When discontinuing treatment, monitor
patients for signs of acute hemolysis and anemia including
jaundice, scleral icterus, dark urine, dizziness, confusion,
fatigue, or shortness of breath.
Adverse Reactions: Serious adverse
reactions occurred in 10% of patients receiving PYRUKYND in the
ACTIVATE trial, including atrial fibrillation, gastroenteritis, rib
fracture, and musculoskeletal pain, each of which occurred in 1
patient. In the ACTIVATE trial, the most common adverse reactions
including laboratory abnormalities (≥10%) in patients with PK
deficiency were estrone decreased (males), increased urate, back
pain, estradiol decreased (males), and arthralgia.
Drug Interactions:
- Strong CYP3A Inhibitors and Inducers: Avoid concomitant
use.
- Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors: Do not titrate PYRUKYND beyond 20 mg
twice daily.
- Moderate CYP3A Inducers: Consider alternatives that are not
moderate inducers. If there are no alternatives, adjust PYRUKYND
dosage.
- Sensitive CYP3A, CYP2B6, CYP2C Substrates Including Hormonal
Contraceptives: Avoid concomitant use with substrates that have
narrow therapeutic index.
- UGT1A1 Substrates: Avoid concomitant use with substrates that
have narrow therapeutic index.
- P-gp Substrates: Avoid concomitant use with substrates that
have narrow therapeutic index.
Hepatic Impairment: Avoid use of PYRUKYND
in patients with moderate and severe hepatic impairment.
Please see full Prescribing
Information and Summary
of Product Characteristics for
PYRUKYND.
About AgiosAgios is a biopharmaceutical company
that is fueled by connections. The Agios team cultivates strong
bonds with patient communities, healthcare professionals, partners
and colleagues to discover, develop and deliver therapies for rare
diseases. In the U.S., Agios markets a first-in-class pyruvate
kinase (PK) activator for adults with PK deficiency, the first
disease-modifying therapy for this rare, lifelong, debilitating
hemolytic anemia. Building on the company's leadership in the field
of cellular metabolism, Agios is advancing a robust clinical
pipeline of investigational medicines with programs in alpha- and
beta-thalassemia, sickle cell disease, pediatric PK deficiency and
MDS-associated anemia. In addition to its clinical pipeline, Agios
has multiple investigational therapies in preclinical development
and an industry-leading research team with unmatched expertise in
cellular metabolism and genetics. For more information, please
visit the company’s website at www.agios.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include those
regarding the potential benefits of PYRUKYND® (mitapivat); Agios’
plans regarding future data presentations; and the potential
benefit of its strategic plans and focus. The words “anticipate,”
“expect,” “intend,” “potential,” “milestone,” “goal,” “will,” “on
track,” “upcoming,” and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements, although not all
forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such
statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ
materially from Agios' current expectations and beliefs. For
example, there can be no guarantee that any product candidate Agios
or its collaborators is developing will successfully commence or
complete necessary preclinical and clinical development phases, or
that development of any of Agios' product candidates will
successfully continue. Moreover, there can be no guarantee that any
medicines ultimately commercialized by Agios will receive
commercial acceptance. There can be no guarantee that any positive
developments in Agios' business will result in stock price
appreciation. Management's expectations and, therefore, any
forward-looking statements in this press release could also be
affected by risks and uncertainties relating to a number of other
important factors, including, without limitation: risks and
uncertainties related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to
Agios’ business, operations, strategy, goals and anticipated
milestones, including its ongoing and planned research activities,
ability to conduct ongoing and planned clinical trials, clinical
supply of current or future drug candidates, commercial supply of
current or future approved products, and launching, marketing and
selling current or future approved products; Agios’ results of
clinical trials and preclinical studies, including subsequent
analysis of existing data and new data received from ongoing and
future studies; the content and timing of decisions made by the
U.S. FDA, the EMA or other regulatory authorities, investigational
review boards at clinical trial sites and publication review
bodies; Agios’ ability to obtain and maintain requisite regulatory
approvals and to enroll patients in its planned clinical trials;
unplanned cash requirements and expenditures; the failure of Agios
to receive milestone or royalty payments related to the sale of its
oncology business, the uncertainty of the timing of any receipt of
any such payments, and the uncertainty of the results and
effectiveness of the use of proceeds from the transaction with
Servier; competitive factors; Agios' ability to obtain, maintain
and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for
any product candidates it is developing; Agios’ ability to maintain
key collaborations; and general economic and market conditions.
These and other risks are described in greater detail under the
caption "Risk Factors" included in Agios’ public filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements
contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof,
and Agios expressly disclaims any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Investor and Media Contact:Jessica Rennekamp,
857-209-3286Senior Director, Corporate
CommunicationsJessica.Rennekamp@agios.com
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