-- Study results from investigational agents Opdivo (nivolumab),
elotuzumab, and ulocuplumab, as well as Sprycel (dasatinib), will be
highlighted
-- First presentation of data for Opdivo in Hodgkin lymphoma and
non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and final Phase 2 results of elotuzumab in
multiple myeloma highlight potential of immuno-oncology in hematologic
malignancies
-- Breadth of program demonstrates company’s growing commitment to the
field of hematology through immuno-oncology leadership
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Bristol-Myers
Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) today announced that study results on
investigational agents Opdivo (nivolumab), a PD-1 immune
checkpoint inhibitor, elotuzumab, an antibody targeted against Signaling
Lymphocyte Activation Molecule (SLAMF7), ulocuplumab, an anti-CXCR4
antibody, and Sprycel (dasatinib), will be featured in oral
presentations at the 56th annual meeting of the American Society for
Hematology (ASH) in San Francisco from December 6-9, 2014. Data will be
presented in multiple hematologic malignancies, including Hodgkin
lymphoma (HL), non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, chronic-phase
chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and
T-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In May 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) granted Opdivo its first Breakthrough
Therapy Designation for the treatment of patients with HL after failure
of autologous stem cell transplant and brentuximab.
"The breadth of data we are presenting at ASH this year, including data
on ulocupumab and findings from our immuno-oncology development programs
for Opdivo and elotuzumab, underscores our commitment to research
and development in hematology and to improving outcomes for patients
across a range of blood cancers," said Michael Giordano, senior vice
president, Head of Development, Oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Opdivo (nivolumab) Oral
Presentations in HL and Lymphoid Malignancies
Data on Opdivo, an investigational PD-1 immune checkpoint
inhibitor, will be presented during two oral presentations on Monday,
December 8. At 7:00 a.m. PST, preliminary efficacy, safety and biomarker
results will be presented from the relapsed or refractory HL cohort of
CheckMate - 039, a Phase 1 dose escalation study of patients with
relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies (Abstract #289). At 7:30
a.m. PST, additional results from CheckMate-039 will be presented,
including patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma
(Abstract#291).
Elotuzumab Oral Presentation in Multiple Myeloma
Final results from the Phase 1b/2 study of elotuzumab in combination
with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or
refractory multiple myeloma will be presented in an oral session on
Monday, December 8 at 7:15 a.m. PST (Abstract #302).
In May 2014, the FDA granted elotuzumab Breakthrough Therapy Designation
for use in combination with one of the commonly used chemotherapy
treatments for multiple myeloma (lenalidomide, used in combination with
dexamethasone) in patients who have received one or more prior
treatments.
Sprycel (dasatinib) Oral
Presentations in CP-CML
Results from two Sprycel studies will be highlighted in oral
presentations, including five-year data from the Phase 3 trial,
DASISION, comparing Sprycel to Gleevec(R) *(imatinib
mesylate) in newly diagnosed CP-CML patients on Sunday, December 7 at
4:45 p.m. PST (Abstract #152) and seven-year data from a Phase 3 study
of patients with Gleevec-resistant or intolerant CP-CML on Monday,
December 8 at 3:30 p.m. PST (Abstract #520).
* Gleevec is a registered trademark of Novartis AG
Additional Data Presentations
Results from a Phase 1 study in relapsed/refractory AML, including
safety, tolerability and clinical activity of the investigational
anti-CXCR4 antibody ulocuplumab will be presented for the first time
during an oral presentation on Monday, December 8 at 10:45 a.m. PST
(Abstract #386). Additionally, results from a Phase 1 study of the
safety and activity of BMS-906024, a notch inhibitor, in patients with
relapsed T-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, will be presented during a
poster session on Saturday, December 6 between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. PST
(Abstract # 968).
Full session details of the 2014 Annual Meeting can be accessed on the
ASH website: http://www.bloodjournal.org/ash-annual-meeting-abstracts?sso-checked=true
About Opdivo
Cancer cells may exploit "regulatory" pathways, such as checkpoint
pathways, to hide from the immune system and shield the tumor from
immune attack. Opdivo is an investigational, fully-human PD-1
immune checkpoint inhibitor that binds to the checkpoint receptor PD-1
(programmed death-1) expressed on activated T-cells.
Bristol-Myers Squibb has a broad, global development program to study Opdivo
in multiple tumor types consisting of more than 35 trials - as
monotherapy or in combination with other therapies - in which more than
7,000 patients have been enrolled worldwide. Among these are several
potentially registrational trials in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC),
melanoma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), head and neck cancer, glioblastoma
and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
In 2013, the FDA granted Fast Track designation for Opdivo in
NSCLC, melanoma and RCC. In April 2014, the company initiated a rolling
submission with the FDA for Opdivo in third-line pre-treated
squamous cell NSCLC and expects to complete the submission by year-end.
The FDA granted Opdivo its first Breakthrough Therapy Designation
in May 2014 for the treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma after
failure of autologous stem cell transplant and brentuximab. On July 4,
Ono Pharmaceutical Co. announced that Opdivo received
manufacturing and marketing approval in Japan for the treatment of
patients with unresectable melanoma, making Opdivo the first PD-1
immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in
the world. On September 26, Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that the FDA
accepted for priority review the Biologics License Application (BLA) for
previously treated advanced melanoma, and the Prescription Drug User Fee
Act (PDUFA) goal date for a decision is March 30, 2015. The FDA also
granted Opdivo Breakthrough Therapy status for this indication.
In the European Union, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated
for review the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Opdivo
in advanced melanoma. The application was also granted accelerated
assessment by the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use
(CHMP). The EMA also validated for review the MAA for nivolumab in NSCLC.
Bristol-Myers Squibb has proposed the name Opdivo (pronounced
op-dee-voh), which, if approved by health authorities, will serve
as the trademark for nivolumab.
About Elotuzumab
Elotuzumab is an investigational antibody targeted against Signaling
Lymphocyte Activation Molecule (SLAMF7), a protein found on the surface
of myeloma cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells, plasma cells and other
immune cells, but not detectable in normal tissue. Based on current
research, elotuzumab appears to have different effects when it binds to
SLAMF7 on different cell types. The company is investigating whether
through both direct activation and engagement of NK cells, elotuzumab
may selectively target and kill SLAMF7 expressing myeloma cells.
Elotuzumab is being studied in combination with lenalidomide and
low-dose dexamethasone in untreated multiple myeloma (ELOQUENT 1 study)
as well as in multiple myeloma that has relapsed or no longer responds
to treatment (ELOQUENT 2 study). It is also being studied as a single
agent in smoldering multiple myeloma, which is a slow growing, early
form of myeloma, as well as additional studies looking at elotuzumab in
combination with different chemotherapies that are commonly used to
treat myeloma at different stages of the disease.
In May 2014, the U.S. FDA granted elotuzumab Breakthrough Therapy
Designation for use in combination with one of the commonly used
chemotherapy treatments for multiple myeloma (lenalidomide, used in
combination with dexamethasone) in patients who have received one or
more prior treatments. Elotuzumab is being co-developed with AbbVie,
with Bristol-Myers Squibb leading the commercialization of the agent.
About Sprycel
Sprycel was first approved by the FDA under accelerated review
for the treatment of adults with CP Ph+ CML who are resistant or
intolerant to prior therapy including imatinib in 2006. At that time, Sprycel
was also approved for adults with Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
who are resistant or intolerant to prior therapy. Full approval was
granted in May 2009. It is the first and only kinase inhibitor with
survival data in its label for CP Ph+ CML patients who are resistant or
intolerant to imatinib. Sprycel is now approved and marketed
worldwide for these indications in more than 60 countries including the
European Union (EU), Japan and Canada.
Sprycel is also an FDA-approved treatment for adults with newly
diagnosed CP Ph+ CML (since October 2010). Sprycel received
accelerated FDA approval for this indication. The effectiveness of Sprycel
is based on cytogenetic response and major molecular response rates. The
trial is ongoing and further data will be required to determine
long-term outcome. Additional country approvals for this indication
total more than 50.
SPRYCEL(R) (dasatinib) INDICATIONS & IMPORTANT
SAFETY INFORMATION
INDICATIONS
SPRYCEL(R) (dasatinib) is indicated for the treatment of adults
with:
-- Newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid
leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase. The effectiveness of SPRYCEL is
based on cytogenetic and major molecular response rates. The trial is
ongoing and further data will be required to determine long-term outcome
-- Chronic, accelerated, or myeloid or lymphoid blast phase Ph+ CML with
resistance or intolerance to prior therapy including imatinib
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Myelosuppression:
Treatment with SPRYCEL(R) (dasatinib) can cause severe (NCI CTC Grade 3/4)
thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and anemia. Their occurrence is more
frequent in patients with advanced phase CML or Ph+ ALL than in chronic
phase CML. Myelosuppression was reported in patients with normal
baseline laboratory values as well as in patients with pre-existing
laboratory abnormalities.
-- Perform complete blood counts (CBCs) weekly for the first 2 months and
then monthly thereafter, or as clinically indicated
-- Myelosuppression was generally reversible and usually managed by dose
interruption, dose reduction, or discontinuation
-- Hematopoietic growth factor has been used in patients with resistant
myelosuppression
Bleeding Related Events:
SPRYCEL caused platelet dysfunction in vitro and thrombocytopenia
in humans. In all clinical trials, severe central nervous system (CNS)
hemorrhage, including fatalities, occurred in 1% of patients receiving
SPRYCEL. Severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage, including fatalities,
occurred in 4% of patients and generally required treatment
interruptions and transfusions. Other cases of severe hemorrhage
occurred in 2% of patients.
-- Most bleeding events were associated with severe thrombocytopenia.
Exercise caution in patients required to take medications that inhibit
platelet function or anticoagulants
Fluid Retention:
SPRYCEL is associated with fluid retention. In clinical trials, fluid
retention was severe in up to 10% of patients. Severe ascites, pulmonary
edema, and generalized edema were each reported in <=1% of patients.
-- Patients who develop symptoms suggestive of pleural effusion, such as
dyspnea or dry cough, should be evaluated by chest X-ray
-- Severe pleural effusion may require thoracentesis and oxygen therapy
-- Fluid retention was typically managed by supportive care measures that
included diuretics or short courses of steroids
QT Prolongation:
In vitro data suggest that SPRYCEL has the potential to prolong
cardiac ventricular repolarization (QT interval).
-- In 865 patients with leukemia treated with SPRYCEL in five phase 2
single-arm studies, the maximum mean changes in QTcF (90% upper bound
CI) from baseline ranged from 7.0 ms to 13.4 ms
-- In clinical trials of patients treated with SPRYCEL (N=2440), 16
patients (1%) had QTc prolongation as an adverse reaction. Twenty-two
patients (1%) experienced a QTcF >500 ms
-- Administer SPRYCEL with caution to patients who have or may develop
prolongation of QTc, including patients with hypokalemia,
hypomagnesemia, or congenital long QT syndrome and patients taking
anti-arrhythmic drugs, other medicinal products that lead to QT
prolongation, and cumulative high-dose anthracycline therapy
o Correct hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia prior to SPRYCEL administration
Congestive Heart Failure, Left Ventricular Dysfunction, and
Myocardial Infarction:
Cardiac adverse reactions were reported in 7% of 258 patients taking
SPRYCEL, including 1.6% of patients with cardiomyopathy, heart failure
congestive, diastolic dysfunction, fatal myocardial infarction, and left
ventricular dysfunction.
-- Monitor patients for signs or symptoms consistent with cardiac
dysfunction and treat appropriately
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH):
SPRYCEL may increase the risk of developing PAH, which may occur any
time after initiation, including after more than one year of treatment.
Manifestations include dyspnea, fatigue, hypoxia, and fluid retention.
PAH may be reversible on discontinuation of SPRYCEL.
-- Evaluate patients for signs and symptoms of underlying cardiopulmonary
disease prior to initiating SPRYCEL and during treatment. If PAH is
confirmed, SPRYCEL should be permanently discontinued
Embryo-fetal Toxicity:
SPRYCEL can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.
Adverse fetal and infant outcomes have been reported from women who have
taken SPRYCEL during pregnancy. Transplacental transfer of dasatinib has
been measured in fetal plasma and amniotic fluid and has been found to
be comparable to those in maternal plasma.
-- If SPRYCEL is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant
while taking SPRYCEL, the patient should be apprised of the potential
hazard to the fetus
-- Advise females of reproductive potential to avoid pregnancy during
treatment with SPRYCEL
Nursing Mothers:
It is unknown whether SPRYCEL is present in human milk; however,
dasatinib was present in the milk of lactating rats.
-- Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing
infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to
discontinue SPRYCEL
Drug Interactions:
SPRYCEL is a CYP3A4 substrate and a weak time-dependent inhibitor of
CYP3A4.
-- Drugs that may increase SPRYCEL plasma concentrations are:
o CYP3A4 inhibitors: Concomitant use of SPRYCEL and drugs that inhibit
CYP3A4 should be avoided. If administration of a potent CYP3A4
inhibitor cannot be avoided, close monitoring for toxicity and a
SPRYCEL dose reduction should be considered
o Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, ketoconazole, itraconazole,
clarithromycin, atazanavir, indinavir, nefazodone, nelfinavir,
ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, voriconazole). If SPRYCEL must
be administered with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, a dose decrease or
temporary discontinuation should be considered
# Grapefruit juice may also increase plasma concentrations of SPRYCEL
and should be avoided
-- Drugs that may decrease SPRYCEL plasma concentrations are:
o CYP3A4 inducers: If SPRYCEL must be administered with a CYP3A4
inducer, a dose increase in SPRYCEL should be considered
o Strong CYP3A4 inducers (eg, dexamethasone, phenytoin, carbamazepine,
rifampin, rifabutin, phenobarbital) should be avoided. Alternative
agents with less enzyme induction potential should be considered. If
the dose of SPRYCEL is increased, the patient should be monitored
carefully for toxicity
# St John’s Wort may decrease SPRYCEL plasma concentrations
unpredictably and should be avoided
o Antacids may decrease SPRYCEL drug levels. Simultaneous administration
of SPRYCEL and antacids should be avoided. If antacid therapy is
needed, the antacid dose should be administered at least 2 hours prior
to or 2 hours after the dose of SPRYCEL
o H2 antagonists/proton pump inhibitors (eg, famotidine and omeprazole):
Long-term suppression of gastric acid secretion by use of H2
antagonists or proton pump inhibitors is likely to reduce SPRYCEL
exposure. Therefore, concomitant use of H2 antagonists or proton pump
inhibitors with SPRYCEL is not recommended
-- Drugs that may have their plasma concentration altered by SPRYCEL are:
o CYP3A4 substrates (eg, simvastatin) with a narrow therapeutic index
should be administered with caution in patients receiving SPRYCEL
Adverse Reactions:
The safety data reflect exposure to SPRYCEL in 258 patients with newly
diagnosed chronic phase CML in a clinical trial (minimum of 36 months
follow up; median duration of therapy was 37 months), and in 2182
patients with imatinib-resistant or -intolerant CML or Ph+ ALL in
clinical trials (1520 patients had a minimum of 2 years follow up and
662 patients with chronic phase CML had a minimum of 60 months follow
up).
The majority of SPRYCEL-treated patients experienced adverse reactions
at some time. Patients aged 65 years and older are more likely to
experience toxicity. In the newly diagnosed chronic phase CML trial, the
cumulative discontinuation rate was 9% with a minimum of 36 months
follow up. In patients resistant or intolerant to prior imatinib
therapy, the discontinuation rate for SPRYCEL at 2 years for adverse
reactions was: 15% of patients in chronic phase CML (all doses), 16% of
patients in accelerated phase CML, 15% of patients in myeloid blast
phase CML, 8% in lymphoid blast phase CML, and 8% in Ph+ ALL. In
patients resistant or intolerant to prior imatinib therapy with chronic
phase CML (minimum 60 months follow up), the rate of discontinuation for
adverse reactions was 18% in patients treated with 100 mg once daily.
-
In newly diagnosed chronic phase CML patients:
-- The most frequently reported serious adverse reactions included pleural
effusion (4%), hemorrhage (2%), congestive heart failure (1%), pulmonary
hypertension (1%), and pyrexia (1%)
-- The most frequently reported adverse reactions (reported in =10% of
patients) included myelosuppression, fluid retention events (pleural
effusion and superficial localized edema), diarrhea, headache,
musculoskeletal pain, rash, and nausea
-- Grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities included neutropenia (24%),
thrombocytopenia (19%), anemia (12%), hypophosphatemia (7%),
hypocalcemia (3%), elevated bilirubin (1%), and elevated creatinine (1%)
-
In patients resistant or intolerant to prior imatinib therapy:
-- The most frequently reported serious adverse reactions included pleural
effusion (11%), gastrointestinal bleeding (4%), febrile neutropenia
(4%), dyspnea (3%), pneumonia (3%), pyrexia (3%), diarrhea (3%),
infection (2%), congestive heart failure/cardiac dysfunction (2%),
pericardial effusion (1%), and CNS hemorrhage (1%)
-- The most frequently reported adverse reactions (reported in =20% of
patients) included myelosuppression, fluid retention events, diarrhea,
headache, dyspnea, skin rash, fatigue, nausea, and hemorrhage
-- Grade 3/4 hematologic laboratory abnormalities in chronic phase CML
patients resistant or intolerant to prior imatinib therapy who received
SPRYCEL 100 mg once daily with a minimum follow up of 60 months included
neutropenia (36%), thrombocytopenia (24%) and anemia (13%). Other grade
3/4 laboratory abnormalities included: hypophosphatemia (10%) and
hypokalemia (2%)
o Among chronic phase CML patients with resistance or intolerance to
prior imatinib therapy, cumulative Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias were
similar at 2 and 5 years including: neutropenia (36% vs 36%),
thrombocytopenia (23% vs 24%), and anemia (13% vs 13%)
-
Grade 3/4 elevations of transaminase or bilirubin and Grade 3/4
hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, and hypophosphatemia were reported in
patients with all phases of CML
-- Elevations in transaminase or bilirubin were usually managed with dose
reduction or interruption
-- Patients developing Grade 3/4 hypocalcemia during the course of SPRYCEL
therapy often had recovery with oral calcium supplementation
Please see the full Prescribing Information at www.bms.com.
SPRYCEL is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
Immuno-Oncology at Bristol-Myers Squibb
Surgery, radiation, cytotoxic or targeted therapies have represented the
mainstay of cancer treatment over the last several decades, but
long-term survival and a positive quality of life have remained elusive
for many patients with advanced disease.
To address this unmet medical need, Bristol-Myers Squibb is leading
advances in the innovative field of immuno-oncology, which involves
agents whose primary mechanism is to work directly with the body's
immune system to fight cancer. The company is exploring a variety of
compounds and immunotherapeutic approaches for patients with different
types of cancer, including researching the potential of combining
immuno-oncology agents that target different and complementary pathways
in the treatment of cancer.
Bristol-Myers Squibb is committed to advancing the science of
immuno-oncology, with the goal of changing survival expectations and the
way patients live with cancer.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical company whose mission is
to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients
prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol-Myers
Squibb, visit www.bms.com,
or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term
is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
regarding the research, development and commercialization of
pharmaceutical products. Such forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties,
including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and
could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from
current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed.
Among other risks, there can be no guarantee that Opdivo, or any other
compounds mentioned in this release, will receive regulatory approval in
the U.S. or, if approved, that it will become a commercially successful
product. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be
evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol-Myers
Squibb's business, particularly those identified in the cautionary
factors discussion in Bristol-Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2013 in our Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Bristol-Myers Squibb
undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.

CONTACT: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Media:
Sarah Koenig, 609-252-4145
sarah.koenig@bms.com
or
Chrissy Trank, 609-252-3418
Christina.trank@bms.com
or
Investors:
Ranya Dajani, 609-252-5330
ranya.dajani@bms.com
or
Ryan Asay, 609-252-5020
ryan.asay@bms.com
Source: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Media:
Sarah Koenig, 609-252-4145
sarah.koenig@bms.com
or
Chrissy Trank, 609-252-3418
Christina.trank@bms.com
or
Investors:
Ranya Dajani, 609-252-5330
ranya.dajani@bms.com
or
Ryan Asay, 609-252-5020
ryan.asay@bms.com