INVESTORS & MEDIA
News Release
Sanofi-aventis and Regeneron Report Top-line Results from Phase III Study with aflibercept (VEGF Trap) in Second-Line Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
The treatment emergent adverse events (AEs) on the aflibercept arm with an incidence that was 10 percent greater than the control arm were stomatitis, weight decrease, hypertension, epistaxis and dysphonia. Grade 3 or 4 AEs that occurred at a frequency of at least 5 percent in patients who received aflibercept were fatigue, stomatitis, disease progression, hypertension, febrile neutropenia, dyspnea, neutropenia, and asthenia. AEs leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 27.2 percent of patients in the aflibercept arm compared to 14.6 percent in the placebo arm. The types and frequencies of AEs reported in the aflibercept treatment arm were generally consistent with those reported in previous studies with anti-VEGF agents.
The companies will conduct a detailed analysis of the efficacy and safety results of the VITAL study. Full results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.
"Bringing new and innovative cancer therapies to patients can be incredibly challenging, especially in difficult-to-treat cancers such as second-line non-small cell lung cancer," said
About the VITAL Phase III Study
The VITAL study was a multinational, randomized, double-blind trial comparing aflibercept versus placebo in combination with docetaxel patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have failed one platinum-based therapy. The study enrolled 913 patients who were randomized to receive intravenous (IV) docetaxel 75 mg/m2 plus either IV placebo or IV aflibercept 6 mg/kg every three weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, patient's refusal or further treatment. The primary objective of the study was to demonstrate improvement in overall survival with the combination of aflibercept and docetaxel compared with placebo and docetaxel.
About the Aflibercept Clinical Development Program
Sanofi-aventis Oncology and Regeneron are collaborating on a broad oncology development program, combining the investigational agent aflibercept with common chemotherapy regimens in the treatment of patients with advanced cancers. In addition to VITAL, the program includes two Phase III trials and one Phase II trial, all of which are fully enrolled:
- VELOUR: Second-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) (Phase III). Final results are anticipated during the first half of 2011.
VENICE : First-line treatment for hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer in combination with docetaxel and prednisone (Phase III). An interim analysis is expected to be conducted by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee in mid 2011; final results are anticipated in 2012.
- AFFIRM: First-line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) (Phase II). Final results are expected during the second half of 2011.
About Aflibercept
Aflibercept (VEGF Trap) is an investigational angiogenesis inhibitor with a unique mechanism of action. This fusion protein binds all forms of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGF-A), as well as VEGF-B and placental growth factor (PIGF), additional angiogenic growth factors that appear to play a role in tumor angiogenesis and inflammation. Aflibercept has been shown to bind VEGF-A, VEGF-B and PlGF with higher affinity than their natural receptors.
About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
According to the
About sanofi-aventis Oncology
Based in
Sanofi-aventis Oncology is committed to the pursuit of science and innovative cancer therapies. We believe in partnership with leading experts, and combining that expertise with our own internal scientific strength and heritage. There are currently more than 10 compounds in clinical development including small molecules and biological agents.
About sanofi-aventis
Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in
About
Regeneron is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines for the treatment of serious medical conditions. In addition to ARCALYST® (rilonacept) Injection for Subcutaneous Use, its first commercialized product, Regeneron has therapeutic candidates in Phase III clinical trials for the potential treatment of gout, diseases of the eye (wet age-related macular degeneration and central retinal vein occlusion), and certain cancers. Additional therapeutic candidates developed from proprietary Regeneron technologies for creating fully human monoclonal antibodies are in earlier stage development programs in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, pain, cholesterol reduction, allergic and immune conditions, and cancer. Additional information about Regeneron and recent news releases are available on Regeneron's web site at www.regeneron.com.
Sanofi-aventis Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "plans" and similar expressions. Although sanofi-aventis' management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are
subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of sanofi-aventis, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the
Regeneron Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements about Regeneron and its products, development programs, finances, and business, all of which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, among others, risks and timing associated with preclinical and clinical development of Regeneron's drug candidates, determinations by regulatory and administrative governmental authorities which may delay or restrict Regeneron's ability to continue to develop or commercialize its product and drug candidates, competing drugs that are superior to Regeneron's product and drug candidates, uncertainty of market acceptance of Regeneron's product and drug candidates, unanticipated expenses, the availability and cost of capital, the costs of developing, producing, and selling products, the potential for any license or collaboration agreement, including Regeneron's agreements with the
sanofi-aventis Group and
Contacts | |
sanofi-aventis: | |
Megan Humphrey | |
Oncology Division Communications | |
Tel: 1 (617) 679-5637 | |
Marisol Peron | |
Corporate Media Relations | |
Tel: +33 (0) 1 53 77 45 02; Mobile: +33 (0) 6 08 18 94 78 | |
E-mail: marisol.peron@sanofi-aventis.com | |
Regeneron: | |
Michael Aberman, M.D. | |
Investor Relations | |
Tel 1 (914) 345-7799 | |
Peter Dworkin | |
Media Relations | |
Tel: 1 (914) 345-7640 | |
(1)
(2)
(3)
SOURCE
News Provided by Acquire Media