-Results from Part A of Phase 3 study in people with a mutation that
results in minimal cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
(CFTR) protein function do not support continuation of the study-
-Enrollment complete in Phase 3 study in people with two copies of
the F508del mutation-
-Enrollment expected to be completed in September in Phase 3 study in
people with one F508del mutation and one residual function mutation-
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Vertex
Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today provided an update
on its ongoing Phase 3 development program of its investigational
compound VX-661 in combination with ivacaftor, which includes four
studies that together are expected to enroll more than 1,000 people with
cystic fibrosis (CF). Based on a planned interim futility analysis
conducted by the study's independent Data Safety Monitoring Board
(DSMB), Vertex plans to stop the study of VX-661 and ivacaftor in people
with one copy of the F508del mutation and one copy of a mutation
that results in minimal CFTR protein function (F508del het/min).
There were no safety concerns noted in the DSMB's review of the data.
Vertex also today announced that enrollment is now complete in the study
of VX-661 and ivacaftor in people with two copies of the F508del
mutation (F508del homozygous) and that the company expects to complete
enrollment in the study of people with one copy of the F508del
mutation and one copy of a residual function mutation in September.
"While we recognize that people with CF with minimal function mutations
have a form of the disease that is particularly difficult to treat, we
believed it was important to evaluate whether a dual combination of
VX-661 and ivacaftor could provide some benefit to these patients given
they do not today have a medicine to treat the cause of their disease,"
said Jeffrey Chodakewitz, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief
Medical Officer at Vertex. "These results suggest that a triple
combination regimen may provide this group of people with CF the best
chance at obtaining a meaningful benefit and we look forward to
beginning the first study of a next-generation corrector together with
VX-661 and ivacaftor in this group of patients later this year, pending
data from our ongoing Phase 1 studies in healthy volunteers."
The VX-661 Phase 3 program includes four Phase 3 studies in multiple
different groups of people with CF who have at least one copy of the F508del
mutation. The studies are evaluating VX-661 dosed as 100 mg once daily
(QD) in combination with ivacaftor dosed as 150 mg every 12 hours
(q12h). These studies include people with CF with the following
mutations:
-
Two Copies of the F508del Mutation: In August, Vertex
completed enrollment in a study evaluating 24 weeks of treatment with
VX-661 in combination with ivacaftor in approximately 500 people with
CF who have two copies of the F508del mutation. Data from this
study are expected in the first half of 2017.
-
One Copy of the F508del Mutation and a Second Mutation that
Results in Residual CFTR Function: In September, Vertex expects to
complete enrollment in a study evaluating VX-661 in combination with
ivacaftor in approximately 200 people with residual function
mutations. The crossover study includes two 8-week dosing periods,
separated by an 8-week washout period. The study includes an arm of
ivacaftor monotherapy, in addition to an arm evaluating VX-661 in
combination with ivacaftor and a placebo arm. Data from this study are
expected in the first half of 2017.
-
One Copy of the F508del Mutation and a Second Mutation that
Results in a Gating Defect in the CFTR Protein: Enrollment is
ongoing in a study designed to evaluate VX-661 in combination with
ivacaftor in people with gating mutations that have been shown to be
responsive to ivacaftor alone. The study is expected to enroll
approximately 200 patients and is evaluating 8 weeks of treatment with
VX-661 in combination with ivacaftor. Enrollment is expected to
complete in late 2016 or early 2017.
-
One Copy of the F508del Mutation and a Second Mutation that
Results in Minimal CFTR Function: In April, Vertex completed
enrollment of approximately 150 people in Part A of a two-part study
evaluating people with mutations that result in minimal CFTR function.
A planned interim futility analysis was conducted by the study's
independent DSMB after at least 8 weeks of dosing to determine whether
to stop the study or to continue the study and initiate enrollment in
Part B. The analysis showed that the combination of VX-661 and
ivacaftor did not result in a pre-specified improvement in lung
function. The DSMB recommended that Vertex stop the study and not
initiate enrollment in Part B. There were no safety concerns noted in
the DSMB's review of the data. Vertex plans to close this study based
on the recommendation of the DSMB, and patients from Part A of the
study who enrolled in the long-term extension study will be
transitioned off the combination of VX-661 and ivacaftor.
Vertex plans to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for
VX-661 in combination with ivacaftor in the second half of 2017, pending
data from the Phase 3 program. The NDA is expected to include data from
the study in people with minimal function mutations.
About Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a rare, life-shortening genetic disease affecting
approximately 75,000 people in North America, Europe and Australia.
Today, the median predicted age of survival for a person with CF is
between 34 and 47 years, but the median age of death remains in the
mid-20s.
CF is caused by a defective or missing CFTR protein resulting from
mutations in the CFTR gene. Children must inherit two
defective CFTR genes — one from each parent — to have CF. There are more
than 1,900 known mutations in the CFTR gene. Some of these mutations,
which can be determined by a genetic, or genotyping test, lead to CF by
creating non-working or too few CFTR protein at the cell surface. The
defective function or absence of CFTR proteins in people with CF results
in poor flow of salt and water into and out of the cell in a number of
organs, including the lungs. This leads to the buildup of abnormally
thick, sticky mucus that can cause chronic lung infections and
progressive lung damage.
About Vertex
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that aims to discover, develop
and commercialize innovative medicines so people with serious diseases
can lead better lives. In addition to our clinical development programs
focused on cystic fibrosis, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing
research programs aimed at other serious and life-threatening diseases.
Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex today has research and
development sites and commercial offices in the United States, Europe,
Canada and Australia. For six years in a row, Science magazine has named
Vertex one of its Top Employers in the life sciences. For additional
information and the latest updates from the company, please visit www.vrtx.com.
Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without
limitation, Dr. Chodakewitz's statements in the second paragraph of the
press release and statements regarding (i) the timing of completing
enrollment of Phase 3 studies of VX-661 in combination with ivacaftor
and (ii) plans to submit an NDA to the FDA for VX-661 in combination
with ivacaftor. While Vertex believes 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 factors that could cause actual
events or results to differ materially from those indicated 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 VX-661 in combination
with ivacaftor or its other compounds due to safety, efficacy or other
reasons, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's annual
report and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and available through the company's website at www.vrtx.com.
Vertex disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in
this press release as new information becomes available.
(VRTX-GEN)
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Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Investors:
Michael
Partridge, 617-341-6108
or
Eric Rojas, 617-961-7205
or
Zach
Barber, 617-341-6992
or
Media:
mediainfo@vrtx.com
US:
617-341-6992
Europe & Australia: +44 20 3204 5275
Source: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
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