Johnson & Johnson seeks U.S. FDA approval for subcutaneous induction regimen of TREMFYA® (guselkumab) in ulcerative colitis, a first for an IL-23 inhibitor
Johnson & Johnson seeks U.S. FDA approval for subcutaneous induction regimen of TREMFYA® (guselkumab) in ulcerative colitis, a first for an IL-23 inhibitor |
| [22-November-2024] |
Following recent U.S. FDA approval of TREMFYA® for adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC), this submission underscores its potential to be the only IL-23 inhibitor that offers choice of subcutaneous or intravenous induction in UC Submission is supported by the Phase 3 ASTRO study, which achieved the primary endpoint of clinical remission at Week 12 and met all secondary endpoints in adults with moderately to severely active UC SPRING HOUSE, Pa., Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced the submission of a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval of a subcutaneous (SC) induction regimen of TREMFYA® (guselkumab) for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active UC. The filing is supported by data from the Phase 3 ASTRO study of TREMFYA® SC induction therapy in adults with UC and builds upon the recent U.S. approval of TREMFYA® in this indication.
The Phase 3 ASTRO study met its primary endpoint, achieving a statistically significant and clinically meaningful results for clinical remission at Week 12 with a 400 mg SC induction dose of TREMFYA® administered at Weeks 0, 4, and 8. All secondary endpoints, including endoscopic improvement and histologic-endoscopic mucosal improvement (HEMI), were also met. Safety data from ASTRO were consistent with the safety findings from the QUASAR program. Results from the ASTRO study are planned for presentation at upcoming medical meetings.1 "With the ASTRO study in UC and the GRAVITI study in Crohn's disease (CD), we are focused on delivering versatility and options for administration of treatment for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). TREMFYA is the first IL-23 inhibitor to potentially offer a fully SC induction and maintenance regimen, which if approved, can provide choice and simplicity for patients and providers," stated Esi Lamousé-Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President, Gastroenterology Disease Area Lead, Immunology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. "The ASTRO results add to the compelling data generated from the QUASAR program in UC and build on the promise of TREMFYA in the treatment of IBD as we look to transform outcomes for patients." TREMFYA® is the first and only approved, dual-acting monoclonal antibody that blocks IL-23 while also binding to CD64, a receptor on cells that produce IL-23. IL-23 is a cytokine secreted by activated monocyte/macrophages and dendritic cells that is known to be a driver of immune-mediated diseases including UC.2,3,4,5,6 TREMFYA® received U.S. FDA approval in September 2024 for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active UC and is currently administered via an IV induction regimen, followed by a SC maintenance regimen. The approval was supported by data from the Phase 3 QUASAR study evaluating the efficacy and safety of TREMFYA® in adults with moderately to severely active UC.7 An application seeking approval of TREMFYA® for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active CD has been submitted in the U.S., and applications seeking approval for both CD and UC have been submitted in Europe. ABOUT THE ASTRO STUDY (NCT05528510) ASTRO is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter, treat-through Phase 3 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TREMFYA® SC induction therapy (400 mg at Weeks 0, 4, and 8) in adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who had an inadequate response or intolerance to conventional therapy (e.g., thiopurines or corticosteroids), prior biologics (TNF antagonists or vedolizumab) and/or ozanimod or approved JAK inhibitors. Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive TREMFYA® 400 mg SC induction at Weeks 0, 4 and 8 followed by TREMFYA® 200 mg SC q4w; or TREMFYA® 400 mg SC induction at Weeks 0, 4 and 8, followed by TREMFYA® 100 mg SC q8w; or placebo. The maintenance doses in ASTRO (200 mg SC q4w and 100 mg SC q8w) are the same as those evaluated in the Phase 3 QUASAR program that established the efficacy and safety of IV induction followed by SC maintenance therapy in patients with moderate to severely active UC.8 ABOUT THE QUASAR PROGRAM (NCT04033445) QUASAR is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, multicenter, Phase 2b/3 program designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TREMFYA® in adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who had an inadequate response or intolerance to conventional therapy (e.g., thiopurines or corticosteroids), prior biologics (TNF antagonists or vedolizumab) and/or JAK inhibitors (tofacitinib). QUASAR included a Phase 2b dose-ranging induction study, a confirmatory Phase 3 induction study, and a Phase 3 randomized withdrawal maintenance study. In the induction study, patients received either TREMFYA® 200 mg or placebo by IV infusion at Weeks 0, 4, and 8. In the maintenance study, patients received a SC maintenance regimen of either TREMFYA® 200 mg q4w, TREMFYA® 100 mg q8w, or placebo.9 ABOUT THE GRAVITI STUDY (NCT05197049) GRAVITI is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, treat-through Phase 3 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TREMFYA® SC induction therapy (400 mg at Weeks 0, 4, and 8) in adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who experienced an inadequate response or failed to tolerate conventional therapy (i.e., corticosteroids or immunomodulators) or biologic therapy (TNF antagonists or vedolizumab). Patients received TREMFYA® 400 mg SC at Weeks 0, 4, and 8 followed by TREMFYA® 200 mg SC q4w; or TREMFYA® 400 mg SC at Weeks 0, 4, and 8 followed by TREMFYA® 100 mg SC q8w; or placebo. The maintenance doses in GRAVITI (200 mg SC q4w and 100 mg SC q8w) are the same as those evaluated in the Phase 3 GALAXI 2 and GALAXI 3 studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of IV induction followed by SC maintenance therapy in patients with moderate to severely active Crohn's disease).10 ABOUT ULCERATIVE COLITIS Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease of the large intestine, also known as the colon, in which the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and develops tiny open sores, or ulcers, that produce pus and mucus. It is the result of the immune system's overactive response. Symptoms vary but may typically include loose and more urgent bowel movements, rectal bleeding or bloody stool, persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue.11 ABOUT CROHN'S DISEASE Crohn's disease is one of the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease, which affects an estimated three million Americans.12 Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract with no known cause, but the disease is associated with abnormalities of the immune system that could be triggered by a genetic predisposition, diet, or other environmental factors. Symptoms of Crohn's disease can vary, but often include abdominal pain and tenderness, frequent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fever.13 ABOUT TREMFYA® (guselkumab) Developed by Johnson & Johnson, TREMFYA® is the first approved fully-human, dual-acting monoclonal antibody designed to neutralize inflammation at the cellular source by blocking IL-23 and binding to CD64 (a receptor on cell that produce IL-23). Findings for dual-acting are limited to in vitro studies that demonstrate guselkumab binds to CD64, which is expressed on the surface of IL-23 producing cells in an inflammatory monocyte model. The clinical significance of this finding is not known. TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine approved in the U.S. to treat:
TREMFYA® is approved Europe, Canada, Japan, and a number of other countries for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis. Johnson & Johnson maintains exclusive worldwide marketing rights to TREMFYA®. For more information, visit: www.tremfya.com. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine that may cause serious side effects, including:
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, including:
Do not take TREMFYA® if you have had a serious allergic reaction to guselkumab or any of the ingredients in TREMFYA®. Before using TREMFYA®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. What are the possible side effects of TREMFYA®? The most common side effects of TREMFYA® include respiratory tract infections, headache, injection site reactions, joint pain (arthralgia), diarrhea, stomach flu (gastroenteritis), fungal skin infections, herpes simplex infections, and bronchitis. These are not all the possible side effects of TREMFYA®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Use TREMFYA® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it. Please read the full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide, for TREMFYA® and discuss any questions that you have with your doctor. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Dosage Forms and Strengths: TREMFYA® is available in a 100 mg/mL prefilled syringe and One-Press patient-controlled injector for subcutaneous injection, a 200 mg/2 mL prefilled syringe and prefilled pen (TREMFYA® PEN) for subcutaneous injection, and a 200 mg/20 mL (10 mg/mL) single dose vial for intravenous infusion. ABOUT JOHNSON & JOHNSON At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/ or at https://www.innovativemedicine.jnj.com/. Follow us at @JNJInnovMed. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding TREMFYA®. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc., Janssen-Cilag International NV and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc., Janssen-Cilag International NV nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.
1 Data on file.
SOURCE Johnson & Johnson | ||||||||
Company Codes: NYSE:JNJ |
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