Market Authorizations: IMFINZI, VERZENIO – Drug and Device Digest

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 IMFINZI (durvalumab) injection

Astrazeneca

EXPANDED INDICATION: Treatment of patients with unresectable Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy

ADDRESSING UNMET NEED:

  • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with an estimated 222,500 new diagnoses and 155,870 deaths in 2017
  • First treatment approved for stage III unresectable NSCLC
  • An approved therapy to keep the cancer from progressing for a longer time after chemoradiation

EFFICACY:

  • Randomized trial, n=713 patients whose cancer had not progressed after completing chemotherapy and radiation, IMFINZI vs. placebo
  • Major efficacy outcome: Progression-free survival (PFS) assessed by a BICR RECIST 1.1 and overall survival (OS)
  • PFS: 45% vs. 66%, p<0.0001

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SAFETY: 

  • Common side effects:  Cough, fatigue, pneumonitis/radiation pneumonitis, upper respiratory tract infections, dyspnea, rash
  • Serious risks: Immune-mediated side effects, such as pneumonitis, hepatitis, colitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis

REGULATORY PATHWAY: sBLA

  • Priority Review, Breakthrough status
  • Postmarketing commitments: Overall Survival data, efficacy outcomes in subgroups defined by ADA binding and neutralizing status vs. control
  • Granted accelerated approval in 2017 for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer

REIMBURSEMENT:

  • HCPCS Code: C9492, special coverage
  • CPT codes for infusion administration and home infusion

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Capture.JPGVERZENIO (abemaciclib) tablets

Eli Lilly

EXPANDED INDICATION:  In combination with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy for the treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative  advanced or metastatic breast cancer

ADDRESSING UNMET NEED: Initial therapy for HR-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer

EFFICACY:

  • Randomized (2:1), double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial in postmenopausal women with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer, n=493, VERZENIO vs placebo on top of physician’s choice of letrozole or anastrozole
  • Primary endpoint: Progression-free survival (PFS) (RECIST 1.1): 28.2 mo. vs. 4.8 mo.,  p<0.0001

SAFETY:

  • Most common adverse reactions:  Diarrhea, neutropenia, fatigue, infections, nausea, abdominal pain, anemia, vomiting, alopecia, decreased appetite, leukopenia

REGULATORY PATHWAY: NDA

REIMBURSEMENT

  • No Medicare coverage
  • Obtained through specialty pharmacies

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Image credit: AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly 

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