The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave new or expanded approvals for three treatments targeting serious conditions in the past week: a drug for treating upper gastroesophageal cancers from Bristol Myers Squibb, a drug for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy in infants from Genentech, and a drug for patients with acute myeloid leukemia from Servier.
BMS: Opdivo and Yervoy
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) announced Friday that the FDA “approved both Opdivo® (nivolumab) (injection for intravenous use) in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy and Opdivo® plus Yervoy® (ipilimumab) as a first-line treatment for adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) regardless of PD-L1 status,” based on the Phase 3 CheckMate -648 trial.
“Today’s approvals bring two first-line immunotherapy-based treatment options at once, Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy and Opdivo plus Yervoy as the first dual immunotherapy option, to newly diagnosed patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, further building on the role of Opdivo-based regimens in upper gastroesophageal cancers,” said Adam Lenkowsky, senior vice president and general manager, U.S., Cardiovascular, Immunology, Oncology, Bristol Myers Squibb.
Genentech: Evrysdi
Roche Group member Genentech announced Monday the FDA “approved a label extension for Evrysdi® (risdiplam) to include babies under two months old with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The approval is based on interim efficacy and safety data from the RAINBOWFISH study in newborns, which showed that the majority of pre-symptomatic babies treated with Evrysdi achieved key milestones such as sitting and standing with half walking after 12 months of treatment.”
“The approval of Evrysdi for pre-symptomatic babies is particularly important, as early treatment of SMA, before symptoms start to arise, can help babies to achieve motor milestones,” said Richard Finkel, M.D., RAINBOWFISH Principal Investigator and Director of the Experimental Neuroscience Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “With the inclusion of SMA in newborn screening programs, this approval provides the opportunity to start treating at home with Evrysdi soon after the diagnosis is confirmed.”
Servier: TIBSOVO
Oncology specialist Servier also announced May 25 that the FDA “approved TIBSOVO® (ivosidenib tablets) in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed IDH1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy. TIBSOVO is the first therapy targeting cancer metabolism approved in combination with azacitidine for patients with newly diagnosed IDH1-mutated AML. The AGILE trial was the only Phase 3 trial designed specifically for newly diagnosed patients with IDH1-mutated AML who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.”
“Today’s approval builds on the established body of evidence for TIBSOVO, which is now approved across multiple IDH1-mutated cancer types,” said David K. Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Servier Pharmaceuticals. “As a leader in oncology pioneering the science behind targeted IDH inhibition, we are proud to bring a new therapeutic option to the acute myeloid leukemia community and remain committed to pushing the boundaries of healthcare innovation in oncology and beyond.”
