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Positive results presented from two Phase 3 trials of Dupixent® (dupilumab) in severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
  • Dupixent showed significant improvement on every primary and secondary endpoint in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps who had failed previous treatment with surgery and/or systemic corticosteroids
  • Dupixent also showed significant improvement of co-morbid asthma


PARIS and TARRYTOWN, NY – February 25, 2019 – Detailed results were presented from two Phase 3 trials in adults with recurring severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) despite previous treatment with surgery and/or systemic corticosteroids. These trials, known as SINUS-24 and SINUS-52, demonstrated that Dupixent® (dupilumab), when added to the standard of care corticosteroid nasal spray,  improved nasal polyp size, nasal congestion severity, chronic sinus disease, sense of smell and co-morbid asthma outcomes. In these severe patients, Dupixent reduced the need for systemic corticosteroid use and the need for nasal/sinus surgery. These data were presented in two late-breaking sessions at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) in San Francisco.


“Dupixent is the first biologic therapy to demonstrate the potential to produce disease-modifying effects in severe CRSwNP, significantly improving all disease measures in the study, including sense of smell, one of the most troublesome and challenging-to-treat symptoms for patients,” said Claus Bachert, M.D., Professor and Head of Clinics of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Ghent University and principal investigator of the trials. “Patients with co-morbid CRSwNP and asthma are often more difficult to treat so it is encouraging that Dupixent, which targets key drivers of Type 2 inflammation, may address both conditions in these patients.

Dupixent is a human monoclonal antibody specifically designed to inhibit signaling of interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 (IL-4 and IL-13). The findings from these studies, as well as from prior studies in atopic dermatitis and asthma, demonstrate that these are two key proteins that play a central role in Type 2 inflammation, which seem to underlie CRSwNP as well as several allergic diseases.

CRSwNP is a chronic disease of the upper airway predominantly driven by Type 2 inflammation and characterized by polyps that obstruct the sinuses and nasal passages. Patients may experience severe nasal obstruction with breathing difficulties, nasal discharge, reduced or loss of sense of smell and taste and facial pain or pressure. Persistent symptoms of CRSwNP have a substantial adverse impact on patients' health-related quality of life, which can be measured by a composite endpoint that includes reduced productivity and activities of daily living, inability to enjoy food, lack of sleep and fatigue. 

Current treatment options are intranasal corticosteroids, systemic corticosteroids and surgery, all with suboptimal efficacy and/or high recurrence rates after treatment. Mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) is a standard-of-care intranasal corticosteroid, and the Phase 3 SINUS-24 and SINUS-52 trials evaluated 300 mg Dupixent added to MFNS (“Dupixent group”) compared to placebo injection plus MFNS (“placebo group”).

The topline results for both trials were announced in October 2018. These trials met their co-primary endpoints of change from baseline in nasal congestion/obstruction severity and change from baseline in nasal polyps score, measured at 24 weeks. Patients treated with Dupixent experienced a:

  • 57% and 51% improvement in their nasal congestion/obstruction severity compared to a 19% and 15% improvement with placebo in SINUS-24 and SINUS-52, respectively (absolute change from baseline of -1.34 and -1.25 for Dupixent compared to -0.45 and -0.38 for placebo; p<0.0001 for both)
  • 33% and 27% reduction in their nasal polyps score compared to a 7% and 4% increase for placebo in SINUS-24 and SINUS-52, respectively (absolute change from baseline of -1.89 and -1.71 for Dupixent compared to 0.17 and 0.10 for placebo; p<0.0001 for both)

New data presented at AAAAI

Dupixent significantly reduced chronic sinus disease in both trials. Dupixent treatment effects began as early as four weeks with progressive improvement up to 24 weeks in SINUS-24, a 24-week trial, and up to 52 weeks in SINUS-52. Both trials evaluated Dupixent treatment every two weeks for up to 24 weeks, and after week 24 through 52 weeks, SINUS-52 included a group of patients treated every four weeks in addition to a group treated every two weeks.

Patients in the Dupixent every two weeks group experienced a:

  • 42% and 27% improvement in sinus opacification vs. 4% and 0% with placebo at 24 weeks in SINUS-24 and SINUS-52, respectively (absolute change from baseline of -8.18 and -5.21 for Dupixent vs. -0.74 and -0.09 for placebo; p<0.0001 for both). For patients in SINUS-52, a 37% improvement in sinus opacification was achieved with Dupixent treatment vs. 2% with placebo at 52 weeks (absolute change from baseline of -6.83 for Dupixent vs. 0.11 for placebo; nominal p<0.0001)
  • 146% and 108% improvement in ability to identify different smells vs. 19% and 7% with placebo at 24 weeks in SINUS-24 and SINUS-52, respectively (absolute change from baseline of 11.26 and 9.71 for Dupixent vs. 0.7 and -0.81 for placebo; p<0.0001 for both). In both trials, Dupixent-treated patients reported an improvement in sense of smell as early as four weeks based on a separate daily assessment
  • 60% and 51% improvement in health-related quality of life vs. 18% and 18% with placebo  at 24 weeks in SINUS-24 and SINUS-52, respectively (absolute change from baseline of -30.43 and -27.77 for Dupixent vs. -9.31 and -10.4 for placebo; p<0.0001 for both). At 52 weeks, there was a 58% improvement in health-related quality of life with Dupixent vs. 14% with placebo (absolute change from baseline of ‑29.84 for Dupixent vs. -8.88; p<0.0001)
  • 0.21L improvement in lung function vs. placebo at 24 weeks in SINUS-24 in the subset of patients with asthma at baseline (absolute change from baseline of 0.15L for Dupixent vs. ‑0.06L for placebo; nominal p=0.0004) and 0.21L improvement in lung function vs. placebo at 24 weeks in SINUS-52 (absolute change from baseline of 0.17L for Dupixent vs. ‑0.015L for placebo; nominal p<0.0001). In the trials, approximately 60% of patients had co-morbid asthma, most of them receiving asthma controller medication
  • 73% reduction in rescue treatment with systemic corticosteroids or nasal polyp surgery compared with placebo at 24 weeks in SINUS-24 and 76% reduction in rescue treatment compared with placebo at 52 weeks in SINUS-52 (Kaplan-Meier estimates at 24 weeks were 7% for Dupixent vs. 23% for placebo in SINUS-24, HR 0.27 [95% CI: 0.13 to 0.55], nominal p=0.0003; and Kaplan-Meier estimates at 52 weeks were 13% for Dupixent vs. 44% for placebo in SINUS-52, HR 0.24 [0.16 to 0.36]; nominal p<0.0001)

 

Overall, rates of adverse events were generally similar between the Dupixent-treated group and placebo. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred less frequently in the Dupixent group compared to placebo (65% vs. 71% in SINUS-24; 83% vs. 91% in SINUS-52). Adverse events that were observed more frequently in the Dupixent group compared with placebo included epistaxis (nosebleeds) in SINUS-24 (8% vs. 3%) and bronchitis (6% vs. 5%), cough (6% vs. 5%) and injection site reactions (3% vs. 2%) in SINUS-52. The rate of serious adverse events was 4% with Dupixent vs. 14% with placebo in SINUS-24, and 5% with Dupixent vs. 10% with placebo in SINUS-52. Adverse events leading to discontinuation occurred in 4% with Dupixent vs. 2% with placebo in SINUS-24 and 4% with Dupixent vs. 11% with placebo in SINUS-52.

Other Dupixent presentations at AAAAI included analyses on allergic rhinitis, CRSwNP and other sino-nasal outcomes in patients with co-morbid asthma or atopic dermatitis.

In the U.S., Dupixent is approved for treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis that is not well controlled by topical prescription therapies, or who cannot use topical therapies; Dupixent is also approved in the U.S for use with other asthma medicines for maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma in people aged 12 years and older with an eosinophilic phenotype or with oral corticosteroid dependent asthma. Other potential uses for Dupixent are investigational and the safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency or any other regulatory authority. Dupilumab is being developed jointly by Sanofi and Regeneron as part of a global collaboration agreement. 

About the SINUS-24 and SINUS-52 trials

SINUS-24 (n=276) and SINUS-52 (n=448) were randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled pivotal Phase 3 trials in patients with severe CRSwNP. SINUS-24 included two treatment groups added to nasal spray: 300 mg Dupixent every two weeks for 24 weeks or placebo every two weeks for 24 weeks. SINUS-52 included three treatment groups added to nasal spray: 300 mg Dupixent every two weeks for 52 weeks, 300 mg Dupixent every two weeks for 24 weeks and then every four weeks until 52 weeks, or placebo every two weeks for 52 weeks. The co-primary and secondary endpoints of the trials included change from baseline in: nasal congestion/obstruction severity, a 0-3 scale, at 24 weeks (co-primary); nasal polyps score (a measure of polyp size), as assessed by nasal endoscopy, a 0-8 scale, at 24 weeks (co-primary); Lund-Mackay score, a 0-24 scale, as assessed by computed tomography (CT) scans at 24 weeks; University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), 0-40 scale, at 24 weeks; severity of decreased or loss of smell by patient daily assessment on a 0-3 scale at 24 weeks; 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), a 0-110 scale at 24 weeks; and the previous endpoints up to 52 weeks in SINUS-52.

Other pre-specified endpoints included the: change from baseline to 24 weeks in forced expiratory volume over one second (FEV1) in patients with co-morbid asthma; and proportion of patients during trial treatment who received rescue treatment with systemic corticosteroids and/or nasal polyp surgery.

The trials enrolled patients who were 18 years or older with bilateral nasal polyps who, despite treatment with systemic corticosteroids in the previous two years or history of surgery, continued to have ongoing moderate or severe symptoms of nasal congestion, blockage, loss of smell or nasal discharge. Consistent with the overlap seen among patients with Type 2 or allergic inflammatory diseases, more than three-quarters also suffered from other conditions, including asthma (approximately 59%), allergic rhinitis (approximately 58%) and NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease (approximately 28%). Patients with co-morbid asthma and CRSwNP tend to have more severe disease.

Dupilumab development program

In addition to the approved indications in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and moderate-to-severe asthma, Sanofi and Regeneron are also studying dupilumab in a broad range of clinical development programs for diseases driven by allergic and other Type 2 inflammation, including pediatric (6 to 11 years of age) atopic dermatitis (Phase 3), pediatric (6 months to 5 years of age) atopic dermatitis (Phase 2/3), adolescent (12 to 17 years of age) atopic dermatitis (Phase 3 completed), pediatric (6 to 11 years of age) asthma (Phase 3), eosinophilic esophagitis (Phase 2/3) and food and environment allergies (Phase 2). A future trial is planned for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Dupilumab is also being studied in combination with REGN3500, which targets IL-33. These potential uses are investigational and the safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.

For more information on dupilumab clinical trials please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

 

U.S. INDICATIONS

DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:

  • to treat adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 18 years of age.
  • with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma in people aged 12 years and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems.  It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 12 years of age.

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR U.S. PATIENTS

Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT®

Before using DUPIXENT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have eye problems (if you also have atopic dermatitis)
  • have a parasitic (helminth) infection
  • are taking oral, topical, or inhaled corticosteroid medicines. Do not stop taking your corticosteroid medicines unless instructed by your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by the corticosteroid medicine to come back.
  • are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a “live vaccine” if you are treated with DUPIXENT.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether DUPIXENT will harm your unborn baby. 
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether DUPIXENT passes into your breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. If you are taking asthma medicines, do not change or stop your asthma medicine without talking to your healthcare provider. 


DUPIXENT can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity), including a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis. Stop using DUPIXENT and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following symptoms: breathing problems, fever, general ill feeling, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face, mouth and tongue, hives, itching, fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure), joint pain, or skin rash.
  • Eye problems. If you have atopic dermatitis, tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision. 
  • Inflammation in your blood vessels: Rarely, this can happen in people with asthma who receive DUPIXENT. This may happen in people who also take a steroid medicine by mouth that is being stopped or the dose is being lowered. It is not known whether this is caused by DUPIXENT.  Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have: rash, shortness of breath, persistent fever, chest pain, or a feeling of pins and needles or numbness of your arms or legs.

 

The most common side effects include injection site reactions, pain in the throat (oropharyngeal pain) and cold sores in your mouth or on your lips.  Eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling and itching have been seen in patients who have atopic dermatitis.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.  These are not all the possible side effects of DUPIXENT.  Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.  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.

Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed. If your healthcare provider decides that you or a caregiver can give DUPIXENT injections, you or your caregiver should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject DUPIXENT.  Do not try to inject DUPIXENT until you have been shown the right way by your healthcare provider.  In adolescents with asthma 12 years of age and older, it is recommended that DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult.

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.

About Regeneron

Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for 30 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to seven FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neuromuscular diseases, infectious diseases and rare diseases.

Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite® technologies, such as VelocImmune® which produces optimized fully-human antibodies, and ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.

For additional information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.

 

 

About Sanofi

 

Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions.

 

With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.

 

Sanofi, Empowering Life

 

 


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