Astellas and Seattle Genetics Receive FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for PADCEVTM (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) in Combination with Pembrolizumab in First-Line Advanced Bladder Cancer

• Breakthrough Therapy Designation Based on Initial Results from Phase 1b/2 EV-103 Clinical Trial –

– Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas”) and Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) today announced

that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for PADCEVTM (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) in combination with Merck’s (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada) anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for the treatment of patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who are unable to receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the first-line setting.

The FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy process is designed to expedite the development and review of drugs

that are intended to treat a serious or life-threatening condition. Designation is based upon preliminary

clinical evidence indicating that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available

therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints.

“The FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy designation reflects the encouraging preliminary evidence for the

combination of PADCEV and pembrolizumab in previously untreated advanced urothelial cancer to

benefit patients who are in need of effective treatment options,” said Andrew Krivoshik, M.D., Ph.D.,

Senior Vice President and Oncology Therapeutic Area Head, Astellas. “We look forward to continuing

our work with the FDA as we progress our clinical development program as quickly as possible.”

 

“This is an important step in our investigation of PADCEV in combination with pembrolizumab as a first-

line therapy for patients with advanced urothelial cancer who are unable to receive cisplatin-based

 

chemotherapy,” said Roger Dansey, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Seattle Genetics. “Based on

encouraging early clinical activity, we recently initiated a phase 3 trial of this platinum-free combination

and look forward to potentially addressing an unmet need for patients.”

The Breakthrough Therapy designation was granted based on results from the dose-escalation cohort and

expansion cohort A of the phase 1b/2 trial, EV-103 (NCT03288545), evaluating patients with locally

advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who are unable to receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy treated

in the first-line setting with PADCEV in combination with pembrolizumab. Initial results from the trial

were presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2019 Congress, and updated

findings at the 2020 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. EV-103 is an ongoing, multi-cohort, open-label,

multicenter phase 1b/2 trial of PADCEV alone or in combination, evaluating safety, tolerability and

efficacy in muscle invasive, locally advanced and first- and second-line metastatic urothelial cancer.

About Bladder and Urothelial Cancer

It is estimated that approximately 81,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in

2020.1 Urothelial cancer accounts for 90 percent of all bladder cancers and can also be found in the renal

pelvis, ureter and urethra.2

 

Globally, approximately 549,000 people were diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2018, and there were

approximately 200,000 deaths worldwide.3

The recommended first-line treatment for patients with advanced urothelial cancer is a cisplatin-based

chemotherapy. For patients who are unable to receive cisplatin, such as people with kidney impairment, a

 

carboplatin-based regimen is recommended. However, fewer than half of patients respond to carboplatin-

based regimens and outcomes are typically poorer compared to cisplatin-based regimens.4

 

About PADCEV

PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in

December 2019 and is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic

urothelial cancer who have previously received a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed

death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor and a platinum-containing chemotherapy before (neoadjuvant) or after

(adjuvant) surgery or in a locally advanced or metastatic setting. PADCEV was approved under the

FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program based on tumor response rate. Continued approval for this

indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.5

PADCEV is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is directed against Nectin-4, a protein

located on the surface of cells and highly expressed in bladder cancer.5,6 Nonclinical data suggest the

anticancer activity of PADCEV is due to its binding to Nectin-4 expressing cells followed by the

internalization and release of the anti-tumor agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) into the cell, which

result in the cell not reproducing (cell cycle arrest) and in programmed cell death (apoptosis).5 PADCEV

is co-developed by Astellas and Seattle Genetics.

Important Safety Information

Warnings and Precautions

• Hyperglycemia occurred in patients treated with PADCEV, including death and diabetic

ketoacidosis (DKA), in those with and without pre-existing diabetes mellitus. The incidence of

Grade 3-4 hyperglycemia increased consistently in patients with higher body mass index and in

patients with higher baseline A1C. In one clinical trial, 8% of patients developed Grade 3-4

hyperglycemia. Patients with baseline hemoglobin A1C ≥8% were excluded. Closely monitor

blood glucose levels in patients with, or at risk for, diabetes mellitus or hyperglycemia. If blood

glucose is elevated (>250 mg/dL), withhold PADCEV.

• Peripheral neuropathy (PN), predominantly sensory, occurred in 49% of the 310 patients

treated with PADCEV in clinical trials; 2% experienced Grade 3 reactions. In one clinical trial,

peripheral neuropathy occurred in patients treated with PADCEV with or without preexisting

peripheral neuropathy. The median time to onset of Grade ≥2 was 3.8 months (range: 0.6 to 9.2).

Neuropathy led to treatment discontinuation in 6% of patients. At the time of their last evaluation,

19% had complete resolution, and 26% had partial improvement. Monitor patients for symptoms

of new or worsening peripheral neuropathy and consider dose interruption or dose reduction of

PADCEV when peripheral neuropathy occurs. Permanently discontinue PADCEV in patients that

develop Grade ≥3 peripheral neuropathy.

• Ocular disorders occurred in 46% of the 310 patients treated with PADCEV. The majority of

these events involved the cornea and included keratitis, blurred vision, limbal stem cell deficiency

and other events associated with dry eyes. Dry eye symptoms occurred in 36% of patients, and

blurred vision occurred in 14% of patients, during treatment with PADCEV. The median time to

 

onset to symptomatic ocular disorder was 1.9 months (range: 0.3 to 6.2). Monitor patients for

ocular disorders. Consider artificial tears for prophylaxis of dry eyes and ophthalmologic

evaluation if ocular symptoms occur or do not resolve. Consider treatment with ophthalmic

topical steroids, if indicated after an ophthalmic exam. Consider dose interruption or dose

reduction of PADCEV for symptomatic ocular disorders.

• Skin reactions occurred in 54% of the 310 patients treated with PADCEV in clinical trials.

Twenty-six percent (26%) of patients had maculopapular rash and 30% had pruritus. Grade 3-4

skin reactions occurred in 10% of patients and included symmetrical drug-related intertriginous

and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE), bullous dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, and palmar-plantar

erythrodysesthesia. In one clinical trial, the median time to onset of severe skin reactions was 0.8

months (range: 0.2 to 5.3). Of the patients who experienced rash, 65% had complete resolution

and 22% had partial improvement. Monitor patients for skin reactions. Consider appropriate

treatment, such as topical corticosteroids and antihistamines for skin reactions, as clinically

indicated. For severe (Grade 3) skin reactions, withhold PADCEV until improvement or

resolution and administer appropriate medical treatment. Permanently discontinue PADCEV in

patients that develop Grade 4 or recurrent Grade 3 skin reactions.

• Infusion site extravasation Skin and soft tissue reactions secondary to extravasation have been

observed after administration of PADCEV. Of the 310 patients, 1.3% of patients experienced skin

and soft tissue reactions. Reactions may be delayed. Erythema, swelling, increased temperature,

and pain worsened until 2-7 days after extravasation and resolved within 1-4 weeks of peak. One

percent (1%) of patients developed extravasation reactions with secondary cellulitis, bullae, or

exfoliation. Ensure adequate venous access prior to starting PADCEV and monitor for possible

extravasation during administration. If extravasation occurs, stop the infusion and monitor for

adverse reactions.

• Embryo-fetal toxicity PADCEV can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.

Advise patients of the potential risk to the fetus. Advise female patients of reproductive potential

to use effective contraception during PADCEV treatment and for 2 months after the last dose.

Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception

during treatment with PADCEV and for 4 months after the last dose.

Adverse Reactions

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 46% of patients treated with PADCEV. The most common serious

adverse reactions (≥3%) were urinary tract infection (6%), cellulitis (5%), febrile neutropenia (4%),

diarrhea (4%), sepsis (3%), acute kidney injury (3%), dyspnea (3%), and rash (3%). Fatal adverse

reactions occurred in 3.2% of patients, including acute respiratory failure, aspiration pneumonia, cardiac

disorder, and sepsis (each 0.8%).

Adverse reactions leading to discontinuation occurred in 16% of patients; the most common adverse

reaction leading to discontinuation was peripheral neuropathy (6%). Adverse reactions leading to dose

interruption occurred in 64% of patients; the most common adverse reactions leading to dose interruption

were peripheral neuropathy (18%), rash (9%) and fatigue (6%). Adverse reactions leading to dose

reduction occurred in 34% of patients; the most common adverse reactions leading to dose reduction were

peripheral neuropathy (12%), rash (6%) and fatigue (4%).

The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were fatigue (56%), peripheral neuropathy (56%), decreased

appetite (52%), rash (52%), alopecia (50%), nausea (45%), dysgeusia (42%), diarrhea (42%), dry eye

(40%), pruritus (26%) and dry skin (26%). The most common Grade ≥3 adverse reactions (≥5%) were

rash (13%), diarrhea (6%) and fatigue (6%).

 

Lab Abnormalities

In one clinical trial, Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities reported in ≥5% were: lymphocytes decreased,

hemoglobin decreased, phosphate decreased, lipase increased, sodium decreased, glucose increased, urate

increased, neutrophils decreased.

Drug Interactions

• Effects of other drugs on PADCEV Concomitant use with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor may

increase free MMAE exposure, which may increase the incidence or severity of PADCEV

toxicities. Closely monitor patients for signs of toxicity when PADCEV is given concomitantly

with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.

Specific Populations

• Lactation Advise lactating women not to breastfeed during treatment with PADCEV and for at

least 3 weeks after the last dose.

• Hepatic impairment Avoid the use of PADCEV in patients with moderate or severe hepatic

impairment.

For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information for PADCEV here.

About Astellas

Astellas Pharma Inc., based in Tokyo, Japan, is a company dedicated to improving the health of people

around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. For more

information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.

About Seattle Genetics

Seattle Genetics, Inc. is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops and commercializes

transformative medicines targeting cancer to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. The

company is headquartered in Bothell, Washington, and has offices in California, Switzerland and the

European Union. For more information on our robust pipeline, visit www.seattlegenetics.com and follow

@SeattleGenetics on Twitter.

About the Astellas and Seattle Genetics Collaboration

Seattle Genetics and Astellas are co-developing PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) under a

collaboration that was entered into in 2007 and expanded in 2009. Under the collaboration, the companies

are sharing costs and profits on a 50:50 basis worldwide.

About the Astellas, Seattle Genetics and Merck Collaboration

Seattle Genetics and Astellas entered a clinical collaboration agreement with Merck to evaluate the

combination of Seattle Genetics’ and Astellas’ PADCEVTM (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and Merck’s

KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), in patients with previously untreated metastatic urothelial cancer.

KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co.,

Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

Astellas Cautionary Notes

In this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and

other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance

of Astellas. These statements are based on management’s current assumptions and beliefs in light of the

information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number

of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking

 

statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in

laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii)

delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products

effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted

by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas’ intellectual property

rights by third parties.

Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development), which is

included in this press release is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice.

Seattle Genetics Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are forward looking, such as those, among others, relating to

the development of PADCEV in combination with pembrolizumab as a first-line therapy for patients with

advanced urothelial cancer who are unable to receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy, and the therapeutic

potential of PADCEV including its efficacy, safety and therapeutic uses. Actual results or developments

may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that

may cause such a difference include the possibility that ongoing and subsequent clinical trials may fail to

establish sufficient efficacy, that adverse events or safety signals may occur and that adverse regulatory

actions may occur. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Seattle Genetics is

contained under the caption “Risk Factors” included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for

the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Seattle Genetics

disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a

result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Astellas Contacts:

For Media

Chris Goldrick

Associate Director, Portfolio Communications

(847) 224-3014

chris.goldrick@astellas.com

For Investors

Shin Okubo

Executive Director, Investor Relations

+81-3-3244-3202

shin.ohkubo@astellas.com

Seattle Genetics Contacts:

For Media

Monique Greer

Vice President, Corporate Communications

(425) 527-4641

mgreer@seagen.com

For Investors

Peggy Pinkston

Vice President, Investor Relations

(425) 527-4160

ppinkston@seagen.com

 

1 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2020. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-

org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2020/cancer-facts-and-figures-2020.pdf.

 

Accessed 01-23-2020. 2 American Society of Clinical Oncology. Bladder cancer: introduction (10-2017). https://www.cancer.net/cancer-

types/bladder-cancer/introduction. Accessed 05-09-2019. 3 International Agency for Research on Cancer. Cancer Tomorrow: Bladder. http://gco.iarc.fr/tomorrow 4 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Bladder

 

Cancer. Version 4; July 10, 2019. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/bladder.pdf. 5 PADCEV [package insert]. Northbrook, IL: Astellas, Inc.

6 Challita-Eid P, Satpayev D, Yang P, et al. Enfortumab Vedotin Antibody-Drug Conjugate Targeting Nectin-4 Is a

Highly Potent Therapeutic Agent in Multiple Preclinical Cancer Models. Cancer Res 2016;76(10):3003-13.