FDA Advisory Committee Votes Favoring Restricted Use Of AstraZeneca/Merck's Prostate Cancer Drug

  • The FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted against AstraZeneca Plc AZN and Merck & Co Inc's MRK application seeking approval for expanded use of Lynparza (olaparib) to all adult patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
  • With one abstaining, the Committee voted 11 to 1 that the indication should be limited to patients whose tumors have a BRCA mutation.
  • The companies sought approval for Lynparza plus abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone for BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
  • The FDA has already approved Lynparza to treat a type of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and a different form of prostate cancer.
  • In August, the FDA granted the drug priority review. However, AstraZeneca and Merck revealed a delay for the FDA review in December.
  • Just two days before the adcomm, the FDA released a briefing document and raised concerns about the safety and efficacy data.
  • In the document, the agency pointed to a subgroup of patients without a BRCA mutation, saying that the data the companies have submitted may not be sufficient to expand use in that group.
  • Lynparza achieved a radiographic progression-free survival of 24.8 months, compared to 16.6 months in the control group, and a 34% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death compared to the control.
  • Price Action: AZN shares closed at $73.22, and MRK shares closed at $115.47 on Friday.
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