UPDATE: Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Gentium Announce European Commercial Launch of Defitelio

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc

and Gentium S.p.A., a Jazz Pharmaceuticals company, today announced the commencement of the European commercial launch of Defitelio® ^▼ (defibrotide), the first licensed product for the treatment of severe hepatic veno-occlusive disease (severe VOD or sVOD) in patients over one month of age undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) therapy. ^1   The companies have launched Defitelio in Germany and Austria and expect to continue the launch in 27 additional European countries on a rolling basis during 2014 and 2015. Severe VOD, one of the most serious early complications in HSCT therapy, is associated with multi-organ failure and is fatal in over 80% of patients. ^2,3   HSCTs are performed with curative intent in patients with haematological malignancies, selected solid tumours and some non-malignant disorders, such as serious haemoglobinopathies. ^4,5 "The commercial availability of Defitelio as the first medicine licensed for the treatment of sVOD in Europe is an important step forward for patients with this life-threatening condition," said Bruce C. Cozadd, chairman and CEO at Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc.  "Additionally, this European launch represents a key milestone for the combined Jazz Pharmaceuticals and Gentium team following the acquisition of Gentium by Jazz Pharmaceuticals earlier this year, and reinforces our commitment to bringing important therapies to patients who have significant unmet medical needs in the areas of haematology and oncology." "Severe VOD is a complex and unpredictable disease, and its impact on patients, physicians and resources is substantial.  Early and effective intervention is crucial in saving lives and limiting the potentially significant burden of this disease, and physicians have been eagerly awaiting the commercial availability of Defitelio in Europe," said Professor Mohamad Mohty, President-Elect of the EBMT and Professor of Haematology, Saint-Antoine Hospital and University Pierre & Marie Curie, Paris. The efficacy of Defitelio to treat sVOD in HSCT patients is supported by data from a pivotal, multi-centre Phase 3 trial that evaluated Defitelio for the treatment of sVOD compared with a historical control group of patients who had received standard supportive care. ^1  In this trial, Defitelio was shown to provide a significant increase in survival rates for patients with sVOD in HSCT.  The results demonstrated a 52% increase in survival at 100 days after transplantation for patients treated with Defitelio compared to patients in the historical control group (38.2% in the Defitelio group vs. 25.0% in the historical control group; p=0.0341). ^1   In the clinical trial, 23.5% of patients treated with Defitelio achieved complete response at 100 days after transplantation versus 9.4% of patients in the historical control group (p=0.013). ^1 The efficacy data from this pivotal trial are supported with data from a Phase 2 dose-finding study, as well as data from the International Compassionate Use Programme and an interim analysis (subset of patients with sVOD) of an ongoing, open-label treatment investigational new drug (IND) study being conducted in the United States (U.S.). ^1  Additionally, data derived from an independent registry in the U.S. supported the European approval of Defitelio for use in patients with sVOD. ^1 Treatment with Defitelio has generally been well tolerated in all age groups. ^1,6   In the Phase 3 pivotal trial, the overall incidence of adverse events was similar in the Defitelio treatment group and in the control group. ^7   The most frequent adverse events observed during pre-marketing use were haemorrhage, hypotension and coagulopathy. ^1  Please consult the Defitelio SmPC for the full list of all side effects reported with Defitelio.