Biogen Builds on Its 40-Year Legacy in Neuroscience with Presentation of Research from Its Portfolio of Medicines and Investigational Programs for Neurodegenerative Diseases
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New data underscore benefits of SPINRAZA®
(nusinersen) across broad spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) populations
and include longer-term efficacy and safety assessments from the SHINE
study -
Data from Biogen's multiple sclerosis (MS) research programs
include results from clinical investigation of a potential biomarker
for MS and new insights from MS PATHS, its Learning Health System,
which may inform future care approaches -
Data from movement disorder programs support further clinical
development of Biogen's investigational compounds for Parkinson's
disease and progressive supranuclear palsy
Biogen
(NASDAQ:BIIB) announced it will present data from its portfolio of
marketed treatments and clinical development programs for some of the
most complex and difficult-to-treat neurodegenerative diseases at the 70th
annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in Los Angeles
(April 21–27).
"Biogen's research efforts are focused on helping to improve the
lives of the approximately one billion people affected by neurological
disorders,1" said Alfred Sandrock, Jr., M.D., Ph.D.,
executive vice president and chief medical officer at Biogen. "The data
we are presenting at AAN reflect the work we are conducting on multiple
fronts, including research to better understand challenging nervous
system diseases and the clinical development of investigational
treatments for what we believe are some of the most significant unmet
medical needs."
Platform and poster presentations will highlight the benefits SPINRAZA
(nusinersen) provides for individuals with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
across the age and disease spectrum; the company's multiple sclerosis
(MS) therapies and non-therapeutic research collaborations designed to
elevate the care of MS; and the company's investigational therapies for
Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease (PD) and progressive
supranuclear palsy (PSP).
Building on Substantial Data, Long-Term Benefits for Broad SMA
Populations
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Biogen will present data demonstrating that with SPINRAZA treatment,
older patients were able to walk longer distances while experiencing
stable or less fatigue at the same time, in contrast to SMA natural
history data. The study participants had Type 2 or 3 SMA and were ages
2-15 years at study enrollment. -
Several other analyses illustrating SPINRAZA's effectiveness will be
presented, including part one of the Phase 2 EMBRACE study as well as
an interim analysis of the SHINE open-label extension study. Featured
in AAN's Emerging Science program, the SHINE analysis examined the
longer-term safety and efficacy of SPINRAZA in infantile-onset SMA
patients.
Elevating the Care of MS
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Data from Biogen's collaborative research initiative to identify a
quantitative blood biomarker of MS disease severity will be presented.
These data further support serum neurofilament light (NfL) as a
promising biomarker for disease severity stratification and treatment
monitoring in MS. A biomarker like NfL levels may enhance treatment
decision-making and ultimately lead to better long-term outcomes for
people with MS. -
Biogen will present updates from MS PATHS (Multiple Sclerosis Partners
Advancing Technology and Health Solutions), a collaboration with 10
leading MS centers in the U.S. and Europe that leverages technology
deployed in routine care to generate standardized, high-quality data.
Researchers anticipate more than 15,000 people with MS will
participate in the study. MS PATHS allows researchers to evaluate
common and disruptive MS symptoms, such as cognitive changes, to help
drive more evidence-based, personalized treatment decisions. -
Real-world data will be presented that demonstrate people with
relapsing MS treated with TECFIDERA® (dimethyl fumarate) or
TYSABRI® (natalizumab) early in the course of their
disease may experience better long-term outcomes. -
MRI and relapse results from the Phase 3 EVOLVE-MS-1 study for BIIB098
(formerly known as ALKS 8700) in patients with relapsing remitting MS
will be featured in AAN's Emerging Science program. BIIB098 is an
oral, monomethyl fumarate (MMF) prodrug in Phase 3 development for the
treatment of relapsing forms of MS.
Advancing the Company's Neurodegenerative Pipeline
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Data from the Phase 1b study of aducanumab, Biogen's investigational
treatment for the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, will be
presented. The aducanumab 36-month data from the Phase 1b PRIME study
have been identified by AAN as a 2018 Abstract of Distinction, a
program recognizing top scientific achievements in each abstract topic
area; 24-month titration data will also be presented.
Both
slide presentations will be available concurrently with the applicable
session on the Investor section of the Biogen company website, www.Biogen.com.
Aducanumab
is currently being evaluated in two global Phase 3 studies, ENGAGE and
EMERGE, which are designed to evaluate its safety and efficacy in
slowing cognitive and functional impairment in people with mild
cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease and mild
Alzheimer's disease dementia. Aducanumab is thought to target
aggregated forms of beta amyloid, including soluble oligomers and
insoluble fibrils, which can form into amyloid plaque in the brain of
Alzheimer's disease patients. As of October 22, 2017, Biogen and Eisai
Co. Ltd. are collaborating on the development and commercialization of
aducanumab globally.
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Data from movement disorder programs will be presented at the meeting,
including Phase 1 study results for BIIB092 (formerly BMS-986168), the
tau-targeting antibody and investigational compound for PSP, as well
as details about the design of the ongoing Phase 2 PASSPORT study. PSP
is a rare neurodegenerative disease, considered to be a primary
tauopathy, characterized by rapidly progressing physical impairments,
such as difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking, as well as
cognitive/behavioral impairments, such as apathy and dementia. Data
for Biogen's investigation compound for PD, BIIB054, an
alpha-synuclein targeting antibody, include Phase 1 study results
demonstrating a favorable pharmacokinetics, as well as a safety and
tolerability profile which support further clinical development.
Highlights of Biogen's platform and poster presentations:
SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY
Platform Presentation
-
Longer-term Assessment of the Safety and Efficacy of Nusinersen for
the Treatment of Infantile-onset Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): An
Interim Analysis of the SHINE Study – Platform 003 – Tuesday, April
24, 5:51-5:54 p.m. PT
Posters
-
Evaluating Ambulatory Function and Fatigability in Children Treated
with Nusinersen – Poster P2.322 – Monday, April 23, 11:30 a.m.-7:00
p.m. PT -
Safety and Efficacy of Nusinersen in Infants/Children with Spinal
Muscular Atrophy (SMA): Part 1 of the Phase 2 EMBRACE Study – Poster
P2.324 – Monday, April 23, 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. PT -
Characterization of Later Childhood/Adult Spinal Muscle Atrophy
Patients and Their Transitions of Care Within U.S. Hospitals –
Poster P4.454 – Wednesday, April 25, 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. PT
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Platform Presentations
-
Serum Neurofilament Light (NfL): Towards a Blood Test for Prognosis
and Disease/Treatment Monitoring in Multiple Sclerosis Patients – Platform
S24.003 – Tuesday, April 24, 3:54-4:06 p.m. PT -
MRI and Relapse Results for ALKS 8700 in Patients with Relapsing
Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: 1-year Interim Results from the Phase 3
EVOLVE-MS-1 Study – Platform 006 – Tuesday, April 24, 5:45-7:00
p.m. PT -
Benchmarks of Cognitive Performance in a Large, Representative Patient
Population – Platform S44.007 – Thursday, April 26, 4:42-4:54 p.m.
PT
Posters
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Comparative Effectiveness of Dimethyl Fumarate Versus Fingolimod and
Teriflunomide on the Risk of Relapse in MS Patients Switching from
First-generation Platform Therapies in the US – Poster P1.374 –
Sunday, April 22, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. PT -
A Comparative Effectiveness Analysis Applying a 3-Way Propensity Score
Matching to Real-world Data from the MSBase Registry in Preparation
for a Cost-effectiveness Model: Patients Switching Within First-line
Agents or to Either Natalizumab or Fingolimod in Active
Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) – Poster P1.369 –
Sunday, April 22, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. PT -
A Cost-effectiveness Analysis Using Real-world Data from the MSBase
Registry: Comparing Natalizumab to Fingolimod in Patients with
Inadequate Response to Disease-modifying Therapies in
Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) in Scotland – Poster
P1.364 – Sunday, April 22, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. PT -
Comparison of Techniques for Measurement of Brain Volume in Multiple
Sclerosis Patients – Poster P3.354 – Tuesday, April 24, 11:30
a.m.-7:00 p.m. PT -
The Functional Brain Network Remains Stable in Natalizumab-treated
Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A One Year Study – Poster P3.369 –
Tuesday, April 24, 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. PT -
The Multiple Sclerosis Partners Advancing Technology and Health
Solutions (MS PATHS) Patient Cohort – Poster P4.381 – Wednesday,
April 25, 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. PT -
Natalizumab Extended Interval Dosing (EID) is Associated with a
Significant Reduction in Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
(PML) Risk Compared with Standard Interval Dosing (SID) in the TOUCH®
Prescribing Program – Poster P4.475 – Wednesday, April 25, 11:30
a.m.-7:00 p.m. PT -
Clinical Trial and Post-Marketing Reports Indicate No Increased Risk
of Herpes Zoster in Patients Treated with Delayed-release Dimethyl
Fumarate – Poster P5.362 – Thursday, April 26, 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
PT -
Real-world Strategies for Management of Gastrointestinal Events in
Patients Treated with Delayed-release Dimethyl Fumarate: EFFECT
Gastrointestinal Sub-study Results – Poster P5.345 – Thursday,
April 26, 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. PT -
Longer Duration of Natalizumab Exposure May Lessen Return of Disease
Activity Following a Switch from Natalizumab to an Oral Therapy:
Modelling Real-world Data from Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis
(RRMS) Patients in the TYSABRI® Observational Program (TOP)
– Poster P6.379 – Friday, April 27, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. PT -
Real-world Improvement Across Functional Systems (FS) in
Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) Patients Treated with
Natalizumab in the TYSABRI Observational Program (TOP) – Poster
P6.383 – Friday, April 27, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. PT
PIPELINE
Platform Presentations
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Aducanumab Titration Dosing Regimen: 24-Month Analysis from PRIME, a
Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 1b Study in
Patients with Prodromal or Mild Alzheimer's Disease – Platform
S2.003 – Sunday, April 22, 1:24-1:36 p.m. PT -
Aducanumab 36-Month Data from PRIME: A Randomized, Double-blind,
Placebo-controlled Phase 1b Study in Patients with Prodromal or Mild
Alzheimer's Disease – Platform S2.004 – Sunday, April 22, 1:36-1:48
p.m. PT -
Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Single Ascending Dose
Study of Anti-alpha-synuclein Antibody BIIB054 in Patients with
Parkinson's Disease – Platform S26.001 – Tuesday, April 24,
3:30-3:42 p.m. PT -
Multiple Ascending Dose Study of the Tau-directed Monoclonal Antibody
BMS-986168 in Patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy – Platform
S27.004 – Wednesday, April 25, 8:24-8:32 a.m. PT
Poster
-
Efficacy and Safety of BIIB092 in Patients with Progressive
Supranuclear Palsy: PASSPORT Phase 2 Study Design – Poster P6.073 –
Friday, April 27, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. PT
About SPINRAZA®
SPINRAZA is being
developed globally for the treatment of SMA.
SPINRAZA is an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), using Ionis
Pharmaceutical Inc.'s proprietary antisense technology, that is designed
to treat SMA caused by mutations or deletions in the SMN1 gene located
in chromosome 5q that leads to SMN protein deficiency. SPINRAZA alters
the splicing of SMN2 pre-mRNA in order to increase production of
full-length SMN protein.2Â ASOs are short synthetic strings of
nucleotides designed to selectively bind to target RNA and regulate gene
expression. Through use of this technology, SPINRAZA has the potential
to increase the amount of full-length SMN protein in individuals with
SMA.
SPINRAZA must be administered via intrathecal injection, which delivers
therapies directly to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around the spinal
cord,3Â where motor neurons degenerate in individuals with SMA
due to insufficient levels of SMN protein.4
SPINRAZA demonstrated a favorable benefit-risk profile. The most common
adverse reactions reported for SPINRAZA were upper respiratory
infection, lower respiratory infection, and constipation. Serious
adverse reactions of atelectasis were more frequent in SPINRAZA-treated
patients. Coagulation abnormalities and thrombocytopenia, including
acute severe thrombocytopenia, have been observed after administration
of some ASOs. Individuals may be at increased risk of bleeding
complications. Renal toxicity has been observed after administration of
some ASOs. SPINRAZA is present in and excreted by the kidney.
For additional important safety information, and the United States full
prescribing information, please visit www.spinraza.com or
your respective country's website.
About TECFIDERA®
TECFIDERA is an oral
therapy for relapsing forms of MS, including relapsing-remitting MS, the
most common form of MS. More than 310,000 patients have been treated
with TECFIDERA worldwide with over 540,000 patient-years of experience.5
TECFIDERA has been proven to reduce the rate of MS relapses, slow the
progression of disability, and impact the number of MS brain lesions,
while demonstrating a favorable benefit-risk profile in people with
relapsing forms of MS, notably newly diagnosed and early switch
populations.6Â In clinical trials, the most common adverse
events associated with TECFIDERA were flushing and gastrointestinal (GI)
events. Other side effects include a decrease in mean lymphocyte counts
during the first year of treatment, which then plateaued, and liver
function abnormalities, which resolved upon treatment discontinuation.
TECFIDERA is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity
to dimethyl fumarate or any of the excipients of TECFIDERA. Rare cases
of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare
opportunistic viral infection of the brain which has been associated
with death or severe disability, have been seen with TECFIDERA patients
in the setting of prolonged moderate to severe lymphopenia.
The efficacy and safety of TECFIDERA have been studied in a large,
global clinical program, which includes an ongoing long-term extension
study.
For additional important safety information, and the United States full
prescribing information, please visit www.tecfidera.com or
your respective country's website.
About TYSABRI®
TYSABRI is a disease
modifying therapy (DMT) approved in more than 80 countries including the
United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and Switzerland. In
the United States, TYSABRI is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment
of patients with relapsing forms of MS. In the European Union, it is
indicated as single disease modifying therapy in adults with highly
active relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) for patients with highly active
disease activity despite a full and adequate course of treatment with at
least one DMT or patients with rapidly evolving severe RRMS. TYSABRI is
proven effective, with over 10 years of experience in treating RRMS, and
more than 180,000 people treated worldwide and over 635,000
patient-years of experience.7
TYSABRI is a monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to α4-integrin
and is thought to interrupt the activity of inflammatory cells in MS
patients by blocking the interaction between α4β1-integrin and vascular
cell adhesion molecule-1. Disruption of these molecular interactions
prevents transmigration of leukocytes across the endothelium into
inflamed parenchymal tissue. The specific mechanism(s) by which TYSABRI
exerts its effects in MS have not been fully defined.
TYSABRI has advanced the treatment of MS patients with its proven
ability to slow the progression of disability, reduce relapse rates, and
impact the number of MRI brain lesions with a well-characterized safety
profile. Data from the Phase 3 AFFIRM trial, which was published in
the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that at two years, TYSABRI
treatment led to a 68 percent relative reduction (p<0.001) in the
annualized relapse rate when compared with placebo and reduced the
relative risk of disability progression by 42 to 54 percent (12-24-week
sustained respectively, both p<0.001). TYSABRI increases the risk of
PML, a rare opportunistic viral infection of the brain which has been
associated with death or severe disability. Risk factors that increase
the risk of PML are the presence of anti-JCV antibodies, prior
immunosuppressant use and longer TYSABRI treatment duration. Patients
who have all three risk factors have the highest risk of developing PML.
TYSABRI increases the risk of developing encephalitis and meningitis
caused by herpes simplex and varicella zoster viruses and clinically
significant liver injury has also been reported in the post-marketing
setting. Serious, life-threatening, and sometimes fatal cases have been
reported in the postmarketing setting in MS patients receiving TYSABRI.
Other serious adverse events that have occurred in TYSABRI-treated
patients include hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) and
infections, including opportunistic and other atypical infections.
Clinically significant liver injury has also been reported in the
post-marketing setting.
The overall benefit-risk profile of TYSABRI remains positive. For
additional important safety information and the full United States
prescribing information which includes a full list of adverse events,
please visit www.tysabri.com or
your respective country's website.
About Biogen
At Biogen, our mission is clear: we are
pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops, and delivers
worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious
neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. One of the world's first
global biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles
Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray and Nobel Prize winners Walter
Gilbert and Phillip Sharp, and today has the leading portfolio of
medicines to treat multiple sclerosis; has introduced the first and only
approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy; and is focused on
advancing neuroscience research programs in Alzheimer's disease and
dementia, multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology, movement disorders,
neuromuscular disorders, pain, ophthalmology, neuropsychiatry, and acute
neurology. Biogen also manufactures and commercializes biosimilars of
advanced biologics.
We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our
website at www.biogen.com.
To learn more, please visit www.biogen.com
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