Sanofi : FDA to review isatuximab as a potential treatment for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the Biologics License Application (BLA) for isatuximab for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). The target action date for the FDA decision is April 30, 2020. Isatuximab is an investigational monoclonal antibody that targets a specific epitope on the CD38 receptor of a plasma cell.

The BLA is based on positive results from ICARIA-MM, an open-label pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of isatuximab in patients with RRMM. ICARIA-MM is the first positive randomized Phase 3 trial to evaluate an antibody in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone. Results from this trial were presented at the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting and the 2019 European Society of Hematology Annual Meeting.

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy1, affecting more than 138,0002 people worldwide. Multiple myeloma results in significant disease burden. Patients with multiple myeloma continue to relapse over time making it a difficult to treat and incurable malignancy.

Isatuximab targets a specific epitope on the CD38 receptor. It is designed to trigger multiple, distinct mechanisms of action that are believed to directly promote programmed tumor cell death (apoptosis) and immunomodulatory activity.

Isatuximab received orphan designation for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma from both the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and in the second quarter of 2019 the EMA accepted for review the Marketing Authorization Application.

Isatuximab is currently being evaluated in multiple ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials in combination with current standard treatments for people with relapsed/refractory or newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma. It is also under investigation for the treatment of other hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Isatuximab is an investigational agent and its safety and efficacy have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.