FDA Accepts New Drug Application for VX-445 (Elexacaftor), Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor Combination Treatment

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted its New Drug Application (NDA) for the VX-445 (elexacaftor), tezacaftor and ivacaftor triple combination regimen. The FDA has granted Priority Review of the NDA and assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of March 19, 2020. The submission was supported by previously disclosed positive results of two global Phase 3 studies in people with cystic fibrosis (CF): a 24-week Phase 3 study in people with one F508del mutation and one minimal function mutation and a 4-week Phase 3 study in people with two F508del mutations. Both Phase 3 studies showed statistically significant improvements in lung function (percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second; ppFEV1), which was the primary endpoint, and in all key secondary endpoints. In these studies, the triple combination regimen was generally well tolerated.

“If approved, the VX-445 (elexacaftor), tezacaftor and ivacaftor triple combination regimen would be a significant advance in CF treatment as the first CFTR modulator for those with one F508del mutation and one minimal function mutation, and bring additional benefit to patients with two F508del mutations,” said Reshma Kewalramani, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Vertex. “Our goal is to provide medicines that treat the underlying cause of CF to the vast majority of people with CF. We share a sense of urgency with people with CF, caregivers and clinicians to rapidly deliver innovative CF medicines to those waiting, and we look forward to working with the agency as they review the application over the course of the coming months.”