New England Journal of Medicine Publishes Ipsen’s Somatuline® CLARINET® Phase III Results in Patients with Metastatic Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

The U.S. affiliate of Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) today announced that the New England Journal of Medicine has published clinical trial results showing that Somatuline® Autogel® / Somatuline® Depot® (lanreotide) Injection 120 mg (referred to as Somatuline®) achieved statistically significant prolongation of progression free survival (PFS) over placebo in patients with metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). CLARINET®, an investigational Phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the antiproliferative effects of Somatuline® was conducted in 48 centers across 14 countries. The article titled “Lanreotide in Metastatic Enteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors” is available online at NEJM.org and has been published in the July 17th edition (N. Engl. J. Med. 2014; 371: 224-233).

The data gathered from 204 GEP-NET patients over the 96-week study showed that placebo-treated patients had a median PFS of 18.0 months and 33.0% had not progressed or died at 96 weeks, whereas the median PFS for Somatuline® treated patients was not reached and 65.1% had not progressed or died at 96 weeks (stratified logrank test, p<0.001). This represented a 53% reduction in risk of disease progression or death based on a hazard ratio of 0.47 (95% CI: 0.30–0.73). These statistically and clinically significant antiproliferative effects of Somatuline® were observed in a large population of patients with grade G1 or G2 (World Health Organization classification) GEP-NETs, and independent of hepatic tumor volume (≤25% or >25%). Quality of life measures were not different between the Somatuline® and placebo groups. Safety data generated from the study are consistent with the known safety profile of Somatuline®.

“The CLARINET® data are compelling, since no similar GEP-NET progression free survival data exist for a somatostatin analog in such a large, multinational study population,” said Dr. Martyn Caplin, Professor of Gastroenterology & Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrinology, Royal Free Hospital (London, UK) and lead author and principal investigator of the CLARINET® study.

“The peer-reviewed publication of CLARINET® results in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights the robust data that showed an antiproliferative effect of Somatuline® in the treatment of GEP-NETs,” said Claude Bertrand, Executive Vice President R&D and Chief Scientific Officer. “Based on these significant results, Ipsen has initiated a worldwide registration program and on July 1st 2014, the submission of a Supplemental New Drug Application for Somatuline® for the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) to the U.S. FDA as well as Marketing Authorization variations in 25 countries of the European Union were announced.”

“This is potentially exciting news for physicians treating GEP-NETs, as the data showed anti-tumor activity and a delay in disease-progression in patients treated with Somatuline® Depot®,” said Dr. Alexandria Phan, CLARINET investigator, Director of GI Medical Oncology at Houston Methodist Cancer Center.

The data from CLARINET® is considered investigational, as Somatuline® is not indicated for anti-proliferative treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) in any market. Somatuline® is approved for treatment of symptoms associated with neuroendocrine tumors, which can include the treatment of GEP-NET patients experiencing symptoms from carcinoid syndrome, in many markets where it is marketed as Somatuline® Autogel®. Somatuline® is not approved in the U.S. to treat GEP-NETs or the symptoms thereof, where it is marketed as Somatuline® Depot® for acromegaly.

About CLARINET®

CLARINET® is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of lanreotide’s antiproliferative response in patients with enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00353496). This 96-week multinational study was conducted in collaboration with UK & Ireland Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (UKI NETS) and the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS).

A total of 204 patients from 48 centers across 14 countries with well or moderately differentiated non-functioning enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and a proliferation index (Ki67) of <10%, were randomized to treatment with Somatuline® Autogel® 120 mg (n=101) or placebo (n=103). At enrollment, primary tumor locations were pancreas (44%), midgut (36%), hindgut (7%) and unknown (13%). Most patients had stable disease (96%) and were treatment-naïve (84%). Thirty percent of patients had a Ki67 of 3%–≤10% (WHO grade 2) and 33% had an hepatic tumor load >25%.

The primary efficacy endpoint was time to either disease progression (centrally assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors, RECIST 1.0) or death. Two baseline computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed (the second one done 12 to 24 weeks after the first imaging test), followed by additional scans at 12-week intervals during the first year and 24-week intervals during the second year up to 96 weeks.

Safety data generated from the CLARINET® study were consistent with the known safety profile of Somatuline®. Similar proportions of each treatment group experienced adverse events (lanreotide, 88%; placebo, 90%). Most of these patients experienced mild (17% per group) or moderate events (lanreotide, 44%; placebo, 43%). One-half of the lanreotide group experienced treatment-related adverse events (vs. 28% with placebo), most commonly diarrhea (26% vs. 9%, respectively), followed by abdominal pain and cholelithiasis. Six patients experienced adverse events leading to withdrawal, three in each group, with only one considered by the investigator to be treatment-related in the Somatuline® group. Fifty-seven patients experienced 122 serious adverse events; eight were considered treatment-related (lanreotide, seven events; placebo, one event).

About gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are serious rare types of cancer. They constitute a heterogeneous group of tumors most often arising from cells in the gastrointestinal tract or the pancreas; although rare, their incidence has been on the rise (4-6 fold increase in the last 30 years). They have the ability to secrete functional amines and peptides and based on the type and amount of these bioactive substances in circulation, they can or cannot result in an identifiable hormonal clinical syndrome. GEP-NETs can be clinically silent for long periods of time, delaying the diagnosis until late presentation with hormonal related symptoms or with symptoms related to tumor mass effect such as intestinal obstruction or abdominal pain.

About Somatuline® Depot® in the United States

In the United States, Somatuline® Depot® is indicated for the long-term treatment of patients with acromegaly who have had an inadequate response to or cannot be treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy.

Somatuline® Depot® is not indicated for the treatment of GEP-NETs.

The active substance in Somatuline® Depot® is lanreotide acetate, a somatostatin analogue that inhibits the secretion of several endocrine, exocrine and paracrine functions.

Select Important Safety Information about Somatuline® Depot for Patients

Somatuline Depot may cause serious side effects including:

  • Gallstones
  • Changes in your blood sugar (high blood sugar or low blood sugar)
  • Slow heart rate
  • High blood pressure

The most common side effects of Somatuline Depot include diarrhea, gallstones, stomach area (abdominal) pain, nausea, and pain, itching, or a lump at the injection site.

These are not all the possible side effects of Somatuline Depot. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Before you receive Somatuline Depot, talk to your doctor about:

All of your medical conditions, including:

  • Gallbladder, thyroid, heart, kidney, or liver problems
  • Diabetes
  • Allergy to latex or natural dry rubber
  • Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant
    • It is not known if Somatuline Depot could harm your unborn baby
  • Breast-feeding or plans to breast-feed
    • It is not known if Somatuline Depot passes into breast milk

Any medicines (prescription and nonprescription) you are taking, including:

  • Insulin or other diabetes medicines
  • A cyclosporine (such as Gengraf™, Neoral®, or Sandimmune®)
  • A medicine called bromocriptine (such as Parlodel®)
  • Medicines that lower your heart rate (such as beta blockers)

While on Somatuline Depot:

  • Tell your doctor if you have sudden pain in your upper right stomach (abdominal) area or in your right shoulder or between your shoulder blades, or if you have yellowing of your skin and whites of your eyes, fever with chills, or nausea as these could be symptoms related to gallstones
  • If you have diabetes, test your blood sugar as your doctor tells you to. Your doctor may change your dose of diabetes medicine especially when you first start receiving Somatuline Depot or if your dose of Somatuline Depot changes.
  • Before each treatment, read the Patient Information that comes with each Somatuline Depot package as there may be new information. Talk with your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment. Your doctor is your primary source of information about treatment.

Please see the Patient Information for Somatuline Depot at http://somatulinedepot.com/assets/files/fpo_patient_pi.pdf

Select Important Safety Information about Somatuline® Depot for Healthcare Professionals

Contraindications

Somatuline is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to lanreotide or related peptides.

Warnings and Precautions

  • Somatuline may reduce gallbladder motility and lead to gallstone formation. Periodic monitoring may be needed
  • Patients may experience hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Glucose level monitoring is recommended and antidiabetic treatment adjusted accordingly
  • Somatuline may decrease heart rate. In cardiac studies, the most common cardiac adverse reactions were sinus bradycardia, bradycardia, and hypertension. Dose adjustment of coadministered drugs that decrease heart rate may be necessary
  • Somatuline may decrease bioavailability of cyclosporine. Cyclosporine dose may need to be adjusted

Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reactions (incidence >5%) were diarrhea (37%), cholelithiasis (20%), abdominal pain (19%), nausea (11%), injection-site reaction (9%), constipation (8%), flatulence (7%), headache (7%), arthralgia (7%), vomiting (7%), and loose stools (6%).

Use in Special Populations

Patients with moderate and severe renal impairment or moderate and severe hepatic impairment: Initial dose is 60 mg every 4 weeks.

Please see the full Prescribing Information for Somatuline Depot at http://somatulinedepot.com/pdf/pi_2013november.pdf

About Ipsen

Ipsen is a global specialty-driven pharmaceutical company with total sales exceeding €1.2 billion in 2013. Ipsen’s ambition is to become a leader in specialty healthcare solutions for targeted debilitating diseases. Its development strategy is supported by 3 franchises: neurology, endocrinology and urology-oncology. Moreover, the Group has an active policy of partnerships. Ipsen's R&D is focused on its innovative and differentiated technological platforms, peptides and toxins. In 2013, R&D expenditure totaled close to €260 million, representing more than 21% of Group sales. Ipsen also has a significant presence in primary care. The Group has close to 4,600 employees worldwide. Ipsen’s shares are traded on segment A of Euronext Paris (stock code: IPN, ISIN code: FR0010259150) and eligible to the “Service de Règlement Différé” (“SRD”). The Group is part of the SBF 120 index. Ipsen has implemented a Sponsored Level I American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program, which trade on the over-the-counter market in the United States under the symbol IPSEY. For more information on Ipsen, visit www.ipsen.com.

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Contacts:

Media:
Rob Kloppenburg
Vice President, North America, Communications
Tel.: 908-275-6388
E-mail: robert.kloppenburg@ipsen.com
or
Erinn White
HealthStar PR
Tel.: 917-769-2785
E-mail: ewhite@healthstarpr.com
or
Didier Véron
Senior Vice-Président, Public Affairs and Communication
Tel.: +33 (0)1 58 33 51 16
Fax: +33 (0)1 58 33 50 58
E-mail: didier.veron@ipsen.com
or
Brigitte Le Guennec
Media and Public Relations Manager
Tel.: +33 (0)1 58 33 51 17
Fax: +33 (0)1 58 33 50 58
E-mail: brigitte.le.guennec@ipsen.com
or
Financial Community:
Stéphane Durant des Aulnois
Investor Relations Director
Tel.: +33 (0)1 58 33 60 09
Fax: +33 (0)1 58 33 50 63
E-mail: stephane.durant.des.aulnois@ipsen.com
or
Thomas Peny-Coblentz
Investor Relations Deputy Director
Tel.: +33 (0)1 58 33 56 36
Fax: +33 (0)1 58 33 50 63
E-mail: thomas.peny-coblentz@ipsen.com

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