– Columvi, in combination with chemotherapy, demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival for people with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma –
– Data from the STARGLO study will be submitted to health authorities and presented at an upcoming medical meeting –
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), announced today the Phase III STARGLO study met its primary endpoint of overall survival. The study demonstrated that people with relapsed or refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), who have received at least one prior line of therapy and are not candidates for autologous stem cell transplant, lived longer when treated with Columvi® (glofitamab-gxbm) in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GemOx) versus Rituxan® (rituximab) in combination with GemOx. Safety of the combination appeared consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual medicines. The data will be submitted to health authorities and shared at an upcoming medical meeting.
“People with this aggressive lymphoma facing relapse or progression after initial treatment have limited options – particularly those who are ineligible for stem cell transplant,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., Genentech’s chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. “Building on Columvi’s established benefits, these data demonstrate the potential of this combination regimen to improve survival outcomes in earlier lines of treatment.”
Columvi was the first fixed-duration bispecific antibody to receive accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and conditional marketing authorization from the European Commission to treat people with R/R DLBCL after two or more lines of systemic therapy. These approvals were based on positive results of Columvi as a monotherapy from the pivotal Phase I/II NP30179 study in patients with R/R DLBCL who had previously received two or more prior treatments.
Columvi is a CD20xCD3 T-cell engaging bispecific antibody designed to be off-the-shelf and ready for infusion, so patients can start treatment soon after diagnosis. This is particularly important for patients with highly aggressive disease who are at risk of rapid disease progression. Columvi is given as a fixed-duration treatment, offering people with R/R DLBCL who have failed two or more lines of therapy a treatment end date and the possibility of a treatment-free period, unlike continuous treatments.
About the STARGLO Study
The STARGLO study [GO41944; NCT04408638] is a Phase III, multicenter, open-label, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Columvi® (glofitamab-gxbm) in combination with gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin (GemOx) versus Rituxan® (rituximab) in combination with GemOx in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who have received at least one prior line of therapy and who are not candidates for autologous stem cell transplant. Outcome measures include overall survival (primary endpoint), progression-free survival, complete response rate, objective response rate, duration of objective response (secondary endpoints), and safety and tolerability.
About Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive (fast-growing) blood cancer and is the most common form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) in the U.S. While many people with DLBCL are responsive to treatment, the majority of those who relapse or are refractory to subsequent treatments have poor outcomes. DLBCL not otherwise specified is the most common category of large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) and accounts for about 80% or more of cases. It applies to cases that do not fall into any specific disease subgroups of LBCL.
About Columvi® (glofitamab-gxbm)
Columvi is a CD20xCD3 T-cell engaging bispecific antibody designed to target CD3 on the surface of T cells and CD20 on the surface of B cells. Columvi was designed with a novel 2:1 structural format. This T-cell engaging bispecific antibody is engineered to have one region that binds to CD3, a protein on T cells, a type of immune cell, and two regions that bind to CD20, a protein on B cells, which can be healthy or malignant. This dual-targeting brings the T cell in close proximity to the B cell, activating the release of cancer cell-killing proteins from the T cell. A clinical development program for Columvi is ongoing, investigating the molecule as a monotherapy and in combination with other medicines for the treatment of people with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and other blood cancers.
Columvi U.S. Indication
Columvi (glofitamab-gxbm) is a prescription medicine to treat adults with certain types of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) that has come back (relapsed) or that did not respond to previous treatment (refractory), and who have received 2 or more prior treatments for their cancer.
It is not known if Columvi is safe and effective in children.
The conditional approval of Columvi is based on response rate and durability of response. There are ongoing studies to establish how well the drug works.
What is the most important information I should know about Columvi?
Columvi can cause Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), a serious side effect that is common during treatment with Columvi, and can also be serious and lead to death.
Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of CRS, including:
- fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- chills or shaking
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- dizziness or light-headedness
- trouble breathing
- shortness of breath
Due to the risk of CRS, you will receive Columvi on a “step-up dosing schedule”.
- A single dose of a medicine called obinutuzumab will be given to you on the first day of your first treatment cycle (Day 1 of Cycle 1).
- You will start the Columvi step-up dosing schedule a week after the obinutuzumab dose. The step-up dosing schedule is when you receive smaller “step-up” doses of Columvi on Day 8 and Day 15 of Cycle 1. This is to help reduce your risk of CRS. You should be hospitalized during your infusion and for 24 hours after receiving the first step-up dose on Day 8. You should be hospitalized during your infusion and for 24 hours after receiving the second step-up dose on Day 15 if you experienced CRS during the first step-up dose.
- You will receive your first full dose of Columvi a week after the second step-up dose (this will be Day 1 of Cycle 2).
- If your dose of Columvi is delayed for any reason, you may need to repeat the “step-up dosing schedule”.
- If you had more than mild CRS with your previous dose of Columvi, you should be hospitalized during and for 24 hours after receiving your next dose of Columvi.
- Before each dose of Columvi, you will receive medicines to help reduce your risk of CRS and infusion-related reactions.
Your healthcare provider will monitor you for CRS during treatment with Columvi and may treat you in a hospital if you develop signs and symptoms of CRS. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or completely stop your treatment with Columvi if you have severe side effects.
Carry the Columvi Patient Wallet Card with you at all times and show it to all of your healthcare providers. The Columvi Patient Wallet Card lists the signs and symptoms of CRS you should get emergency medical help for right away.
What are the possible side effects of Columvi?
Columvi may cause serious side effects, including:
- Cytokine Release Syndrome.
-
Neurologic problems. Columvi can cause serious neurologic problems that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for neurologic problems during treatment with Columvi. Your healthcare provider may also refer you to a healthcare provider who specializes in neurologic problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of neurologic problems, including:
- headache
- confusion and disorientation
- difficulty paying attention or understanding things
- trouble speaking
- sleepiness
- memory problems
- numbness, tingling, or weakness of the hands or feet
- dizziness
- shaking (tremors)
- Serious Infections. Columvi can cause serious infections that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for signs and symptoms of infection and treat you as needed. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs of an infection, including: fever, chills, weakness, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat.
-
Growth in your tumor or worsening of tumor related problems (tumor flare). Tell your healthcare provider if you get any of these signs or symptoms of tumor flare:
- tender or swollen lymph nodes
- pain or swelling at the site of the tumor
- chest pain
- cough
- trouble breathing
The most common side effects of Columvi include: CRS, muscle and bone pain, rash, and tiredness.
The most common severe abnormal lab test results with Columvi include: decreased white blood cells, decreased phosphate (an electrolyte), increased uric acid levels, and decreased fibrinogen (a protein that helps with blood clotting).
Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or completely stop treatment with Columvi if you develop certain side effects.
Before receiving Columvi, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have an infection
- have kidney problems
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Columvi may harm your unborn baby
-
Females who are able to become pregnant:
- Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with Columvi.
- You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 1 month after your last dose of Columvi. Talk to your healthcare provider about what birth control method is right for you during this time.
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with Columvi.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Columvi may pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 month after your last dose of Columvi.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What should I avoid while receiving Columvi?
Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities if you develop dizziness, confusion, shaking (tremors), sleepiness, or any other symptoms that impair consciousness until your signs and symptoms go away. These may be signs and symptoms of neurologic problems.
These are not all the possible side effects of Columvi. Talk to your health care provider for more information about the benefits and risks of Columvi.
You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.
Please see Important Safety Information, including Serious Side Effects, as well as the Columvi full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide or visit https://www.Columvi.com.
About Genentech in Hematology
For more than 20 years, Genentech has been developing medicines with the goal to redefine treatment in hematology. Today, we’re investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options to people with diseases of the blood. For more information visit http://www.gene.com/hematology.
About Genentech
Founded more than 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Kristen Ingram, (650) 467-6800
Advocacy Contact:
Cem Mangir, (202) 251-4037
Investor Contacts:
Loren Kalm, (650) 225-3217
Bruno Eschli, 011 41 61 687 5284