Category: Healthcare

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: EGRX) (“Eagle” or the “Company”) today announced that Scott Tarriff, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Brian Cahill, Chief Financial Officer, will present virtually at the 40^th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference as follows:

Date:						Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Time:						4:30PM ET
Webcast:						https://jpmorgan.metameetings.net/events/healthcare22/sessions/39965-eagle-pharmaceuticals/webcast?gpu_only=true&kiosk=true

 

The webcast of the presentation will be accessible for 30 days thereafter, via the Company’s website at www.eagleus.com, under the Investors section.

 

About Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Eagle is a fully integrated pharmaceutical company with research and development, clinical, manufacturing and commercial expertise. Eagle is committed to developing innovative medicines that result in meaningful improvements in patients’ lives. Eagle’s commercialized products include RYANODEX^®, BENDEKA^®, BELRAPZO^®, and its oncology and CNS/metabolic critical care pipeline includes product candidates with the potential to address underserved therapeutic areas across multiple disease states. Additional information is available on Eagle’s website at www.eagleus.com.

 

Contacts

Investor Relations for Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:
Lisa M. Wilson

In-Site Communications, Inc.

T: 212-452-2793

E: lwilson@insitecony.com

SOMERSET, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $LEGN–Legend Biotech Corporation (NASDAQ: LEGN) (“Legend Biotech”), a global, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing and manufacturing novel therapies, announced today that Dr. Ying Huang, Legend Biotech’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed as a director to Legend Biotech’s Board of Directors. Dr. Huang will serve as a Class I director.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Huang join our Board of Directors,” said Sally Wang, Chairwoman of Legend Biotech. “As Legend Biotech’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Huang has been instrumental to Legend Biotech’s progress to date, and his extensive knowledge of Legend Biotech will surely enhance our Board of Directors.”

 

Ying Huang, Ph.D., has served as Legend Biotech’s Chief Executive Officer since September 2020 and as its Chief Financial Officer since July 2019. Prior to joining Legend Biotech, Dr. Huang was a Managing Director and Head of Biotech Equity Research at BofA Securities, Inc. from August 2014 to July 2019, where he led a team of analysts covering more than 30 biotechnology companies including Amgen, Gilead, Celgene, Biogen and others that encompass a wide range of therapeutic areas. Dr. Huang became a biotechnology analyst in 2007 and worked at Wells Fargo (formerly Wachovia), Credit Suisse, Gleacher and Barclays before joining BofA Securities, Inc. Prior to his Wall Street career, Dr. Huang was a Principal Scientist at Schering-Plough (now Merck & Co.) in the Department of Chemical Research focusing on small molecule drug discovery in the therapeutic areas of cardiovascular and central nervous system. He is also the co-author of multiple patents and peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Huang holds a Ph.D. in Bio-organic Chemistry from Columbia University. Dr. Huang also studied at Columbia Business School and in the Special Class for the Gifted Young at the University of Science and Technology of China.

 

About Legend Biotech

Legend Biotech is a global, clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, T-cell receptor (TCR-T), and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. From our three R&D sites around the world, we apply these innovative technologies to pursue the discovery of safe, efficacious and cutting-edge therapeutics for patients worldwide.

 

We are currently engaged in a strategic collaboration to develop and commercialize our lead product candidate, ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), an investigational BCMA-targeted CAR-T cell therapy for patients living with multiple myeloma. Applications seeking approval of cilta-cel for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) are currently under regulatory review by several health authorities around the world, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.

Contacts

Investor Contacts:

Joanne Choi, Senior Manager of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, Legend Biotech

joanne.choi@legendbiotech.com

Crystal Chen, Manager of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, Legend Biotech

crystal.chen@legendbiotech.com

Press Contact:

Tina Carter, Corporate Communications Lead, Legend Biotech

tina.carter@legendbiotech.com or media@legendbiotech.com

• Adbry is the first biologic launched by LEO Pharma in the United States and is expected to be available in pharmacies by February 2022.
• Significantly more patients achieved the primary and key secondary endpoints of IGA 0/1, EASI-75, and itch as measured by NRS at Week 16 with Adbry vs placebo.¹
• There are an estimated 16.5 million adults in the U.S. living with atopic dermatitis, with approximately 6.6 million categorized as living with moderate-to-severe disease.²

 

MADISON, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — LEO Pharma Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Adbry^™ (tralokinumab-ldrm) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults 18 years or older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable. Adbry can be used with or without topical corticosteroids.¹ Adbry is the first and only FDA approved biologic that specifically binds to and inhibits the IL-13 cytokine, a key driver of atopic dermatitis signs and symptoms.^1,3,4

“Today’s FDA approval of Adbry is a major milestone for LEO Pharma and for the millions of people living with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who struggle to find effective control for this chronic and debilitating disease,” said Anders Kronborg, Chief Financial Officer and Acting Chief Executive Officer of LEO Pharma A/S. “As our first biologic in the U.S., Adbry signifies important progress in our mission of advancing the standard of care in medical dermatology.”

 

The approval of Adbry is based on safety and efficacy results from the ECZTRA 1, 2 and ECZTRA 3 pivotal Phase 3 trials, which included nearly 2,000 adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.¹ Safety data was evaluated from a pool of five randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, including ECZTRA 1, 2 and ECZTRA 3, a dose-finding trial, and a vaccine response trial.¹

 

In all three pivotal trials, Adbry 300 mg every other week alone or with topical corticosteroids (TCS) as needed met the primary endpoints at Week 16 as measured by an Investigator Global Assessment score of clear or almost clear skin (IGA 0/1) and/or at least a 75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index score (EASI-75), and the secondary endpoint of reduction of weekly average Worst Daily Pruritus NRS of ≥ 4 points on the 11-point itch NRS.¹

 

In clinical trials, the safety of Adbry was well established with an overall frequency of adverse events comparable with placebo.¹ The most common adverse events (incidence ≥1% and greater than placebo) were upper respiratory tract infections (mainly reported as common cold), conjunctivitis, injection site reactions, and eosinophilia.¹

 

“Atopic dermatitis can be severe and unpredictable, which makes it not only challenging for patients to achieve long-term disease control, but also for clinicians to treat, since there are limited treatment options for this burdensome chronic skin disease,” said Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor of Dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and tralokinumab clinical trial investigator. “Adbry will be an important addition to our therapeutic armamentarium as a treatment designed to specifically target and neutralize the IL-13 cytokine, thereby, helping patients manage their atopic dermatitis.”

 

Adbry will be available in a 150 mg/mL prefilled syringe for subcutaneous injection with an initial dose of 600 mg followed by 300 mg every other week. Adbry can be used with or without TCS. ¹ A dosage of 300 mg every four weeks may be considered for patients below 100 kg who achieve clear or almost clear skin after 16 weeks of treatment.¹

 

To help eligible patients have access to Adbry, LEO Pharma will introduce the Adbry^TM Advocate^TM Program to support U.S. patients at diagnosis and throughout treatment with Adbry. Details about the Adbry Advocate Program will be available at 1-844-MYADBRY (1-844-692-3279) or www.ADBRY.com.

 

“For people living with atopic dermatitis, the experience goes beyond the skin, often impacting important psychosocial aspects of their life,” said Julie Block, President and CEO of the National Eczema Association. “It’s exciting to see a new targeted therapeutic option for adult patients living with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Therapeutic advances like this provide much needed hope for those who may have spent years struggling to find an effective therapy to alleviate the burden of this disease.”

 

The FDA approval marks the fifth global regulatory approval for tralokinumab in 2021. Tralokinumab is marketed outside of the U.S. under the tradename Adtralza^® and is currently approved in the European Union, Great Britain, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.

 

About the pivotal ECZTRA 1, 2 and ECZTRA 3 Trials

ECZTRA 1 and ECZTRA 2 (ECZema TRAlokinumab trials Nos. 1 and 2) were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational 52-week trials, which included 802 and 794 adult patients, respectively, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Adbry (300 mg every other week) as monotherapy in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who were candidates for systemic therapy.⁵

 

• At Week 16, for the ECZTRA 1 and 2 monotherapy trials, respectively, 16% and 21% of patients treated with Adbry 300 mg every other week achieved clear or almost clear skin (IGA 0/1) vs 7% and 9% with placebo.¹
• At Week 16, for ECZTRA 1 and 2, respectively, 25% and 33% of patients treated with Adbry 300 mg every other week achieved an improvement of 75% or more in the Eczema Area and Severity Index score (EASI-75) vs 13% and 10% with placebo.¹
• Additionally, at Week 16, for ECZTRA 1 and 2, respectively, 20% and 25% of patients treated with Adbry 300 mg every other week achieved a reduction of ≥ 4 points in the weekly average Worst Daily Pruritus NRS vs 10% and 9% with placebo.¹
• At 52 weeks, 51% and 60% of patients who responded at Week 16 maintained IGA 0/1 response with Adbry 300 mg every other week in ECZTRA 1 and 2, respectively.¹
• At 52 weeks, 60% and 57% of patients who responded at Week 16 maintained EASI-75 response with Adbry 300 mg every other week in ECZTRA 1 and 2, respectively.¹

 

ECZTRA 3 (ECZema TRAlokinumab trial No. 3) was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multinational 32-week trial, which included 380 adult patients, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Adbry (300 mg) in combination with TCS as needed in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who are candidates for systemic therapy.⁶

 

In the ECZTRA 3 Adbry plus TCS as needed combination trial:

 

• At Week 16, 38% of patients treated with Adbry 300 mg every other week plus TCS achieved clear or almost clear skin (IGA 0/1) vs 27% with placebo plus TCS.¹
• At Week 16, 56% of patients treated with Adbry 300 mg every other week plus TCS achieved an improvement of 75% or more in the Eczema Area and Severity Index score (EASI-75) vs 37% with placebo plus TCS.¹
• Further, at Week 16, 46% of patients treated with Adbry 300 mg every other week plus TCS achieved a reduction of ≥4 points in the weekly average Worst Daily Pruritus NRS vs 35% with placebo plus TCS.¹
• At 32 weeks, 89% and 92% of patients who responded at Week 16 maintained response (IGA 0/1 and EASI-75, respectively) with Adbry 300 mg every other week.¹

 

About atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory, skin disease characterized by intense itch and eczematous lesions.⁷ Atopic dermatitis is the result of skin barrier dysfunction and immune dysregulation, leading to chronic inflammation.⁸ Type 2 cytokines, including IL-13, play a central role in the key aspects of atopic dermatitis pathophysiology.³

 

About Adbry^™ (tralokinumab-ldrm)

Adbry (tralokinumab-ldrm) is a human monoclonal antibody developed to specifically neutralize the IL-13 cytokine, which plays a key role in the immune and inflammatory processes underlying atopic dermatitis signs and symptoms. Adbry specifically binds to the IL-13 cytokine, thereby inhibiting interaction with the IL-13 receptor α1 and α2 subunits (IL-13Rα1 and IL-13Rα2).^3,4

 

INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is ADBRY?

• ADBRY^TM (tralokinumab-ldrm) injection is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. ADBRY can be used with or without topical corticosteroids.
• It is not known if ADBRY is safe and effective in children.

 

Do not use ADBRY if you are allergic to tralokinumab or to any of its ingredients.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before starting ADBRY?

Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have eye problems.
• have a parasitic (helminth) infection.
• are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a “live vaccine” if you are treated with ADBRY.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether ADBRY will harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether ADBRY passes into your breast milk and if it can harm your baby.

 

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

 

How should I use ADBRY?

• See the detailed “Instructions for Use” that comes with ADBRY for information on how to prepare and inject ADBRY and how to properly store and throw away (dispose of) used ADBRY prefilled syringes.
• Use ADBRY exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• Your healthcare provider will tell you how much ADBRY to inject and when to inject it.
• ADBRY comes as a single-dose (150 mg) prefilled syringe with needle guard.
• ADBRY is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection).
• If your healthcare provider decides that you or a caregiver can give the injection of ADBRY, you or your caregiver should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject ADBRY. Do not try to inject ADBRY until you have been shown the right way by your healthcare provider.
• If you miss a dose, inject the missed dose as soon as possible, then continue with your next dose at your regular scheduled time.
• If you inject more ADBRY than prescribed, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
• Your healthcare provider may prescribe other medicines to use with ADBRY. Use the other prescribed medicines exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.

 

What are the possible side effects of ADBRY?

ADBRY can cause serious side effects including:

• Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity), including a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis. Stop using ADBRY and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following symptoms:
  • breathing problems
  • itching
  • skin rash
  • swelling of the face, mouth, and tongue
  • fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure)
  • hives
• Eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision.

 

The most common side effects of ADBRY include:

• Eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching
• Injection site reactions
• High count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia)

These are not all the possible side effects of ADBRY. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please click here for full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information and Instructions for Use.

About LEO Pharma

LEO Pharma helps people achieve healthy skin. The company is a leader in medical dermatology with a robust R&D pipeline, a wide range of therapies and a pioneering spirit. Founded in 1908 and majority owned by the LEO Foundation, LEO Pharma has devoted decades of research and development to advance the science of dermatology, setting new standards of care for people with skin conditions. LEO Pharma is headquartered in Denmark with a global team of 6,000 people, serving 93 million patients in 130 countries. In 2020, the company generated net sales of DKK 10,133 million.

 

For more information, please visit www.LEO-Pharma.us.

Multimedia gallery available at LEOPharmaUSMedia.com.

Dr. Silverberg is a paid consultant for LEO Pharma.

 

References

1. Adbry™ (tralokinumab-ldrm) Prescribing Information. LEO Pharma; December 2021.
2. Chiesa Fuxench ZC, Block JK, Boguniewicz M, et al. Atopic Dermatitis in America Study: A Cross-Sectional Study Examining the Prevalence and Disease Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in the US Adult Population. J Invest Dermatol. 2019;139(3):583-590.
3. Bieber T. Interleukin-13: targeting an underestimated cytokine in atopic dermatitis. Allergy. 2020; 75:54-62.
4. Popovic B, et al.Structural characterisation reveals mechanism of IL-13-neutralising monoclonal antibody tralokinumab as inhibition of binding to IL-13Rα1 and IL-13Rα2. J Mol Biol. 2017; 429:208–19.
5. Wollenberg A, et al. Tralokinumab for moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis: results from two 52‐week, randomized, double‐blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled phase III trials (ECZTRA 1 and ECZTRA 2). Br J Dermatol. 2021. Mar;184(3):437-449.
6. Silverberg JI, et al. Tralokinumab plus topical corticosteroids for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis: results from the double‐blind, randomized, multicentre, placebo-controlled phase III ECZTRA 3 trial. Br J Dermatol. 2021. Mar;184(3):450-463.
7. Weidinger S, et al. Atopic dermatitis. Lancet. 2016;387:1109-1122.
8. Boguniewicz M, et al. Atopic dermatitis: a disease of altered skin barrier and immune dysregulation. Immunol Rev 2011;242(1):233-46.

MAT-42633 December 2021

Contacts

David Patti

LEO Pharma, Global Product Communications

973.796.7706

DAPAI@leo-pharma.com

The Companies Are Committed To Providing Timely Access to Molnupiravir Through Comprehensive Supply and Access Approach

 

KENILWORTH, N.J. & MIAMI — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $MRK #MRK–Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for molnupiravir, an investigational oral antiviral (MK-4482, EIDD-2801). Molnupiravir has not been approved, but has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an EUA to treat mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death, and for whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options authorized by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate. Molnupiravir is not authorized for use in patients who are less than 18 years of age, for initiation of treatment in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19, for use for longer than five consecutive days, or for pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID-19.

“The FDA Emergency Use Authorization of molnupiravir is an important milestone in the fight against COVID-19, and adds to Merck’s legacy of bringing forward innovative medicines that both address the world’s greatest health threats and help save lives. Because we recognized the promise of molnupiravir early, Merck invested at risk and we are executing an unprecedented global access strategy so that molnupiravir, now authorized, can be available to patients here in the U.S. and all around the world more quickly and more equitably than has ever been accomplished before,” said Robert M. Davis, chief executive officer and president, Merck.

 

Molnupiravir should be administered as soon as possible after a diagnosis of COVID-19 has been made, and within five days of symptom onset. The recommended dose for molnupiravir is 800 mg (four 200 mg capsules) taken orally every 12 hours for five days, with or without food. Completion of the full five-day treatment course is important to maximize viral clearance and minimize transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

 

Molnupiravir is not recommended for use in patients who are pregnant. Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, molnupiravir may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant individuals. There are no available human data on the use of molnupiravir in pregnant individuals to evaluate the risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Before initiating treatment with molnupiravir, it should be assessed whether an individual of childbearing potential is pregnant or not, if clinically indicated. Females of childbearing potential should use a reliable method of contraception correctly and consistently, as applicable, for the duration of treatment and for four days after the last dose of molnupiravir. Males of reproductive potential who are sexually active with females of childbearing potential should use a reliable method of contraception correctly and consistently during treatment and for at least three months after the last dose. There is a pregnancy surveillance program that monitors pregnancy outcomes in individuals exposed to molnupiravir during pregnancy. Patients exposed to molnupiravir during pregnancy should report the exposure by contacting Merck by phone at 1-877-888-4231, or online at pregnancyreporting.msd.com. For more information, see “Selected Safety Information” below.

 

The authorization is based on the Phase 3 MOVe-OUT trial, which evaluated molnupiravir 800 mg twice-daily in non-hospitalized adult patients who were unvaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, had laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptom onset within five days of study randomization, and at least one risk factor associated with poor disease outcomes (e.g., heart disease, diabetes).

 

In analyses from all randomized patients (n=1433), molnupiravir reduced the risk of hospitalization or death: 9.7% (68/699) of patients in the placebo group were hospitalized or died compared to 6.8% (48/709) of patients who received molnupiravir, for an absolute risk reduction of 3.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1, 5.9). Nine deaths were reported in the placebo group, and one in the molnupiravir group.

 

The determination of primary efficacy was based on a planned interim analysis of 762 subjects. At the interim analysis, treatment with molnupiravir significantly reduced hospitalizations and death through Day 29 following randomization: 14.1% (53/377) of patients in the placebo group were hospitalized or died, compared to 7.3% (28/385) of patients who received molnupiravir. The absolute risk reduction between the molnupiravir and the placebo arm was 6.8 percentage points (95% CI: 2.4, 11.3; p=0.0024).

 

In the clinical study, the most common adverse reactions for molnupiravir (incidence ≥1%) were diarrhea (2% for molnupiravir, 2% for placebo), nausea (1% for molnupiravir, 1% for placebo) and dizziness (1% for molnupiravir, 1% for placebo). Discontinuation of study intervention due to an adverse event (AE) occurred in 1% of subjects receiving molnupiravir and 3% of subjects receiving placebo. Serious AEs occurred in 7% of subjects receiving molnupiravir and 10% receiving placebo; most serious AEs were COVID-19 related.

 

“Based on the strong science behind molnupiravir – a single oral medicine that interrupts replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with data demonstrating a significant reduction in the risk of hospitalizations and deaths – molnupiravir has the potential to become an important tool for healthcare professionals and appropriate patients,” said Dr. Dean Y. Li, president, Merck Research Laboratories. “We are immensely grateful to all of our collaborators, including trial patients and clinical investigators, for their important contributions to this milestone.”

 

Merck anticipates that it will begin shipping molnupiravir to AmerisourceBergen, the sole distributor of molnupiravir, within days. As previously announced, Merck entered into a procurement agreement with the U.S. Government under which, to date, the company has agreed to supply approximately 3.1 million courses of molnupiravir to the U.S. Government, upon EUA from the FDA.

 

“Before the virus that caused this tragic pandemic had a name, the team at Ridgeback saw the need for urgent action. We joined with George Painter, Drug Research Innovations at Emory (DRIVE) and Merck with the hope of taking molnupiravir from a dream to the reality we see today,” said Wendy Holman, chief executive officer, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. “There is now a prescription oral antiviral, molnupiravir, for use by appropriate high-risk patients, that can be taken at home, as soon as possible after an appropriate patient tests positive for COVID-19, to help reduce the risk of hospitalization or death. It’s an oral therapeutic option with no known drug-drug interactions and without required dose modifications for those with impaired kidney or liver function. We are thrilled this tremendous global collaboration between Ridgeback, Merck and DRIVE has fulfilled our hopes of bringing forward an oral medicine to help keep people out of the hospital and alive.”

 

Molnupiravir is also being evaluated for post-exposure prophylaxis in MOVe-AHEAD, a global, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study, which is evaluating the efficacy and safety of molnupiravir in preventing the spread of COVID-19 within households. Molnupiravir is not authorized for pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID-19.

 

An EUA is an FDA authorization for the emergency use of an unapproved product or unapproved use of an approved product in the U.S. under certain circumstances, including a public health emergency. Molnupiravir is an investigational treatment and is still under review by the FDA.

 

Recently, the FDA Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee (AMDAC) voted that the known and potential benefits of molnupiravir outweigh its known and potential risks for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in high risk adult patients who are within five days of symptom onset. Molnupiravir has received conditional marketing authorization in the United Kingdom for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults with a positive SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test and who have at least one risk factor for developing severe illness. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued a positive scientific opinion for molnupiravir under Article 5.3 Regulation 726/2004, which is intended to support national decision-making on the possible use of molnupiravir prior to marketing authorization. Applications to other regulatory bodies worldwide are underway.

 

About Merck’s Global Efforts to Accelerate Access to Molnupiravir Following Regulatory Authorizations or Approvals

Global access has been a priority for Merck and Ridgeback since the inception of their molnupiravir collaboration. The companies are committed to providing timely access to molnupiravir globally through our comprehensive supply and access approach, which includes investing at risk to produce millions of courses of therapy; tiered pricing based on the ability of governments to finance health care; entering into supply agreements with governments; and granting voluntary licenses to generic manufacturers and to the Medicines Patent Pool to make generic molnupiravir available in more than 100 low- and middle-income countries following local regulatory authorizations or approvals.

 

Supply: In anticipation of the results from MOVe-OUT and the potential for regulatory authorization or approval, Merck has been producing molnupiravir at risk and expects to produce 10 million courses of treatment by the end of 2021, with at least 20 million courses to be produced in 2022.

 

Supply agreements: Merck entered into a procurement agreement with the U.S. Government under which the company will supply approximately 3.1 million courses of molnupiravir to the U.S. Government, upon Emergency Use Authorization or approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Merck has entered into advance purchase and supply agreements for molnupiravir with the governments of over 30 countries worldwide, including Australia, Canada, Korea, Japan, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States, pending regulatory authorizations, and is currently in discussions with additional governments. Merck plans to implement a tiered pricing approach based on World Bank country income criteria to reflect countries’ relative ability to finance their health response to the pandemic. In the United States, the purchase was funded with federal funds from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, under contract number W911QY-21-C-0031.

 

Voluntary licenses: As part of its commitment to widespread global access, Merck previously announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool to increase broad access for molnupiravir in low- and middle-income countries. Additionally, Merck previously announced that the company has entered into non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements for molnupiravir with established generic manufacturers to accelerate availability of molnupiravir in more than 100 low- and middle-income countries following approvals or emergency authorization by local regulatory agencies.

 

Merck continues to discuss additional measures and collaborations to accelerate broad, global access to molnupiravir.

 

Authorized Use of Molnupiravir

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an EUA for the emergency use of the unapproved molnupiravir, a nucleoside analogue that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication by viral mutagenesis, for the treatment of mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death, and for whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options authorized by FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate. Molnupiravir is not FDA-approved for any use including for use for the treatment of COVID-19. Prior to initiating treatment with molnupiravir, carefully consider the known and potential risks and benefits.

 

Molnupiravir is authorized only for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of molnupiravir under section 564(b)(1) of the Federal, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.

 

Molnupiravir is not authorized for use in patients less than 18 years of age or who are hospitalized due to COVID-19. Benefit of treatment with molnupiravir has not been observed in subjects when treatment was initiated after hospitalization due to COVID-19. Molnupiravir is not authorized for use for longer than five consecutive days. Molnupiravir is not authorized for pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID-19. Molnupiravir may only be prescribed for an individual patient by physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants that are licensed or authorized under state law to prescribe drugs in the therapeutic class to which molnupiravir belongs (i.e., anti-infectives).

 

Selected Safety Information for Molnupiravir

Contraindications

No contraindications have been identified based on the limited available data on the emergency use of molnupiravir authorized under this EUA.

 

Warnings and Precautions

There are limited clinical data available for molnupiravir. Serious and unexpected adverse events may occur that have not been previously reported with molnupiravir use.

 

Molnupiravir is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, molnupiravir may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant individuals. There are no available human data on the use of molnupiravir in pregnant individuals to evaluate the risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

 

Molnupiravir is authorized to be prescribed to a pregnant individual only after the healthcare provider has determined that the benefits would outweigh the risks for that individual patient. If the decision is made to use molnupiravir during pregnancy, the prescribing healthcare provider must document that the that the known and potential benefits and the potential risks of using molnupiravir during pregnancy were communicated to the pregnant individual.

 

There is a pregnancy surveillance program that monitors pregnancy outcomes in individuals exposed to molnupiravir during pregnancy. The prescribing healthcare provider must document that a pregnant individual was made aware of Merck’s pregnancy surveillance program at 1-877-888-4231 or pregnancyreporting.msd.com. If the pregnant individual agrees to participate in the pregnancy surveillance program and allows the prescribing healthcare provider to disclose patient specific information to Merck, the prescribing healthcare provider must provide the patient’s name and contact information to Merck. Pregnant individuals exposed to molnupiravir can also report the exposure by contacting Merck at 1-877-888-4231 or pregnancyreporting.msd.com.

 

Advise individuals of childbearing potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use an effective method of contraception correctly and consistently during treatment with molnupiravir and for 4 days after the final dose.

 

Prior to initiating treatment with molnupiravir, assess whether an individual of childbearing potential is pregnant or not, if clinically indicated.

 

Molnupiravir is not authorized for use in patients less than 18 years of age because it may affect bone and cartilage growth. The safety and efficacy of molnupiravir have not been established in pediatric patients.

 

Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥1% of subjects in the molnupiravir treatment group in the Phase 3 double-blind MOVe-OUT study were diarrhea (2% versus placebo at 2%), nausea (1% versus placebo at 1%), and dizziness (1% versus placebo at 1%) all of which were Grade 1 (mild) or Grade 2 (moderate).

 

Serious adverse events occurred in 7% of subjects receiving molnupiravir and 10% receiving placebo; most serious adverse events were COVID-19 related. Adverse events leading to death occurred in 2 (<1%) of the subjects receiving molnupiravir and 12 (2%) of subjects receiving placebo.

 

Drug Interactions

No drug interactions have been identified based on the limited available data on the emergency use of molnupiravir. No clinical drug-drug interaction trials of molnupiravir with concomitant medications, including other treatments for mild to moderate COVID-19, have been conducted.

 

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

There are no data on the presence of molnupiravir or its metabolites in human milk. It is unknown whether molnupiravir has an effect on the breastfed infant or effects on milk production. Based on the potential for adverse reactions in the infant from molnupiravir, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with molnupiravir and for 4 days after the final dose. A lactating individual may consider interrupting breastfeeding and may consider pumping and discarding breast milk during treatment and for 4 days after the last dose of molnupiravir.

 

Males of Reproductive Potential

Nonclinical studies to fully assess the potential for molnupiravir to affect offspring of treated males have not been completed. Advise sexually active individuals with partners of childbearing potential to use a reliable method of contraception correctly and consistently during treatment and for at least 3 months after last dose of molnupiravir. The risk beyond three months after the last dose of molnupiravir is unknown.

 

Required Reporting for Serious Adverse Events and Medication Errors

The prescribing healthcare provider and/or the provider’s designee are/is responsible for mandatory reporting of all serious adverse events and medication errors potentially related to molnupiravir within 7 calendar days from the healthcare provider’s awareness of the event.

 

Submit adverse event and medication error reports, using FDA Form 3500, to FDA MedWatch using one of the following methods:

 

• Complete and submit the report online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
• Complete and submit a postage-paid FDA Form 3500 (https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download) and return by:
  • Mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or
  • Fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
• Call 1-800-FDA-1088 to request a reporting form

 

In addition, please provide a copy of all FDA MedWatch forms to:

 

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA by:

Fax: 215-616-5677

E-mail: dpoc.usa@merck.com

 

About Molnupiravir

Molnupiravir (MK-4482 and EIDD-2801) is an investigational, orally administered nucleoside analogue that inhibits replication of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Merck and Ridgeback’s “orange COVID-19 pill” is a Swedish Orange opaque capsule with the Merck corporate logo and “82” printed in white ink, available in certain markets outside of the U.S. as LAGEVRIO^®.

 

Results from the Phase 3 MOVe-OUT study demonstrated the efficacy benefit of molnupiravir treatment was generally consistent across patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, Delta, Gamma and Mu. Preliminary preclinical data has shown that molnupiravir has antiviral activity against the newly identified variant, Omicron (B1.1.529). Molnupiravir has yet to be evaluated against Omicron in clinical studies.

 

Molnupiravir was invented at Emory University. Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory (DRIVE), LLC, which was formed by Emory to develop early-stage drug candidates for viral diseases of global concern, advanced molnupiravir through IND submission. Emory/DRIVE received some research funding from the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Molnupiravir is being developed by Merck in collaboration with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. Ridgeback received an upfront payment from Merck and also is eligible to receive contingent payments dependent upon the achievement of certain developmental and regulatory approval milestones. Any profits from the collaboration will be split between the partners equally. Since licensed by Ridgeback, all funds used for the development of molnupiravir have been provided by Merck and Ridgeback.

 

Please visit the Merck media library for molnupiravir images and b-roll.

 

About Ridgeback Biotherapeutics

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP is a biotechnology company focused on emerging infectious diseases. Ridgeback markets Ebanga™ for the treatment of Ebola and has a late-stage development pipeline which includes molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19. The team at Ridgeback is dedicated to developing life-saving and life-changing solutions for patients and diseases that need champions as well as providing global access to these medicines. In line with Ridgeback’s mission for equitable global access, all Ridgeback services and treatment for Ebola patients in Africa are delivered free of charge.

 

About Merck

For over 130 years, Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives. We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals – including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases – as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

 

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA.

This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline candidates that the candidates will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

 

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of the global outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19); the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

Contacts

Media:

Melissa Moody

(215) 407-3536

Courtney Ronaldo

(908) 740-6132

Ridgeback Media:

Chrissy Carvalho

Chrissy@goldin.com

Investors:

Peter Dannenbaum

(908) 740-1037

Raychel Kruper

(908) 740-2107

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PARSIPPANY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $ZTS #JPM22—Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS) will participate in the 40^th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Kristin Peck, Chief Executive Officer, will represent the company and respond to questions from analysts. She is scheduled to present at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Investors and other interested parties will be able to access a live audio webcast of the virtual presentation by visiting http://investor.zoetis.com/events-presentations. A replay of the presentation will also be available on the Zoetis website at the conclusion of the event.

 

About Zoetis

As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After nearly 70 years innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide — from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $6.7 billion in 2020 with approximately 11,300 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.

 

ZTS-CORP

ZTS-IR

Contacts

Media

Bill Price

1-973-443-2742 (o)

william.price@zoetis.com

Kristen Seely

1-973-443-2777 (o)

kristen.seely@zoetis.com

Investor
Steve Frank

1-973-822-7141 (o)

steve.frank@zoetis.com

Keith Gaub

1-973-822-7154 (o)

keith.gaub@zoetis.com