Dupixent® (dupilumab) Phase 3 Data at Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis Conference Show Significant Improvement in Severe Atopic Dermatitis for Children Aged 6 to 11 Years

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Apr 03, 2020, 00:59 ET

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, April 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

Patients who added Dupixent to topical corticosteroids improved skin clearance; average overall disease improved by approximately 80% based on mean EASI score

Data further reinforce consistent safety and tolerability profile observed across adult and adolescent atopic dermatitis trials, including a numerically lower rate of skin infections compared to placebo

Expanded Dupixent indication in children aged 6 to 11 years currently under Priority Review with the FDA; decision expected by May 26, 2020

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced detailed positive results from a pivotal Phase 3 trial evaluating Dupixent^® (dupilumab) for children aged 6 to 11 years with uncontrolled severe atopic dermatitis. In the trial, Dupixent combined with standard-of-care topical corticosteroids (TCS) significantly improved disease signs, symptoms and health-related quality of life in these children. Detailed results will be presented during a session at the 2020 Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis (RAD) Virtual Conference on April 5. The companies previously announced topline positive results of this trial in August 2019.

"In my practice, I see children with severe atopic dermatitis struggling with intense, persistent itching and skin lesions covering much of their body, and caregivers who are desperate for additional treatment options that can help control this disease," said Amy S. Paller, M.D, Walter J. Hamlin Professor and Chair of Dermatology and Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and principal investigator of the trial. "Data from the Phase 3 trial in children aged 6 to 11 adds to the established efficacy and safety data in adults and adolescents, and provides hope to physicians and families for a potential new treatment option for children with this chronic disease."

Data to be presented at RAD show that at 16 weeks, nearly three times as many children achieved clear or almost clear skin when treated with Dupixent and TCS, and more than two-thirds experienced at least a 75% overall improvement of their disease compared to TCS alone. Additionally, more than three times as many children experienced a significant reduction in itch with Dupixent and TCS, compared to TCS alone. Itch is often described as the most burdensome symptom of atopic dermatitis. Improvements in itch and disease severity were observed with Dupixent as early as two weeks after the first dose and continued throughout active treatment.

Dupixent is a fully-human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) proteins. Data from Dupixent clinical trials have shown that IL-4 and IL-13 are key drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in atopic dermatitis, asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). Across all approved indications in the U.S., more than 100,000 patients have started treatment with Dupixent.

The results from the Phase 3 pediatric trial are currently being reviewed by regulatory authorities, including in the U.S., EU and Canada. In the U.S., the supplemental Biologics License Application for children aged 6 to 11 years is currently under Priority Review, with a target action date of May 26, 2020. There are currently no biologic medicines approved for children with severe atopic dermatitis. In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to review Dupixent for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis in children 6 months to 11 years of age not well controlled on topical prescription medications. Dupixent is also being studied in a Phase 3 trial for children with uncontrolled persistent asthma, with results expected later this year. The safety and efficacy of Dupixent in these pediatric populations have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.

The virtual late-breaking presentation at RAD included the following data:
The Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Dupixent combined with TCS in 367 children with severe atopic dermatitis that covered on average 60% of their skin. More than 90% of children in the trial had a history of at least one atopic comorbidity, including asthma (nearly 50%).

Results at 16 weeks showed:

33% of patients who received Dupixent every four weeks (300 mg, regardless of weight) and 30% of patients who received Dupixent every two weeks (100 mg or 200 mg, based on weight) achieved clear or almost clear skin (Investigator's Global Assessment or IGA), compared to 11% for TCS alone (p<0.0001 and p=0.0004, respectively), the primary endpoint in the U.S.
70% of patients who received Dupixent every four weeks and 67% of patients who received Dupixent every two weeks achieved EASI-75 (Eczema Area and Severity Index-75), compared to 27% for TCS alone (p<0.0001 for both), a co-primary endpoint outside of the U.S.
The average EASI score improvement from baseline was 82% in patients who received Dupixent every four weeks and 78% in patients who received Dupixent every two weeks, compared to 49% for TCS alone (p<0.0001 for both).
60% of patients who received Dupixent every four weeks and 68% of patients who received Dupixent every two weeks experienced at least a 3-point reduction in itch intensity on an 11-point scale (weekly average of daily Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale), compared to 21% for TCS alone (p<0.0001 for both).

Safety data over the 16-week treatment period showed:

Overall rates of adverse events were 65% for Dupixent every four weeks, 67% for Dupixent every two weeks and 73% for TCS alone.
Adverse events that were more commonly observed with Dupixent included conjunctivitis (7% for Dupixent every four weeks, 15% for Dupixent every two weeks and 4% for placebo), nasopharyngitis (13% for Dupixent every four weeks, 7% for Dupixent every two weeks and 7% placebo) and injection site reactions (10% for Dupixent every four weeks, 11% for Dupixent every two weeks and 6% for placebo).
Additional prespecified adverse events included skin infections (6% for Dupixent every four weeks, 8% for Dupixent every two weeks and 13% for placebo) and herpes viral infections (2% for Dupixent every four weeks, 3% for Dupixent every two weeks and 5% for placebo).

Dupilumab Development Program
To date, Dupixent has been studied in more than 8,000 patients across 40 clinical trials in various chronic diseases driven by type 2 inflammation.

In addition to the currently approved indications, Regeneron and Sanofi are also studying dupilumab in a broad range of clinical development programs for diseases driven by allergic and other type 2 inflammation, including pediatric asthma (6 to 11 years of age, Phase 3), pediatric atopic dermatitis (6 months to 5 years of age, Phase 2/3), eosinophilic esophagitis (Phase 3), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Phase 3), bullous pemphigoid (Phase 3), prurigo nodularis (Phase 3), chronic spontaneous urticaria (Phase 3) and food and environmental allergies (Phase 2). Dupilumab is also being studied in combination with REGN3500 (SAR440340), which targets IL-33. These potential uses are investigational, and the safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority. Dupilumab and REGN3500 are being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement.

Dupilumab and REGN3500 were invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune^® technology that utilizes a proprietary genetically-engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically-humanized immune system to produce optimized fully-human antibodies. VelocImmune technology has been used to create multiple antibodies including Praluent^® (alirocumab), Libtayo^® (cemiplimab-rwlc) and Kevzara^® (sarilumab), which are approved in multiple countries around the world. Regeneron previously used these technologies to rapidly develop a treatment for Ebola virus infection, which is currently under review by the FDA, and is now being used in efforts to create prophylactic and treatment medicines for COVID-19.

U.S. Indications

DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:

to treat people 12 years of age and older 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. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 12 years of age.
with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in people aged 12 years and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 12 years of age.
with other medicines to treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR U.S. PATIENTS

Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT^®.

Before using DUPIXENT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

have eye problems
have a parasitic (helminth) infection
are taking oral, topical, or inhaled corticosteroid medicines. Do not stop taking your corticosteroid medicines unless instructed by your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by the corticosteroid medicine to come back.
are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a "live vaccine" if you are treated with DUPIXENT.
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether DUPIXENT will harm your unborn baby.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether DUPIXENT passes into your breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. If you are taking asthma medicines, do not change or stop your asthma medicine without talking to your healthcare provider.

DUPIXENT can cause serious side effects, including:

Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity), including a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis. Stop using DUPIXENT and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following symptoms: breathing problems, fever, general ill feeling, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face, mouth and tongue, hives, itching, fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure), joint pain, or skin rash.
Eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision.
Inflammation of your blood vessels. Rarely, this can happen in people with asthma who receive DUPIXENT. This may happen in people who also take a steroid medicine by mouth that is being stopped or the dose is being lowered. It is not known whether this is caused by DUPIXENT. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have: rash, shortness of breath, persistent fever, chest pain, or a feeling of pins and needles or numbness of your arms or legs.

The most common side effects include:

Atopic dermatitis: injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, and cold sores in your mouth or on your lips.
Asthma: injection site reactions, pain in the throat (oropharyngeal pain), and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia).
Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis: injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia), trouble sleeping (insomnia), toothache, gastritis, and joint pain (arthralgia).

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of DUPIXENT. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed. DUPIXENT is an injection given under the skin (subcutaneous injection). If your healthcare provider decides that you or a caregiver can give DUPIXENT injections, you or your caregiver should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject DUPIXENT. Do not try to inject DUPIXENT until you have been shown the right way by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, it is recommended that DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult.

Please see full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.

About Regeneron
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for over 30 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to seven FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, pain and rare diseases.

Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite^® technologies, such as VelocImmune^®, which uses unique genetically-humanized mice to produce optimized fully-human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.

For additional information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.

About Sanofi
Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions.

With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.

Sanofi, Empowering Life

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