Rigel to Present Six Posters at 66th ASH Annual Meeting

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on hematologic disorders and cancer, announced the upcoming presentations of six posters at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition. The event will be held in San Diego, California, and virtually from December 7-10, 2024. The presentations will highlight data from Rigel's commercial and clinical-stage hematology-oncology portfolio.

One of the key presentations will feature initial data from the ongoing Phase 1b study evaluating R289, a dual IRAK1/4 inhibitor, in patients with relapsed or refractory lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (LR-MDS). Preliminary results indicate that R289 has been generally well-tolerated in a heavily pretreated LR-MDS patient population, with some patients achieving transfusion independence and hematologic improvement. The study's findings offer hope for a patient group with critical unmet needs.

Another significant presentation will showcase additional data for REZLIDHIA® (olutasidenib) in patients with relapsed or refractory mutated isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (mIDH1) acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The data demonstrates that some patients respond to olutasidenib quickly, while others achieve complete remission after more extended treatment periods. This supports the prescribing recommendation to continue treatment for at least six months in patients without disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

The combination of olutasidenib and azacitidine will also be discussed, highlighting its effectiveness in inducing durable complete remissions in mIDH1 AML patients. The combination therapy showed high response rates and manageable side effects, presenting a new potential treatment strategy for these patients.

Additionally, presentations will cover the effectiveness of olutasidenib versus ivosidenib in patients with mIDH1 AML who are refractory or relapsed to venetoclax-based regimens. The study suggests that olutasidenib may offer favorable outcomes compared to ivosidenib, although real-world experience studies come with certain limitations.

Real-world data on the use of fostamatinib in combination with thrombopoetin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) will be presented. The results indicate a majority of patients experienced clinically meaningful responses, providing valuable insights into the potential benefits of this combination therapy in managing ITP.

The ASH Annual Meeting will also feature updated data from the ongoing studies, providing further insights into the efficacy and safety of Rigel’s products. Rigel Pharmaceuticals continues to advance its hematology-oncology portfolio, aiming to address the unmet needs of patients with various hematologic disorders and cancers.

R289, a prodrug of R835, has shown promise in preclinical studies by blocking inflammatory cytokine production associated with toll-like receptor (TLR) and interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) signaling. Dysregulation of these pathways is believed to contribute to the pro-inflammatory environment in bone marrow responsible for persistent cytopenias in lower-risk MDS patients.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a fast-progressing cancer affecting blood and bone marrow, primarily in adults. Relapsed AML occurs in about half of all patients who experience a return of leukemia cells after treatment remission, while refractory AML affects 10-40% of newly diagnosed patients. These conditions underline the need for well-tolerated treatment options for relapsed or refractory AML.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a condition where the immune system destroys blood platelets, leading to bruising and bleeding. Chronic ITP patients may face severe bleeding risks, and current treatments include steroids, blood platelet production boosters, and splenectomy. However, not all patients respond to existing therapies, highlighting the need for additional treatment options.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals is committed to discovering and developing therapies that significantly improve the lives of patients with hematologic disorders and cancer. The company’s dedication to innovation and patient care is reflected in its robust portfolio and ongoing clinical trials.