Docetaxel

BAAR, Switzerland--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) today reported preliminary unaudited financial and operational results for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024. Novocure is a global oncology company working to extend survival in some of the most aggressive forms of cancer by developing and commercializing its innovative therapy, Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields). “Novocure is at an exciting inflection point as we continue to expand our multi-indication TTFields treatment platform. In 2024, we brought Optune Gio ® to more than 4,000 glioblastoma patients across the globe, earned FDA approval and launched Optune Lua ® in non-small cell lung cancer in the U.S., announced two additional successful Phase 3 trial readouts and released our next generation arrays,” said Ashley Cordova, Chief Executive Officer. “With two additional indication launches on the horizon, we are well positioned for 2025 and beyond. This progress demonstrates our steadfast commitment to our patient-forward mission: together with our patients, we strive to extend survival in some of the most aggressive forms of cancer.” Financial updates for the year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024*: Total preliminary net revenues for the year were $605.2 million, an increase of 19% compared to the prior year. 2024 growth was primarily driven by our successful launch in France and significantly improved approval rates in the U.S., which are now reflected in our revenue baseline. 2025 net revenue growth is expected to closely reflect growth in Optune Gio active patients. Total preliminary net revenues for the fourth quarter were $161.3 million, an increase of 21% compared to the same period in 2023. The U.S., Germany, France and Japan contributed $107.2 million, $17.7 million, $16.0 million and $8.5 million, respectively, with other active markets contributing $9.9 million. Revenue in Greater China from Novocure’s partnership with Zai Lab totaled $2.0 million. Improved approval rates in the U.S. resulted in $8.3 million of increased net revenue from prior period claims during the quarter, which we believe should not be considered in our 2025 baseline. This is in addition to the $14.0 million of increased revenue from prior period claims disclosed through the third quarter. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $959.9 million as of December 31, 2024. Operational updates for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024: As of December 31, 2024, there were 4,126 total active patients on TTFields therapy globally. 1,520 Optune Gio prescriptions were received in the quarter, consistent with the same period in 2023. Optune Gio prescriptions from the U.S., Germany, France and Japan contributed 897; 190; 194 and 109 prescriptions, respectively, with the remaining 130 prescriptions received from other active markets. As of December 31, 2024, there were 4,077 active Optune Gio patients on therapy. Active Optune Gio patients from the U.S., Germany, France and Japan contributed 2,161; 564; 426 and 420 active patients, respectively, with the remaining 506 active patients contributed by other active markets. On October 15, 2024, Optune Lua was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) concurrently with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors or docetaxel, in adults who have progressed on or after a platinum-based regimen. As of December 31, 2024, 52 Optune Lua prescriptions were received for NSCLC. As of December 31, 2024, there were 20 active NSCLC patients on Optune Lua. Additionally, there were 29 active mesothelioma patients on Optune Lua around the globe. In Q1 2026, Novocure intends to stop reporting new prescriptions and focus on active patients by indication and material market as the key operating statistic. Fourth quarter and recent updates and achievements: In October, the FDA granted Breakthrough Device designation for the use of TTFields therapy for brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer. Breakthrough Device designation provides more frequent, faster and interactive access to the FDA review team and senior management during the review process, priority review of marketing applications upon filing, and expedited review of pre-Premarket Approval Application (PMA) manufacturing and quality systems compliance inspections. In October, the FDA approved Novocure’s new Head Flexible Electrode (HFE) transducer arrays for use with Optune Gio for the treatment of adult patients with glioblastoma (GBM). In December, the company announced the Phase 3 PANOVA-3 clinical trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in overall survival for patients with unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Novocure plans to submit the full data for presentation at an upcoming medical congress. In December, the FDA granted Breakthrough Device designation for the use of TTFields therapy for the treatment of unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer. In January 2025, the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) approved Novocure’s new HFE transducer arrays for use with Optune Gio for the treatment of adult patients with GBM. Anticipated clinical milestones: Data from Phase 2 PANOVA-4 clinical trial in metastatic pancreatic cancer (2026) Data from Phase 3 TRIDENT clinical trial in newly diagnosed GBM (2026) Fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results conference call: Novocure will host a conference call and webcast to discuss full year and fourth quarter 2024 financial results at 8:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, February 27, 2025. To access the conference call by phone, use the following conference call registration link and dial-in details will be provided. To access the webcast, use the following webcast registration link. The webcast, earnings slides presented during the webcast and the corporate presentation can be accessed live from the Investor Relations page of Novocure’s website, www.novocure.com/investor-relations , and will be available for at least 14 days following the call. Novocure has used, and intends to continue to use, its investor relations website, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. *The unaudited results in this press release are preliminary and subject to the completion of the Company’s annual independent audit and, therefore, are subject to adjustment. About Novocure Novocure is a global oncology company working to extend survival in some of the most aggressive forms of cancer through the development and commercialization of its innovative therapy, Tumor Treating Fields. Novocure’s commercialized products are approved in certain countries for the treatment of adult patients with glioblastoma, non-small cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma and pleural mesothelioma. Novocure has several additional ongoing or completed clinical trials exploring the use of Tumor Treating Fields therapy in the treatment of glioblastoma, non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. Novocure’s global headquarters is located in Baar, Switzerland, with U.S. headquarters located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and research and development facilities located in Haifa, Israel. For additional information about the company, please visit Novocure.com and follow @Novocure on LinkedIn and Twitter. Forward-Looking Statements In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide Novocure’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. These may include statements regarding anticipated scientific progress on its research programs, clinical trial progress, development of potential products, interpretation of clinical results, prospects for regulatory approval, manufacturing development and capabilities, market prospects for its products, coverage, collections from third-party payers and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts. You may identify some of these forward-looking statements by the use of words in the statements such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” or other words and terms of similar meaning. Novocure’s performance and financial results could differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements due to general financial, economic, environmental, regulatory and political conditions and other more specific risks and uncertainties facing Novocure such as those set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 22, 2024, and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Therefore, you should not rely on any such factors or forward-looking statements. Furthermore, Novocure does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. Any forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date hereof. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits this discussion. Important Safety Information What is Optune Gio ® approved to treat? Optune Gio is a wearable, portable, FDA-approved device indicated to treat a type of brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in adult patients 22 years of age or older. Newly diagnosed GBM If you have newly diagnosed GBM, Optune Gio is used together with a chemotherapy called temozolomide (TMZ) if: Your cancer is confirmed by your healthcare professional AND You have had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible Recurrent GBM If your tumor has come back, Optune Gio can be used alone as an alternative to standard medical therapy if: You have tried surgery and radiation and they did not work or are no longer working AND You have tried chemotherapy and your GBM has been confirmed by your healthcare professional Who should not use Optune Gio? Optune Gio is not for everyone. Talk to your doctor if you have: An implanted medical device (programmable shunt), skull defect (missing bone with no replacement), or bullet fragment . Optune Gio has not been tested in people with implanted electronic devices, which may cause the devices not to work properly, and Optune Gio has not been tested in people with skull defects or bullet fragments, which may cause Optune Gio not to work properly A known sensitivity to conductive hydrogels (the gel on the arrays placed on the scalp like the ones used on EKGs). When Optune Gio comes into contact with the skin, it may cause more redness and itching or may rarely cause a life-threatening allergic reaction Do not use Optune Gio if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant . It is not known if Optune Gio is safe or effective during pregnancy. What should I know before using Optune Gio? Optune Gio should only be used after receiving training from qualified personnel, such as your doctor, a nurse, or other medical staff who have completed a training course given by Novocure ® , the maker of Optune Gio. Do not use any parts that did not come with the Optune Gio Treatment Kit sent to you by Novocure or given to you by your doctor Do not get the device or transducer arrays wet If you have an underlying serious skin condition on the scalp, discuss with your doctor whether this may prevent or temporarily interfere with Optune Gio treatment What are the possible side effects of Optune Gio? Most common side effects of Optune Gio when used together with chemotherapy (temozolomide, or TMZ) were low blood platelet count, nausea, constipation, vomiting, tiredness, scalp irritation from the device, headache, seizure, and depression. The most common side effects when using Optune Gio alone were scalp irritation (redness and itchiness) and headache. Other side effects were malaise, muscle twitching, fall and skin ulcers. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these side effects or questions. Please visit OptuneGio.com for Instructions For Use (IFU) for complete information regarding the device’s indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions. Important Safety Information What is Optune Lua ® approved to treat? Optune Lua is a wearable, portable, FDA-approved device used together with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (immunotherapy) or docetaxel. It is indicated for adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) who have progressed on or after a platinum-based regimen. Who should not use Optune Lua? Optune Lua for mNSCLC is not for everyone. Talk to your doctor if you have: An electrical implant. Use of Optune Lua together with electrical implants has not been tested and may cause the implanted device not to work properly A known sensitivity to gels like the gel used on electrocardiogram (ECG) stickers or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) electrodes. In this case, skin contact with the gel used with Optune Lua may commonly cause increased redness and itching, and rarely may even lead to severe allergies such as a fall in blood pressure and difficulty breathing Do not use Optune Lua if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Optune Lua is safe or effective during pregnancy. What should I know before using Optune Lua? Optune Lua should only be used after receiving training from qualified personnel, such as your doctor, a nurse, or other medical staff who have completed a training course given by Novocure ® , the maker of Optune Lua. Do not use any parts that did not come with Optune Lua Treatment Kit sent to you by Novocure or given to you by your doctor Do not get the device or transducer arrays wet Please be aware that Optune Lua has a cord that plugs into an electrical socket. Be careful of tripping when it’s connected If you have an underlying serious skin condition where the transducer arrays are placed, discuss with your doctor whether this may prevent or temporarily interfere with Optune Lua treatment. What are the possible side effects of Optune Lua? The most common side effects of Optune Lua when used together with certain immunotherapy and chemotherapy drugs were dermatitis, pain in the muscles, bones, or joints, fatigue, anemia, alopecia (hair loss), dyspnea, nausea, cough, diarrhea, anorexia, pruritus (itching), leukopenia, pneumonia, respiratory tract infection, localized edema (swelling), rash, pain, constipation, skin ulcers, hypokalemia (low potassium levels), hypoalbuminemia (low albumin levels), hyponatremia (low sodium levels), and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). Other potential adverse effects associated with the use of Optune Lua include treatment related skin irritation, allergic reaction to the adhesive or to the gel, overheating of the array leading to pain and/or local skin burns, infections at site where the arrays make contact with the skin, local warmth and tingling sensation beneath the arrays, medical device site reaction, muscle twitching, and skin breakdown/skin ulcer. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these side effects or questions. Please visit OptuneLua.com for Instructions For Use (IFU) for complete information regarding the device’s indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants Priority Review to applications for medicines that, if approved, would offer significant improvements over available options by demonstrating safety or efficacy improvements, preventing serious conditions or enhancing patient compliance. 1 The Prescription Drug User Fee Act date, the FDA action date for its regulatory decision, is anticipated during the third quarter of 2025. Datopotamab deruxtecan was previously granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the FDA for this patient population. The BLA and BTD are based on data from the TROPION-Lung05 Phase II trial and supported by data from the TROPION-Lung01 Phase III trial. In addition, the BLA is supported by data from the TROPION-PanTumor01 Phase I trial. In a pooled analysis of patients with previously treated advanced or metastatic EGFR m NSCLC in the TROPION-Lung05 and TROPION-Lung01 trials presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Asia 2024 Congress, datopotamab deruxtecan demonstrated a confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 42.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 33.6-52.2) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) and a median duration of response (DoR) of 7.0 months (95% CI 4.2-9.8). The safety profile of datopotamab deruxtecan was consistent with previous reports from the TROPION-Lung05 and TROPION-Lung01 trials, with no new safety concerns identified. Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “Acquired resistance to front-line therapies and, ultimately, disease progression are unfortunate realities for most patients with advanced EGFR -mutated non-small cell lung cancer. This Priority Review, and the previously granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation, recognise the potential for datopotamab deruxtecan to provide a much-needed option to patients whose disease has become resistant to current treatments.” Ken Takeshita, MD, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo, said: “Treating advanced EGFR -mutated non-small cell lung cancer presents a significant challenge due to the limited efficacy of available treatments once the disease has progressed following front-line therapies, including the use of an EGFR -tyrosine kinase inhibitor. If approved, datopotamab deruxtecan could become the first TROP2-directed antibody drug conjugate for lung cancer, providing a promising option for patients.” Datopotamab deruxtecan is a specifically engineered TROP2-directed DXd antibody drug conjugate (ADC) discovered by Daiichi Sankyo and being jointly developed by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo. AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo are evaluating datopotamab deruxtecan alone and in novel combinations as treatment for patients with NSCLC in seven Phase III trials including the TROPION-Lung14 and TROPION-Lung15 trials of datopotamab deruxtecan alone and with Tagrisso (osimertinib) as treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic EGFR m nonsquamous NSCLC. Advanced non-small cell lung cancer Nearly 2.5 million lung cancer cases were diagnosed globally in 2022. 2 Lung cancer is broadly split into small or non-small cell lung cancer, the latter accounting for about 80% of cases. 3 Approximately 10 to 15% of patients with NSCLC in the US and Europe, and 30 to 40% of patients in Asia have an EGFR mutation. 4,5 The majority of EGFR mutations occur in tumours of nonsquamous histology. 6 For patients with tumours that have an EGFR mutation, the established 1st-line treatment in the metastatic setting is an EGFR -TKI. 7 While EGFR -TKIs have improved outcomes in the 1st-line setting, most patients eventually experience disease progression and receive subsequent therapies, such as chemotherapy. 8-11 TROP2 is a protein broadly expressed in the majority of NSCLC tumours. 12 There is currently no TROP2-directed ADC approved for the treatment of lung cancer. 7,13 TROPION-Lung05 TROPION-Lung05 is a global, multicentre, single-arm, open-label Phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of datopotamab deruxtecan in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with actionable genomic alterations who have progressed on at least one TKI (with or without other systemic therapies) and on or after one regimen of platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients receiving up to four prior lines of treatment with tumours with one or more genomic alterations including EGFR , ALK , ROS1 , NTRK , BRAF , RET or MET were eligible for the trial. The primary endpoint of TROPION-Lung05 is ORR as assessed by BICR. Secondary efficacy endpoints include DoR, disease control rate (DCR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), progression-free survival (PFS), time to response (TTR), overall survival (OS) and safety. TROPION-Lung05 enrolled 137 patients globally in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information visit ClinicalTrials.gov. Primary results from TROPION-Lung05 were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in January 2025. TROPION-Lung01 TROPION-Lung01 is a global, randomised, multicentre, open-label Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of datopotamab deruxtecan versus docetaxel in adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with and without actionable genomic alterations who require systemic therapy following prior treatment. Patients with actionable genomic alterations were previously treated with an approved targeted therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients without known actionable genomic alterations were previously treated, concurrently or sequentially, with platinum-based chemotherapy and a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor. The dual primary endpoints of TROPION-Lung01 are PFS as assessed by BICR and OS. Key secondary endpoints include investigator-assessed PFS, ORR, DoR, TTR, and DCR as assessed by both BICR and investigator, and safety. TROPION-Lung01 enrolled approximately 600 patients in Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America. For more information visit ClinicalTrials.gov. Primary results from TROPION-Lung01, as presented at the ESMO 2023 Congress, showed datopotamab deruxtecan demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in PFS over docetaxel. OS results were presented at the IASLC 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and simultaneously published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in September 2024. TROPION-PanTumor01 TROPION-PanTumor01 is a first-in-human, open-label, two-part, multicentre Phase I trial evaluating the safety and preliminary efficacy of datopotamab deruxtecan in patients with advanced solid tumours that have relapsed or are refractory to standard treatment or for which no standard treatment is available. The dose escalation portion of the trial enrolled patients with NSCLC to assess the safety and tolerability of datopotamab deruxtecan to determine the recommended dose for expansion (6mg/kg). The dose expansion part of TROPION-PanTumor01 enrolled several different cohorts including patients with NSCLC, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, small cell lung cancer, urothelial, gastric, pancreatic, castration resistant prostate and esophageal cancer. Safety endpoints include dose-limiting toxicities and serious adverse events. Efficacy endpoints include ORR, DoR, TTR, PFS and OS. Pharmacokinetic, biomarker and immunogenicity endpoints are also being evaluated. TROPION-PanTumor01 enrolled approximately 900 patients in Asia and North America. For more information visit ClinicalTrials.gov. Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) is an investigational TROP2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC Technology, datopotamab deruxtecan is one of six DXd ADCs in the oncology pipeline of Daiichi Sankyo, and one of the most advanced programmes in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Datopotamab deruxtecan is comprised of a humanised anti-TROP2 IgG1 monoclonal antibody, developed in collaboration with Sapporo Medical University, attached to a number of topoisomerase I inhibitor payloads (an exatecan derivative, DXd) via tetrapeptide-based cleavable linkers. Datopotamab deruxtecan is approved in Japan under the brand name Datroway for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or recurrent HR-positive, HER2-negative (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer after prior chemotherapy based on the results of the TROPION-Breast01 trial. Datopotamab deruxtecan is an investigational medicine in all countries outside of Japan. Datopotamab deruxtecan clinical development programme A comprehensive global clinical development programme is underway with more than 20 trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of datopotamab deruxtecan across multiple cancers, including NSCLC, TNBC and HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. The programme includes seven Phase III trials in lung cancer and five Phase III trials in breast cancer evaluating datopotamab deruxtecan as a monotherapy and in combination with other anticancer treatments in various settings. Daiichi Sankyo collaboration AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) in March 2019 and datopotamab deruxtecan in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights for each ADC. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan. AstraZeneca in lung cancer AstraZeneca is working to bring patients with lung cancer closer to cure through the detection and treatment of early-stage disease, while also pushing the boundaries of science to improve outcomes in the resistant and advanced settings. By defining new therapeutic targets and investigating innovative approaches, the Company aims to match medicines to the patients who can benefit most. The Company’s comprehensive portfolio includes leading lung cancer medicines and the next wave of innovations, including Tagrisso (osimertinib) and Iressa (gefitinib); Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab); Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo; Orpathys (savolitinib) in collaboration with HUTCHMED; as well as a pipeline of potential new medicines and combinations across diverse mechanisms of action. AstraZeneca is a founding member of the Lung Ambition Alliance, a global coalition working to accelerate innovation and deliver meaningful improvements for people with lung cancer, including and beyond treatment. AstraZeneca in oncology AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients. The Company’s focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience. AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death. AstraZeneca AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca’s innovative medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca. Datopotamab deruxtecan FDA Approval History Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.