Sugemalimab

EMA CHMP recommendation is based on the results of a Phase 3 clinical trial (GEMSTONE-302) demonstrating significant progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) benefits of sugemalimab in combination with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Sugemalimab is expected to become the first anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in the world approved in Europe for both first-line squamous and non-squamous NSCLC, regardless of PD-L1 expression, potentially also the first domestic anti-PD-L1 mAb marketed in ex-China regions. In addition to the recent partnership with Ewopharma in Central Eastern Europe and Switzerland, multiple potential partners in other countries or regions are in deep conversations with CStone for sugemalimab. SUZHOU, China, June 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CStone Pharmaceuticals (HKEX: 2616), an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of anti-cancer therapies, today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a positive opinion recommending approval of sugemalimab in combination with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is one of the largest cancer indications and a leading cause of cancer death in the world. Sugemalimab is expected to become the first anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) approved in Europe for both first-line squamous and non-squamous NSCLC, regardless of PD-L1 expression, also making CStone the very first biopharmaceutical company in China to potentially launch a domestic anti-PD-L1 mAb in ex-China markets. Dr. Jason Yang, CEO, President of R&D, and Executive Director at CStone, said, "The positive opinion from EMA CHMP normally indicates an upcoming approval for market authorization by the European Commission, marking a significant milestone not only for sugemalimab but also for CStone and the entire pharmaceutical industry in China. The CHMP recommendation brings us closer to delivering this innovative treatment to European patients with lung cancer, and it also highlights a major milestone in CStone's global strategy. Stage IV NSCLC is the first of several other indications where sugemalimab has been shown to bring significant benefits and we are planning to file for registration in these other important indications including stage III NSCLC, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, etc. In addition, we have been actively engaging in substantive discussions with numerous other potential partners in various countries or regions to follow our recently announced strategic commercial collaboration with Ewopharma in Central Eastern Europe and Switzerland. We are confident and eagerly anticipate collaborating to swiftly propel sugemalimab into broader global markets and benefiting more patients across multiple indications. I would also like to thank the CStone team for their hard work and persistence over the years to achieve this important milestone." CHMP recommendation is primarily based on the results of GEMSTONE-302, a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, Phase 3 clinical trial. Sugemalimab in combination with chemotherapy significantly improved PFS and OS compared to placebo in combination with chemotherapy in previously untreated stage IV NSCLC patients. The study results have been published in The Lancet Oncology and Nature Cancer and reported in oral sessions at various international academic conferences. Sugemalimab is an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody developed by CStone, which has been approved in China for five indications, including stage III and IV NSCLC, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and gastric cancer. Additionally, the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is currently reviewing the marketing authorization application for sugemalimab combined with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for metastatic NSCLC. The company is also in communications with regulatory authorities such as the EMA, MHRA, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding additional indications for sugemalimab and is actively seeking development and commercialization partnerships in other countries and regions worldwide.

At its May meeting, the European Medicines Agency's drug advisory body recommended 14 new medicines for approval, including one biosimilar and five generics, while it also backed extended labelling for seven treatments. In addition, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) confirmed a negative opinion following a re-examination, and there were two marketing application withdrawals. All of the decisions can be found detailed below.Positive recommendations on new medicines: Takeda’s enzyme replacement therapy Adzynma (rADAMTS13) for the treatment of children and adult patients with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. SIFI’s Akantior (polyhexanide) for the treatment of acanthamoeba keratitis. CStone Pharmaceuticals’ anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody Cejemly (sugemalimab) for the treatment of adults with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Pfizer’s gene therapy Durveqtix (fidanacogene elaparvovec) for the treatment of haemophilia B. AstraZeneca’s Fluenz (influenza vaccine [live attenuated, nasal]) for the prophylaxis of influenza in children and adolescents from 24 months to <18 years of age. Eckert & Ziegler’s GalliaPharm (germanium [68Ge] chloride / gallium [68Ga] chloride) for radiolabelling of various kits used for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Valneva’s Ixchiq (chikungunya vaccine [live]) to protect adults against disease caused by Chikungunya virus transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. Novo Nordisk’s Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) for the treatment of severe hypoglycaemia in adults, adolescents and children aged six years and over with diabetes mellitus.  Bio-Thera Solutions’ biosimilar version of Avastin (bevacizumab), named Avzivi, for the treatment of carcinoma of the colon or rectum, breast cancer, NSCLC, renal cell cancer, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, and carcinoma of the cervix. Five generic medicines also received a positive opinion: Apexelsin (paclitaxel) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer; Dasatinib Accord Healthcare (dasatinib) for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukaemia; and generic versions of pomalidomide from Accord Healthcare, Krka and Zentiva for treatment of multiple myeloma.Positive recommendations on extensions of therapeutic indication: Sanofi/Regeneron’s Dupixent (dupilumab) as an add-on maintenance treatment in adults with uncontrolled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterised by raised blood eosinophils.  Bristol Myers Squibb/Pfizer’s Eliquis (apixaban) to include the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and prevention of recurrent VTE in paediatric patients from 28 days to <18 years of age. Calliditas Therapeutics/Stada’s Kinpeygo (budesonide) for the treatment of adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN).  Mirum Pharmaceuticals’ Livmarli (maralixibat) to include progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis in patients 3 months of age and older. AbbVie’s Skyrizi (risankizumab) for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active UC who have had an inadequate response, lost response, or were intolerant to either conventional or biologic therapy.  AstraZeneca’s Tagrisso (osimertinib) in combination with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adults with advanced NSCLC whose tumours have EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations. BeiGene’s Tevimbra (tislelizumab) alone for the treatment of adults with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after prior platinum-based therapy; in combination with pemetrexed and platinum‑containing chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of certain adults with non-squamous NSCLC whose tumours have PD-L1 expression on ≥50% of tumour cells with no EGFR or ALK positive mutations; and in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel for the first-line treatment of certain adults with squamous NSCLC.Negative opinions on new medicines: The CHMP confirmed its initial recommendation to refuse the granting of a marketing authorisation for Neuraxpharm and Minoryx Therapeutics’ Nezglyal (leriglitazone) for the treatment of cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy.Withdrawal of applications: Cytokinetics pulled a filing seeking approval of Kinharto (omecamtiv mecarbil) for the treatment of adults with symptomatic chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. The decision was based on feedback from the EMA that supporting results were not sufficient to conclude that the benefits of the cardiac myosin activator outweigh the risks. Cytokinetics recently outlined plans to conduct another study of Kinharto. Clinuvel withdrew an application to expand use of Scenesse (afamelanotide) into adolescents with erythropoietic protoporphyria. The drug has been approved in this indication in the EU since 2014 for adults. However, the company determined that it was not possible to provide the comprehensive safety and efficacy data expected by the EMA in the expanded population.