PRINCETON, N.J. / Sep 18, 2024 / Business Wire / Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced new data from the Phase 3 DAYBREAK trial demonstrating that decreased rates of brain volume loss were sustained in the open-label extension (OLE) for patients treated with Zeposia (ozanimod) for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. These findings showed that patients receiving continuous Zeposia treatment for up to five years experienced low and stable rates of whole brain volume (WBV) loss through Month 60 (annualized least squares mean [LSM] % change from parent trial baseline: RADIANCE, −0.27; SUNBEAM, −0.35).
Additionally, findings from a separate DAYBREAK OLE safety analysis demonstrated declining or stable incidence rates of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), with relatively low rates of infections, serious infections and opportunistic infections over more than eight years of treatment with Zeposia.
These data and 12 additional abstracts will be presented at the 40th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Copenhagen, Denmark taking place September 18-20, 2024.
“If not treated early upon diagnosis, multiple sclerosis can lead to significant, irreversible brain volume loss and cognitive decline,” said Jeffrey Cohen, MD, Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio and a paid consultant for Bristol Myers Squibb. “These new analyses reinforce the well-established safety and efficacy profile of Zeposia as an effective oral therapy, especially for newly diagnosed patients living with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.”
Reductions in brain volume loss with Zeposia treatment
The DAYBREAK OLE trial included 2,257 patients from the SUNBEAM and RADIANCE Phase 3 trials and evaluated rates of brain volume loss (Poster #P1623). Switching from interferon beta-1a (IFN-β) to Zeposia treatment consistently reduced rates of WBV loss (annualized LSM% change from RADIANCE baseline to Month 24 and DAYBREAK baseline to Month 24: −0.48 and −0.19, respectively, with a similar pattern observed in SUNBEAM). Additionally, similar reductions were observed for change in thalamic volume loss.
High annualized LSM% reductions in cortical grey matter volume (CGMV) were observed with IFN-β (annualized change at Month 12 relative to SUNBEAM baseline: −1.02; annualized change at Month 24 relative to RADIANCE baseline: −0.59), but this trend reversed 12 months after switching to Zeposia in DAYBREAK (annualized LSM% increase relative to DAYBREAK baseline: patients from SUNBEAM, 0.10; patients from RADIANCE, 0.20), with low annualized LSM% CGMV loss observed thereafter.
Established Zeposia safety profile confirmed with more than eight years of DAYBREAK data
The final DAYBREAK OLE safety analysis (Poster #P1609) included 762 patients who were treated with continuous Zeposia with a median exposure of 83.9 months. Incident rates per 1,000 person-years decreased over time from the Phase 3 trials to Month 60 or more of the DAYBREAK OLE trial. Decreases were observed for overall TEAEs (896.1 versus 101.7), infections (300.5 versus 142.6), opportunistic infections (12.0 versus 4.9), cardiac (22.8 versus 9.5), hepatic (77.0 versus 15.7) and pulmonary disorders (11.3 versus 4.7), respectively.
“The data presented at ECTRIMS further reinforce the long-term safety and efficacy of Zeposia and add to the robust body of evidence demonstrating its potential impact on decreasing disease progression over time,” said Alyssa Johnsen, MD, PhD, senior vice president and head of clinical development, Immunology, Cardiovascular and Neuroscience, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Building on our expertise with Zeposia, we are expanding our pipeline as we continue to look for new ways to advance the field of neuroscience. New modalities and disease targets fuel our goal of delivering medicines that elevate standards of care across neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis.”
Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators who participated in the Zeposia clinical trials.
About DAYBREAK
DAYBREAK was a Phase 3, multi-center, long-term open-label extension study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Zeposia (ozanimod) administered orally to patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS).
Eligible patients from the RADIANCE, SUNBEAM and RPC01-1001 trials diagnosed with RMS were enrolled to receive treatment until the end of the DAYBREAK. Patients in the trial received Zeposia 0.92 mg (equivalent to 1 mg).
About SUNBEAM
SUNBEAM was a pivotal, Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of two doses of oral Zeposia (0.92 mg and 0.46 mg, equivalent to 1 mg and 0.5 mg, respectively) against weekly intramuscular Avonex® for at least a 12-month treatment period. The study included 1,346 people living with RMS across 152 sites in 20 countries.
The primary endpoint of the trial was annualized relapse rates during the treatment period. The secondary MRI endpoints included the number of new or enlarging hyperintense T2-weighted brain MRI lesions over 12 months, number of gadolinium-enhanced brain MRI lesions at Month 12 and percent change from baseline in whole brain volume at Month 12. Cortical grey and thalamic volume changes were also prospectively assessed versus active comparator.
About RADIANCE
RADIANCE Part B was a pivotal, Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of oral Zeposia 0.92 mg (equivalent to 1 mg) against weekly intramuscular Avonex® (interferon beta-1a) over a 24-month treatment period. The study included 1,320 people living with RMS across 150 sites in 21 countries.
The primary endpoint of the trial was annualized relapse rates over 24 months. The secondary MRI endpoints included the number of new or enlarging hyperintense T2-weighted brain MRI lesions over 24 months.
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling, unpredictable disease in which the immune system attacks the protective myelin sheath that covers the nerves. The myelin damage disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Ultimately, the nerves themselves may deteriorate—a process that's currently irreversible. MS affects 700,000 people in Europe and approximately 2.9 million people worldwide.
Relapsing forms of MS (RMS), including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing remitting disease and active secondary progressive disease, is characterized by clearly defined attacks of worsening neurologic function. These attacks—often called relapses, flare-ups or exacerbations—are followed by partial or complete recovery periods. During these recovery periods, also called remissions, symptoms improve partially or completely with no apparent progression of disease. However, smoldering neuroinflammation can be present from the earliest stages of MS, which is underlying and continuous disease activity occurring simultaneously in different areas of the brain that contributes to disability accumulation. Since MS relapses are unpredictable, patients can feel frustrated, stressed or scared when they occur. RMS is the most common disease course at the time of diagnosis. Approximately 85% of patients are initially diagnosed with RMS, compared with 10%-15% diagnosed with progressive forms of the disease.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Delivering Breakthrough Science for Meaningful Interventions in Neuroscience
Neurological conditions represent some of the greatest challenges of our time because of their impact on society, including patients, caregivers, families and healthcare systems. At Bristol Myers Squibb, we are committed to advancing our robust pipeline of potential medicines for neurological disorders with the goal of modifying disease and improving quality of life. Leveraging genetics, biomarkers and predictive sciences, we target key pathways involved in the initiation and progression of neurological diseases to develop therapies with the potential to optimize patient outcomes.
About Zeposia (ozanimod)
Zeposia (ozanimod) is an oral, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator that binds with high affinity to S1P receptors 1 and 5. Zeposia blocks the capacity of lymphocytes to egress from lymph nodes, reducing the number of lymphocytes in peripheral blood. The mechanism by which Zeposia exerts therapeutic effects in multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown but may involve the reduction of lymphocyte migration into the central nervous system.
Zeposia is approved in numerous countries around the world for the treatment of adults with relapsing forms of MS and adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.
U.S. FDA APPROVED INDICATIONS
ZEPOSIA® (ozanimod) is indicated for the treatment of:
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications:
Infections: ZEPOSIA may increase the susceptibility to infections. Life-threatening and rare fatal infections have occurred in patients receiving ZEPOSIA. Obtain a recent (i.e., within 6 months or after discontinuation of prior MS or UC therapy) complete blood count (CBC) including lymphocyte count before initiation of ZEPOSIA. Delay initiation of ZEPOSIA in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved. Consider interruption of treatment with ZEPOSIA if a patient develops a serious infection. Continue monitoring for infections up to 3 months after discontinuing ZEPOSIA.
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): PML is an opportunistic viral infection of the brain that typically occurs in patients who are immunocompromised, and that usually leads to death or severe disability.
PML has been reported in patients treated with S1P receptor modulators, including ZEPOSIA, and other MS and UC therapies and has been associated with some risk factors. If PML is suspected, withhold ZEPOSIA and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation.
If confirmed, treatment with ZEPOSIA should be discontinued.
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) has been reported in MS patients treated with S1P receptor modulators who developed PML and subsequently discontinued treatment. IRIS presents as a clinical decline in the patient’s condition that may be rapid, can lead to serious neurological complications or death, and is often associated with characteristic changes on MRI. The time to onset of IRIS in patients with PML was generally within a few months after S1P receptor modulator discontinuation. Monitoring for development of IRIS and appropriate treatment of the associated inflammation should be undertaken.
Bradyarrhythmia and Atrioventricular Conduction Delays: Since initiation of ZEPOSIA may result in a transient decrease in heart rate and atrioventricular conduction delays, dose titration is recommended to help reduce cardiac effects. Initiation of ZEPOSIA without dose escalation may result in greater decreases in heart rate. If treatment with ZEPOSIA is considered, advice from a cardiologist should be sought for those individuals:
Liver Injury: Elevations of aminotransferases may occur in patients receiving ZEPOSIA. Obtain liver function tests, if not recently available (i.e., within 6 months), before initiation of ZEPOSIA. Patients who develop symptoms suggestive of hepatic dysfunction should have hepatic enzymes checked and ZEPOSIA should be discontinued if significant liver injury is confirmed.
Fetal Risk: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Based on animal studies, ZEPOSIA may cause fetal harm. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception to avoid pregnancy during treatment and for 3 months after stopping ZEPOSIA. Women who become pregnant while taking ZEPOSIA for MS may enroll in the ZEPOSIA pregnancy registry by calling 1-877-301-9314 or visiting www.zeposiapregnancyregistry.com.
Increased Blood Pressure: Increase in systolic pressure was observed after about 3 months of treatment and persisted throughout treatment. Blood pressure should be monitored during treatment and managed appropriately. Certain foods that may contain very high amounts of tyramine could cause severe hypertension in patients taking ZEPOSIA. Patients should be advised to avoid foods containing a very large amount of tyramine while taking ZEPOSIA.
Respiratory Effects: ZEPOSIA may cause a decline in pulmonary function. Spirometric evaluation of respiratory function should be performed during therapy, if clinically indicated.
Macular Edema: S1P modulators have been associated with an increased risk of macular edema. Patients with a history of uveitis or diabetes mellitus are at increased risk. Patients with a history of these conditions should have an ophthalmic evaluation of the fundus, including the macula, prior to treatment initiation and regular follow-up examinations. An ophthalmic evaluation is recommended in all patients at any time if there is a change in vision. Continued use of ZEPOSIA in patients with macular edema has not been evaluated; potential benefits and risks for the individual patient should be considered if deciding whether ZEPOSIA should be discontinued.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES): Rare cases of PRES have been reported in patients receiving a S1P receptor modulator. If a ZEPOSIA-treated patient develops unexpected neurological or psychiatric symptoms or any symptom/sign suggestive of an increase in intracranial pressure, a complete physical and neurological examination should be conducted. Symptoms of PRES are usually reversible but may evolve into ischemic stroke or cerebral hemorrhage. Delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to permanent neurological sequelae. If PRES is suspected, treatment with ZEPOSIA should be discontinued.
Unintended Additive Immunosuppressive Effects From Prior Immunosuppressive or Immune-Modulating Drugs: When switching from drugs with prolonged immune effects, the half-life and mode of action of these drugs must be considered to avoid unintended additive immunosuppressive effects while at the same time minimizing risk of disease reactivation. Initiating treatment with ZEPOSIA after treatment with alemtuzumab is not recommended.
Severe Increase in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Disability After Stopping ZEPOSIA: In MS, severe exacerbation of disease, including disease rebound, has been rarely reported after discontinuation of a S1P receptor modulator. The possibility of severe exacerbation of disease should be considered after stopping ZEPOSIA treatment so patients should be monitored upon discontinuation. After stopping ZEPOSIA in the setting of PML, monitor for development of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (PML-IRIS).
Immune System Effects After Stopping ZEPOSIA: After discontinuing ZEPOSIA, the median time for lymphocyte counts to return to the normal range was 30 days with approximately 90% of patients in the normal range within 3 months. Use of immunosuppressants within this period may lead to an additive effect on the immune system, therefore caution should be applied when initiating other drugs 4 weeks after the last dose of ZEPOSIA.
Most Common Adverse Reactions that occurred in the MS clinical trials of ZEPOSIA-treated patients (≥4%): upper respiratory infection, hepatic transaminase elevation, orthostatic hypotension, urinary tract infection, back pain, and hypertension.
In the UC clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions that occurred in ≥4% of ZEPOSIA-treated patients and greater than in patients who received placebo were upper respiratory infection, liver test increased, and headache.
Use in Specific Populations: Hepatic Impairment: Dosage adjustment in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A or B) is required, and use of ZEPOSIA in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C) is not recommended.
For additional safety information, please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, that results of future post-marketing studies will be consistent with the results of this study, that Zeposia (ozanimod) for the indication described in this release may not be commercially successful, any marketing approvals, if granted, may have significant limitations on their use, and that continued approval of Zeposia for such indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in additional confirmatory trials. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb’s business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.
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