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Basilea reports interim results from phase 1/2 study FIDES-02 exploring derazantinib in patients with advanced urothelial cancer
Basel, Switzerland, October 13, 2020 Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) announced today interim results from the phase 1b part of the ongoing phase 1/2 study FIDES-02. The study is evaluating its fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor, derazantinib, as single agent and in combination with Roche’s PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor, atezolizumab, in patients with advanced urothelial cancer and FGFR genetic aberrations.1 The Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) for the combination has been determined and phase 2 expansion substudies are now open for enrolment. The phase 2 substudies include patients with FGFR-positive advanced urothelial cancer receiving treatment with derazantinib alone or in combination with atezolizumab as first-line therapy or after progression on prior FGFR-inhibitor therapy. Based on a safety analysis conducted for 26 patients who received increasing doses of derazantinib and atezolizumab, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee for the study determined that derazantinib and atezolizumab can be safely combined at doses of 300 mg of daily oral derazantinib and 1200 mg atezolizumab, administered intravenously once every three weeks. This RP2D corresponds to the derazantinib monotherapy dose used in the phase 2 study FIDES-01 and the standard dose for atezolizumab as a single agent in urothelial cancer. There were no dose-limiting toxicities observed. The most frequent reported adverse events were asthenia (weakness) or fatigue, nausea and diarrhoea. Derazantinib inhibits FGFR1-3 kinases, which are key drivers of cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. In-vitro data show that it also inhibits the colony-stimulating-factor-1-receptor (CSF1R) kinase and thus has the potential to enhance the response to atezolizumab’s PD-L1 checkpoint inhibition, as CSF1R-inhibition has been shown to improve the susceptibility to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, in preclinical models.2 Dr. Marc Engelhardt, Basilea’s Chief Medical Officer, said: “Our development strategy for derazantinib is focused on strengthening the clinical evidence on its differentiation versus other FGFR inhibitors, based on its unique kinase inhibition spectrum and safety and tolerability profile. The interim results from the FIDES-02 study support the safety profile of derazantinib in combination with atezolizumab, and the ability to combine the two treatments at full standard doses is particularly encouraging. We have now moved to the next important step in the development of derazantinib, by exploring potential synergies of derazantinib and atezolizumab in our ongoing clinical study in patients with advanced urothelial cancer.” About derazantinib Derazantinib is an investigational orally administered small-molecule FGFR inhibitor with strong activity against FGFR1, 2, and 3.3 FGFR kinases are key drivers of cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. FGFR genetic aberrations, e.g. gene fusions, mutations or amplifications, have been identified as potentially important therapeutic targets for various cancers, including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), urothelial, breast, gastric and lung cancers.4 In these cancers, FGFR genetic aberrations are found in a range of 5% to 30%.5 About Basilea Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, focused on the development of products that address the medical challenges in the therapeutic areas of oncology and infectious diseases. With two commercialized drugs, the company is committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative pharmaceutical products to meet the medical needs of patients with serious and life-threatening conditions. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Additional information can be found at Basilea's website www.basilea.com. Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements, such as "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business, including with respect to the progress, timing and completion of research, development and clinical studies for product candidates. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Derazantinib and its uses are investigational and have not been approved by a regulatory authority for any use. Efficacy and safety have not been established. The information presented should not be construed as a recommendation for use. The relevance of findings in nonclinical/preclinical studies to humans is currently being evaluated. For further information, please contact:
This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com. References
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