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Fennec Pharmaceuticals Announces Commercial Availability of PEDMARK® (sodium thiosulfate injection) in the United States~ PEDMARK is the First and Only FDA-Approved Therapy Indicated to Reduce the Risk of Cisplatin-Induced Hearing Loss in Pediatric Patients ~ ~ Fennec HEARS™ Program Offers Comprehensive Patient Services, Including Access to Care Coordinators, Financial and Prescription Drug Support ~ RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: FENC; TSX: FRX), a commercial stage specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced the U.S. commercial launch and availability of PEDMARK® (sodium thiosulfate injection) to reduce the risk of ototoxicity associated with cisplatin in pediatric patients one month of age and older with localized, non-metastatic solid tumors. “We are proud to announce that PEDMARK is now available to pediatric patients and their physicians who are in need of options to help reduce the risk of cisplatin-induced hearing loss,” said Rosty Raykov, chief executive officer of Fennec Pharmaceuticals. “Children who get platinum-based chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, are at risk for permanent hearing loss, a condition that previously could only be managed with cochlear implants and hearing aids. PEDMARK provides the first and only FDA-approved treatment specifically designed to help protect hearing in children and young adults after receiving cisplatin. We look forward to engaging with healthcare providers and supporting patient access to this breakthrough therapy with our assistance program, Fennec HEARS™.” The Company has established Fennec HEARS™, a comprehensive single source program designed to connect PEDMARK patients to both patient financial and product access support. The program offers assistance and resources, regardless of insurance type, that can address co-pays or lack of coverage when certain eligibility requirements are met. Fennec HEARS also provides access to care coordinators that can answer insurance questions about coverage for PEDMARK and provide tips and resources for managing treatment. For more information about product availability and patient support, please contact the Fennec HEARS™ program at 1-833-7PEDMARK (1-833-773-3627). PEDMARK was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2022 based upon safety and efficacy data from two pivotal open-label, randomized Phase 3 trials (Clinical Oncology Group [COG] Protocol ACCL0431 and SIOPEL 6), which compared PEDMARK plus cisplatin-based regimen to cisplatin-based regimens alone for the reduction of cisplatin-induced hearing loss in pediatric patients. Advances in chemotherapy-based treatment approaches for pediatric patients with localized, solid tumors have improved, resulting in an 85 percent or higher five-year survival rate for these patients.1 However, use of platinum-based chemotherapy, still the treatment of choice in many cases, can be toxic to the ears and cisplatin treatment frequently causes permanent and irreversible bilateral (affecting both ears) hearing loss. Permanent hearing loss can be seen in approximately 60 percent of children treated with cisplatin and can be as high as 90 percent.1,2 Until now, interventions with management strategies such as cochlear implants and hearing aids only occurred after hearing loss had been detected and these interventions do not return normal hearing.3 The Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for sodium thiosulfate (tradename PEDMARQSI) is currently under evaluation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Prior to its approval in the U.S., the FDA granted PEDMARK Priority Review designation in 2020 and Orphan Drug designation in 2004. About Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity The incidence of ototoxicity depends upon the dose and duration of chemotherapy, and many of these children require lifelong hearing aids or cochlear implants, which can be helpful for some, but do not reverse the hearing loss and can be costly over time.5 Infants and young children that are affected by ototoxicity at critical stages of development lack speech and language development and literacy, and older children and adolescents often lack social-emotional development and educational achievement.6 PEDMARK® (sodium thiosulfate injection) In the U.S. and Europe, it is estimated that, annually, more than 10,000 children may receive platinum-based chemotherapy. The incidence of ototoxicity depends upon the dose and duration of chemotherapy, and many of these children require lifelong hearing aids. There is currently no established preventive agent for this hearing loss and only expensive, technically difficult, and sub-optimal cochlear (inner ear) implants have been shown to provide some benefit. Infants and young children that suffer ototoxicity at critical stages of development lack speech language development and literacy, and older children and adolescents lack social-emotional development and educational achievement. PEDMARK has been studied by co-operative groups in two Phase 3 clinical studies of survival and reduction of ototoxicity, COG ACCL0431 and SIOPEL 6. Both studies have been completed. The COG ACCL0431 protocol enrolled childhood cancers typically treated with intensive cisplatin therapy for localized and disseminated disease, including newly diagnosed hepatoblastoma, germ cell tumor, osteosarcoma, neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and other solid tumors. SIOPEL 6 enrolled only hepatoblastoma patients with localized tumors. Indications and Usage Limitations of Use Important Safety Information Hypersensitivity reactions occurred in 8% to 13% of patients in clinical trials. Monitor patients for hypersensitivity reactions. Immediately discontinue PEDMARK and institute appropriate care if a hypersensitivity reaction occurs. Administer antihistamines or glucocorticoids (if appropriate) before each subsequent administration of PEDMARK. PEDMARK may contain sodium sulfite; patients with sulfite sensitivity may have hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or severe asthma episodes. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in people with asthma. PEDMARK is not indicated for use in pediatric patients less than 1 month of age due to the increased risk of hypernatremia or in pediatric patients with metastatic cancers. Hypernatremia occurred in 12% to 26% of patients in clinical trials, including a single Grade 3 case. Hypokalemia occurred in 15% to 27% of patients in clinical trials, with Grade 3 or 4 occurring in 9% to 27% of patients. Monitor serum sodium and potassium levels at baseline and as clinically indicated. Withhold PEDMARK in patients with baseline serum sodium greater than 145 mmol/L. Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypernatremia and hypokalemia more closely if the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) falls below 60 mL/min/1.73m2. Administer antiemetics prior to each PEDMARK administration. Provide additional antiemetics and supportive care as appropriate. The most common adverse reactions (=25% with difference between arms of >5% compared to cisplatin alone) in SIOPEL 6 were vomiting, nausea, decreased hemoglobin, and hypernatremia. The most common adverse reaction (=25% with difference between arms of >5% compared to cisplatin alone) in COG ACCL0431 was hypokalemia. Please see full Prescribing Information for PEDMARK® at: www.PEDMARK.com. About Fennec Pharmaceuticals Forward Looking Statements For a more detailed discussion of related risk factors, please refer to our public filings available at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com. PEDMARK® and Fennec® are registered trademarks of Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc. ©2022 Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc. All rights reserved. FEN-1442-v3 10/22 For further information, please contact: Investors: Corporate and Media: 1 American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Childhood Cancers. Last Revised: January 12, 2022. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-in-children/key-statistics.html. |