FDA accepts Amgen's sBLA to expand indication for Xgeva to include multiple myeloma patients

Xgeva is indicated for the prevention of skeletal-related events in patients with bone metastases from solid tumours and is the number one prescribed agent by oncologists for this indication in the US.

"Multiple myeloma patients with fractures and other bone complications have a very poor prognosis. Bisphosphonates are the only approved class of agents for the prevention of skeletal-related events in this patient population. However, these agents have several limitations, including kidney toxicity and acute phase reactions," said Sean E. Harper, Executive Vice President of R&D at Amgen. "Based on the data we have submitted to the FDA, we look forward to potentially making Xgeva available as a novel option for patients with multiple myeloma."

Xgeva is the first fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to and neutralizes RANK ligand (RANKL) - a protein essential for the formation, function and survival of osteoclasts, which break down bone - thereby inhibiting osteoclast-mediated bone destruction. Xgeva is not cleared by the kidneys. Xgeva is indicated for the prevention of skeletal-related events in patients with bone metastases from solid tumours and is the number one prescribed agent by oncologists for this indication in the US. In the US, Xgeva currently has a limitation of use noting that it is not indicated for the prevention of skeletal-related events in patients with multiple myeloma.

The sBLA is based on the efficacy and safety data from the pivotal Phase III '482 study, the largest international multiple myeloma trial ever conducted, which successfully demonstrated that Xgeva is non-inferior to zoledronic acid in delaying the time to first on-study skeletal-related event in patients with multiple myeloma. The secondary endpoints of superiority in delaying time to first on-study skeletal-related event and delaying time to first-and-subsequent skeletal-related event were not met in this study. Progression-free survival was an exploratory endpoint. The hazard ratio of Xgeva versus zoledronic acid for progression-free survival was 0.82 and the median difference in progression-free survival between arms was 10.7 months in favour of Xgeva. Data from the '482 study are also the basis of an application for a variation to the marketing authorization submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA).