AstraZeneca, Acerta Pharma, MedImmune to present at the 2018 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego

• 27 scientific presentations, including long-term data from Calquence in mantle cell lymphoma and updated early-phase trial results in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
• New data on six medicines and potential new medicines across a variety of blood cancers demonstrate breadth of haematology portfolio

CAMBRIDGE, 29-Nov-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — AstraZeneca, together with Acerta Pharma, its haematology research and development centre of excellence, and MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, will present 27 abstracts, including six oral presentations, at the 2018 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego, USA, December 1-4.

New data include presentations on Calquence (acalabrutinib) and Lumoxiti (moxetumomab pasudotox-tdfk), as well as research findings from AstraZeneca’s early pipeline across a variety of blood cancers.

Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Head of Oncology Business Unit, said: “In less than a year, we have launched two innovative medicines to treat blood cancers. At this year’s ASH, we will continue our momentum by presenting new results from two important trials of Calquence in mantle cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and further showcase our broad pipeline with data from our novel MCL1 and CDK9 inhibitors.”

Updated results for Calquence in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

An oral presentation will focus on new three-year follow-up efficacy and safety results (median 33 months) from the ongoing Phase I/II ACE-CL-001 clinical trial, assessing Calquence monotherapy in a cohort of treatment-naive patients with CLL (Abstract #692).

These data expand on findings previously reported and highlight the promising overall and durable response rates and safety profile in this patient population.

New long-term Calquence data in previously-treated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)

Long-term follow up data (median 26.3 months) being presented for Calquence further confirm results from the Phase II ACE-LY-004 clinical trial in relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (Abstract #2876). Initial, pre-planned analysis of this trial served as the basis for the accelerated approval of Calquence for the treatment of adult patients with MCL who have received at least one prior therapy by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2017.

New data from recently-approved Lumoxiti

Results will be presented from  trials of Lumoxiti in relapsed or refractory hairy cell leukaemia which evaluated whether minimal residual disease eradication, as measured by different quantitative testing approaches, is associated with improved complete response duration (Abstract #1861).

Early pipeline offers new insights into MCL1 inhibition and resistance

New data from AstraZeneca’s early haematology pipeline will be presented, including four oral presentations on different potential new medicines across multiple blood cancers. The presentations feature new insights into the therapeutic potential of inhibiting the anti-apoptotic protein, myeloid cell leukaemia-1 (MCL1) target.

Key pipeline data that will be presented includes preclinical activity of the novel MCL1 inhibitor AZD5991 in multiple myeloma (Abstract #952), findings on the potential to overcome MCL1 resistance in multiple myeloma (Abstract #472), and data on the influence of myeloma patient-derived MCL1 point mutations in MCL1-inhibitor function (Abstract #951). Data will also be presented on MCL1/CDK9 targeting by AZD5991 and the CDK9 inhibitor AZD4573 (Abstract #768).

Key AstraZeneca, Acerta and MedImmune presentations at ASH 2018:

NOTES TO EDITORS

About AstraZeneca in haematology

Leveraging its strength in oncology, AstraZeneca has established haematology as one of four key oncology disease areas of focus. The company’s haematology franchise includes two US FDA-approved medicines and a robust global development program for a broad portfolio of potential blood cancer treatments. Acerta Pharma serves as AstraZeneca’s haematology research and development centre of excellence. AstraZeneca partners with like-minded science-led companies to advance the discovery and development of therapies to address unmet need.

In October 2018, AstraZeneca and Innate Pharma announced a global strategic collaboration that included Innate Pharma licensing the US commercial rights of Lumoxiti, and with support from AstraZeneca, will continue EU development and commercialisation, pending regulatory submission and approval.

About AstraZeneca in oncology

AstraZeneca has a deep-rooted heritage in Oncology and offers a quickly-growing portfolio of new medicines that has the potential to transform patients’ lives and the Company’s future. With at least six new medicines to be launched between 2014 and 2020 and a broad pipeline of small molecules and biologics in development, we are committed to advance Oncology as a key growth driver focused on lung, ovarian, breast and blood cancers. In addition to our core capabilities, we actively pursue innovative partnerships and investments that accelerate the delivery of our strategy as illustrated by our investment in Acerta Pharma in haematology.

By harnessing the power of four scientific platforms – Immuno-Oncology, Tumour Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response and Antibody Drug Conjugates – and by championing the development of personalised combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment and one day eliminate cancer as a cause of death.

About Acerta Pharma

Acerta Pharma, a member of the AstraZeneca Group, is creating novel therapies intended for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. AstraZeneca acquired a majority stake interest in Acerta Pharma, which serves as AstraZeneca’s haematology research and development centre of excellence. For more information, please visit www.acerta-pharma.com.

About MedImmune

MedImmune is the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of small molecule and biologic prescription medicines. MedImmune is pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across Oncology, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Diseases, and Infection and Vaccines. The MedImmune headquarters is located in Gaithersburg, MD, one of AstraZeneca’s three global R&D centres, with additional sites in Cambridge, UK and South San Francisco, CA. For more information, please visit www.medimmune.com.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas – Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

For more information, please visit astrazeneca.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZeneca.

CONTACTS

SOURCE: AstraZeneca