Arzerra Drug Overview 2019: A Fully Human Immunoglobulin G1 and High-Affinity Antibody that Targets a Novel Epitope on Cluster of Differentiation 20 (CD20) on the B-Cell Membrane

DUBLIN, July 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Arzerra" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Arzerra (ofatumumab; Genmab/Novartis) is a fully human immunoglobulin G1 and high-affinity antibody that targets a novel epitope on cluster of differentiation 20 (CD20) on the B-cell membrane. Arzerra binds effectively to both the small and large extracellular loops on CD20 and releases very slowly over time. Preclinical and clinical data have demonstrated Arzerra's ability to deplete B cells effectively.

Arzerra is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients who have relapsed or are refractory to fludarabine and Campath (alemtuzumab; Genzyme) therapy, as well as for previously untreated patients for whom fludarabine-based therapy is considered inappropriate due to advanced age and co-morbidities. Arzerra's modest uptake has been due to its direct competition with Rituxan (rituximab; Biogen/Roche) in the first-line setting, an inability to identify Arzerra non-responders, and the drug's high cost.

The decision to not compare the first-line Arzerra plus chlorambucil combination to Rituxan in the Phase III COMPLEMENT trial reduced the drug's ability to be competitive in the market. In addition, Genmab did not compare Arzerra to Rituxan in the Phase III COMPLEMENT 2 trial for relapsed CLL. Arzerra's modest market share will likely begin to erode as newer monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors gain uptake in both treatment-nave and relapsed/refractory CLL.

Analyst Outlook

Novartis is positioning Arzerra (ofatumumab) primarily for the second-line treatment of patients refractory to Rituxan (rituximab; Roche/Biogen/Chugai/Zenyaku Kogyo) therapy. However, top-line Phase III results indicated that the overall response rate to Arzerra in cases refractory to Rituxan was below expectations (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00394836). In addition, the Phase III HOMER study comparing Arzerra to Rituxan in patients with Rituxan-refractory disease was suspended after an interim analysis showed it was unlikely that Arzerra would demonstrate superiority if the trial was completed (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01200589).

Arzerra is currently in an ongoing Phase III COMPLEMENT A+B trial that is assessing the efficacy of Arzerra combined with Treanda (bendamustine; Teva) as a second-line therapy in patients who did not respond to a Rituxan-based regimen (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01077518). While it is unlikely that Arzerra's development as a monotherapy will continue for follicular lymphoma (FL), positive results indicating that the drug is efficacious as a combination therapy will be welcome news for Novartis.

Key Topics Covered:

OVERVIEW
Drug Overview
Product Profiles
Arzerra: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: The authors drug assessment summary of Arzerra for CLL
Figure 2: Arzerra sales for CLL across the US, Japan, and five major EU markets, by country, 2017-26

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Arzerra drug profile
Table 2: Approval history of Arzerra for CLL in the US, Japan, and five major EU markets
Table 3: Trials of Arzerra for CLL
Table 4: Arzerra for CLL - SWOT analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4yotdn

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470
For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630
For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arzerra-drug-overview-2019-a-fully-human-immunoglobulin-g1-and-high-affinity-antibody-that-targets-a-novel-epitope-on-cluster-of-differentiation-20-cd20-on-the-b-cell-membrane-300884023.html

SOURCE Research and Markets