DE-INCYTE
Incyte (Nasdaq:INCY) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved Pemazyre® (pemigatinib) for the treatment of adults with locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with a fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusion or rearrangement that have progressed after at least one prior line of systemic therapy. The decision follows the positive opinion received from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use in January 2021 recommending the conditional marketing authorization of Pemazyre.
“Pemazyre’s approval is a crucial milestone for patients with FGFR2 positive cholangiocarcinoma. It is the first new treatment option to be made available to these patients in the EU in over a decade and has demonstrated a high rate of durable responses in a setting where historically there has been no effective standard of care,” said Hervé Hoppenot, Chief Executive Officer, Incyte. “We now look forward to working with individual countries in Europe to ensure eligible patients can access this new treatment as soon as possible.”
The EC decision is based on data from the FIGHT-202 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of Pemazyre in adult patients with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with documented FGF/FGFR status. Interim results from FIGHT-202 demonstrated that in patients harboring FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements (Cohort A [108 patients]), Pemazyre monotherapy resulted in an overall response rate (ORR) of 37 percent (primary endpoint) and a median duration of response (DOR) of 8 months (secondary endpoint) based on an independent central radiographic review. Pemazyre was generally well tolerated. Warnings and precautions for Pemazyre include high and low levels of phosphate in the blood, vision or eye problems, blood creatinine increase and for women who are pregnant, a risk of harm to the fetus.
“The data from the FIGHT-202 study has demonstrated the potential benefits that pemigatinib may have for eligible patients living with cholangiocarcinoma,” said Eric Van Cutsem, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Division Head of Digestive Oncology, University of Leuven (KUL) and University Hospitals Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. “Pemazyre offers a much-needed option to eligible patients that have only had few effective treatment options until today.”
Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare cancer that forms in the bile duct. It is classified based on its origin: intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma occurs in the bile duct inside the liver and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma occurs in the bile duct outside the liver. Patients with cholangiocarcinoma are often diagnosed at a late or advanced stage when the prognosis is poor1,2 . In Europe, the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma ranges between 6,000 – 8,0003,4 . FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements occur almost exclusively in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, where they are observed in 10-16 percent of patients5,6,7 .
“Historically, patients living with advanced cholangiocarcinoma have had very limited treatment options,” said Helen Morement, CEO, AMMF – The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity. “We are encouraged to see new, targeted therapies starting to be approved in Europe, giving hope to those in desperate need of alternatives."
About FIGHT-202
The FIGHT-202 Phase 2, open-label, multicenter study (NCT02924376) is evaluating the safety and efficacy of Pemazyre – a selective fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor – in adult (age ≥ 18 years) patients with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with documented FGF/FGFR status.
Patients were enrolled into one of three cohorts – Cohort A (FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements), Cohort B (other FGF/FGFR genetic alterations) or Cohort C (no FGF/FGFR genetic alterations). All patients received 13.5mg Pemazyre orally once daily (QD) on a 21-day cycle (two weeks on/one week off) until radiological disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
The primary endpoint of FIGHT-202 is overall response rate (ORR) in Cohort A, assessed by independent review per RECIST v1.1. Secondary endpoints include ORR; progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), duration of response (DOR), disease control rate (DCR) and safety in all cohorts.
For more information about FIGHT-202, visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02924376 .
About FIGHT
The FIGHT (FI broblast G rowth factor receptor in oncology and H ematology T rials) clinical trial program includes ongoing Phase 2 and 3 studies investigating safety and efficacy of Pemazyre therapy across several FGFR-driven malignancies. Phase 2 monotherapy studies include FIGHT-202, as well as FIGHT-201 investigating Pemazyre in patients with metastatic or surgically unresectable bladder cancer, including with activating FGFR3 mutations or fusions/rearrangements; FIGHT-203 in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms with activating FGFR1 fusions/rearrangements; FIGHT-207 in patients with previously treated, locally-advanced/metastatic or surgically unresectable solid tumor malignancies harboring activating FGFR mutations or fusions/rearrangements, irrespective of tumor type.
FIGHT-302 is a Phase 3 study investigating Pemazyre as a first-line treatment for patients with cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements.
About Pemazyre® (pemigatinib)
Pemazyre is a kinase inhibitor indicated in the United States for the treatment of adults with previously treated, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with a fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusion or other rearrangement as detected by an FDA-approved test8 . This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).
In Japan, Pemazyre is approved for the treatment of patients with unresectable biliary tract cancer (BTC) with a fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusion gene, worsening after cancer chemotherapy.
In Europe, Pemazyre is approved for the treatment of adults with locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with a fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusion or rearrangement that have progressed after at least one prior line of systemic therapy.
Pemazyre is a potent, selective, oral inhibitor of FGFR isoforms 1, 2 and 3 which, in preclinical studies, has demonstrated selective pharmacologic activity against cancer cells with FGFR alterations.
Pemazyre is marketed by Incyte in the United States, Europe and Japan. Incyte has granted Innovent Biologics, Inc. rights to develop and commercialize pemigatinib in hematology and oncology in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Incyte has retained all other rights to develop and commercialize pemigatinib outside of the United States.
Pemazyre is a trademark of Incyte Corporation.
Safety Information from the EU Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)
Pemazyre may cause serious adverse reactions. The most common serious adverse reactions were hyponatremia and blood creatinine increase.
The most common adverse reactions were hyperphosphatemia, alopecia, diarrhoea, nail toxicity, fatigue, nausea, dysgeusia, stomatitis, constipation, dry mouth, dry eye, arthralgia, hypophosphatemia, dry skin and palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome.
Prolonged hyperphosphatemia can cause precipitation of calcium-phosphate crystals that can lead to hypocalcemia, soft tissue mineralization, anemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, muscle cramps, seizure activity, QT interval prolongation and arrhythmias. Soft tissue mineralization, including cutaneous calcification and calcinosis, have been observed with Pemazyre treatment. Recommendations for management of hyperphosphatemia include dietary phosphate restriction, administration of phosphate-lowering therapy and dose modification when required.
Pemazyre can cause serous retinal detachment reactions, which may present with symptoms such as blurred vision, visual floaters or photopsia. Ophthalmological examination, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) should be performed prior to initiation of therapy and every 2 months for the first 6 months of treatment, every 3 months afterwards, and urgently at any time for visual symptoms. For serous retinal detachment reactions, the dose modification guidelines should be followed.
Pemazyre should not be used during pregnancy unless the clinical condition of the women requires treatment with Pemazyre. Patients with cancer cells that have spread into the brain or spinal cord should notify their physician before initiating treatment with Pemazyre.
About Incyte
Incyte is a Wilmington, Delaware-based, global biopharmaceutical company focused on finding solutions for serious unmet medical needs through the discovery, development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics. For additional information on Incyte, please visit Incyte.com and follow @Incyte .
Forward Looking Statements
Except for the historical information set forth herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding whether or when Pemazyre might provide a successful treatment option for patients with locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma, and the FIGHT clinical trial program, contain predictions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including unanticipated developments in and risks related to: unanticipated delays; further research and development and the results of clinical trials possibly being unsuccessful or insufficient to meet applicable regulatory standards or warrant continued development; the ability to enroll sufficient numbers of subjects in clinical trials and the ability to enroll subjects in accordance with planned schedules; the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures to address the pandemic on the Company’s clinical trials, supply chain and other third-party providers and development and discovery operations; determinations made by European regulatory authorities or other regulatory authorities; the Company’s dependence on its relationships with its collaboration partners; the efficacy or safety of the Company’s products and the products of the Company’s collaboration partners; the acceptance of the Company’s products and the products of the Company’s collaboration partners in the marketplace; market competition; sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution requirements; greater than expected expenses; expenses relating to litigation or strategic activities; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the quarter ending December 31, 2021. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
_________________
1
Banales JM, et al. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016;13:261‒280.
2
Uhlig J, et al. Ann Surg Oncol. 2019;26:1993–2000.
3
Kirstein MM, Vogel A. Visc Med 2016; 32: 395-400.
4
Countries factored include: UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Poland and Austria
5
Graham RP, et al. Hum Pathol. 2014;45:1630‒1638.
6
Ang C. J. Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015;30:1116‒1122.
7
Ross JS et al. The Oncologist. 2014;19:235–242.
8
Pemazyre(pemigatinib) [Package Insert]. Wilmington, DE: Incyte; 2020.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210329005598/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Zayed Sustainability Prize Honours Global Pioneers Advancing Progress14.1.2026 02:35:00 CET | Press release
US$5.9M awarded to 11 organisations and high schools from the UAE, Brazil, Canada, Nepal, Switzerland, Uganda and across six sustainability categories From AI-enabled diagnostics to Cooling-as-a-Service, this year’s winners deliver locally adapted innovations that empower millions In 18 years, the Prize has scaled solutions reaching more than 411 million people globally The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges, today announced the cohort of 2026 winners, celebrating 18 years of empowering communities and driving inclusive, sustainable progress around the world. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113958706/en/ The 2026 winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize were recognised by the President of the UAE in Abu Dhabi on 13 January 2026 (Photo: AETOSWire) In a ceremony held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and attended by Heads of State, M
Alta Semper Secures USD 57.5 Million from EIB Group and IFC for Growth Fund II to Expand Healthcare Access Across Africa13.1.2026 19:30:00 CET | Press release
Alta Semper Capital LLP (“Alta Semper”), a London-based private equity firm focused on healthcare and consumer investments in high-growth markets, today announced that it has secured USD 57.5 million in commitments to Alta Semper Growth Fund II. These commitments come from a consortium of investors including the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). This landmark partnership was signified earlier today with a momentous signing ceremony held at a Government Ministry in Cairo. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113837616/en/ Andrew McDowell (EIB), Cheick Oumar Sylla (IFC), Gelsomina Vigliotti (EIB), Rania Al-Mashat (Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation of Egypt), Bassel Rahmy (MSMEDA), Afsane Jetha (CEO, Alta Semper) and Mark Bryson-Richardson MBE (British Ambassador to Egypt) at the signing ceremony in Cairo. (Photo: AETOSWire)
500 Global and Creators HQ Support Creators and Founders Building Startups Collectively Valued at US$130M+13.1.2026 17:00:00 CET | Press release
500 Global, one of the world’s most active Silicon Valley-based venture capital firms1, and Creators HQ, the first content creator hub in the UAE and the Middle East enabling the creator ecosystem globally, announced the Creators Ventures Accelerator program is building and supporting creator-led startups collectively valued at over US$130 million.2 The Creators Ventures Accelerator received over 1,100 applications from content creators and technology startup founders across more than 70 countries. Following a competitive selection process, 21 creators and founders were chosen for the program. This cohort serves a community of 20M+ followers, subscribers, and users across platforms. “Creators represent a growing class of bona fide entrepreneurs, with 50 million creators globally, projected to grow at 10-20% annually over the next 5 years. The first iteration of this industry was built on visibility and virality to monetize. With consumers getting savvier and more discerning, we believe
Nexo Becomes First-Ever Title Partner of the U.S. ATP 500 Dallas Open in Multi-Year Deal13.1.2026 16:30:00 CET | Press release
The agreement builds on Nexo’s long-term approach to partnerships with established global sports institutions. Nexo, the digital assets wealth platform, has been named the U.S. ATP 500 Dallas Open’s first-ever Title Partner under a multi-year agreement beginning in 2026, as the company advances its long-term brand strategy through leading global sports properties. The partnership was unveiled in Dallas alongside the debut of the Nexo Dallas Open brand and the resurfacing of two public tennis courts in North Texas. As one of only two ATP 500 tournaments in the U.S. and the country’s sole indoor ATP Tour championship, the Dallas Open places Nexo among a limited group of ATP 500 title partners. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113901822/en/ The Nexo Dallas Open “This partnership with Nexo represents a transformative milestone for the Dallas Open,” said Tournament Director Peter Lebedevs. “Securing a title spons
Blue Matter Establishes New Capabilities in Biopharma Research & Development Led by Partner, Tara Austraat-Churik13.1.2026 15:01:00 CET | Press release
Blue Matter is pleased to announce that it has established a practice area dedicated to serving clients in biopharmaceutical Research & Development (R&D). The practice is led by Tara Austraat-Churik, a Partner who joined the firm in September 2025. Tara Austraat-Churik has been serving life science clients for more than 20 years. Her areas of expertise include strategy development and implementation, operating model and organizational design, and process optimization in R&D and Medical Affairs. Prior to joining Blue Matter, she served as Managing Director in R&D, Health, Science, and Wellness at EY. She has a robust background in consulting, which also includes roles at Booz Allen Hamilton, Navitas, WPP, and IBM. She holds a BA and MA from the University of Notre Dame and an MSc in Translational Medicine from the University of Edinburgh. The R&D practice, according to Austraat-Churik, exists to help biopharma companies simplify and accelerate the pathway to market. She adds, “R&D organ
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom
