IPSEN

Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) today announced results from the MOVE trial, the first and only multicenter Phase III study in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), to be presented during an oral presentation at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) 2020 annual meeting (Saturday, 12 September, 11:00am - 12:30pm ET). Dosing of palovarotene in the MOVE clinical trial was paused when futility criteria were met at a pre-specified interim analysis. However, subsequent post hoc analyses showed the RARy agonist oral investigational therapy palovarotene reduced mean annualized new heterotopic ossification (HO) volume in pediatric and adult participants with FOP. This was compared with untreated patients from a natural history study over 24 months.¹

Results from the MOVE trial demonstrated a 62% reduction in mean annualized new HO volume in participants treated with palovarotene (8,821 mm³ ) (n=97) versus untreated (23,318 mm³ ) (n=98) patients (nominal weighted linear mixed effects [wLME] model est. –11,611mm³ , p-value = 0.0292). Premature physeal closure (PPC) (n=18) or epiphyseal disorder (n=1) was observed in 27.1% (19/70) of participants who were skeletally immature at baseline.¹ Palovarotene safety data were otherwise generally consistent with the known adverse event (AE) profile of retinoids.

FOP is an ultra-rare, genetic disorder that affects approximately 1.36 per million individuals worldwide^2,3 and is characterized by formation of bone in soft and connective tissues, known as HO.⁴ Sporadic episodes of painful soft tissue swelling, called “flare-ups”, can precede HO.³ HO is permanent and leads to severe functional limitations in joint mobility, progressive and cumulative disability and to shortened life expectancy. There are currently no approved treatments for the reduction or prevention of heterotopic bone formation in FOP.⁴

“Accumulation of HO across the body is the defining characteristic of FOP and severely limits physical function over time,” said Dr Robert Pignolo, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic. “The MOVE trial provides important insight into long-awaited treatment strategies and demonstrates that the oral therapy palovarotene can reduce new HO volume, representing an important therapeutic option in FOP especially in older children and adults.”

“We are pleased to present the third interim analysis results of the Phase III MOVE trial in FOP, evaluating Ipsen’s oral investigational therapy palovarotene, to the global community at the ASBMR annual meeting,” said Jim Roach, M.D., Senior Vice President and Global Head of Rare Diseases Therapeutic Area at Ipsen. “Based on preliminary discussions with the FDA, Ipsen’s intent is to move forward with an NDA submission and discussions with the EMA are ongoing. We remain committed to working with regulators and are delighted to be one step closer to our goal of bringing this potential treatment option to people living with FOP in a timely manner.”

“People living with FOP face life-threatening challenges with limited treatment options. We are encouraged by these data showing a reduction in HO volume from the MOVE trial, which hopefully will result in a new potential treatment option for the FOP community,” said Adam Sherman of the International Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Association (IFOPA).

MOVE (NCT03312634) is an ongoing Phase III, multicenter, open-label trial of 107 patients with FOP who received oral palovarotene as a chronic (5mg once daily) and episodic (20mg once daily for 4 weeks, followed by 10mg for ≥8 weeks for flare-ups and trauma) regimen. The primary objectives of the MOVE trial are to evaluate the efficacy of palovarotene in reducing new HO volume in patients with FOP as assessed by low-dose, whole body computed tomography (WBCT, excluding head) compared with untreated patients from Ipsen's global FOP natural history study (NHS; NCT02322255), and to evaluate the safety of palovarotene in adult and pediatric patients with FOP.⁵ The NHS is a first-of-its kind study into the evaluation of FOP disease progression. In June, Ipsen presented 8 abstracts in the Journal of Endocrine Society as part of our ongoing commitment to rare diseases. The data included an abstract highlighting 12-month data on the natural progression of FOP and the impact of HO on patients’ physical functioning over time from the NHS study.⁶

At data cut off, all study participants had reported ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE); 97.0% reported ≥1 retinoid-associated TEAE (e.g. mucocutaneous events). Maximum AE severity was mild in 32.2% of participants, moderate in 45.5%, and severe in 22.2%. Premature physeal closure (PPC) (n=18) or epiphyseal disorder (n=1) was observed in 27.1% (19/70) of participants who were skeletally immature at baseline.¹ Results demonstrated a 62% reduction in mean annualized new HO volume in participants dosed with palovarotene (8,821 mm³ ) versus untreated (23,318 mm³ ) patients (nominal wLME model p-value = 0.0292). The data presented on 12 September are from the third interim analysis (IA3) of MOVE.

About the FOP clinical program

The Phase III MOVE (NCT03312634) trial is an open-label, single-arm, efficacy and safety trial evaluating a chronic/episodic dosing regimen of palovarotene, which includes a chronic 5mg daily dose of palovarotene in addition to the episodic 20/10mg dosing regimen following flare-ups (weight-adjusted for skeletally immature participants). The trial is being conducted in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.⁵ There are two ongoing Phase II (PVO-1A-202 [NCT02279095] and PVO-1A-204 [NCT02979769]) extension trials: 1) Study 202, an open-label extension of Study 201, the initial Phase II randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial; and 2) Study 204 an open-label trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of different palovarotene dosing regimens in patients with FOP in France.

In December 2019 a partial clinical hold was applied to the pediatric population (participants under the age of 14 years) currently participating in the Phase II (PVO-1A-202/204 and PVO-2A-201) and Phase III (PVO-1A-301) studies in all clinical sites at global level. Subsequently a decision to pause dosing of palovarotene in all participants in the global Phase III MOVE trial (PVO-1A-301), as well as the ongoing Phase II (PVO-1A-202/204) extension studies in FOP was made by Ipsen on 24 January 2020, based on results of a futility analysis as part of the pre-specified interim analysis (Bayesian compound Poisson analysis with square root transformation of the new HO volume data). Encouraging therapeutic activity was observed in post hoc analyses of interim data for the Phase III MOVE trial and shared with, and acknowledged by, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC). Post hoc analyses included Bayesian compound Poisson analysis without square root transformation, and weighted linear mixed effects models (with/without square root transformation of the new HO volume data). As such, the company amended the protocol for the Phase III MOVE trial to include updates to the statistical analysis section, including additional analyses requested by the IDMC, to be performed in addition to the primary pre-specified analysis. The protocol amendments are based on the IDMC’s observation that the protocol pre-specified statistical model may have negatively affected the efficacy analysis and appears to have shifted the statistical conclusion from significant therapeutic benefit to showing futility of the treatment. Dosing for eligible study patients ≥14 years of age has resumed across the Phase II and Phase III programs for palovarotene in FOP.

About palovarotene

Palovarotene is an oral investigational, selective RARγ agonist being developed as a potential treatment for patients with the debilitating ultra-rare, genetic disorder fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), as well as other conditions. Palovarotene, which had rare pediatric disease and breakthrough therapy designations for the treatment of FOP, was acquired by Ipsen through the acquisition of Clementia Pharmaceuticals in April 2019.

About fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP)

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an ultra-rare, genetic disorder characterized by bone that forms outside the normal skeleton, in muscles, tendons, or soft tissue.⁴ FOP is among the rarest of human diseases, and while there are approximately 1,000 described cases globally, the reported prevalence of FOP is estimated at approximately 1.36 per million individuals.^2,3

About Ipsen

Ipsen is a global specialty-driven biopharmaceutical group focused on innovation and Specialty Care. The Group develops and commercializes innovative medicines in three key therapeutic areas – Oncology, Neuroscience, and Rare Diseases. Ipsen also has a well-established Consumer Healthcare business. With total sales over €2.5 billion in 2019, Ipsen sells more than 20 drugs in over 115 countries, with a direct commercial presence in more than 30 countries. Ipsen’s R&D is focused on its innovative and differentiated technological platforms located in the heart of the leading biotechnological and life sciences hubs (Paris-Saclay, France; Oxford, UK; Cambridge, US). The Group has about 5,800 employees worldwide. Ipsen is listed in Paris (Euronext: IPN) and in the United States through a Sponsored Level I American Depositary Receipt program (ADR: IPSEY). For more information on Ipsen, visit www.ipsen.com

Ipsen’s Forward Looking Statement

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References

1. Pignolo R et al. Palovarotene (PVO) for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP): Data from the phase III MOVE trial. ASBMR September 2020.
2. Lilijesthrom M & Bogard B. The Global Known FOP Population. Presented at the FOP Drug Development Forum. Boston, MA; 2016.
3. Baujat et al. Prevalence of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) in France: an estimate based on a record linkage of two national databases. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 2017; 12:123.
4. The Medical Management of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva: Current Treatment Considerations, IFOPA. Accessed: May 2020. Available: http://fundacionfop.org.ar/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/GUIDELINES-May-2019.pdf
5. ClinicalTrials.gov. Accessed August 2020. Available: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03312634
6. Al Mukaddam M et al. A Natural History Study of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP): 12-Month Outcomes. J Endocr Soc. 2020;4 (Supplement 1):OR29-05

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