CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AGIO), a leader in the field of cellular metabolism to treat genetically defined diseases, today reported a full analysis of updated data, including patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures, from its global Phase 3 ACTIVATE and ACTIVATE-T studies of mitapivat in adults with pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency. Data from the studies will be featured in oral presentations on Tuesday, June 15, at the European Hematology Association (EHA) Virtual Congress.
Consistent with previously announced topline data, the ACTIVATE and ACTIVATE-T studies met primary and secondary endpoints, including PRO outcomes that address symptom burden and quality-of-life impact of PK deficiency in adults. The safety profile observed in both studies was generally consistent with previously published data. Mitapivat is a first-in-class, investigational, oral, small molecule allosteric activator of wild-type and a variety of mutated pyruvate kinase R (PKR) enzymes.
“Results from the ACTIVATE and ACTIVATE-T Phase 3 studies underscore the potential of mitapivat to be the first disease-modifying therapy for individuals with pyruvate kinase deficiency, a disease characterized by chronic hemolysis and associated long-term complications affecting multiple organ systems, regardless of the degree of anemia or transfusion status. New disease-modifying treatment approaches are needed, as current management strategies are supportive and include regular blood transfusions, which can lead to iron overload and splenectomy, which is also associated with short- and long-term risks,” said Andreas Glenthøj, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen, Denmark.
ACTIVATE Results Summary
- The Phase 3 ACTIVATE trial of mitapivat achieved its primary endpoint. Mitapivat demonstrated a sustained, statistically significant increase in hemoglobin in patients with PK deficiency who are not regularly transfused.40 percent (n=16) of patients randomized to mitapivat achieved a hemoglobin response, compared to 0 patients randomized to placebo (2-sided p<0.0001).
The effect of mitapivat on hemoglobin response compared to placebo was observed consistently across all predefined subgroups. - Statistically significant improvements compared to placebo were also demonstrated for all pre-specified key secondary endpoints, including markers of hemolysis and ineffective erythropoiesis, as well as PRO measures.The increase in hemoglobin occurred early and was sustained, with an average change from baseline of 1.67 g/dL for mitapivat compared with -0.15 g/dL for placebo (2-sided p<0.0001) at Weeks 16, 20 and 24.
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency Daily Diary (PKDD), a daily diary of signs and symptoms, captures changes in symptom burden (e.g., tiredness, energy levels, jaundice, bone pain and shortness of breath).
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency Impact Assessment (PKDIA), a weekly measure of disease impacts, measures health-related quality of life, (e.g., daily activities, concentration, physical activity and the need for additional rest or sleep). - The safety profile of mitapivat was consistent with previously reported data.The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) with mitapivat were nausea and headache, which were less frequent for mitapivat compared to placebo (n=7; 17.5% vs. n=9; 23.1% and n=6; 15.0% vs n=13; 33.3%, respectively).
There were no TEAEs leading to dose reduction, interruption, discontinuation or death in the mitapivat arm.
ACTIVATE-T Results Summary
- The Phase 3 ACTIVATE-T trial of mitapivat achieved its primary endpoint. Mitapivat demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in transfusion burden for patients who are regularly transfused.37 percent (n=10) of patients achieved a transfusion reduction response, defined as a ≥33% reduction in transfusion burden in the 24-week fixed dose period compared with individual historical transfusion burden standardized to 24 weeks (1-sided p = 0.0002); 9 responders achieved a ≥50% reduction.
22 percent (n=6) of patients were transfusion-free during the fixed-dose period.
11 percent (n=3) of patients achieved hemoglobin concentrations in the normal range at least once, eight weeks or more after a transfusion, during the fixed dose period. - Improvements were also observed for the PK deficiency-specific PRO measures, PKDD and PKDIA scores.
- The safety profile of mitapivat was consistent with previously reported data.The most frequently reported adverse events in patients receiving mitapivat included alanine aminotransferase increase (n=10; 37%), headache (n=10; 37%), aspartate aminotransferase increase (n=5; 18.5%), fatigue (n=5; 18.5%) and nausea (n=5; 18.5%).
No serious TEAE was considered by the investigator to be related to study treatment.
There were no TEAEs leading to interruption, discontinuation or death, and only one patient experienced a TEAE leading to dose reduction.
“For nearly a decade, Agios has been pioneering the science of PK activation. Results reported today from ACTIVATE and ACTIVATE-T continue to demonstrate the therapeutic impact of activating this pathway and provide the foundation for the first potential approval of a PK activator,” said Chris Bowden, M.D., chief medical officer at Agios. “In the weeks ahead, we look forward to working with regulatory authorities in both the U.S. and EU to rapidly bring mitapivat to pyruvate kinase deficiency patients as the first potentially disease-modifying therapy.”
Agios remains on track to submit a new drug application (NDA) in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2021 and a marketing authorization application (MAA) in the EU in mid-2021 for mitapivat in adults with PK deficiency.
ACTIVATE Trial Design
ACTIVATE is a Phase 3 global, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a 1:1 randomization evaluating the efficacy and safety of mitapivat as a potential treatment for adults with PK deficiency who do not receive regular transfusions. Patients were required to have a hemoglobin concentration less than or equal to 10.0g/dL. The trial randomized 80 patients.
The study was designed with two parts. Part 1 was a dose escalation period in which patients started at 5 mg of mitapivat or placebo twice daily, with two potential dose escalations to 20 mg twice daily and 50 mg twice daily over a 12-week period. After the dose escalation period, patients received a fixed dose for an additional 12 weeks in Part 2.
The primary endpoint of the study was hemoglobin response, defined as a ≥1.5 g/dL increase in hemoglobin concentration from baseline that is sustained at two or more scheduled assessments at Weeks 16, 20 and 24 during Part 2 of the trial.
ACTIVATE-T Trial Design
ACTIVATE-T is a Phase 3 global, open-label study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mitapivat as a potential treatment for adults with PK deficiency who are regularly transfused, defined as receiving six or more transfusions in the past 52 weeks. The trial enrolled 27 patients.
The study was designed with two parts. Part 1 was a dose escalation period in which patients started at 5 mg twice daily of mitapivat, with two potential dose increases to 20 mg twice daily and 50 mg twice daily for up to 16 weeks. After the dose escalation period, patients received a fixed dose for an additional 24 weeks in Part 2.
The primary endpoint of the study was reduction in transfusion burden, defined as a reduction of ≥33 percent in the number of red blood cell units transfused during the 24-week fixed dose period compared with the historical transfusion burden standardized to 24 weeks. Participants who discontinued the study before completing at least 12 weeks of treatment in the fixed dose period were considered non-responders. The p-value is based on the binomial exact test of H0: transfusion reduction response rate ≤10% vs. H1: transfusion reduction response rate >10% at a 1-sided α=0.025.
Oral Presentation Information
Title: ACTIVATE: A Phase 3, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of mitapivat in adults with pyruvate kinase deficiency who are not regularly transfused
Live Q&A Session Date and Time: Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at 7:45 p.m. CEST / 1:45 p.m. ET
Oral Abstract Session: Changing the scene in congenital anemias
Abstract: S270
Presenter: Hanny Al-Samkari, M.D., Division of Hematology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
Title: ACTIVATE-T: A Phase 3, open-label, multicenter study of mitapivat in adults with pyruvate kinase deficiency who are regularly transfused
Live Q&A Session Date and Time: Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at 7:45 p.m. CEST / 1:45 p.m. ET
Oral Abstract Session: Changing the scene on congenital anemias
Abstract: S271
Presenter: Andreas Glenthøj, M.D., Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen, Denmark
Mitapivat Clinical Development
ACTIVATE and ACTIVATE-T are intended to support global regulatory filings for mitapivat in adults with PK deficiency in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2021 and the EU in mid-2021. Agios also is conducting an extension study for adults with PK deficiency previously enrolled in ACTIVATE or ACTIVATE-T, which is designed to evaluate the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of treatment with mitapivat.
In addition, Agios completed a Phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of treatment with mitapivat in adults with non-transfusion-dependent α- or β-thalassemia. The primary endpoint for the Phase 2 study was hemoglobin response, defined as a ≥1.0 g/dL increase in hemoglobin concentration from baseline at one or more assessments between Week 4 and Week 12. These results are also being reported as part of an oral presentation at the EHA Virtual Congress. Agios is conducting an extension study of mitapivat for adults previously enrolled in the Phase 2 study and is initiating two Phase 3 studies, ENERGIZE and ENERGIZE-T, in not regularly transfused and regularly transfused adults with thalassemia in the second half of 2021.
Mitapivat is also being evaluated as a potential treatment for sickle cell disease under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Mitapivat has been shown to decrease 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) and increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and through this mechanism, it may reduce hemoglobin S polymerization and red blood cell sickling. Preliminary clinical data establishing proof-of-concept for mitapivat in sickle cell disease were disclosed in June 2020, and updated data were presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in December 2020. Agios is initiating its pivotal Phase 2/3 study in sickle cell disease by year-end 2021.
Mitapivat has been granted orphan drug designation for the treatment of PK deficiency by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency. Additionally, mitapivat has received orphan drug designation from the FDA for the treatment of thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
Mitapivat is not approved for use by any regulatory authority.
About PK Deficiency
Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency is a rare, inherited disease that presents as chronic hemolytic anemia, which is the accelerated destruction of red blood cells. The inherited mutations in PKR genes cause a deficit in cellular energy within the red blood cell, as evidenced by lower PK enzyme activity, a decline in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels and a build-up of upstream metabolites, including 2,3-DPG (2,3-diphosphoglycerate).
PK deficiency is associated with serious complications, including gallstones, pulmonary hypertension, extramedullary hematopoiesis, osteoporosis and iron overload and its sequelae, which can occur regardless of the degree of anemia or transfusion burden. PK deficiency can also cause quality of life problems, including challenges with work and school activities, social life and emotional health. Current management strategies for PK deficiency, including red blood cell transfusions and splenectomy, are associated with both short- and long-term risks. There are no currently approved therapies for PK deficiency. For more information, please visit www.knowpkdeficiency.com.
Agios, in partnership with PerkinElmer Genomics, launched the Anemia ID program to offer no-cost genetic testing to eligible patients in the U.S. with suspected hereditary anemias, including PK deficiency. The program was created in response to feedback from patients, advocates and physicians about the need for improved diagnosis to inform disease management decisions. To learn more, please visit www.AnemiaID.com.
About Agios
Agios is focused on discovering and developing novel investigational medicines to treat genetically defined diseases through scientific leadership in the field of cellular metabolism. The company’s most advanced drug candidate is a first-in-class pyruvate kinase R (PKR) activator, mitapivat, that is currently being evaluated for the treatment of three distinct hemolytic anemias. In addition to its active late-stage clinical pipeline, Agios has multiple novel, investigational therapies in clinical and preclinical development. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.agios.com.
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