Late-breaking Libtayo® (cemiplimab) Pivotal Data in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Basal Cell Carcinoma to Be Presented at ESMO

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced the presentation of new, positive data for the PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo(®) (cemiplimab) at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Virtual Congress 2020 from September 19-21. Among the accepted abstracts are two late-breaking oral presentations on the investigational use of Libtayo monotherapy in first-line advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) previously treated with a hedgehog inhibitor. Additional presentations will include patient-reported quality-of-life and real-world patient data for Libtayo in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).

"Libtayo monotherapy continues to demonstrate significant results in pivotal trials across diverse cancers, and we are excited to share these data at ESMO," said Israel Lowy, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Translational and Clinical Sciences, Oncology, at Regeneron. "These trial outcomes highlight the potential of Libtayo to advance treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and basal cell carcinoma, and will form the basis for regulatory submissions in the U.S. and European Union."

Late-breaking oral presentations include:

    --  EMPOWER-Lung 1: Phase 3 first-line cemiplimab monotherapy vs
        platinum-doublet chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC with programmed cell
        death ligand-1 (PD-L1) >=50% (Abstract 1158, LBA52; Ahmet Sezer, M.D.;
        Proffered Paper Presentation)
    --  Primary analysis of Phase 2 results for cemiplimab in patients with
        locally advanced BCC who progress on or are intolerant to hedgehog
        inhibitors (HHIs) (Abstract 3933, LBA47; Alexander Stratigos, M.D.;
        Mini-oral Presentation)

"The Libtayo clinical development program, as monotherapy or in combination with either conventional or novel therapies, focuses on the real-world challenges of patients confronting difficult-to-treat or rare cancers," said Peter Adamson, M.D., Global Development Head, Oncology and Pediatric Innovation at Sanofi. "This development approach was evidenced by the initial approval of Libtayo for patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and it continues to guide our Libtayo clinical development program for non-small cell lung cancer and basal cell carcinoma."

Additional Libtayo presentations include:

    --  Time to clinically meaningful changes in pain in patients with advanced
        CSCC treated with cemiplimab in a Phase 2 clinical trial (Abstract 3955;
        Poster 1087P; Michael Migden, M.D.; Poster Presentation)
    --  Demographics, prior therapies and reasons for cemiplimab treatment:
        prospective CemiplimAb-rwlc Survivorship and Epidemiology (C.A.S.E.)
        study in patients with advanced CSCC (Abstract 1996; Poster 1094P;
        Guilherme Rabinowits, M.D.; Poster Presentation)
    --  EMPOWER-Lung 4: Phase 2, randomized, open-label high dose or standard
        dose cemiplimab alone/plus ipilimumab in the second-line treatment of
        advanced NSCLC (Abstract 4033; Poster 1269P; Byoung Yong Shim, M.D.;
        Poster Presentation)

Libtayo is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement. Libtayo was invented using Regeneron's VelocImmune(®) technology that utilizes a proprietary genetically-engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically-humanized immune system to produce optimized fully-human antibodies. VelocImmune technology has been used to create multiple antibodies including Dupixent(®) (dupilumab), Praluent(®) (alirocumab) and Kevzara(®) (sarilumab), which are approved in multiple countries around the world. Regeneron previously used these technologies to rapidly develop a treatment for Ebola virus infection, which is currently under review by the FDA, and to create REGN-COV2, a potentially preventative and therapeutic medicine for COVID-19.

About Libtayo

Libtayo is a fully-human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T-cells. By binding to PD-1, Libtayo has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation.

Libtayo is the first immunotherapy approved in the U.S., EU, and other countries for adults with metastatic CSCC or locally advanced CSCC who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation. In the U.S., the generic name for Libtayo in its approved indication is cemiplimab-rwlc, with rwlc as the suffix designated in accordance with Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products Guidance for Industry issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The extensive clinical program for Libtayo is focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. In skin cancer, this includes trials in adjuvant and neoadjuvant CSCC in addition to the pivotal trial in advanced BCC. Libtayo is also being investigated in pivotal trials in NSCLC and cervical cancer, as well as in trials combining Libtayo with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for both solid tumors and blood cancers. These potential uses are investigational, and their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATION FOR U.S. PATIENTS

What is Libtayo?

Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat people with a type of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation.

It is not known if Libtayo is safe and effective in children.

What is the most important information I should know about Libtayo?

Libtayo is a medicine that may treat a type of skin cancer by working with your immune system. Libtayo can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of your body and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become severe or life-threatening and can lead to death. You can have more than one problem at the same time. These problems may happen anytime during treatment or even after your treatment has ended.

Call or see your healthcare provider right away if you develop any symptoms of the following problems or these symptoms get worse:

    --  Lung problems (pneumonitis). Signs and symptoms of pneumonitis may
        include new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
    --  Intestinal problems (colitis) that can lead to tears or holes in your
        intestine. Signs and symptoms of colitis may include diarrhea (loose
        stools) or more frequent bowel movements than usual; stools that are
        black, tarry, sticky or that have blood or mucus; and severe
        stomach-area (abdomen) pain or tenderness.
    --  Liver problems (hepatitis). Signs and symptoms of hepatitis may include
        yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, severe nausea or
        vomiting, pain on the right side of your stomach area (abdomen),
        drowsiness, dark urine (tea colored), bleeding or bruising more easily
        than normal, and feeling less hungry than usual.
    --  Hormone gland problems (especially the adrenal glands, pituitary,
        thyroid and pancreas). Signs and symptoms that your hormone glands are
        not working properly may include headaches that will not go away or
        unusual headaches, rapid heartbeat, increased sweating, extreme
        tiredness, weight gain or weight loss, dizziness or fainting, feeling
        more hungry or thirsty than usual, hair loss, feeling cold,
        constipation, deeper voice, very low blood pressure, urinating more
        often than usual, nausea or vomiting, stomach-area (abdomen) pain, and
        changes in mood or behavior, such as decreased sex drive, irritability,
        or forgetfulness.
    --  Kidney problems, including nephritis and kidney failure. Signs of these
        problems may include decrease in your amount of urine, blood in your
        urine, swelling in your ankles, and loss of appetite.
    --  Skin problems. Signs of these problems may include rash, itching, skin
        blistering, and painful sores or ulcers in the mouth, nose, throat, or
        genital area.
    --  Problems in other organs. Signs of these problems may include headache,
        tiredness or weakness, sleepiness, changes in heartbeat (such as beating
        fast, seeming to skip a beat, or a pounding sensation), confusion,
        fever, muscle weakness, balance problems, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck,
        memory problems, seizures (encephalitis), swollen lymph nodes, rash or
        tender lumps on skin, cough, shortness of breath, vision changes, or eye
        pain (sarcoidosis), seeing or hearing things that are not there
        (hallucinations), severe or persistent muscle pain, severe muscle
        weakness, low red blood cells (anemia), bruises on the skin or bleeding,
        and changes in eyesight.
    --  Rejection of a transplanted organ. Your doctor should tell you what
        signs and symptoms you should report and monitor you, depending on the
        type of organ transplant that you have had.
    --  Infusion (IV) reactions that can sometimes be severe and
        life-threatening. Signs of these problems may include chills or shaking,
        itching or rash, flushing, shortness of breath or wheezing, dizziness,
        fever, feeling of passing out, back or neck pain, and facial swelling.

Getting medical treatment right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious.

Your healthcare provider will check you for these problems during your treatment with Libtayo. Your healthcare provider may treat you with corticosteroid or hormone replacement medicines. Your healthcare provider may delay or completely stop treatment if you have severe side effects.

Before you receive Libtayo, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

    --  have immune system problems such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis,
        or lupus;
    --  have had an organ transplant;
    --  have lung or breathing problems;
    --  have liver or kidney problems;
    --  have diabetes;
    --  are pregnant or plan to become pregnant; Libtayo can harm your unborn
        baby

Females who are able to become pregnant:

-- Your healthcare provider will give you a pregnancy test before you start treatment. -- You should use an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for at least 4 months after your last dose of Libtayo. Talk with your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this time. -- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with Libtayo.
    --  are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Libtayo
        passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for
        at least 4 months after the last dose of Libtayo.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of Libtayo include tiredness, rash, diarrhea, muscle or bone pain, and nausea. These are not all the possible side effects of Libtayo. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi at 1-877-542-8296.

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.

About Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for over 30 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to seven FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, infectious diseases and rare diseases.

Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite(®) technologies, such as VelocImmune which uses unique genetically-humanized mice to produce optimized fully-human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.

For additional information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.

About Sanofi

Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions.

With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.

Sanofi, Empowering Life

Regeneron Forward-Looking Statements and Use of Digital Media

This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties relating to future events and the future performance of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Regeneron" or the "Company"), and actual events or results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "estimate," variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements concern, and these risks and uncertainties include, among others, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that has caused the COVID-19 pandemic) on Regeneron's business and its employees, collaborators, and suppliers and other third parties on which Regeneron relies, Regeneron's and its collaborators' ability to continue to conduct research and clinical programs, Regeneron's ability to manage its supply chain, net product sales of products marketed by Regeneron and/or its collaborators (collectively, "Regeneron's Products"), and the global economy; the nature, timing, and possible success and therapeutic applications of Regeneron's Products and Regeneron's product candidates and research and clinical programs now underway or planned, including without limitation Libtayo(®) (cemiplimab); the likelihood, timing, and scope of possible regulatory approval and commercial launch of Regeneron's product candidates and new indications for Regeneron's Products, such as Libtayo for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, basal cell carcinoma, adjuvant and neoadjuvant cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and cervical cancer (as well as in trials combining Libtayo with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for both solid tumors and blood cancers, as applicable); uncertainty of market acceptance and commercial success of Regeneron's Products and product candidates and the impact of studies (whether conducted by Regeneron or others and whether mandated or voluntary) on the commercial success of Regeneron's Products and product candidates; safety issues resulting from the administration of Regeneron's Products (such as Libtayo) and product candidates in patients, including serious complications or side effects in connection with the use of Regeneron's Products and product candidates in clinical trials; determinations by regulatory and administrative governmental authorities which may delay or restrict Regeneron's ability to continue to develop or commercialize Regeneron's Products and product candidates; ongoing regulatory obligations and oversight impacting Regeneron's Products, research and clinical programs, and business, including those relating to patient privacy; the availability and extent of reimbursement of Regeneron's Products from third-party payers, including private payer healthcare and insurance programs, health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit management companies, and government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid; coverage and reimbursement determinations by such payers and new policies and procedures adopted by such payers; competing drugs and product candidates that may be superior to, or more cost effective than, Regeneron's Products and product candidates; the extent to which the results from the research and development programs conducted by Regeneron and/or its collaborators may be replicated in other studies and/or lead to advancement of product candidates to clinical trials, therapeutic applications, or regulatory approval; the ability of Regeneron to manufacture and manage supply chains for multiple products and product candidates; the ability of Regeneron's collaborators, suppliers, or other third parties (as applicable) to perform manufacturing, filling, finishing, packaging, labeling, distribution, and other steps related to Regeneron's Products and product candidates; unanticipated expenses; the costs of developing, producing, and selling products; the ability of Regeneron to meet any of its financial projections or guidance and changes to the assumptions underlying those projections or guidance; the potential for any license or collaboration agreement, including Regeneron's agreements with Sanofi, Bayer, and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (or their respective affiliated companies, as applicable), to be cancelled or terminated without any further product success; and risks associated with intellectual property of other parties and pending or future litigation relating thereto (including without limitation the patent litigation and other related proceedings relating to EYLEA(®) (aflibercept) Injection, Dupixent(®) (dupilumab), and Praluent(®) (alirocumab)), other litigation and other proceedings and government investigations relating to the Company and/or its operations, the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings and investigations, and the impact any of the foregoing may have on Regeneron's business, prospects, operating results, and financial condition. A more complete description of these and other material risks can be found in Regeneron's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and its Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020. Any forward-looking statements are made based on management's current beliefs and judgment, and the reader is cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements made by Regeneron. Regeneron does not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, including without limitation any financial projection or guidance, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Regeneron uses its media and investor relations website and social media outlets to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Regeneron is routinely posted and is accessible on Regeneron's media and investor relations website (http://newsroom.regeneron.com) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/regeneron).

Sanofi Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates regarding the marketing and other potential of the product, or regarding potential future revenues from the product. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "plans" and similar expressions. Although Sanofi's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Sanofi, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include among other things, unexpected regulatory actions or delays, or government regulation generally, that could affect the availability or commercial potential of the product, the fact that product may not be commercially successful, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including future clinical data and analysis of existing clinical data relating to the product, including post marketing, unexpected safety, quality or manufacturing issues, competition in general, risks associated with intellectual property and any related future litigation and the ultimate outcome of such litigation, and volatile economic and market conditions, and the impact that COVID-19 will have on us, our customers, suppliers, vendors, and other business partners, and the financial condition of any one of them, as well as on our employees and on the global economy as a whole. Any material effect of COVID-19 on any of the foregoing could also adversely impact us. This situation is changing rapidly and additional impacts may arise of which we are not currently aware and may exacerbate other previously identified risks. The risks and uncertainties also include the uncertainties discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by Sanofi, including those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in Sanofi's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019. Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.



     
              Regeneron Contacts:       
     
              Sanofi Contacts:





     
              Media Relations           
     
              Media Relations


     Daren Kwok                           
     Sally Bain


     Tel: +1 (914) 847-1328               
     Tel.: +1 (781) 264-1091


     
              daren.kwok@regeneron.com  
     
              sally.bain@sanofi.com




     
              Investor Relations        
     
              Investor Relations Paris


     Vesna Tosic                          
     Eva Schaefer-Jansen


     Tel: +1 (914) 847-5443               
     Arnaud Delepine


     
              vesna.tosic@regeneron.com 
     Yvonne Naughton



                                           
     
              Investor Relations North America

                                           
     Felix Lauscher

                                           
     Fara Berkowitz

                                           
     Suzanne Greco



                                           
     IR main line:

                                           
     Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 77 45 45

                                           
     
              ir@sanofi.com

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/late-breaking-libtayo-cemiplimab-pivotal-data-in-advanced-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-and-basal-cell-carcinoma-to-be-presented-at-esmo-301123657.html

SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.