A Phase 1 Study of GRN163L (Imetelstat) in Combination With Fludarabine and Cytarabine for Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia That is in Second or Greater Relapse or That is Refractory to Relapse Therapy; Myelodysplastic Syndrome or Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia in First or Greater Relapse or is Refractory to Relapse Therapy

This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of imetelstat in combination with fludarabine and cytarabine in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) that has not responded to previous treatment (refractory) or that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent). Imetelstat may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Chemotherapy drugs, such as fludarabine and cytarabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving imetelstat in combination with fludarabine and cytarabine may work better in treating patients with refractory or recurrent AML, MDS, and JMML.

Start Date04 Feb 2025

Sponsor / Collaborator

The Children's Oncology Group Foundation, Inc.

[+2]

ACTRN12625000226404

/ Active, not recruitingPhase 2IIT

AMLM27/ IMpress_001: A phase II study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Imetelstat in Patients with HR myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) or AML failing HMA-based therapy.

Start Date07 Aug 2023

Sponsor / Collaborator

Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group

[+1]

NCT05583552

/ Active, not recruitingPhase 2

A Phase II Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Imetelstat in Patients With HR Myelodysplastic Syndromes or AML Failing HMA-based Therapy

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, in terms of hematologic improvement, and safety of imetelstat in participants with high-risk (HR) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that is relapsed/refractory to hypomethylating agents (HMAs) treatment. Responding patients are eligible to continue treatment until loss of response/disease progression.

Start Date05 Jun 2023

Sponsor / Collaborator

GCP Service International Ltd & Co KG

[+5]

100 Clinical Results associated with Imetelstat

100 Translational Medicine associated with Imetelstat

100 Patents (Medical) associated with Imetelstat

152

Literatures (Medical) associated with Imetelstat

01 Jun 2025·American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Annual Meeting

New Approvals in Low- and Intermediate-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Review

Author: Mohan, Sanjay ; McMahon, Christine ; Raddi, Marco G. ; Santini, Valeria

Recent advances in defining low- and intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) have emphasized the critical role of molecular characterization using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Molecular profiling significantly enhances diagnostic precision, classification, and risk stratification, thereby informing therapeutic decisions, including the timing of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). The Molecular International Prognostic Scoring System integrates clinical and molecular data, reclassifying and upstaging a substantial number of patients compared with previous prognostic systems, possibly allowing for more tailored therapeutic interventions. The novel therapeutic agents luspatercept and imetelstat have been particularly impactful. Luspatercept, which is effective in lower-risk (LR)-MDS, especially but not only in SF3B1- mutated cases, promotes late-stage erythroid maturation and transfusion independence (TI). Imetelstat, a telomerase inhibitor, induces TI while demonstrating disease-modifying effects as it significantly reduces mutation allele frequencies in patients who respond. These agents exemplify personalized medicine, emphasizing treatment selection and timing based on individual molecular and clinical features. Current research focuses on optimizing therapeutic strategies and exploring combination treatments to improve clinical outcomes.

01 Jun 2025·AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY

Emerging Pathogenetic Mechanisms and New Drugs for Anemia in Myelofibrosis and Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Review

Author: Tefferi, Ayalew ; Gangat, Naseema

ABSTRACT:

Anemia in myeloid neoplasms is multifaceted, with heterogeneous pathogenetic mechanisms that include ineffective erythropoiesis, hepcidin‐induced iron‐restricted erythropoiesis, and abnormal inflammatory cytokine production. Current management of anemia is challenged by limited approved drugs that specifically treat anemia in myelofibrosis (MF) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Newer therapies target the transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β)‐bone morphogenic protein/sons of mothers against decapentaplegic (BMP‐SMAD) signaling pathway, which plays a significant role in ineffective erythropoiesis (SMAD 2/3) and abnormal hepcidin production (SMAD 1/5/8). These include TGF‐β ligand traps (luspatercept, elritercept), activin A receptor type 1 (ACVR1)/activin receptor‐like kinase 2 (ALK2) inhibitors (momelotinib, zilurgisertib), and anti‐hemojuvelin antibody‐based therapies (DISC‐0974). Luspatercept and momelotinib are approved for anemia related to lower‐risk MDS and MF, respectively, and represent an important addition to the treatment armamentarium, along with imetelstat, a telomerase inhibitor, recently ratified for anemia in lower‐risk MDS. A promising strategy to overcome the limitations of existing anemia‐directed therapies includes the use of drug combinations with complementary mechanisms (luspatercept + erythropoiesis stimulating agents, luspatercept + momelotinib, DISC‐0974 + momelotinib), and harnessing the erythropoietic potential of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2I). Future research should address the complex pathophysiology of anemia, standardize definitions for anemia with gender‐specified cutoffs, implement uniform erythroid response criteria, and consider early therapeutic intervention in clinical trials for anemia‐directed therapies.

04 May 2025·Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy

Imetelstat in myeloid malignancies: current data and future directions

Review

Author: Zeidan, Amer M. ; Kewan, Tariq ; Podoltsev, Nikolai A. ; Bewersdorf, Jan P. ; Bidikian, Aram ; Stahl, Maximilian

INTRODUCTION:

Telomerase reactivation allows cancer cells to maintain telomere length and evade senescence, making it an appealing therapeutic target. Imetelstat, an antisense oligonucleotide, is the first clinically effective telomerase inhibitor approved by the FDA and the European Commission for treating anemia in transfusion-dependent low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

AREAS COVERED:

Sources for this review were identified through searches of PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and conference abstracts. This review highlights the pharmacology, efficacy, and ongoing trials of imetelstat in treating MDS, myelofibrosis, essential thrombocythemia, and other malignancies. In the IMerge trial, imetelstat induced durable transfusion independence in heavily transfused LR-MDS patients. Pilot trials in myelofibrosis suggest imetelstat's potential disease-modifying properties and survival benefit, warranting further studies of imetelstat as a monotherapy or in combination therapies. Imetelstat can cause thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, elevated liver enzymes, and infusion reactions, which are mostly reversible but may rarely lead to fatal events.

EXPERT OPINION:

Future clinical trials in LR-MDS should focus on optimal sequencing and combination strategies for imetelstat with other agents, and identifying biomarkers that can predict response. Monitoring real-world outcomes will offer valuable insights into imetelstat's safety and efficacy in patient populations underrepresented in clinical trials. Imetelstat's role in other malignancies, especially myelofibrosis, is being explored.

151

News (Medical) associated with Imetelstat

13 Apr 2025

·medcitynews.com

BMS Immunotherapy Combo Gets Two FDA Nods for GI Cancers in Span of a Week - MedCity News

The pairing of two Bristol Myers Squibb immunotherapies is now permitted for the first-line treatment of two types of gastrointestinal cancers, after regulatory decisions handed out this past week that convert the accelerated approval status of the drug combination to full FDA approval in both indications. The drugs, Opdivo and Yervoy, belong to the class of medicines called checkpoint inhibitors. On April 8, the FDA approved use of this drug combination for adults and children age 12 and older whose colorectal cancer has metastasized or cannot be removed by surgery. The cancer must also be microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), references to biomarkers that indicate the stability of DNA in a tumor. The regulatory submission was based on the results of an open-label Phase 3 test that compared the Opdivo/Yervoy combination to either Opdivo alone or chemotherapy. Results showed the immunotherapy combination led to a 38% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death compared to Opdivo monotherapy, and by 79% compared to chemo, both in the first-line setting. The study is ongoing to assess secondary measures, including overall survival. BMS said it will continue working with study investigators to present these data and longer-term follow-up results in the future. Sponsored Post Changes in Nurse Staffing Answer Clinician Demands The ongoing nursing shortage facilitates high turnover rates since nurses know they won’t have difficulties finding new jobs. In order to retain and attract staff, it’s in a facility’s best interest to understand what nurses want. By Tomasz Rezik On April 11, the FDA approved the combination of Opdivo and Yervoy for treating advanced cases of hepatocellular carcinoma. In the pivotal test in this indication, the drug combination led to median overall survival of 23.7 months. The comparator arm, in which patients received standard of care drugs sorafenib or levantinib, median overall survival was 20.6 months. At three years, the drug combination showed an overall survival rate of 38% versus 24% in the comparator arm. FDA approval of Opdivo plus Yervoy in hepatocellular carcinoma follows the European Commission’s early March approval of the drug combination in this indication. There’s plenty of news on the regulatory front. Here’s a recap of other recent highlights: New and Expanded Regulatory Approvals —Argenx drug Vyvgart Hytrulo received an additional approval for dosing of the product via a prefilled syringe. The drug, supplied in vials, previously received FDA approvals for the autoimmune conditions chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and generalized myasthenia gravis. Analysts say prefilled syringes bring patients a more convenient dosing option while giving Argenx the opportunity to get more market share by penetrating into earlier lines of therapy. Sponsored Post Understanding EGPA: The Role of Eosinophils and Advancements in Treatment Options FASENRA® (benralizumab) injection, for subcutaneous use, 30 mg is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). FASENRA provides a treatment option for HCPs to consider when managing this challenging disease. By FASENRA, Sponsored Content —Amgen’s Uplizna expanded its label to include the treatment of immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD), an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder that can affect multiple organs. The regulatory decision makes the intravenously infused antibody the first FDA-approved treatment for this rare and chronic disease. Uplizna was first approved in 2020 as a treatment for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. —Bayer’s Viktrakvi now has full FDA approval for the treatment of NTRK gene fusion-positive solid tumors in adults and children without a known acquired resistance mutation. The drug received accelerated approval in this indication in 2018. —AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo welcomed European Union approval of Datroway as a treatment for metastatic breast cancer that is HR positive and HER2 negative. Datroway received FDA approval in the same indication in January. The drug is an antibody drug conjugate designed to target the cancer protein TROP2. —Novartis drug atrasentan, brand name Vanrafia, was awarded accelerated approval as a new treatment for the kidney disorder immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). The drug is an oral small molecule designed to block the endothelin A receptor. It’s one of two IgAN nephropathy drugs that came via the $3.2 billion acquisition of Chinook Therapeutics in 2023. Novartis’s internal IgAN research yielded the complement inhibitor Fabhalta, which received accelerated approval in this indication last summer. —Speaking of Fabhalta, that Novartis drug expanded its label to include C3 glomerulopathy, making the twice-daily pill the first approved treatment for this rare kidney disorder. Fabhalta is a small molecule designed to block the complement protein C3. It was first approved in 2023 as a treatment for the rare blood disorder paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. —Sanofi received FDA approval for fitusiran, brand name Qfitlia, as a treatment for both hemophilia A and B. The drug leverages RNA interference to lower levels of AT, a protein that inhibits blood clotting. The approval covers the treatment of adults and children age 12 and older with or without inhibitors, which are antibodies that can develop in hemophilia patients, making it more difficult to control bleeding. By contrast, new Pfizer drug Hympavzi is approved only for hemophilia A and B patients without inhibitors while Sanofi’s Alhemo is approved only for hemophilia A and B patients with inhibitors. —Blockbuster AstraZeneca cancer immunotherapy Imfinzi landed European Union approval for the treatment of limited-stage small cell lung cancer. This new approval is based on Phase 3 results showing a 27% reduction in the risk of death compared to a placebo. The FDA approved Imfinzi for this indication last December. —Imfinzi also added perioperative treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer to its list of FDA-approved indications. The newest FDA nod covers use of the drug in combination with chemotherapy before surgery to remove the bladder, followed by Imfinzi as an adjuvant monotherapy. In the pivotal study supporting this new indication, results showed a 32% reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence and a 25% reduction in the risk of death compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone. —The European Commission approved Pfizer vaccine Abrysvo for protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The regulatory decision expands the vaccine’s approval to adults ages 18 to 59. European regulators initially approved the vaccine in 2023 for preventing lower respiratory tract disease in adults age 60 and older. Abrysvo won FDA approval the same year. —The FDA expanded approval of Novartis’s Pluvicto to include use as an earlier line of treatment — after anti-androgen drugs and before chemotherapy — for PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Pluvicto was initially approved in 2022 for PSMA-positive mCRPC that has already been treated with an anti-androgen drug and chemotherapy. Novartis said this expansion is important because about half of patients do not live long enough to receive a second-line treatment. —Exelixis cancer drug Cabometyx expanded its FDA-approved uses to advanced cases of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) and extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (epNET). The approval covers adults and children age 12 and older. Cabometyx is a small molecule designed to block enzymes that support cancer growth. The drug was first approved in 2016 for advanced renal cell carcinoma. —GSK landed FDA approval for Blujepa, an oral antibiotic developed to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections. While drugs are already available for these infections, they can become resistant to treatment. Blujepa is designed to block two enzyme targets key to bacterial DNA replication, an approach intended to lower the potential for drug resistance. —The European Commission approved Capvaxive, a pneumococcal vaccine developed by Merck to protect against the 21 Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes that lead to the majority of cases of invasive pneumococcal disease including eight that are not covered by any other available pneumococcal vaccine. The European regulatory decision covers adults age 18 and older. Capvaxive received FDA approval last July. —Alynlam Pharmaceuticals drug Amvuttra received FDA approval for treating cardiomyopathy caused by transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). The RNA interference drug was first approved in 2022 for the treatment of polyneuropathy caused by ATTR. In the cardiomyopathy indication, it will compete with Pfizer’s Vyndaqel and Vyndamax, which are established as the standard of care, as well as Attruby, a BridgeBio Pharma drug that received FDA approval last fall. —Bristol Myers Squibb’s Breyanzi received European Commission approval for relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. The CAR T-therapy received accelerated FDA approval in this indication last May. —Geron Corporation’s Rytelo received European Commission approval for the treatment of transfusion-dependent anemia caused by lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, a progressive type of blood cancer. The intravenously infused drug is the first telomerase inhibitor to reach the market. Rytelo landed FDA approval last June. —Neffy, an epinephrine nasal spray that ARS Pharmaceuticals developed to treat allergic reactions to insect bites, medications, and food, expanded its FDA approval to include patients weighing 15 to 30 kilograms (about 33 to 60 pounds). The product’s initial approval last year covered its use in patients weighing 30 kg or more. —Roche subsidiary Genentech received FDA approval for tenecteplase, brand name TNKase, as a treatment for acute ischemic stroke in adults. Genentech said TNKase is the first stroke medicine approved by the FDA in nearly 30 years. It’s the second approved indication for the clot-busting drug. The FDA approved it in 2000 for treating acute myocardial infarction. —A Neurotech Pharmaceuticals cell and gene therapy administered via a surgical implant received FDA approval for the treatment of macular telangectasia type 2. The therapy, brand name Encelto, is the first approved treatment for this rare vision-loss disorder. Regulatory Setbacks —The FDA missed the April 1 regulatory decision target date for Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine. Politico reported the holdup was due to the intervention of Sara Brenner, the FDA’s principal deputy commissioner, who asked for more data. Novavax said it has responded to all of the FDA’s information requests and believes the application is ready for approval based on the submitted Phase 3 data. Novavax’s protein-based vaccine initially received FDA emergency use authorization in 2022, a status that it retained under amended authorizations in 2023 and last year, both times for new formulas that covered the prevalent variants at the time. Full FDA approval would put the vaccine on par with the approved messenger RNA vaccines marketed by Pfizer and Moderna. Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine will be co-commercialized with Sanofi under a partnership announced last year. —Roche paused European clinical tests of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy Elevidys, the pharmaceutical giant said in a letter to the World Duchenne Organization. The move follows Sarepta Therapeutics’ recent report of a liver failure-associated patient death. Roche said the European Medicines Agency asked for a clinical hold on four studies until the inquiry into the cause of death is complete. Under a 2019 deal with Sarepta, Roche holds rights to Elevidys outside of the U.S. —For the second time, the FDA has rejected Aldeyra Therapeutics drug reproxalap as a treatment for dry eye disease. The agency turned down an application for the drug in 2023. According to Aldeyra, the FDA’s latest complete response letter said the new drug application failed to demonstrate efficacy. The regulator asked the company to run at least one more clinical trial. Among the concerns raised by the FDA is differences in baseline scores, which may have affected interpretation of trial results. Aldeyra said results from two ongoing studies are expected later in the current quarter, potentially paving the way for a mid-year resubmission of the application. —The European Medicines Agency refused marketing authorization for Eli Lilly Alzheimer’s disease drug Kisunla. Safety was the main reason cited, particularly the brain inflammation and bleeding that is a known complication risk associated with all drugs in the same class of Alzheimer’s medicines. The agency said the drug’s benefits were not enough to outweigh the potentially fatal safety risks. The FDA approved Kisunla last July. —In other Alzheimer’s drug news, Eisai again failed to persuade Australia’s drugs regulator to register Leqembi. The pharma company had asked the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) to reconsider its October 2024 decision to not register the drug in Australia. Eisai’s request for reconsideration covered a narrower indication, but Eisai said the TGA did not agree that safety has been established for these patients.

Drug ApprovalClinical ResultPhase 3ImmunotherapyVaccine

08 Apr 2025

·www.prnewswire.com

TIBSOVO's Continued Success Solidifies Its Position as a Leader in IDH1 Mutant Space | DelveInsight

With its ability to specifically inhibit the mutant IDH1 enzyme, TIBSOVO addresses an unmet need in personalized cancer treatment, offering new hope for patients with limited options. As clinical evidence continues to support its efficacy and safety, TIBSOVO is positioned for strong growth in the oncology market, especially with expanding indications and global market penetration. LAS VEGAS, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's " TIBSOVO Market Size, Forecast, and Market Insight Report" highlights the details around TIBSOVO, the first and only targeted therapy approved for patients with previously treated IDH1-mutated cholangiocarcinoma. The report provides product descriptions, patent details, and competitor products (marketed and emerging therapies) of TIBSOVO. The report also highlights the historical and forecasted sales from 2020 to 2034 segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Servier's TIBSOVO (ivosidenib) Overview TIBSOVO (ivosidenib) is a small molecule developed by Servier, acts as an isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) inhibitor. It is indicated for patients with a susceptible IDH1 mutation, which is identified through an FDA-approved test. Currently, TIBSOVO is approved for the treatment of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), relapsed or refractory AML, relapsed or refractory myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. According to Servier's pipeline, TIBSOVO is also being actively investigated for a range of additional indications, with key areas of exploration including solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Learn more about TIBSOVO projected market size for AML, cholangiocarcinoma, and MDS @ TIBSOVO Market Potential The oncology market has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by advances in cancer research, the development of targeted therapies, and the increasing global prevalence of cancer. As the second-leading cause of death worldwide, cancer continues to pose a major public health challenge, creating a substantial demand for innovative treatments. The market is marked by a shift toward personalized medicine, where therapies are tailored to an individual's genetic profile, allowing for more effective and less toxic treatments. Immunotherapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapies, and oncolytic virus therapies, are at the forefront of these advancements, offering new hope to patients with previously untreatable cancers. Moreover, the oncology market is expanding due to the growing adoption of precision oncology and molecular diagnostics, which enable earlier and more accurate detection of cancer. This has led to increased investments in research and development, especially in areas like liquid biopsies, companion diagnostics, and next-generation sequencing. The demand for more effective and accessible cancer treatments is fueling innovation in both the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, with numerous new drugs and therapies entering clinical trials and moving toward commercialization. As a result, the oncology market is poised to continue growing, with significant opportunities for breakthrough therapies in immuno-oncology, targeted treatments, and gene therapies. DelveInsight has expertise in the oncology market with an experienced team handling the oncology domain proficiently. DelveInsight has released a series of epidemiology-based market reports on Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Cholangiocarcinoma, and Myelodysplastic Syndrome. These reports include a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2020 to 2034, segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Gain deeper insights into these diseases with a customized report tailored to your needs. Connect with us today—our experts are ready to assist you! Emerging Competitors of TIBSOVO TIBSOVO faces significant competition in the newly diagnosed AML market from several alternative treatments. Oral therapies like VENCLEXTA (venetoclax), which inhibits BCL-2, and DAURISMO (glasdegib), which targets the hedgehog pathway, present strong contenders. Additionally, emerging therapies such as Lisaftoclax (Ascentage Pharma), another BCL-2 inhibitor, and gilteritinib (Astellas), a kinase inhibitor, are expected to further challenge TIBSOVO in the newly diagnosed AML space. In the R/R AML market, TIBSOVO competes with several therapies, including XOSPATA (gilteritinib), IDHIFA (enasidenib), and others. Emerging therapies such as Ziftomenib (Kura Oncology) and RVU-120 (Ryvu Therapeutics) are also expected to compete with TIBSOVO upon their approval. Ziftomenib, a small molecule developed by Kura Oncology, is currently in Phase I/II trials. In the relapsed/refractory (R/R) MDS market, TIBSOVO faces competition from therapies such as RYTELO (Imetelstat), an IV injection that inhibits oligonucleotide telomerase, and REBLOZYL (Luspatercept), a subcutaneous injection, among other treatment options. In the metastatic cholangiocarcinoma market, TIBSOVO faces relatively less competition, as there are few approved therapies. One such competitor is PEMAZYRE (pemigatinib), a kinase inhibitor that was approved in the US in 2020 and in Europe in 2021. Whereas, Tyra Biosciences' TYRA-200, an FGFR1/2/3 inhibitor, is in phase I stage of development that might be a threat to TIBSOVO one approved. To know more about the number of competing drugs in development, visit @ TIBSOVO Market Positioning Compared to Other Drugs Key Developmental Activities of TIBSOVO In October 2023, Servier announced that the FDA has approved TIBSOVO (ivosidenib tablets) for the treatment of IDH1-mutated R/R MDS. In May 2023, Servier announced that the European Commission has approved TIBSOVO as a targeted therapy in two indications: in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed AML with an isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 R132 mutation who are not eligible to receive standard induction chemotherapy; as well as in monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with an IDH1 R132 mutation who were previously treated by at least one prior line of systemic therapy. In May 2022, Servier announced FDA approval of TIBSOVO (ivosidenib tablets) in combination with azacitidine for patients with newly diagnosed IDH1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia. In August 2021, Servier announced FDA approval for TIBSOVO (ivosidenib tablets) for the treatment of adult patients with previously treated, locally advanced, or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with an IDH1 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. TIBSOVO is the first and only targeted therapy approved for patients with previously treated IDH1-mutated cholangiocarcinoma. In May 2019, Agios announced FDA approval of TIBSOVO (ivosidenib tablets) as monotherapy for newly diagnosed adult patients with IDH1 mutant acute myeloid leukemia not eligible for intensive chemotherapy. In July 2018, the FDA approved TIBSOVO (ivosidenib) for relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia with an idh1 mutation. In February 2018, the FDA accepted a new drug application and granted priority review for ivosidenib in relapsed or refractory AML with an IDH1 mutation. In December 2017, Agios submitted an NDA to the FDA for ivosidenib for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory aml and an IDH1 mutation. TIBSOVO Patent Details TIBSOVO is a drug owned by Servier Pharmaceuticals. Currently, it is protected by 10 Orange book-listed patents filed from 2018 to 2023, out of which none have expired yet. It is also protected by ODE exclusivity for various indications. Discover how TIBSOVO is shaping the blood cancer treatment landscape @ TIBSOVO Side Effects TIBSOVO Market Dynamics In recent years, the therapeutic landscape has undergone significant changes, with promising approaches including immunotherapy, chemotherapy combined with targeted treatments, and the regulation of immune checkpoint-mediated signaling pathways. One such treatment, Ivosidenib, works by inducing the bone marrow to develop normal blood cells, helping to reduce the frequency of blood transfusions. Investment in the research and development of drugs has surged, contributing to a rich pipeline and forecasting promising opportunities in the treatment markets for AML and cholangiocarcinomas. Therapies like TIBSOVO have the potential to capture market attention due to their efficacy and innovation. As healthcare spending continues to rise globally, the pharmaceutical market is expected to expand, providing greater opportunities for market penetration by manufacturers and facilitating the development and distribution of new treatments. Despite progress in cancer treatment, significant gaps remain in understanding the full process that governs carcinogenesis and resistance to treatments, particularly in cancers like acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This highlights the need for more advanced research to address these challenges. Additionally, the limited biomarker testing for patients with the IDH1 mutation restricts the targeted patient pool, posing a challenge for therapies like TIBSOVO to achieve their expected market share. The increasing competition from emerging therapies, such as KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), IMFINZI (durvalumab), and the combination of Azacitidine + Venetoclax, further intensifies the pressure on TIBSOVO. Moreover, the difficulty in obtaining sufficient patient pools and diagnostic samples during disease recurrence presents significant hurdles to the effective development of translational research, potentially slowing progress in optimizing treatments. Dive deeper to get more insight into TIBSOVO's strengths & weaknesses relative to competitors @ TIBSOVO Market Drug Report Table of Contents Related Reports Acute Myeloid Leukemia Market Acute Myeloid Leukemia Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key AML companies including Agios Pharmaceuticals, Abbvie, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Astellas Pharma, Pfizer, Novartis Oncology, Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Chimerix, Takeda, Rafael Pharmaceuticals Inc., Delta-Fly Pharma, GlycoMimetics Incorporated, BerGenBio ASA, MacroGenics, Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Arog Pharmaceuticals, Forma Therapeutics, Sellas Life Sciences Group, Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Clear Creek Bio Inc., CellCentric Ltd., Biosight Ltd., Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Curis, Inc., NexImmune Inc., Immunomedics, Inc., Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Incyte Corporation, Aprea Therapeutics, Immunicum, DCPrime BV, GT Biopharma, Inc., Hanmi Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Cardiff Oncology, Bio-Path Holdings, Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Aptevo Therapeutics, Synimmune GmbH, GEMoaB Monoclonals, ImmunoGen, Inc., AGC Biologics S.p.A., Precigen, Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Xencor, Inc., Novartis, Celgene, Bristol Myers Squibb, among others. Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia Market Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key R/R AML companies including Agios Pharmaceuticals, Abbvie, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Astellas Pharma, Pfizer, Novartis Oncology, Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Chimerix, Takeda, Rafael Pharmaceuticals Inc., Delta-Fly Pharma, GlycoMimetics Incorporated, BerGenBio ASA, MacroGenics, Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Arog Pharmaceuticals, Forma Therapeutics, Sellas Life Sciences Group, Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Clear Creek Bio Inc., CellCentric Ltd., Biosight Ltd., Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Curis, Inc., NexImmune Inc., Immunomedics, Inc., Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Incyte Corporation, Aprea Therapeutics, Immunicum, DCPrime BV, GT Biopharma, Inc., Hanmi Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Cardiff Oncology, Bio-Path Holdings, Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Aptevo Therapeutics, Synimmune GmbH, GEMoaB Monoclonals, ImmunoGen, Inc., AGC Biologics S.p.A., Precigen, Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Xencor, Inc., Novartis, Celgene, Bristol Myers Squibb, among others. Myelodysplastic Syndrome Market Myelodysplastic Syndrome Market Insight, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key MDS companies such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, Astex Pharmaceutical, Taiho Oncology, Fibrogen, AbbVie, Gilead Sciences, Novartis, Syros Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, Pfizer, Geron Corporation, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Antengene Corporation, BerGenBio ASA, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Aprea Therapeutics, Sanofi, Medac, among others. Cholangiocarcinoma Market Cholangiocarcinoma Market Insight, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key cholangiocarcinoma companies such as AstraZeneca, Decalth Systems, Basilea Pharmaceutica, Taiho Oncology, Eisai Pharmaceuticals, TransThera Sciences, Incyte Corporation, Roche, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Servier Pharma, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve . Contact Us Shruti Thakur [email protected] +14699457679 Logo: SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

Drug ApprovalImmunotherapyPhase 1Priority Review

12 Mar 2025

·pipelinereview.com

Geron Announces European Commission Approval of RYTELO® (imetelstat), a First-in-Class Telomerase Inhibitor, for the Treatment of Adults With Transfusion-Dependent Anemia Due to Lower-Risk MDS

FOSTER CITY, CA, USA I March 11, 2025 I Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company aiming to change lives by changing the course of blood cancer, today announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for RYTELO® (imetelstat) as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with transfusion-dependent (TD) anemia due to very low, low or intermediate risk myelodysplastic syndromes (lower-risk MDS or LR-MDS) without an isolated deletion 5q cytogenetic (non-del 5q) abnormality and who had an unsatisfactory response to or are ineligible for erythropoietin-based therapy (ESAs). Lower-risk MDS is a progressive blood cancer with high unmet need, where many patients with anemia become dependent on red blood cell transfusions, which can be associated with clinical consequences and decreased quality of life. “As the first and only treatment of its kind, RYTELO represents an important new option – significantly reducing the need for red blood cell transfusions for people living with LR-MDS who are battling debilitating symptoms like anemia and fatigue,” said Joseph Eid, M.D., Geron’s Executive Vice President, Research and Development. “This approval from the European Commission, just nine months following approval in the U.S., underscores the positive benefit for these patients demonstrated in our clinical trials and we look forward to making this innovative therapy accessible to eligible patients in Europe.” “I am thrilled that the European Commission has approved RYTELO in LR-MDS. The long-term and durable responses observed in the Phase 3 IMerge study reinforce the practice-changing potential of telomerase inhibition as a clinically meaningful and differentiated option for the treatment of lower-risk MDS,” said Uwe Platzbecker, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden in Germany, who was an IMerge investigator and a co-lead author of the Phase 3 results published in The Lancet . “Physicians and patients in Europe are now one step closer to accessing a novel treatment that, in addition to having a generally manageable safety profile, has the potential to provide extended and continuous red blood cell transfusion independence.” The marketing authorization of RYTELO approved by the EC is supported by data from the IMerge Phase 3 clinical trial, which demonstrated the significant clinical benefit of RYTELO in patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to LR-MDS, reducing the need for red blood cell transfusions in the first 24 weeks of treatment compared to placebo, as observed in the double-blind controlled study. The safety profile of RYTELO was well-characterized with generally manageable and short-lived thrombocytopenia and neutropenia, which are familiar side effects for hematologists who are experienced with managing cytopenias. The most commonly reported adverse reactions ≥ Grade 3 were neutropenia (69%), thrombocytopenia (63%), which lasted a median duration of less than two weeks, and in more than 80% of patients were resolved to Grade < 2 in under four weeks. RYTELO is the first and only telomerase inhibitor approved by the EC, and the marketing authorization applies to all 27 European Union member states, and Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Geron is preparing to commercialize RYTELO in select EU countries beginning in 2026, pending country-by-country reimbursement. Additionally, Geron is exploring opportunities to make RYTELO available to eligible patients through Expanded Access Programs (EAP), including Named Patient Programs (NPP), which are designed to support access for individual patients on a case-by-case basis. In connection with the approval, the EMA’s Committee of Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) reviewed and issued a positive opinion to maintain RYTELO’s orphan drug designation in the EU for MDS, which is expected to provide market exclusivity for ten years after approval, subject to maintaining orphan designation. Patent exclusivity in the EU for LR-MDS is anticipated into 2038, subject to approval of patent term extension by the European Patent Office. About Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (LR-MDS) Lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS) is a blood cancer that often progresses to require increasingly intensified management of key symptoms such as anemia and resulting fatigue 1 . These symptomatic LR-MDS patients frequently become red blood cell transfusion dependent, which has been shown to be associated with short- and long-term clinical consequences that reduce quality of life and shorten survival 2,3 . There is a high unmet need for many LR-MDS patients, particularly those with characteristics having poorer prognosis. Current treatment options for those failing ESA are limited to select sub-populations and there is an unmet need for treatments that can provide extended and continuous red blood cell transfusion independence. About RYTELO® (imetelstat) RYTELO is an oligonucleotide telomerase inhibitor approved in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with low-to-intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS) with transfusion-dependent anemia requiring four or more red blood cell units over eight weeks who have not responded to or have lost response to or are ineligible for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). It is indicated to be administered as an intravenous infusion over two hours every four weeks. In addition, RYTELO is approved in the European Union as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to very low, low or intermediate risk myelodysplastic syndromes without an isolated deletion 5q cytogenetic (non-del 5q) abnormality and who had an unsatisfactory response to or are ineligible for erythropoietin-based therapy. RYTELO is a first-in-class treatment that works by inhibiting telomerase enzymatic activity. Telomeres are protective caps at the end of chromosomes that naturally shorten each time a cell divides. In LR-MDS, abnormal bone marrow cells often express the enzyme telomerase, which rebuilds those telomeres, allowing for uncontrolled cell division. Developed and exclusively owned by Geron, RYTELO is the first and only telomerase inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission. Please see RYTELO (imetelstat) full Prescribing Information, available at https://pi.geron.com/products/US/pi/rytelo_pi.pdf . The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for RYTELO in the EU is available at https://pi.geron.com/products/rytelo/eu/rytelo_smpc_eu.pdf About Geron Geron is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company aiming to change lives by changing the course of blood cancer. Our first-in-class telomerase inhibitor RYTELO™ (imetelstat) is approved in the United States and the European Union for the treatment of certain adult patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS) with transfusion-dependent anemia. We are also conducting a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of imetelstat in JAK-inhibitor relapsed/refractory myelofibrosis (R/R MF), as well as studies in other hematologic malignancies. Inhibiting telomerase activity, which is increased in malignant stem and progenitor cells in the bone marrow, aims to potentially reduce proliferation and induce death of malignant cells. To learn more, visit www.geron.com or follow us on LinkedIn . 1 Lewis R, Bewersdorf JP, Zeidan AM. Clinical Management of Anemia in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes: An Update on Emerging Therapeutic Options. Cancer Manag Res. 2021 Jan 25;13:645-657. doi: 10.2147/CMAR.S240600. PMID: 33531837; PMCID: PMC7846829. 2 Cogle CR, Reddy SR, Chang E, et al. Early treatment initiation in lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes produces an earlier and higher rate of transfusion independence. Leuk Res. 2017;60:123-128. 3 Balducci, L. (2006), Transfusion independence in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. Cancer, 106: 2087-2094. https://doi-org.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/10.1002/cncr.21860 SOURCE: Geron

Phase 3Drug ApprovalClinical ResultOrphan Drug

100 Deals associated with Imetelstat

External Link

KEGG	Wiki	ATC	Drug Bank
D09629	Imetelstat	-	DB14909

R&D Status

Approved

10 top approved records.

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Indication	Country/Location	Organization	Date
Transfusion dependent anaemia	European Union	Geron Corp.	07 Mar 2025
Transfusion dependent anaemia	Iceland	Geron Corp.	07 Mar 2025
Transfusion dependent anaemia	Liechtenstein	Geron Corp.	07 Mar 2025
Transfusion dependent anaemia	Norway	Geron Corp.	07 Mar 2025
myelodysplastic anemia	United States	Geron Corp.	06 Jun 2024

Developing

10 top R&D records.

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Indication	Highest Phase	Country/Location	Organization	Date
Myelodysplastic Syndromes	NDA/BLA	United States	Geron Corp.	12 Jan 2024
Myelofibrosis	Phase 3	United States	Geron Corp.	12 Apr 2021
Myelofibrosis	Phase 3	Argentina	Geron Corp.	12 Apr 2021
Myelofibrosis	Phase 3	Australia	Geron Corp.	12 Apr 2021
Myelofibrosis	Phase 3	Austria	Geron Corp.	12 Apr 2021
Myelofibrosis	Phase 3	Belgium	Geron Corp.	12 Apr 2021
Myelofibrosis	Phase 3	Brazil	Geron Corp.	12 Apr 2021
Myelofibrosis	Phase 3	Bulgaria	Geron Corp.	12 Apr 2021
Myelofibrosis	Phase 3	Colombia	Geron Corp.	12 Apr 2021
Myelofibrosis	Phase 3	Denmark	Geron Corp.	12 Apr 2021

Clinical Result

Indication

Phase

Evaluation

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Study	Phase	Population	Analyzed Enrollment	Group	Results	Evaluation	Publication Date


NCT02598661 (IMerge \| MDS3001, CTgov)	Phase 2/3	Myelodysplastic Syndromes	289	Imetelstat Sodium (Phase 2: Imetelstat Sodium)	fslsjsvyfl = uywdwzmaga xykiyndxdi (bgckxdfzde, dfatyahfpd - lumqujcbdf) View more	-	14 Feb 2025
				Imetelstat Sodium (Phase 3: Imetelstat Sodium)	kkjldpnxue = mrncqxsckg oaphcslljr (afnyultsin, ksuaujbrak - pgehktibdb) View more
NCT05371964 (IMproveMF, ASH2024) Manual	Phase 1	Myelofibrosis	13	Imetelstat+ruxolitinib	xpjlxknjpl(rjgntvjwug) = None jygrchorga (gwpuzddvbt ) View more	Positive	09 Dec 2024
ASH2024	Not Applicable	Myelodysplastic Syndromes	-	Imetelstat	nlbwljmvau(bgdpwwnyss) = fongwhynpn oasttvjkpa (vhaxcypyfn ) View more	-	09 Dec 2024
				Placebo	olltkoaovd(cwnfmcpwwr) = nmmpjlknwj mrcxednlrm (uvuhsusbwu )
NCT05583552 (IMpress, ASH2024) Manual	Phase 2	Acute Myeloid Leukemia \| Myelodysplastic Syndromes	23	imetelstat	gcxlznvqmm(ygaziwcsfn) = None pxpknxmtdj (chjauzquuo ) View more	Negative	08 Dec 2024
ASH2024	Not Applicable	Myelodysplastic Syndromes	-	Imetelstat (7.1 mg/kg)	zlgeiormkt(tyvappnioi) = mnndnpskim pygimtbeul (tmomrgpvhq ) View more	-	08 Dec 2024
				Placebo	zlgeiormkt(tyvappnioi) = cowzoxhcnc pygimtbeul (tmomrgpvhq )
ASH2024	Not Applicable	Myelodysplastic Syndromes	-	Imetelstat	urnzaqyykz(onghkfbcgc) = uacqahbwou czyjuymosy (ajesyvzwyq ) View more	-	07 Dec 2024
SOHO2024	Not Applicable	Myelodysplastic Syndromes	-	Imetelstat 7.5 mg/kg	njralekdlu(njodrvnonw) = nzybshadhv jhmafpifwj (klzqwnxbei ) View more	-	04 Sep 2024
				Placebo	njralekdlu(njodrvnonw) = xtvubbzamw jhmafpifwj (klzqwnxbei ) View more
SOHO2024	Not Applicable	Myelodysplastic Syndromes	-	Imetelstat 7.5 mg/kg	ulronixteg(zlgcaygjum) = viductslib ihswuqnxxa (dscqgfkwqv ) View more	-	04 Sep 2024
				Placebo	ulronixteg(zlgcaygjum) = juojwdroay ihswuqnxxa (dscqgfkwqv ) View more
NCT02598661 (IMerge, FDA_CDER) Manual	Phase 3	Myelodysplastic Syndromes	178	RYTELO	jpzjszccoj(cupipmxirc) = tyrhjhfrom evvuhqsfkl (pufrxhptyy, 30.9 - 49.3) View more	Positive	06 Jun 2024
				Placebo	jpzjszccoj(cupipmxirc) = bvktojndke evvuhqsfkl (pufrxhptyy, 7.1 - 26.6) View more
NCT02598661 (IMerge, ASCO2024) Manual	Phase 2/3	Myelodysplastic Syndromes	178	Imetelstat 7.5 mg/kg	qsnpfslmgi(xwehtupmaq) = txeqhwsrrq fmzuxtsbky (esgbqbicqy ) View more	Positive	24 May 2024
				Placebo	qsnpfslmgi(xwehtupmaq) = pahbbgofru fmzuxtsbky (esgbqbicqy ) View more

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