EMA validates marketing authorization application for blood cancer oral treatment Momelotinib: GSK
Myelofibrosis is a rare blood cancer that results from dysregulated JAK-signal transducer and activator of transcription protein signalling and is characterised by constitutional symptoms, splenomegaly, and progressive anaemia.
UK: Pharma major GSK plc has announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated the marketing authorisation application (MAA) for momelotinib, a potential new oral treatment for myelofibrosis.
Momelotinib has a differentiated mechanism of action, with inhibitory ability along three key signalling pathways: Janus kinase (JAK) 1, and JAK2 and activin A receptor type I (ACVR1), which could address the significant medical needs of myelofibrosis patients with anaemia.
The MAA is based on results from key phase III trials, including the pivotal MOMENTUM trial, which met all primary and key secondary endpoints, including Total Symptom Score (TSS), Transfusion Independence (TI) rate and Splenic Response Rate (SRR). The primary analysis data from the MOMENTUM phase III trial were presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting and the European Hematology Association 2022 Hybrid Congress. Updated 48-week data will be presented at the upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition on 10-13 December 2022.
A Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) regulatory action is anticipated by year-end 2023, and a New Drug Application for momelotinib is currently under regulatory review with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date of 16 June 2023. Momelotinib is not currently approved in any market, but if approved by regulators, momelotinib would be the only medicine that addresses key manifestations of myelofibrosis, including anaemia, symptoms, and splenomegaly.
Myelofibrosis is a rare blood cancer that results from dysregulated JAK-signal transducer and activator of transcription protein signalling and is characterised by constitutional symptoms, splenomegaly, and progressive anaemia. Myelofibrosis affects approximately 20,000 patients in the US, with about 40% of patients already anaemic at the time of diagnosis and nearly all patients estimated to develop anaemia eventually. Patients will often require transfusions, and more than 30% will discontinue treatment due to anaemia. Anaemia and transfusion dependence strongly correlate with poor prognosis and shortened survival.
