Full Press Release Details
Sanofi and Regeneron Report Positive Preliminary Phase 2
Program Results for Anti-PCSK9 Antibody in
Hypercholesterolemia
Paris, France and Tarrytown, NY - November 10, 2011 - Sanofi
(EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced positive preliminary results from the Phase 2 study program in which patients with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were treated
with REGN727/SAR236553.
REGN727/SAR236553 is a novel, high-affinity, subcutaneously administered, fully-human antibody targeting PCSK9
(proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9). Blocking the PCSK9 pathway is a novel mechanism for lowering LDL-C, the leading known risk factor for coronary artery disease.
One Phase 2 trial studied patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH) with elevated cholesterol (LDL-C 100mg/dL) despite lipid lowering
therapy (statins with or without ezetemibe). The objective of the study was to compare the effect of adding REGN727/ SAR236553 to the existing lipid lowering therapy in heFH patients. In the primary efficacy analysis of the study, after 12 weeks of
treatment, patients who received different dosing regimens of REGN727/SAR236553 achieved mean LDL-C reductions from baseline ranging from approximately 30% to greater than 65% depending on dosing regimen of REGN727/SAR236553 compared to a mean
reduction of 10% with placebo (p<0.05 for all dose groups). Patients in the study are being followed for a total of 20 weeks for safety.
In this trial, REGN727/SAR236553 was generally well tolerated over 12 weeks. There were no elevations in LFTs >3 times the upper limit of normal and
no cases of elevated CPK reported. The most common adverse event was injection site reaction. There were no serious adverse events on active treatment. Full safety data from the 8-week post-treatment monitoring period will be presented at a future
medical congress upon final analysis.
Another Phase 2 trial studied patients with primary hypercholesterolemia with elevated cholesterol
(LDL-C 100mg/dL) who were on a stable low dose of atorvastatin (10 mg). The primary objective of the study was to compare the effect of switching to a high dose of atorvastatin alone (80mg) versus a
high dose of atorvastatin combined with REGN727/SAR236553. In the primary endpoint of the study, after eight weeks of treatment, patients who received REGN727/SAR236553 plus atorvastatin 80mg achieved a greater than 65% reduction in mean LDL-C
compared to a mean reduction of 17% for atorvastatin 80mg only (p<0.001). The study also included a third arm in which REGN727/SAR236553 was added to the stable low dose of atorvastatin and the patients achieved a greater than 65% reduction in
mean LDL-C. Patients in the study were followed for a total of 16 weeks for safety.
In this trial, REGN727/SAR236553 was generally well
tolerated over 16 weeks. There was one serious adverse event of dehydration in the REGN727/SAR236553 + atorvastatin 80mg group that was deemed not treatment related. One patient in the REGN727/SAR236553 + atorvastatin 80mg group with mildly elevated
AST prior to randomization (>ULN and 3ULN) experienced an elevation of AST>3ULN and 5ULN and one patient discontinued therapy due to a
hypersensitivity reaction (rash).
A third study of this Phase 2 program is still ongoing.
The preliminary Phase 2 results with our anti-PCSK9 antibody are very encouraging, said Elias Zerhouni, President, Global
Research & Development, Sanofi. We look forward to analyzing and presenting the complete data set and remain committed to advancing this program into Phase 3 development as soon as possible.
Despite the availability of statins, elevated cholesterol and coronary artery disease remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the
U.S. and the rest of the world, said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron and President of Regeneron Research Laboratories. We are encouraged that blocking PCSK9 with our anti-PCSK9 antibody
has the potential to offer a novel mechanism for lowering LDL-C in a broad range of patients. We look forward to further exploring the safety and efficacy of REGN727/SAR236553 in our Phase 3 clinical program.
More detailed data from these Phase 2 trials, as well as from the third ongoing Phase 2 trial, will be submitted for presentation at an upcoming
scientific conference.
About REGN727/SAR236553
REGN727/SAR236553 is the first fully human monoclonal antibody directed against proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). REGN727/SAR236553 is a high affinity, sub-cutaneously delivered,
specific inhibitor of PCSK9. It blocks the binding of PCSK9 to the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and interrupts the resultant internalization and degradation of the LDL receptor. In a 15-year retrospective epidemiological analysis from the
Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) study, patients with nonsense mutations in PCSK9 had a 28% reduction in mean LDL cholesterol and an 88% reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease1. REGN727/SAR236553 was developed using Regeneron s VelocImmune antibody technology.
About the REGN727/SAR236553 Phase 2 Program
The REGN727/SAR236553 Phase 2 program consists
of three Phase 2 clinical trials. These are:
About Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (heFH) is an inherited disease that is characterized by elevated LDL-C levels and family
patterns of increased risk of premature coronary artery disease and heart disease-related death. The majority of these patients have inherited abnormalities in the gene for the LDL receptor. This results in a decreased ability to clear LDL-C from
the blood and consequently, high levels of LDL-C. Because of the severe elevations in LDL-C, many of these patients cannot reach treatment goals with existing therapies. It is estimated that 1 in 500 people carries the genetic mutation that is
responsible for heterozygous familiar
hypercholesterolemia2.
About Primary Hypercholesterolemia
Hypercholesterolemia, particularly an increase in LDL-C levels, is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. It is estimated that there are approximately
63 million people in the US with elevated levels of LDL-C. LDL-C is identified as the primary target of cholesterol lowering therapies such as statins. Statins have significantly helped in managing the risk for cardiovascular disease. However,
since guidelines have established more stringent goals for very high risk patients due to their CV profiles, more than 60% of this patient group does not reach goal and needs new therapeutic options 3,4,5.
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and
distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, rare diseases, consumer healthcare, emerging
markets and animal health. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
About Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Regeneron is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufacturers, and commercializes
medicines for the treatment of serious medical conditions. In addition to ARCALYST (rilonacept) Injection for
Subcutaneous Use, which is approved for the treatment of a rare inflammatory condition, Regeneron has completed Phase 3 clinical trials of rilonacept for a new indication and of product candidates EYLEA (aflibercept injection; VEGF Trap Eye)
in diseases of the eye and ZALTRAP (aflibercept) (VEGF Trap) in a cancer indication. EYLEA is currently under
review with U.S. and European regulatory authorities. Additional therapeutic candidates developed from proprietary Regeneron technologies for creating fully human monoclonal antibodies are in earlier stage development programs in rheumatoid
arthritis, pain, cholesterol reduction, allergic and immune conditions, and cancer. Additional information about Regeneron and recent news releases are available on www.regeneron.com.
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 and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product
development and potential, and statements regarding future performance. 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, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including post marketing, decisions by regulatory
authorities, such as the FDA or the EMA, regarding whether and when to approve any drug, device or biological application that may be filed for any such product candidates as well as their decisions regarding labeling and other matters that could
affect the availability or commercial potential of such products candidates, the absence of guarantee that the products candidates if approved will be commercially successful, the future approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives,
the Group s ability to benefit from external growth opportunities as well as those 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, 2010. Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking information or statements.
Regeneron Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties relating to future events and the future financial
performance of Regeneron, and actual events or results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. These statements concern, and these risks and uncertainties include, among others, the nature, timing, and possible success and
therapeutic applications of Regeneron s product candidates and research and clinical programs now underway or planned, the likelihood and timing of possible regulatory approval and commercial launch of Regeneron s late-stage product
candidates, determinations by regulatory and administrative governmental authorities which may delay or restrict Regeneron s ability to continue to develop or commercialize Regeneron s product and drug candidates, competing drugs that may
be superior to Regeneron s product and drug candidates, uncertainty of market acceptance of Regeneron s product and drug candidates, unanticipated expenses, the availability and cost of capital, the costs of developing, producing, and
selling products, the potential for any license or collaboration agreement, including Regeneron s agreements with the Sanofi Group and Bayer HealthCare, to be canceled or terminated without any product success, and risks associated with third
party intellectual property and pending or future litigation relating thereto. A more complete description of these and other material risks can be found in Regeneron s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission,
including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. Regeneron does not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law.
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