Arzerra
Generic name: ofatumumab
Treatment for: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Arzerra BLA Granted Priority Review
Arzerra (Ofatumumab) Granted Priority Review By FDA
Copenhagen, Denmark; April 3, 2009 – Genmab today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the Biologics License Application (BLA) for Arzerra (ofatumumab) to treat patients whose chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is resistant (refractory) to previous therapies and has granted ofatumumab priority review status.
Under priority review, the FDA sets the target date for a decision from regulators at six months, rather than the standard 10 month review. If approved, ofatumumab would be the first monoclonal antibody targeted to CD20 available for this patient population. In addition, the FDA has granted ofatumumab orphan designation for the treatment of CLL. The BLA was submitted on January 30, 2009.
“We are pleased that the ofatumumab BLA has been accepted for review by the FDA and look forward to the outcome of the review process,” said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.
The acceptance of the BLA will trigger a milestone payment from GSK to Genmab of DKK 87 million (approximately $15 million). In addition, Genmab will also receive a one-time payment of $4.5 million from GSK in exchange for terminating its option to co-promote Arzerra. In December 2008, GSK and Genmab amended their initial agreement and GSK now has exclusive global commercialization rights to Arzerra for all potential indications.
About ofatumumab
Ofatumumab is a novel, investigational, fully human monoclonal antibody that targets a membrane-proximal (close to the cell surface) small loop epitope (a portion of a molecule to which an antibody binds) on the CD20 molecule of B-cells. This epitope is different from the binding sites targeted by other CD20 antibodies currently available. The CD20 molecule is a key target in CLL therapy because it is expressed on most B-cells in CLL patients.
Ofatumumab is being developed under a co-development and commercialization agreement between Genmab and GlaxoSmithKline. It is not yet approved in any country.
Posted: April 2009
Related articles
- Genmab Announces U.S. FDA Approval of Arzerra (ofatumumab) in Combination with Fludarabine and Cyclophosphamide for Relapsed CLL - August 31, 2016
- Genmab Announces U.S. FDA Approval of Arzerra (ofatumumab) as Extended Treatment for Recurrent or Progressive CLL - January 19, 2016
- FDA Approves Arzerra (ofatumumab) for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - October 26, 2009
- FDA Extends Review of Arzerra (ofatumumab) - June 16, 2009
- GSK/Genmab Receive Favorable Recommendation for Arzerra from FDA Advisory Panel - May 29, 2009
- FDA Advisory Committee to Review Arzerra (Ofatumumab) - May 4, 2009
- GlaxoSmithKline and Genmab Submit Arzerra (Ofatumumab) Application to FDA for the Treatment of Advanced Stage Blood Cancer - January 30, 2009
Arzerra (ofatumumab) FDA Approval History
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