MADRID - The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson today announced results from the final analysis (FA) of the Phase 3 MAGNITUDE study, in which a pre-planned multivariate analysis [MVA] showed niraparib, a highly selective poly polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, combined with abiraterone acetate and given with prednisone, improved overall survival (OS) and time to symptomatic progression (TSP) and showed a favorable trend in time to cytotoxic chemotherapy (TCC) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with BRCA alterations.

These data were featured today in a Late-Breaking Mini Oral Presentation Session (Abstract #LBA85) at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2023 Congress taking place October 20-24 in Madrid, Spain.

The FA of the MAGNITUDE study included 225 patients with BRCA-positive mCRPC (the largest population studied to date), where 113 patients were randomized to niraparib plus abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP) and 112 patients were assigned to placebo plus AAP. At 35.9 months median follow-up (9.1 additional months follow-up from the second interim analysis, presented at ASCO GU 2023), a prespecified MVA, adjusting for baseline imbalances, showed an OS benefit favoring patients who received niraparib plus AAP compared to the placebo plus AAP arm (Hazard Ratio [HR]=0.66; 95 percent Confidence Interval [CI], 0.46-0.95]). Continued trend in improvement in TSP was also observed in patients who received niraparib and AAP compared to patients randomized to placebo plus AAP (HR 0.56; 95 percent CI, 0.37-0.85). Additionally, an evaluation of TCC indicated a favorable trend among patients with BRCA mutations treated with niraparib and AAP (HR 0.60; 95 percent CI, 0.39-0.92). Finally, 70 percent of the patients in the niraparib and AAP arm received subsequent life-prolonging therapy compared to 86 percent of the patients assigned to placebo plus AA.

Patient-reported outcomes were also assessed in the FA. Results indicate that patients with BRCA mutations treated with niraparib and AAP experienced a trend towards delayed time to worst pain progression (HR 0.81; 95 percent CI, 0.52-1.25) and pain interference progression (HR 0.77; 95 percent CI, 0.48-1.23) compared with the placebo arm.

'The overall survival seen in the MAGNITUDE pre-planned multivariate analysis is promising for patients with BRCA-mutated mCRPC, a population more likely to experience poor outcomes,' said Kim Chi, M.D., Medical Oncologist at BC Cancer - Vancouver and principal investigator of the MAGNITUDE study. 'These data, with key signals of improvements in overall survival, disease progression, and quality of life measures, underscore the significance of this new treatment option for patients.'

The FA observed no new safety signals and no cases of myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia were observed among patients in the niraparib and AAP arm. Niraparib plus AAP had higher rates of adverse events (AEs) of special interest than the placebo arm, with the most common of any grade including anaemia (52.4 percent versus 22.7 percent) and thrombocytopenia (24.1 percent versus 9.5 percent), respectively. The differences in safety between treatment arms were driven by known hematologic toxicities with niraparib.

'We are dedicated to advancing the science of prostate cancer and developing new targeted treatment options to extend patients' lives,' said Angela Lopez-Gitlitz, M.D., Vice President, Late Development Oncology, Prostate Cancer, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. 'These data highlight the importance of identifying patients with genetically defined cancer to better inform treatment protocols and ensure they receive available therapies tailored to their unique needs.'

About Niraparib

Niraparib is an orally administered, highly selective poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor that is currently being studied by Janssen for the treatment of patients with prostate cancer.

Additional ongoing studies include the Phase 3 AMPLITUDE study (NCT04497844), evaluating the combination of niraparib and AAP in a biomarker-selected patient population with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC).

In April 2016, Janssen Biotech, Inc. entered a worldwide (except Japan) collaboration and license agreement with TESARO, Inc. (acquired by GlaxoSmithKline [GSK] in 2019) for exclusive rights to niraparib in prostate cancer.

In the United States, niraparib is indicated for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-positive recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Niraparib is currently marketed by GSK as ZEJULA.

In April 2023, Janssen received approval from the European Commission for AKEEGA (niraparib and abiraterone acetate) in the form of a dual action tablet (DAT), plus prednisone or prednisolone, in patients with mCRPC and BRCA mutations based on data from the MAGNITUDE study. Health Canada (June 2023) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (August 2023) also have authorized/approved AKEEGA. Reviews are ongoing in other regions.

About abiraterone acetate

Abiraterone acetate is an orally administered androgen biosynthesis inhibitor. In the United States, abiraterone acetate is indicated with prednisone for the treatment of mCRPC and high-risk mCSPC.

About Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer characterizes cancer that no longer responds to androgen deprivation therapy and has spread to other parts of the body. The most common metastatic sites are bones, followed by lungs and liver. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, behind lung cancer. More than one million patients around the world are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Patients with mCRPC and homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations, of which BRCA mutations are the most common, are more likely to have aggressive disease, poor outcomes and a shorter survival time.

About MAGNITUDE

MAGNITUDE (NCT03748641) is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center clinical study evaluating the safety and efficacy of the combination of niraparib and AAP for patients with mCRPC, with or without certain HRR gene alterations, and who have not received prior therapy for mCRPC except for up to four months of AAP.

The study included patients with (HRR biomarker [BM] positive; ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CDK12, CHEK2, FANCA, HDAC2, PALB2) and without specified gene alterations (HRR BM negative), who were randomized 1:1 to receive niraparib 200 mg once daily plus AAP or placebo plus AAP.[2] A total of 423 patients with HRR gene alterations were enrolled, 225 (53.2 percent) of whom had BRCA mutations.[3],[4] The primary endpoint of the MAGNITUDE trial was radiographic progression free survival (rPFS) assessed by blinded independent central review.[5] Secondary endpoints included TCC, TSP and OS. Analysis of the group of patients with BRCA alterations was alpha controlled for rPFS and prespecified for other endpoints.

About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson

At Janssen, we're creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We're the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Oncology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Retina.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of niraparib. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC; Janssen Biotech, Inc., and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2023, including in the sections captioned 'Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements' and 'Item 1A.

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