Nordic Nanovector has provided an update on PARADIGME, its Phase 2b trial of Betalutin in 3rd-line relapsed and anti-CD20 refractory follicular lymphoma.
Following a comprehensive review and independent data evaluation of PARADIGME and a subsequent request for regulatory agency interaction, the Board of Directors has taken the difficult decision to discontinue the study, states the company. No further patients will be enrolled into PARADIGME.
“Our focus will now shift to our pipeline of other CD37-targeting assets, which give us multiple shots on goal, including Humalutin, Alpha37, a portfolio of fully humanized anti-CD37 antibodies and the CD37 CAR-T. We look forward to communicating our development plans for these assets in more detail in the coming months,” says CEO, Erik Skullerud.
Photo of Erik Skullerud: Nordic Nanovector
The PARADIGME trial
The PARADIGME trial enrolled a total of 109 patients. The company will now ensure a wind-down of PARADIGME in a structured manner ensuring patients receive the best possible care during this period, it states.
While Betalutin, at the selected dose of 15 MBq/kg after a pre-dose of 40 mg lilotomab (40/15), has continued to display an attractive safety profile and positive signs of efficacy in some patients, the Board considers that the observed profile does not fully meet the objectives set out for the PARADIGME study. Only one out of three patients responded to the treatment with the average duration of the response of approximately six months. As a result, the Board is of the opinion that the demonstrated profile is no longer sufficiently competitive to bring Betalutin to the market in the third line relapsed and refractory FL indication, within a timeframe that makes financial and commercial sense for the company.
A possible way forward for Betalutin
The company still believes there could be a market for Betalutin in light of its safety profile, promising efficacy in earlier lines of therapy and unique feature of being delivered as a one-time dose. However, a potential new development programme would need to be conducted in a different patient population and line of treatment. The company will therefore explore potential partnerships and will also seek advice from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss if there could be a possible way forward for Betalutin in an alternative setting.
Restructuring of the company
The company will now focus its efforts and resources on developing its pipeline of CD37-targeting products from which Nordic Nanovector believes it can create value for shareholders over the longer term.
Following the decision to discontinue PARADIGME, the Board has also decided to implement a restructuring of the company with immediate effect with the purpose of reducing costs where necessary to enable support of essential activities associated with development of the pipeline.
Read more: Nordic Nanovector to explore strategic options
The company’s cash position at the end of Q2 2022 was approximately NOK 280m (end of Q1 NOK 356.3m). Full Q2 results will now be reported on 31 August.
“The new independently reviewed data from PARADIGME, in an increasingly competitive market and with the slow speed of recruitment makes progressing PARADIGME further very difficult. Consequently, the Board no longer sees a viable path to commercialisation in the current indication that would make sense for the company and its shareholders.”
“The decision to discontinue PARADIGME is extremely disappointing not only for the Nordic Nanovector team, but also for patients, healthcare providers and our shareholders as there continues to be an unmet medical need in frail and elderly patients with Follicular Lymphoma. The new independently reviewed data from PARADIGME, in an increasingly competitive market and with the slow speed of recruitment makes progressing PARADIGME further very difficult. Consequently, the Board no longer sees a viable path to commercialisation in the current indication that would make sense for the Company and its shareholders. We are extremely grateful to all the clinical investigators and patients who have participated in PARADIGME,” says Chairman, Jan H. Egberts.
Photo: Nordic Nanovector R&D
