Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Idelalisib (Zydelig) Photo courtesy of
Gilead Sciences International Ltd. recently withdrew its application for European approval of idelalisib (Zydelig) in combination with rituximab and bendamustine for the treatment of relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Idelalisib is currently approved in the European Union for use in combination with an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab or ofatumumab) to treat adults with CLL who have received at least 1 prior therapy or as first-line treatment of CLL in the presence of 17p deletion or TP53 mutation in patients who are not eligible for any other therapies.
Idelalisib is also approved as monotherapy for adults with follicular lymphoma that is refractory to 2 prior lines of treatment.
In seeking expanded approval for idelalisib, Gilead submitted data from a study (NCT01569295) comparing idelalisib plus bendamustine and rituximab to placebo plus bendamustine and rituximab.
Interim results from this study were published in The Lancet Oncology in March 2017.
Gilead withdrew the application for idelalisib after the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) had evaluated documentation provided by the company and formulated lists of questions.
Gilead had not responded to the last round of questions at the time of the withdrawal.
At that point, the CHMP was of the provisional opinion that idelalisib should not be approved for use in combination with rituximab and bendamustine in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL.
The CHMP said additional, longer-term data are needed to show the benefits of idelalisib plus rituximab and bendamustine outweigh the risks.
Gilead said its withdrawal of the application was based on the CHMP’s opinion that there was insufficient evidence of a favorable benefit-risk profile.
The company also said the withdrawal does not impact ongoing trials of idelalisib.