The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China has approved Sarclisa, an anti-CD38 medicine, in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd) for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have received at least one prior line of therapy, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor.
This approval is based on results from the pivotal ICARIA-MM phase 3 study, using the China-based IsaFiRsT real-world study as bridging data. The ICARIA-MM study demonstrated Sarclisa in combination with Pd significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 40% (HR 0.596, 95% CI 0.44-0.81, p=0.001), and resulted in a clinically meaningful, 6.9-month improvement in overall survival (OS) (HR=0.78; log-rank 1-sided P=0.0319), compared to Pd alone. Additionally, the IsaFiRsT study, which is the first real-world study for the registration of an anti-CD38 therapy in combination with Pd in China, showed an overall response rate (ORR) of 82.6% among relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) adult patients.
Olivier Nataf, Global Head, Oncology, Sanofi, said: “This approval marks an important milestone for Sanofi in China. The results of the ICARIA-MM phase 3 study, coupled with the real-world IsaFiRsT study, highlight the benefit of Sarclisa for patients living with multiple myeloma and the importance of innovative regulatory pathways for timely access to different treatments. We look forward to continuing to build strong partnerships with the medical community, local companies, and authorities in China as we work to bring more innovative treatments to patients.”
Through the Lecheng Pilot for real-world data application, the NMPA has increasingly used real-world evidence (RWE) to help accelerate the review and approval of innovative therapies and medical devices in China. Sarclisa was one of the first three treatments authorized for real-world studies as part of the pilot program and is the first blood cancer treatment approved based on RWE, in addition to clinical data.
In addition to the NMPA approval, the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) and Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (CACA) guidelines include Sarclisa-Pd as a “Category I Recommendation” and the “Preferred Option” for the treatment of patients with first-relapsed MM. Beyond R/R MM, a regulatory submission for Sarclisa in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) in adult patients not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant, is also under review in China with a final decision expected in the coming months.
