Beerse, Belgium (May 21, 2024) – Johnson & Johnson today announced the first data from the Phase 3 QUASAR Maintenance Study demonstrating the efficacy and safety profile of TREMFYA® (guselkumab) through 44 weeks in adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitisa (UC) (Abstract #759). 1 Both guselkumab treatment groups achieved the primary endpoint, clinical remissionb , at Week 44 and all nine major secondary endpoints with high statistical significance and clinically meaningful improvements. 1 Results from the Maintenance Study showed 45.2 percent of patients receiving subcutaneous (SC) guselkumab 100 mg every eight weeks (q8w) and 50.0 percent of patients receiving SC guselkumab 200 mg every four weeks (q4w) achieved clinical remission (a rigorous measure that includes endoscopic and clinical measurement) at Week 44 compared to placebo (18.9 percent).1 No new safety concerns were observed compared to the safety profile of guselkumab in the approved indications.1,c
These data are among 28 oral and poster presentations that Johnson & Johnson is presenting at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024, highlighting the company’s commitment and leadership in advancing the science of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
A summary of secondary endpoints from the 44-week Maintenance Study include:1
Percentage of patients achieving secondary endpoints by treatment group |
|||
Secondary endpoints |
Phase 3 QUASAR Maintenance Study treatment groups |
||
SC TREMFYA® 200mg q4w |
SC TREMFYA® 100mg q8w |
Placebo (TREMFYA® withdrawal) |
|
Endoscopic remission (normalization, MES=0) |
33.7% (p<0.001) |
34.6% (p<0.001) |
15.3% |
Endoscopic improvementg |
51.6% (p<0.001) |
49.5% (p<0.001) |
18.9 % |
Clinical responseh |
74.7% (p<0.001) |
77.7% (p<0.001) |
43.2% |
Histo-endoscopic mucosal improvement |
47.9% (p<0.001) |
43.6% (p<0.001) |
16.8% |
“These data suggest the potential of guselkumab to provide durable, clinical remission and improve important high-bar endpoints such as endoscopic remission to the point of normalisation and histo-endoscopic mucosal improvement, which represent the kind of progress needed in new treatments for this inflammatory bowel disease,” said David T. Rubin, M.D.,Chief, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Chicago and lead study investigator. h “The clinical results measured at Week 44 in the QUASAR Maintenance Study suggest that treatment with guselkumab is a promising therapy to help ulcerative colitis patients with challenging symptoms that impact their daily lives.”
The proportion of patients with more than one adverse event (AE) was similar across treatment groups: guselkumab 100mg q8w, 64.5 percent; guselkumab 200mg q4w, 70.0 percent; placebo, 68.2 percent.1 The most common AEs in the combined guselkumab group compared to placebo were COVID-19 (11.2 percent vs. 14.1 percent), UC (11.21 percent vs. 29.7 percent) and joint pain (6.1 percent vs. 6.8 percent), respectively.1
“The Phase 3 QUASAR Maintenance Study reaffirms the potential in offering new avenues for patients enduring the challenges of ulcerative colitis, even in the face of existing treatments,” comments Ludovic de Beaucoudrey, PhD, Senior Director, Therapeutic Area Lead, Immunology, Janssen-Cilag Limited, a company of Johnson & Johnson. “As many as two million people suffer with ulcerative colitis in Europe, 2 and these findings highlight our dedication to enhancing patient care standards and driving forward the field of IBD research, ensuring that innovative solutions continue to evolve.”
This year, Johnson & Johnson has submitted regulatory applications seeking the approval of guselkumab for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active UC in countries or regions including Europe, the United States and Canada.
Editor’s Notes:
a. Baseline modified score of 5 to 9 with a Mayo rectal bleeding subscore of ≥ 1 and a Mayo endoscopy subscore ≥ 2 based on central review.1
b. Clinical remission was defined as a Mayo stool frequency subscore of 0 or 1 and not increased from induction baseline, a Mayo rectal bleeding subscore of 0, and a Mayo endoscopy subscore of 0 or 1 with no friability present on the endoscopy.1
c. Guselkumab is not approved for the treatment of adults living with UC in the U.S or Europe.
d. Endoscopic remission (normalisation) was defined as an endoscopy subscore of 0. 1
e. Endoscopic improvement was defined as an endoscopy subscore of 0 or 1 with no friability present on the endoscopy.1
f. Clinical response was defined as a decrease from induction baseline in the modified Mayo score by ≥30% and ≥2 points, with either a ≥1-point decrease from baseline in the rectal bleeding subscore or a rectal bleeding subscore of 0 or 1. 1
g. Histo-endoscopic mucosal improvement was defined as achieving a combination of histologic improvement and endoscopic improvement. 1
h. Dr. Rubin is a paid consultant for Johnson & Johnson. He has not been compensated for any media work.
ABOUT THE QUASAR PROGRAMME (EudraCT 2018-004002-25)
QUASAR is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, multicentre, seamless Phase 2b/3 programme designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of guselkumab, a selective IL-23 inhibitor, in adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who experienced an inadequate response or who demonstrate intolerance to conventional therapy (e.g., thiopurines or corticosteroids), other biologics and/or JAK inhibitors (i.e., tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha antagonists, vedolizumab, or tofacitinib).3 QUASAR includes a Phase 2b dose-ranging induction study, a confirmatory Phase 3 induction study, a Phase 3 randomised withdrawal maintenance study, and a long-term extension study through a total of five years. 3 Efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and biomarkers are assessed at specified time points.3
In the Phase 3 randomised withdrawal QUASAR Maintenance Study, adult patients who demonstrated a clinical response to guselkumab IV induction in the Phase 2 and Phase 3 induction studies at Week 12, were randomised 1:1:1 to three treatment groups: SC guselkumab 200 mg q4w, guselkumab 100 mg q8w or placebo (guselkumab withdrawal).1 The major secondary endpoints included corticosteroid-free clinical remission, maintenance of clinical remission, clinical response, symptomatic remission, endoscopic improvement, histo-endoscopic mucosal improvement, endoscopic normalisation, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) remission, and fatigue response at Week 44.1
ABOUT ULCERATIVE COLITIS
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease of the large intestine, also known as the colon, in which the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and develops tiny open sores, or ulcers, that produce pus and mucus. It is the result of the immune system’s overactive response.4 Symptoms vary but may typically include loose and more urgent bowel movements, rectal bleeding or bloody stool, persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue. 5 Ulcerative colitis patients also have increased rates of depression.6
ABOUT GUSELKUMAB
Developed by Johnson & Johnson, guselkumab is the first approved fully-human monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to the p19 subunit of IL-23 and inhibits its interaction with the IL-23 receptor. 7 IL-23 is an important driver of the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases.8
Guselkumab is approved in in the EU for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (Pso) in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy and for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adult patients who have had an inadequate response or who have been intolerant to a prior disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy.7 It is also approved in the U.S, 9 Canada,10 Japan11 and a number of other countries for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe Pso who are candidates for injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light) and for the treatment of adult patients with active PsA.
Johnson & Johnson maintains exclusive worldwide marketing rights to guselkumab.
GUSELKUMAB IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
In controlled periods of clinical studies with guselkumab, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that consisted of respiratory tract infections were very common (≥10 percent); increased transaminases, headache, diarrhoea, arthralgia, and injection site reactions were common (≥1 to <10 percent); and herpes simplex infections, tinea infections, gastroenteritis, decreased neutrophil count, hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis, urticaria and rash were uncommon ADRs (≥0.1 percent to <1 percent).7
Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for full prescribing information for guselkumab in Pso and PsA: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/tremfya-eparproduct-information_en.pdf.
ABOUT DDW
Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), DDW is an in-person and online meeting from May 18-21, 2024. The meeting showcases more than 4,400 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology. More information can be found at www.ddw.org.
ABOUT JOHNSON & JOHNSON
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at www.janssen.com/EMEA or at https://www.janssen.com/johnson-johnson-innovative-medicine. Follow us at J&J Innovative Medicine Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA). Janssen-Cilag International NV, Janssen Research & Development, LLC and Janssen Biotech, Inc. are Johnson & Johnson companies.
Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding TREMFYA®. 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; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; 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 December 31, 2023, including in the CP-450872 May 2024 sections captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in Johnson & Johnson’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc. nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forwardlooking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.
Media contact:
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Investor contact:
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CP-450872
May 2024