Will add UNLOXCYT™ (cosibelimab-ipdl), the
first and only FDA-approved anti-PD-L1 treatment for
metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
(cSCC) to Sun Pharma's global
onco-derm franchise
Will leverage Sun Pharma's global presence
to
accelerate patient access to UNLOXCYT™ (cosibelimab-ipdl)
Upfront cash payment of $4.10 per share of common stock,
representing aggregate upfront consideration of up to $355 million
Stockholders will also receive a contingent
value right for
up to $0.70 per share on achievement
of a milestone
Acquisition is subject to approval by
Checkpoint's stockholders
and other customary closing conditions
MUMBAI,
India and WALTHAM, Mass., March 9,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Pharmaceutical Industries
Limited (Reuters: SUN.BO, Bloomberg: SUNP IN, NSE: SUNPHARMA, BSE:
524715 (together with its subsidiaries and/or associated companies,
"Sun Pharma")) and Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CKPT)
("Checkpoint") today announced that they have entered into an
agreement by which Sun Pharma will acquire Checkpoint, an
immunotherapy and targeted oncology company.
Checkpoint is a Nasdaq-listed commercial-stage company focused
on developing novel treatments for patients with solid tumor
cancers. Checkpoint has received approval from the U.S. Food &
Drug Administration (FDA) for UNLOXCYT™ (cosibelimab-ipdl) for
the treatment of adults with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell
carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC who are not candidates
for curative surgery or curative radiation.
Dilip Shanghvi, Chairman &
Managing Director of Sun Pharma, said, "Combining UNLOXCYT, an
FDA-approved anti-PD-L1 treatment for advanced cutaneous squamous
cell carcinoma, with Sun Pharma's global presence means patients
with cSCC may soon have access to an important, new treatment
option. The acquisition further bolsters our innovative portfolio
in onco-derm therapy."
"I am proud of the dedication and passion of our team at
Checkpoint that allowed us to achieve the first and only
FDA-approved anti-PD-L1 treatment for patients with advanced cSCC,
and we are excited to enter this transaction with Sun Pharma as the
next step to bringing UNLOXCYT to cSCC patients in need of a
differentiated immunotherapy treatment option," said James Oliviero, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Checkpoint. "Sun Pharma is aligned with Checkpoint's
commitment to improving the lives of skin cancer patients, and I
believe this transaction will maximize value for our stockholders
and provide accelerated access to UNLOXCYT in the United States, Europe and other markets worldwide."
Transaction Summary
Upon completion of the transaction, Sun Pharma will acquire all
outstanding shares of Checkpoint and Checkpoint stockholders will
receive, for each share of common stock they hold, an upfront cash
payment of $4.10, without interest,
and a non-transferable contingent value right (CVR) entitling the
stockholder to receive up to an additional $0.70 in cash, without interest, if cosibelimab
is approved prior to certain deadlines in the European Union
pursuant to the centralized approval procedure or in Germany, France, Italy, Spain
or the United Kingdom, subject to
the terms and conditions in the contingent value rights
agreement.
The upfront cash payment of $4.10
per share of common stock represents a premium of approximately
66.0% to Checkpoint's closing share price on March 7, 2025, the last trading day prior to
today's announcement.
In connection with the transaction, Checkpoint, Sun Pharma and
Fortress Biotech, Inc., Checkpoint's controlling stockholder
("Fortress"; Nasdaq: FBIO), have entered into a royalty agreement,
under which following the closing of the transaction Fortress would
be entitled to receive royalty payments based on future sales of
cosibelimab during a specified term, in lieu of royalty rights that
were granted to Fortress in connection with its founding of
Checkpoint.
In connection with the evaluation of Checkpoint's strategic
alternatives, the Checkpoint board of directors (the "Board")
formed a special committee of independent and disinterested
directors (the "Special Committee"), which led the review and
negotiations for this transaction. The Special Committee, with the
assistance of its independent financial and legal advisors,
conducted a comprehensive review of potential strategic
alternatives available to Checkpoint and ultimately determined that
the compelling and certain cash consideration and meaningful upside
presented by the CVRs in this transaction provides superior
risk-adjusted value relative to Checkpoint's standalone prospects
and other available alternatives. The Special Committee unanimously
approved, and recommended that Checkpoint's Board approve, the
proposed transaction. After considering this recommendation,
Checkpoint's Board unanimously approved the proposed transaction.
In arriving at its unanimous recommendation in favor of the
transaction, the Special Committee considered several additional
factors which will be outlined in public filings to be made by
Checkpoint.
The transaction is expected to be completed in the second
calendar quarter of 2025. The transaction is subject to customary
closing conditions, including required regulatory approvals and
approval by the holders of a majority of the voting power of
outstanding shares of Checkpoint common stock, and by the holders
of a majority of the shares of Checkpoint common stock that are not
held by Fortress or by certain other affiliates of Checkpoint.
For the nine-month period ending September 2024, Checkpoint reported $0.04 million in revenue and a net loss of
$27.3 million. The R&D expense
for the nine-month period was $19.3
million. As of September 30,
2024, Checkpoint had a cash balance of $4.7 million, outstanding accounts payable and
accrued expenses of $15.6 million,
and outstanding accounts payable and accrued expenses – related
party of $2.0 million.
In connection with the transaction, Fortress, which holds a
majority of Checkpoint's outstanding voting power, has agreed to
vote in favor of the transaction.
Advisors
Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum
& Nagelberg LLP and Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP are
serving as legal advisors to Sun Pharma.
Locust Walk is serving as the exclusive financial advisor to
Checkpoint and lead financial advisor to Checkpoint on the
transaction.
Cooley LLP and Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP are
serving as legal advisors to the Special Committee. Kroll, LLC is
serving as financial advisor to the Special Committee.
Alston & Bird LLP is serving as legal advisor to
Checkpoint.
About Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
cSCC is the second-most common type of skin cancer in
the United States, with an
estimated annual incidence of approximately 1.8 million cases
according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Important risk factors for
cSCC include chronic ultraviolet exposure and immunosuppressive
conditions. While most cases are localized tumors amenable to
curative resection, each year approximately 40,000 cases become
advanced and an estimated 15,000 people in the United States die from this disease. In
addition to being a life-threatening disease, cSCC causes
significant functional morbidities and cosmetic deformities due to
tumors that commonly arise in the head and neck region, and that
invade blood vessels, nerves and vital organs, such as the eye or
ear.
About Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (CIN -
L24230GJ1993PLC019050)
Sun Pharma is the world's leading specialty generics company
with a presence in specialty, generics and consumer healthcare
products. It is the largest pharmaceutical company in India and is a leading generic company in the
U.S. as well as global emerging markets. Sun Pharma's high-growth
global specialty portfolio spans innovative products in
dermatology, ophthalmology, and onco-dermatology and accounts for
over 18% of company sales. The company's vertically integrated
operations deliver high-quality medicines, trusted by physicians
and consumers in over 100 countries. Its manufacturing facilities
are spread across six continents. Sun Pharma is proud of its
multicultural workforce drawn from over 50 nations. For further
information, please visit www.sunpharma.com and follow us on
LinkedIn & X (Formerly Twitter).
About Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.
Checkpoint is a commercial-stage immunotherapy and targeted
oncology company focused on the acquisition, development and
commercialization of novel treatments for patients with solid tumor
cancers. Checkpoint has received approval from the U.S. FDA for
UNLOXCYT™ (cosibelimab-ipdl) for the treatment of adults with
metastatic cSCC or locally advanced cSCC who are not candidates for
curative surgery or curative radiation. Additionally, Checkpoint is
evaluating its lead investigational small-molecule, targeted
anti-cancer agent, olafertinib (formerly CK-101), a
third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor,
as a potential new treatment for patients with EGFR
mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer. Checkpoint is
headquartered in Waltham, MA and
was founded by Fortress. For more information, visit
www.checkpointtx.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains express or implied forward-looking
statements related to Sun Pharma, Checkpoint and the proposed
acquisition.
All statements other than statements of historical fact are
statements that could be deemed "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including all
statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectation of
the companies and members of their senior management teams. Words
such as "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan,"
"anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "predict,"
"project," "potential," "continue," "target," variations of such
words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking
statements contain these identifying words.
Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, express or implied:
- statements regarding the transaction and related matters,
including the benefits of and timeline for closing the transaction,
any payments under the CVRs, prospective performance and
opportunities, post-closing operations and the outlook for the
companies' businesses;
- statements of targets, plans, objectives or goals for future
operations, including those related to Sun Pharma's and
Checkpoint's products, product research, product development,
product introductions and product approvals as well as cooperation
in relation thereto;
- statements containing projections of or targets for revenues,
costs, income (or loss), earnings per share, capital expenditures,
dividends, capital structure, net financials and other financial
measures;
- statements regarding future economic performance, future
actions and outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings;
and
- statements regarding the assumptions underlying or relating to
such statements.
These statements are based on current plans, estimates and
projections and are not predictions of actual performance. By their
very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and
uncertainties. Sun Pharma and Checkpoint each caution that a number
of important factors, including those described in this document,
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contemplated in any forward-looking statements.
Factors that may affect future results and may cause these
forward-looking statements to be inaccurate include, but are not
limited to: uncertainties as to the timing of completion of the
merger; uncertainties as to whether Checkpoint's stockholders will
vote to approve the transaction; the possibility that competing
offers will be made; the possibility that various closing
conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or waived,
including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse
to grant approval for the consummation of the transaction (or only
grant approval subject to adverse conditions or limitations); the
possibility that the proposed transaction may not be completed in
the time frame expected by Sun Pharma and Checkpoint, or at all;
failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed
transaction in the time frame expected, or at all; the effects of
the transaction on relationships with employees, other business
partners or governmental entities; potential adverse reactions or
changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement
or completion of the proposed transaction; significant or
unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed
transaction; negative effects of this announcement or the
consummation of the proposed acquisition on the market price of Sun
Pharma's shares or Checkpoint's common stock and/or Sun Pharma's or
Checkpoint's operating results; the difficulty of predicting the
timing or outcome of regulatory approvals or actions; the risks
related to non-achievement of the CVR milestone and that holders of
the CVRs will not receive payments in respect of the CVRs; other
business effects, including the effects of industry, economic or
political conditions outside of the companies' control; transaction
costs; actual or contingent liabilities; risk of litigation and/or
regulatory actions related to the proposed acquisition; adverse
impacts on business, operating results or financial condition in
the future due to pandemics, epidemics or outbreaks, and their
impact on Sun Pharma's and Checkpoint's respective businesses,
operations, supply chain, patient enrollment and retention,
clinical trials, strategy, goals and anticipated milestones;
government-mandated or market-driven price decreases for Sun
Pharma's or Checkpoint's products; the existence or introduction of
competing products; reliance on information technology; Sun
Pharma's or Checkpoint's ability to successfully market current and
new products; Sun Pharma's, Checkpoint's and their collaborators'
ability to continue to conduct research and clinical programs; and
exposure to product liability and legal proceedings and
investigations. Further risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by
the forward-looking statements are detailed from time to time in
Checkpoint's periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, Quarterly Reports on Form
10‑Q, Current Reports on Form 8‑K and the definitive proxy
statement to be filed by Checkpoint with the SEC in connection with
the proposed transaction. These filings, when available, are
available on the investor relations section of Checkpoint's website
at https://ir.checkpointtx.com or on the SEC's website at
https://www.sec.gov.
Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this
communication and are made based on the current beliefs and
judgments of Sun Pharma's and Checkpoint's management, and the
reader is cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements
made by Sun Pharma or Checkpoint. Unlisted factors may present
significant additional obstacles to the realization of
forward-looking statements. Unless required by law, each of Sun
Pharma and Checkpoint is under no duty and undertakes no obligation
to update or revise any forward-looking statement after the
distribution of this communication, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This press release may be deemed to be solicitation material in
respect of the proposed acquisition of Checkpoint by Sun Pharma
pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
March 9, 2025, by and among Sun
Pharma, Checkpoint and Snoopy Merger Sub, Inc., Checkpoint intends
to file a preliminary and definitive proxy statement with the SEC
in connection with a special meeting of stockholders to be held in
connection with the proposed acquisition. The definitive proxy
statement and a proxy card will be delivered to each Checkpoint
stockholder entitled to vote at the special meeting in advance of
thereof. This press release is not a substitute for the proxy
statement, which will contain important information about the
proposed transaction and related matters, or any other document
that may be filed by Checkpoint with the SEC. BEFORE MAKING ANY
VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, CHECKPOINT'S STOCKHOLDERS AND
INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT
(INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) IN ITS ENTIRETY
WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY
CHECKPOINT WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION
OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION AND THE
PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. Investors and security holders
will be able to obtain a free copy of the proxy statement and such
other documents containing important information about Checkpoint,
once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website
maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Checkpoint makes available
free of charge at its website at https://ir.checkpointtx.com/
copies of materials it files with, or furnishes to, the SEC.
Participants in the Solicitation
Checkpoint and its directors, and certain of its executive
officers, consisting of Michael S.
Weiss, Chistian Béchon, Neil
Herskowitz, Lindsay A.
Rosenwald, Barry Salzman,
Amit Sharma, who are the
non-employee members of the Board of Directors of Checkpoint (the
"Board"), and James Oliviero,
President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board,
and Garrett Gray, Chief Financial
Officer, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of
proxies from Checkpoint's stockholders in connection with the
proposed acquisition. Information regarding Checkpoint's directors
and certain of its executive officers, including a description of
their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or
otherwise, can be found under the captions "Security Ownership
of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management," "Executive
Compensation," and "Director Compensation" contained in
Checkpoint's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for
Checkpoint's 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed
with the SEC on April 2, 2024 and under Item 5.02 in the
current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 14, 2024 and January
10, 2025. To the extent holdings of Checkpoint's securities
by its directors or executive officers have changed since the
applicable "as of" date described in its 2024 proxy statement, such
changes have been or will be reflected on Initial Statements of
Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Beneficial
Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC, including (i) the Form 4s
filed by Mr. Béchon on May 16, 2024
and December 17, 2024; (ii) the Form
4s filed by Mr. Gray on May 24, 2024,
June 28, 2024, December 17, 2024, December 20, 2024, January
31, 2025 and February 7, 2025;
(iii) the Form 4s filed by Mr. Herskowitz on May 16, 2024 and December
17, 2024; (iv) the Form 4s filed by Mr. Oliviero on
May 24, 2024, June 28, 2024, December
17, 2024, December 20, 2024,
January 31, 2025 and February 11, 2025; (v) the Form 4s filed by Dr.
Rosenwald on May 16, 2024 and
December 17, 2024; (vi) the Form 4s
filed by Mr. Salzman on May 16, 2024
and December 17, 2024; (vii) the Form
4 filed by Dr. Sharma on May 16,
2024; and (viii) the Form 4s filed by Mr. Weiss on
May 16, 2024 and December 17, 2024. Additional information
regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct
or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be
included in the definitive proxy statement relating to the proposed
acquisition when it is filed with the SEC. These documents (when
available) may be obtained free of charge from the SEC's website at
www.sec.gov and Checkpoint's website at
https://ir.checkpointtx.com/.
INDICATION and IMPORANT SAFETY INFORMATION
INDICATION
UNLOXCYT (cosibelimab-ipdl) is indicated for the treatment of
adults with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma ("cSCC")
or locally advanced cSCC who are not candidates for curative
surgery or curative radiation.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions
- Immune-mediated adverse reactions listed herein may not include
all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions.
Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which can be severe or fatal,
can occur in any organ system or tissue, and occur at any time
after starting a PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibody, including UNLOXCYT.
While immune-mediated adverse reactions usually manifest during
treatment, they can also manifest after discontinuation of
PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibodies. Immune-mediated adverse reactions
affecting more than one body system can occur simultaneously.
- Monitor closely for signs and symptoms of immune-mediated
adverse reactions. Evaluate liver enzymes, creatinine, and thyroid
function tests at baseline and periodically during treatment. In
cases of suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, initiate
appropriate workup to exclude alternative etiologies, including
infection. Institute medical management promptly, including
specialty consultation as appropriate.
- Withhold or permanently discontinue UNLOXCYT depending on the
severity of the adverse reaction (see Dosage and Administration
in Prescribing Information). In general, if UNLOXCYT requires
interruption or discontinuation, administer systemic
corticosteroids (1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until
improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or
less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at
least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic
immunosuppressants in patients whose immune-mediated adverse
reaction is not controlled with corticosteroids.
Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis
- UNLOXCYT can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis. In patients
treated with other PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibodies, the incidence of
pneumonitis is higher in patients who have received prior thoracic
radiation. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 1% (3/223, Grade
2) of patients receiving UNLOXCYT.
Immune-Mediated Colitis
- UNLOXCYT can cause immune-mediated colitis, which may present
with diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
Cytomegalovirus infection/reactivation has occurred in patients
with corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis treated with
PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibodies. In cases of
corticosteroid-refractory colitis, consider repeating infectious
workup to exclude alternative etiologies. Immune-mediated colitis
occurred in 0.4% (1/223, Grade 1) of patients receiving
UNLOXCYT.
Immune-Mediated Hepatitis
- UNLOXCYT can cause immune-mediated hepatitis.
Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies
Adrenal Insufficiency
- UNLOXCYT can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency.
For Grade 2 or higher adrenal insufficiency, initiate symptomatic
treatment per institutional guidelines, including hormone
replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold or permanently
discontinue UNLOXCYT depending on severity. Adrenal insufficiency
occurred in 0.9% (2/223) of patients receiving UNLOXCYT, including
Grade 2 in 0.4% (1/223) of patients.
Hypophysitis
- UNLOXCYT can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis. Hypophysitis
can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as
headache, photophobia, or visual field cuts. Hypophysitis can cause
hypopituitarism. Initiate hormone replacement as clinically
indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue UNLOXCYT depending
on severity.
Thyroid Disorders
- UNLOXCYT can cause immune-mediated thyroid disorders.
Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy.
Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism. Initiate hormone
replacement or medical management of hyperthyroidism as clinically
indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue UNLOXCYT depending
on severity. Hypothyroidism occurred in 10% (22/223) of patients
receiving UNLOXCYT, including Grade 2 in 5% (10/223) of patients.
Hyperthyroidism occurred in 5% (12/223) of patients receiving
UNLOXCYT, including Grade 2 in 0.4% (1/223) of patients.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Which Can Present with Diabetic
Ketoacidosis
- UNLOXCYT can cause type 1 diabetes mellitus, which can present
with diabetic ketoacidosis. Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or
other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Initiate treatment with
insulin as clinically indicated. Withhold or permanently
discontinue UNLOXCYT depending on severity.
Immune-Mediated Nephritis with Renal Dysfunction
- UNLOXCYT can cause immune-mediated nephritis.
Immune-Mediated Dermatologic Adverse Reactions
- UNLOXCYT can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis. Bullous
and exfoliative dermatitis, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome
(SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug rash with
eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), have occurred with
PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibodies. Topical emollients and/or topical
corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate
non-bullous/exfoliative rashes. Withhold or permanently discontinue
UNLOXCYT depending on severity. Immune-mediated dermatologic
adverse reactions occurred in 7% (15/223) of patients receiving
UNLOXCYT, including Grade 3 in 0.9% (2/223) of patients and Grade 2
in 4% (9/223) of patients.
Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions
- The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse
reactions occurred in <1% of the 223 patients who received
UNLOXCYT or were reported with the use of other PD-1/PD-L1–blocking
antibodies. Severe or fatal cases have been reported for some of
these adverse reactions.
- Cardiac/Vascular: Myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis.
- Nervous System: Meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis and
demyelination, myasthenic syndrome/myasthenia gravis (including
exacerbation), Guillain-Barre syndrome, nerve paresis, autoimmune
neuropathy.
- Ocular: Uveitis, iritis, other ocular inflammatory toxicities.
Some cases can be associated with retinal detachment. Various
grades of visual impairment to include blindness can occur. If
uveitis occurs in combination with other immune-mediated adverse
reactions, consider a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada–like syndrome, as this
may require treatment with systemic steroids to reduce the risk of
permanent vision loss.
- Gastrointestinal: Pancreatitis, including increases in serum
amylase and lipase levels, gastritis, duodenitis.
- Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue: Myositis/polymyositis,
rhabdomyolysis and associated sequelae including renal failure,
arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica.
- Endocrine: Hypoparathyroidism.
- Other (Hematologic/Immune): Autoimmune hemolytic anemia,
aplastic anemia, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, systemic
inflammatory response syndrome, histiocytic necrotizing
lymphadenitis (Kikuchi lymphadenitis), sarcoidosis, immune
thrombocytopenia, solid organ transplant rejection, other
transplant (including corneal graft) rejection.
Infusion-Related Reactions
- UNLOXCYT can cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related
reactions. Infusion-related infusion reactions were reported in 11%
(24/223) of patients, including Grade 2 in 5.8% (13/223) of
patients receiving UNLOXCYT.
- Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infusion-related
reactions. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion or permanently
discontinue UNLOXCYT based on severity of reaction. Consider
premedication with an antipyretic and/or an antihistamine for
patients who have had previous systemic reactions to infusions of
therapeutic proteins.
Complications of Allogeneic HSCT
- Fatal and other serious complications can occur in patients who
receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
before or after being treated with a PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibody.
Transplant-related complications include hyperacute
graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, hepatic
veno-occlusive disease after reduced intensity conditioning, and
steroid-requiring febrile syndrome (without an identified
infectious cause). These complications may occur despite
intervening therapy between PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and allogeneic
HSCT. Follow patients closely for evidence of transplant-related
complications and intervene promptly. Consider the benefit versus
risks of treatment with a PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibody prior to or
after an allogeneic HSCT.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
- Based on its mechanism of action, UNLOXCYT can cause fetal harm
when administered to a pregnant woman. Animal studies have
demonstrated that inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway can lead to
increased risk of immune-mediated rejection of the developing
fetus, resulting in fetal death. Advise pregnant women of the
potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential
to use effective contraception during treatment with UNLOXCYT and
for 4 months after the last dose.
Common Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) were fatigue,
musculoskeletal pain, rash, diarrhea, hypothyroidism, constipation,
nausea, headache, pruritus, edema, localized infection, and urinary
tract infection.
Please see full Prescribing Information.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sun-pharma-to-acquire-checkpoint-therapeutics-302396492.html
SOURCE Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc., USA (Sun Pharma)