Galera Announces Plan to Submit Avasopasem NDA by Year End
May 16 2022 - 07:00AM
GlobeNewswire Inc.
Galera Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRTX), a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing
a pipeline of novel, proprietary therapeutics that have the
potential to transform radiotherapy in cancer, today announced its
intent to file a New Drug Application (NDA) for avasopasem
manganese (avasopasem) for the treatment of radiotherapy-induced
severe oral mucositis (SOM) in patients with locally advanced head
and neck cancer with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by
the end of 2022.
“We are excited to take this next step after our productive
interactions with the FDA,” said Mel Sorensen, M.D., Galera’s
President and CEO. “The NDA will be based on the positive and
clinically meaningful data from our Phase 3 ROMAN trial and our
randomized Phase 2b trial. There are no FDA-approved treatments for
radiotherapy-induced SOM, which affects over 40,000 patients with
head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy in the U.S. alone, and
we are enthusiastically working to bring this potential treatment
to patients as quickly as possible.”
The FDA has already granted Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track
Designations to avasopasem for the reduction of SOM induced by
radiotherapy. The Company looks forward to continuing to work with
the FDA to bring this potential new treatment to patients with head
and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy.
The Company also recently announced that detailed results from
the ROMAN trial will be presented in an oral presentation at the
upcoming 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual
Meeting on Friday, June 3, 2022.
About Severe Oral Mucositis (SOM)Approximately
42,000 patients with head and neck cancer undergo standard-of-care
radiotherapy every year in the U.S. and are at risk of experiencing
SOM. In patients with head and neck cancer, radiotherapy is a
mainstay of treatment. Approximately 70 percent of patients
receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer develop SOM,
defined by the inability to eat solid food or drink liquids. The
impact on patients who develop SOM is substantial, particularly
when hospitalization and/or surgical placement of PEG tubes to
maintain nutrition and hydration are required. SOM can adversely
affect cancer treatment outcomes by causing interruptions in
radiotherapy, which may compromise the otherwise good prognosis for
tumor control in many of these patients. There is currently no drug
approved to prevent or treat SOM for these patients.
About AvasopasemAvasopasem manganese
(avasopasem, or GC4419) is a selective small molecule dismutase
mimetic in development for the reduction of radiation-induced
severe oral mucositis (SOM) in patients with locally advanced head
and neck cancer (HNC) and for the reduction of radiation-induced
esophagitis in patients with lung cancer. The FDA has granted Fast
Track and Breakthrough Therapy designations to avasopasem for the
reduction of SOM induced by radiotherapy, with or without systemic
therapy.
About Galera TherapeuticsGalera Therapeutics,
Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on
developing and commercializing a pipeline of novel, proprietary
therapeutic candidates that have the potential to transform
radiotherapy in cancer. Galera’s selective dismutase mimetic
product candidate avasopasem manganese (GC4419, also referred to as
avasopasem) is being evaluated for radiotherapy-induced toxicities.
The Company’s second product candidate, rucosopasem manganese
(GC4711, also referred to as rucosopasem), is in clinical-stage
development to augment the anti-cancer efficacy of stereotactic
body radiation therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer
and locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Galera is headquartered in
Malvern, PA. For more information, please
visit www.galeratx.com.
Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements
contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of
historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements,
including without limitation statements regarding: the expectations
surrounding the continued advancement of Galera’s product pipeline;
the potential safety and efficacy of Galera’s product candidates
and their regulatory and clinical development; the timing of the
submission of an NDA for avasopasem for the treatment of
radiotherapy-induced SOM in patients with locally advanced head and
neck cancer with the FDA; and the potential approval and
commercialization of avasopasem and the timing thereof. These
forward-looking statements are based on management’s current
expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees,
but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
important factors that may cause Galera’s actual results,
performance or achievements to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the
following: Galera’s limited operating history; anticipating
continued losses for the foreseeable future; needing substantial
funding and the ability to raise capital; Galera’s dependence on
avasopasem manganese (GC4419); uncertainties inherent in the
conduct of clinical trials; difficulties or delays enrolling
patients in clinical trials; the FDA’s acceptance of data from
clinical trials outside the United States; undesirable side effects
from Galera’s product candidates; risks relating to the regulatory
approval process; failure to capitalize on more profitable product
candidates or indications; ability to receive or maintain
Breakthrough Therapy Designation or Fast Track Designation for
product candidates; failure to obtain regulatory approval of
product candidates in the United States or other jurisdictions;
ongoing regulatory obligations and continued regulatory review;
risks related to commercialization; risks related to competition;
ability to retain key employees and manage growth; risks related to
intellectual property; inability to maintain collaborations or the
failure of these collaborations; Galera’s reliance on third
parties; the possibility of system failures or security breaches;
liability related to the privacy of health information obtained
from clinical trials and product liability lawsuits; unfavorable
pricing regulations, third-party reimbursement practices or
healthcare reform initiatives; environmental, health and safety
laws and regulations; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on
Galera’s business and operations, including preclinical studies and
clinical trials, and general economic conditions; risks related to
ownership of Galera’s common stock; and significant costs as a
result of operating as a public company. These and other important
factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Galera’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021
filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and
Galera’s other filings with the SEC could cause actual results to
differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking
statements made in this press release. Any forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are
based on information available to Galera as of the date of this
release, and Galera assumes no obligation to, and does not intend
to, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
Investor Contacts:Christopher DegnanGalera
Therapeutics, Inc.610-725-1500cdegnan@galeratx.com
William WindhamSolebury
Trout646-378-2946wwindham@soleburytrout.com
Media Contact:Zara LockshinSolebury
Trout330-417-6250zlockshin@soleburytrout.com
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