European Health Authority Studies Conclude That Impurity In Roche's Viracept® (nelfinavir Mesylate) Did Not Increase Patients' Risk Of Cancer

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 25 Jul 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The European Committee for Human Medicinal Products (CHMP) has confirmed that the presence of an impurity called ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) in Roche's Viracept (nelfinavir mesylate) did not increase patients' risk of developing cancer.

The discovery of the EMS impurity in some batches of nelfinavir led to a global recall of this HIV medication in June 2007. Since then, the product has been made available again in the EU.

The conclusions announced today were based on tests with EMS, which have been validated by independent experts including toxicologists and HIV-treating clinicians. The results were also reviewed by patient advocates and non-governmental organisations.

"Roche has acted promptly and responsibly in generating this new research on EMS" said Dr Anton Pozniak, Consultant Physician in HIV, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK. "The results of the studies - validated by a panel of independent toxicologists and clinicians - as well as the conclusions of the CHMP should provide reassurance to patients who were exposed to elevated levels of EMS, and to their healthcare providers."

In collaboration with the CHMP, Roche designed and commissioned in-depth animal studies to better define the potential impact of EMS. These studies demonstrated that patients who were accidentally exposed to the highest levels of EMS in nelfinavir received doses of the impurity significantly below the threshold at which DNA damage - and therefore cancer or birth defects - can occur.

"Our primary focus throughout this process has been on protecting the safety of patients" said William M. Burns, CEO, Roche Pharmaceuticals Division. "Roche undertook this important research because so little was known about EMS at the time the recall was initiated. We welcome the CHMP's conclusions and expect that the rapid generation and dissemination of the data will make an important contribution to the industry as a whole."

The full data will be shared with the broader HIV and research communities via scientific conferences and peer-reviewed journals in the coming months. An initial presentation has been accepted as late-breaker poster at the XVII International AIDS Conference, 3-8 August, 2008.

Additionally, Roche had initiated the first steps to establish patient registries as part of its efforts to monitor and track patients who may have been exposed to contaminated batches of nelfinavir. However, in light of the new research, the CHMP has concluded that there is no need to follow these patients in registries.

Following the discovery of elevated levels of EMS in some batches of nelfinavir, Roche in June 2007 undertook a total global recall in areas of the world where it supplies the drug. This was followed by the suspension of nelfinavir's licence in August 2007. In agreement with the CHMP, Roche undertook a comprehensive review and correction of its manufacturing procedures, which led to nelfinavir's licence being reinstated in October 2007.

About Viracept

Viracept (nelfinavir) is an HIV protease inhibitor supplied by Roche outside the US, Canada and Japan. Viracept was first introduced by Roche in 1998. Although newer protease inhibitors have become available for the treatment of HIV, it is viewed as a useful medicine for patients who are intolerant to ritonavir (since it does not require ritonavir boosting), pregnant women, and patients in resource-limited settings, since the formulation is heat-stable and does not require refrigeration.

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As the world's biggest biotech company and an innovator of products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people's health and quality of life. Roche is the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics and drugs for cancer and transplantation, a market leader in virology and active in other major therapeutic areas such as autoimmune diseases, inflammation, metabolic disorders and diseases of the central nervous system. In 2007 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totalled 36.8 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 9.3 billion Swiss francs. Roche has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai, and invested over 8 billion Swiss francs in R&D in 2007. Worldwide, the Group employs about 79,000 people.

http://www.roche.com

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