BOUDRY, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Celgene International Sàrl, a subsidiary of Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG), today announced that REVLIMID^® (lenalidomide) has been granted full approval, which includes an Import Drug License (IDL) by the China State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) for use in combination with dexamethasone as a treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.

The approval of REVLIMID is based upon the safety and efficacy results of multiple pivotal randomized phase III international clinical trials in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Results from a large, phase II bridging study (MM-021) of lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone in 159 Chinese patients, who had relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, also supported the submission and approval.

Multiple myeloma is the second most commonly diagnosed blood cancer. According to the International Myeloma Foundation, there are an estimated 750,000 people with multiple myeloma worldwide.

REVLIMID will be available only through a proprietary distribution program developed by Celgene. The company is working to supply REVLIMID to the China market as soon as possible. Certain standard government processes must be followed prior to launch. Celgene expects REVLIMID to be available to patients late in the second quarter of 2013.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Priority Review

Celgene was also informed that its application for REVLIMID in patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) after prior therapy that included bortezomib has been accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency has assigned a priority review to the application and has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act date of June 5, 2013.

About REVLIMID

REVLIMID is approved in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy in nearly 70 countries, encompassing Europe, the Americas, the Middle-East and Asia, and in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of patients whose disease has progressed after one therapy in Australia and New Zealand.

REVLIMID is also approved in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and several Latin American countries, as well as Malaysia and Israel, for transfusion-dependent anaemia due to low- or intermediate-1-risk MDS associated with a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality with or without additional cytogenetic abnormalities. Marketing Authorization Applications are currently being evaluated in a number of other countries.

U.S. Regulatory Information for Revlimid

REVLIMID^® (lenalidomide) in combination with dexamethasone is indicated for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have received at least one prior therapy.

REVLIMID^® (lenalidomide) is indicated for the treatment of patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to low- or intermediate-1–risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) associated with a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality with or without additional cytogenetic abnormalities.

Important Safety Information

WARNING: FETAL RISK, HEMATOLOGIC TOXICITY, and DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM

Do not use REVLIMID during pregnancy. Lenalidomide, a thalidomide analogue, caused limb abnormalities in a developmental monkey study. Thalidomide is a known human teratogen that causes severe life-threatening human birth defects. If lenalidomide is used during pregnancy, it may cause birth defects or death to a developing baby. In women of childbearing potential, obtain 2 negative pregnancy tests before starting REVLIMID treatment. Women of childbearing potential must use 2 forms of contraception or continuously abstain from heterosexual sex during and for 4 weeks after REVLIMID treatment. To avoid fetal exposure to lenalidomide, REVLIMID is only available in the U.S. under a restricted distribution program called “RevAssist^®.”

Information about the RevAssist program is available at www.REVLIMID.com or by calling the manufacturer’s toll-free number 1-888-423-5436.

HEMATOLOGIC TOXICITY (NEUTROPENIA AND THROMBOCYTOPENIA)

REVLIMID can cause significant neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Eighty percent of patients with del 5q MDS had to have a dose delay/reduction during the major study. Thirty-four percent of patients had to have a second dose delay/reduction. Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity was seen in 80% of patients enrolled in the study. Patients on therapy for del 5q MDS should have their complete blood counts monitored weekly for the first 8 weeks of therapy and at least monthly thereafter. Patients may require dose interruption and/or reduction. Patients may require use of blood product support and/or growth factors. (see DOSAGE and ADMINISTRATION)

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM

REVLIMID has demonstrated a significantly increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with MM who were treated with REVLIMID and dexamethasone therapy. Patients and physicians are advised to be observant for the signs and symptoms of thromboembolism. Patients should be instructed to seek medical care if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or arm or leg swelling. It is not known whether prophylactic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy prescribed in conjunction with REVLIMID may lessen the potential for venous thromboembolic events. The decision to take prophylactic measures should be done carefully after an assessment of an individual patient’s underlying risk factors.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Pregnancy Category X:

• Lenalidomide is contraindicated in pregnant women and women capable of becoming pregnant. Females of childbearing potential may be treated with lenalidomide provided adequate precautions are taken to avoid pregnancy

Allergic Reactions:

• REVLIMID is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity (e.g., angioedema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) to lenalidomide

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

Fetal Risk:

• REV may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman
• REVLIMID is an analogue of thalidomide, a known human teratogen that causes life-threatening human birth defects. An embryofetal development study in non-human primates indicates that lenalidomide produced malformations in the offspring of female monkeys who received the drug during pregnancy, similar to birth defects observed in humans following exposure to thalidomide during pregnancy. If REVLIMID is used during pregnancy, it may cause birth defects or death to a developing baby
• Females of childbearing potential must be advised to avoid pregnancy while on REVLIMID. Two effective contraceptive methods must be used by female patients of childbearing potential for at least 4 weeks before beginning REVLIMID therapy, during therapy, during dose interruptions and for 4 weeks following discontinuation of REVLIMID therapy
• Male Patients: Clinical data has demonstrated the presence of lenalidomide in human semen. Male patients taking REVLIMID should not donate sperm. Males receiving REVLIMID must always use a latex condom during any sexual contact with females of childbearing potential, even if they have undergone a successful vasectomy

Reproductive Risk and Special Prescribing Requirements (RevAssist Program):

• Because of this potential toxicity and to avoid fetal exposure, REVLIMID is only available under a special restricted distribution program called “RevAssist.” Prescribers and pharmacists registered with the program can prescribe and dispense the product to patients who are registered and meet all the conditions of the RevAssist program

Hematologic Toxicity—Multiple Myeloma:

• REVLIMID can cause significant neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
• Patients taking REVLIMID for MM should have their complete blood counts monitored every 2 weeks for the first 12 weeks and then monthly thereafter
• In the pooled MM studies Grade 3 and 4 hematologic toxicities were more frequent in patients treated with the combination of REVLIMID and dexamethasone than in patients treated with dexamethasone alone
• Patients may require dose interruption and/or dose reduction

Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism:

• Venous thromboembolic events (predominantly deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) have occurred in patients with MM treated with lenalidomide combination therapy and patients with MDS treated with lenalidomide monotherapy

Allergic Reactions:

• Angioedema and serious dermatologic reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) have been reported. These events can be fatal. Patients with a prior history of Grade 4 rash associated with thalidomide treatment should not receive REVLIMID. REVLIMID interruption or discontinuation should be considered for Grade 2-3 skin rash. REVLIMID must be discontinued for angioedema, Grade 4 rash, exfoliative or bullous rash, or if SJS or TEN is suspected, and should not be resumed following discontinuation for these reactions
• REVLIMID capsules contain lactose. Risk-benefit of REVLIMID treatment should be evaluated in patients with lactose intolerance

Tumor Lysis Syndrome:

• Fatal instances of tumor lysis syndrome have been reported during treatment with lenalidomide. The patients at risk of tumor lysis syndrome are those with high tumor burden prior to treatment. These patients should be monitored closely and appropriate precautions taken

Tumor Flare Reaction:

• Tumor flare reaction has occurred during investigational use of lenalidomide for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and lymphoma, and is characterized by tender lymph node swelling, low grade fever, pain and rash. Treatment of CLL or lymphoma with lenalidomide outside of a well-monitored clinical trial is discouraged

Hepatotoxicity:

• Cases of transient liver laboratory abnormalities (predominantly transaminases) were reported in patients treated with lenalidomide. Treatment with lenalidomide should be interrupted and restarted once the levels return to baseline. Successful re-challenge without recurrence of liver laboratory elevation was reported in some patients

Second Primary Malignancies

• Patients with MM treated with lenalidomide in studies including melphalan and stem cell transplantation had a higher incidence of second primary malignancies, particularly acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and Hodgkin lymphoma, compared to patients in the control arms who received similar therapy but did not receive lenalidomide. Monitor patients for the development of second malignancies. Take into account both the potential benefit of lenalidomide and the risk of second primary malignancies when considering treatment with lenalidomide

DRUG INTERACTIONS:

• Periodic monitoring of digoxin plasma levels, in accordance with clinical judgment and based on standard clinical practice in patients receiving this medication, is recommended during administration of REVLIMID
• It is not known whether there is an interaction between dexamethasone and warfarin. Close monitoring of PT and INR is recommended in MM patients taking concomitant warfarin
• Erythropoietic agents, or other agents, that may increase the risk of thrombosis, such as estrogen containing therapies, should be used with caution in MM patients receiving lenalidomide with dexamethasone

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS:

Nursing Mothers:

• It is not known whether REVLIMID is excreted in human milk
• Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother

Geriatric Use:

• Since elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection Monitor renal function

Renal Impairment:

• Since REVLIMID is primarily excreted unchanged by the kidney, adjustments to the starting dose of REVLIMID are recommended to provide appropriate drug exposure in patients with moderate (CLcr 30-60 mL/min) or severe renal impairment (CLcr < 30 mL/min) and in patients on dialysis

ADVERSE REACTIONS:

Multiple Myeloma

• In the REVLIMID/dexamethasone treatment group, 269 patients (76%) underwent at least one dose interruption with or without a dose reduction of REVLIMID compared to 199 patients (57%) in the placebo/dexamethasone treatment group
• Of these patients who had one dose interruption with or without a dose reduction, 76% (269/353) vs 57% (199/350), 50% in the REVLIMID/dexamethasone treatment group underwent at least one additional dose interruption with or without a dose reduction compared to 21% in the placebo/dexamethasone treatment group
• Most adverse events and Grade 3/4 adverse events were more frequent in MM patients who received the combination of REVLIMID/dexamethasone compared to placebo/dexamethasone
• Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 33.4% vs 3.4%; 2.3% experienced Grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia vs 0%
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was reported as a serious adverse drug reaction (7.4%) or Grade 3/4 (8.2%) compared to 3.1% and 3.4%. Discontinuations due to DVT were reported at comparable rates between groups
• Pulmonary embolism (PE) was reported as a serious adverse drug reaction (3.7%) or Grade 3/4 (4.0%) compared to 0.9% and 0.9%. Discontinuations due to PE were reported at comparable rates between groups
• Adverse reactions reported in ≥15% of MM patients (REVLIMID/dexamethasone vs dexamethasone/placebo): fatigue (44% vs 42%), neutropenia (42% vs 6%), constipation (41% vs 21%), diarrhea (39% vs 27%), muscle cramp (33% vs 21%), anemia (31% vs 24%), pyrexia (28% vs 23%), peripheral edema (26% vs 21%), nausea (26% vs 21%), back pain (26% vs 19%), upper respiratory tract infection (25% vs 16%), dyspnea (24% vs 17%), dizziness (23% vs 17%), thrombocytopenia (22% vs 11%), rash (21% vs 9%), tremor (21% vs 7%), weight decreased (20% vs 15%), nasopharyngitis (18% vs 9%), blurred vision (17% vs 11%), anorexia (16% vs 10%), and dysgeusia (15% vs 10%)

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

• Thrombocytopenia (61.5%; 91/148) and neutropenia (58.8%; 87/148) were the most frequently reported adverse events observed in the del 5q MDS population
• Grade 3 and 4 adverse events reported in ≥ 5% of patients with del 5q MDS were neutropenia (53%), thrombocytopenia (50%), pneumonia (7%), rash (7%), anemia (6%), leukopenia (5%), fatigue (5%), dyspnea (5%), and back pain (5%)
• Other adverse events reported in ≥15% of del 5q MDS patients (REVLIMID): diarrhea (49%), pruritus (42%), rash (36%), fatigue (31%), constipation (24%), nausea (24%), nasopharyngitis (23%), arthralgia (22%), pyrexia (21%), back pain (21%), peripheral edema (20%), cough (20%), dizziness (20%), headache (20%), muscle cramp (18%), dyspnea (17%), pharyngitis (16%), epistaxis (15%), asthenia (15%), upper respiratory tract infection (15%)

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION:

• Treatment is continued or modified based upon clinical and laboratory findings. Dosing modifications are recommended to manage Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia or other Grade 3 or 4 toxicity judged to be related to REVLIMID
• For other Grade 3 or 4 toxicities judged to be related to REVLIMID, hold treatment and restart at next lower dose level when toxicity has resolved to ≤Grade 2

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, and ADVERSE REACTIONS.

About Celgene

Celgene International Sàrl, located in Boudry, in the Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, is a wholly owned subsidiary and international headquarters of Celgene Corporation.

Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global pharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein regulation. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.celgene.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

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