New ibrutinib (IMBRUVICA®) Data to be Showcased at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharmacyclics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PCYC) announced today that ibrutinib (IMBRUVICA^®) single-agent and combination data will be featured in seven oral and poster sessions at the 51^st American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting being held May 29-June 2, 2015 in Chicago, IL. According to a statement from ASCO, IMBRUVICA data will also be included in the official press program during the meeting for the second time in two years. IMBRUVICA is jointly developed and commercialized by Pharmacyclics and Janssen Biotech, Inc.

Data being presented include, among others, an oral presentation from the Phase III HELIOS (CLL3001, abstract #LBA7005) study of ibrutinib in combination with bendamustine and rituximab in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a poster presentation of ibrutinib in steroid-dependent or refractory chronic graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) (abstract #7024) as well as a dose adherence analysis of ibrutinib 420 mg administered to previously treated CLL patients (abstract #7012).

"We look forward to sharing promising data at this year's ASCO that examines the use of IMBRUVICA across a broad range of hematologic disease settings from our clinical studies," said Danelle James, M.D., M.S., Head of Oncology at Pharmacyclics. "Addressing difficult-to-treat hematologic and solid malignancies remains a top priority for us and our development program is designed to help establish IMBRUVICA as a backbone of therapy across a broad range of histologies."

A list of accepted ibrutinib abstracts is included below. The abstracts are also available on the ASCO website.

Notable Presentations:
Oral Presentation      
First Results from a Phase III Study of ibrutinib in Combination with bendamustine and rituximab in Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. (Abstract LBA7005)
Oral Abstract Session: Leukemia, Myelodysplasia, and Transplantation. Saturday, May 30 at 2:27 p.m. CDT in E Arie Crown Theater.
Lead Author: Asher Alban Chanan-Khan, M.D., The Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

Poster Presentations
Dose Adherence and Baseline Exposure Analysis of the ibrutinib 420 mg Dose Administered to Patients with Previously Treated CLL. (Abstract 7012)
Poster Session: Leukemia, Myelodysplasia, and Transplantation. Sunday, May 31 at 8:00 a.m. CDT in S Hall A.
Lead Author: Paul M. Barr, M.D., Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.

A Multicenter Open-label Phase Ib/II Study of ibrutinib in Steroid Dependent or Refractory Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease. (Abstract 7024)
Poster Session: Leukemia, Myelodysplasia, and Transplantation. Sunday, May 31 at 8:00 a.m. CDT in S Hall A.
Lead Author: David Bernard Miklos, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA.

Poster Presentations for Trials in Progress
A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase III Study of rituximab with or without ibrutinib for Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia. (Abstract TPS8599)
Poser Session: Lymphoma and Plasma Cell Disorders. Sunday, May 31 at 8:00 a.m. CDT in S Hall A.
Lead Author: Meletios A. Dimopoulos, M.D., National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

A Phase III Study of ibrutinib in Combination with Either bendamustine and rituximab (BR) or rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) in Subjects with Previously Treated Follicular Lymphoma or Marginal Zone Lymphoma. (Abstract TPS8601)
Poser Session: Lymphoma and Plasma Cell Disorders. Sunday, May 31 at 8:00 a.m. CDT in S Hall A.
Lead Author: Nathan Hale Fowler, M.D., The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

Randomized, Multicenter, Open-label, Phase III Study of the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib + obinutuzumab vs. chlorambucil + obinutuzumab in Patients with Treatment-naïve CLL/SLL. (Abstract TPS7095)
Poster Session: Leukemia, Myelodysplasia, and Transplantation. Sunday, May 31 at 8:00 a.m. CDT in S Hall A.
Lead Author: Ian Flinn, M.D., Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, TN, USA.

A Multicenter, Open-label Phase IIa Study of ibrutinib with or without Cytarabine in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. (Abstract TPS7096)
Poster Session: Leukemia, Myelodysplasia, and Transplantation. Sunday, May 31 at 8:00 a.m. CDT in S Hall A.
Lead Author: Jorge Cortes, M.D., The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

About IMBRUVICA
IMBRUVICA is currently approved for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have received at least one prior therapy, all CLL patients (including treatment-naive) who have del 17p, a genetic mutation that occurs when part of chromosome 17 has been lost, and all patients (including treatment-naive) with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.¹ IMBRUVICA is also approved under accelerated approval for the treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy.¹

IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) is a first-in-class, oral, once-daily therapy that inhibits a protein called Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK).¹ IMBRUVICA was one of the first medicines to receive U.S. FDA approval via the new Breakthrough Therapy Designation pathway, and is the only product to have received three Breakthrough Therapy Designations.

BTK is a key signaling molecule in the B-cell receptor signaling complex that plays an important role in the survival and spread of malignant B cells.^1,2 IMBRUVICA blocks signals that tell malignant B cells to multiply and spread uncontrollably.¹

IMBRUVICA is being studied alone and in combination with other treatments in several blood cancers. More than 6,100 patients have been treated in clinical trials of IMBRUVICA conducted in 35 countries by more than 800 investigators. Currently, 13 Phase III trials have been initiated with IMBRUVICA and 62 trials are registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov.

To learn more about the medical terminology used in this news release, please visit http://stedmansonline.com/.

INDICATIONS
IMBRUVICA is indicated to treat people with:

• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have received at least one prior therapy
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with 17p deletion
• Waldenström's macroglobulinemia
• Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy – accelerated approval was granted for this indication based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

Patients taking IMBRUVICA for CLL or WM should take 420 mg taken orally once daily (or three 140 mg capsules once daily).

Patients taking IMBRUVICA for MCL should take 560 mg taken orally once daily (or four 140 mg capsules once daily).

Capsules should be taken orally with a glass of water. Capsules should be taken whole. Do not open, break, split or chew the capsules.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hemorrhage - Fatal bleeding events have occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA^®. Grade 3 or higher bleeding events (subdural hematoma, gastrointestinal bleeding, hematuria, and post-procedural hemorrhage) have occurred in up to 6% of patients. Bleeding events of any grade, including bruising and petechiae, occurred in approximately half of patients treated with IMBRUVICA^®.

The mechanism for the bleeding events is not well understood.  IMBRUVICA^® may increase the risk of hemorrhage in patients receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapies. Consider the benefit-risk of withholding IMBRUVICA^® for at least 3 to 7 days pre and post-surgery depending upon the type of surgery and the risk of bleeding.

Infections - Fatal and non-fatal infections have occurred with IMBRUVICA^® therapy. Grade 3 or greater infections occurred in 14% to 26% of patients. Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) have occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA^®. Monitor patients for fever and infections and evaluate promptly.

Cytopenias - Treatment-emergent Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias including neutropenia (range, 19 to 29%), thrombocytopenia (range, 5 to 17%), and anemia (range, 0 to 9%) occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA^®. Monitor complete blood counts monthly.

Atrial Fibrillation - Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (range, 6 to 9%) have occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA^®, particularly in patients with cardiac risk factors, acute infections, and a previous history of atrial fibrillation. Periodically monitor patients clinically for atrial fibrillation. Patients who develop arrhythmic symptoms (e.g., palpitations, lightheadedness) or new-onset dyspnea should have an ECG performed. If atrial fibrillation persists, consider the risks and benefits of IMBRUVICA^® treatment and dose modification.

Second Primary Malignancies - Other malignancies (range, 5 to 14%) including non-skin carcinomas (range, 1 to 3%) have occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA^®. The most frequent second primary malignancy was non-melanoma skin cancer (range, 4 to 11%).

Tumor Lysis Syndrome - Tumor lysis syndrome has been reported with IMBRUVICA^® therapy. Monitor patients closely and take appropriate precautions in patients at risk for tumor lysis syndrome (e.g., high tumor burden).

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity - Based on findings in animals, IMBRUVICA^® can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise women to avoid becoming pregnant while taking IMBRUVICA^®. If this drug is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to a fetus.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions (>25%) in patients with B-cell malignancies (MCL, CLL, WM) were thrombocytopenia* (57%, 52%, 43%), neutropenia* (47%, 51%, 44%), diarrhea (51%, 48%, 37%), anemia* (41%, 36%, 13%), fatigue (41%, 28%, 21%), musculoskeletal pain (37%, 28%**, NA***), bruising (30%, 12%**, 16%**), nausea (31%, 26%, 21%), upper respiratory tract infection (34%, 16%, 19%), and rash (25%, 24%**, 22%**).

*Based on adverse reactions and/or laboratory measurements (noted as platelets, neutrophils, or hemoglobin decreased).

**Includes multiple ADR terms.

***Not applicable; no associated ADRs.

The most common Grade 3 or 4 non-hematological adverse reactions (>5%) in MCL patients were pneumonia (7%), abdominal pain (5%), atrial fibrillation (5%), diarrhea (5%), fatigue (5%), and skin infections (5%).

Approximately 6% (CLL), 14% (MCL), and 11% (WM) of patients had a dose reduction due to adverse events.

Approximately 5% (CLL), 9% (MCL), and 6% (WM) of patients discontinued due to adverse events. Most frequent adverse events leading to discontinuation were infections, subdural hematomas, and diarrhea in CLL patients and subdural hematoma (1.8%) in MCL patients.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

CYP3A Inhibitors - Avoid co-administration with strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors. If a moderate CYP3A inhibitor must be used, reduce the IMBRUVICA^® dose.

CYP3A Inducers - Avoid co-administration with strong CYP3A inducers.

SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Hepatic Impairment - Avoid use in patients with moderate or severe baseline hepatic impairment. In patients with mild impairment, reduce IMBRUVICA^® dose.

Please see full Prescribing Information: 
http://www.imbruvica.com/downloads/Prescribing_Information.pdf.

About Pharmacyclics

Pharmacyclics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PCYC) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative small-molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and immune mediated diseases. The company's mission is to build a viable biopharmaceutical company that designs, develops and commercializes novel therapies intended to improve quality of life, increase duration of life and resolve serious unmet medical needs. It will do so by identifying and controlling promising product candidates based on scientific development and administrative expertise, developing its products in a rapid, cost-efficient manner and, pursuing commercialization and/or development partners when and where appropriate.

Pharmacyclics markets IMBRUVICA and has three product candidates in clinical development and several preclinical molecules in lead optimization. The company is committed to high standards of ethics, scientific rigor and operational efficiency as it moves each of these programs to commercialization. Pharmacyclics is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA. To learn more, please visit www.pharmacyclics.com.

NOTE: This announcement may contain forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements, among others, relating to our future capital requirements, including our expected liquidity position and timing of the receipt of certain milestone payments, and the sufficiency of our current assets to meet these requirements, our future results of operations, our expectations for and timing of ongoing or future clinical trials and regulatory approvals for any of our product candidates, and our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Because these statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties. When used in this announcement, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "expectation", "goal", "should", "would", "project", "plan", "predict", "intend", "target" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance, expected liquidity or achievements to differ materially from those projected in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include, without limitation, our need for substantial additional financing and the availability and terms of any such financing, the safety and/or efficacy results of clinical trials of our product candidates, our failure to obtain regulatory approvals or comply with ongoing governmental regulation, our ability to commercialize, manufacture and achieve market acceptance of any of our product candidates, for which we rely heavily on collaboration with third parties, and our ability to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights and to operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of third parties. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements and no assurance can be given that the actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. For more information about the risks and uncertainties that may affect our results, please see the Risk Factors section of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. We do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this announcement to conform these statements to actual results, to changes in management's expectations or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

IMBRUVICA is a registered trademark of Pharmacyclics, Inc.

¹ IMBRUVICA Prescribing Information, January 2015

² Genetics Home Reference. Isolated growth hormone deficiency. Available at: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/isolated-growth-hormone-deficiency. Accessed May 2015.

SOURCE Pharmacyclics, Inc.

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