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TRANSCRIPT
Post-EHA KOL Event
June 25, 2019
Forward-Looking Statements
2
Except for the historical information contained herein, this presentation contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such statements, include, without limitation, those regarding: (i) that the Phase 3 portion of IMerge will be open for patient screening and enrollment in August 2019, with site initiation in July 2019; (ii) that statistical analyses of IMbark data and closely matched RWD suggest favorable overall survival with imetelstat treatment when compared to closely matched RWD from patients treated with BAT in relapsed/refractory MF; (iii) that statistical analyses of IMbark data and closely matched RWD suggest treatment with imetelstat is associated with a lower risk of death compared to BAT; (iv) that imetelstat in lower risk MDS has potential impact on the malignant clone; (v) that imetelstat may have disease-modifying activity; (vi) that there will be an End of Phase 2 meeting with the FDA by the end of Q1 2020; and (vii) other statements that are not historical facts, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties, include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to: (a) whether imetelstat is able to actually demonstrate a lower risk of death and favorable overall survival compared to BAT in relapsed/refractory MF patients; (b) whether the comparative analyses between RWD and IMbark clinical trial data described in the poster presentation at EHA have limitations and cannot be relied upon as demonstrative; (c) whether the Company overcomes all the clinical, safety and efficacy, technical, scientific, manufacturing and regulatory challenges to enable the opening of the Phase 3 portion of IMerge for screening and enrollment in August 2019 and site initiation in July 2019; (d) whether regulatory authorities permit the further development of imetelstat on a timely basis, or at all, without any clinical holds; (e) whether imetelstat is safe and efficacious; (f) whether any future efficacy or safety results may cause the benefit-risk profile of imetelstat to become unacceptable; (g) whether the Company will be able to successfully retain or recruit key personnel to support its current and future development plans or to otherwise successfully manage its growth; (h) the Company’s need for additional capital; and (i) whether imetelstat demonstrates disease-modifying activity. Additional information on the above risks and uncertainties and additional risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are contained in Geron’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading “Risk Factors,” including Geron’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, and the facts and assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements may change. Except as required by law, Geron disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future information, events or circumstances.
Agenda
8:00 am Welcome Suzanne Messere Investor Relations
8:05 am Introductions Aleksandra Rizo, M.D., Ph.D. Chief Medical Officer
8:10 am An Introduction to Myelofibrosis
Imetelstat vs. RWDComparative analyses of overall survival between IMbark Phase 2 clinical data and real-world data
Presented at the 24th Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association
Q&A
Rami Komrokji, M.D. Section Head – Leukemia and MDS, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
Vice Chair, Malignant Hematology Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
8:45 am An Introduction to Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Imetelstat in Lower Risk MDSUpdated data from Phase 2 portion of the IMerge clinical trial
Presented at the 24th Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association
Q&A
Uwe Platzbecker, M.D. Head of Medical Department I –Hematology and Cell Therapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
9:20 am Closing Remarks John A. Scarlett, M.D. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Introductions
Aleksandra Rizo, M.D., Ph.D.
Chief Medical Officer
Rami Komrokji, M.D.
5
Current • Section Head – Leukemia and MDS, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida• Vice Chair, Malignant Hematology Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa,
Florida• Senior Member and Professor of Oncologic Services, Moffitt Cancer Center,
Tampa, FL
Previous • Clinical Director, Malignant Hematology Department Lead Clinical Investigator, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
• Director Leukemia & Lymphoma Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
Medical Training • Jordan University School of Medicine, Amman, Jordan
• Internal Medicine Resident, Case Western University, St. Vincent Program, Cleveland, Ohio
• Hematology-Oncology Fellow, Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
Expertise • Clinical trials in hematologic malignancies with a focus on myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative neoplasms and acute myeloid leukemia
An Introduction toMyelofibrosis
Rami Komrokji, M.D.
Moffitt Cancer Center
Myelofibrosis (MF)Disease characteristics
7
• Malignant clonal proliferation and atypical megakaryocytic hyperplasia leads to bone marrow fibrosis and impaired hematopoiesis
– Constitutional symptoms (e.g., fever, weight loss, night sweats, pruritus) present in approximately 35% of patients also thought to be due to cytokines produced by malignant megakaryocytes
– Impaired bone marrow hematopoiesis shifts blood production to spleen and liver (palpable splenomegaly in approximately 80% of patients)
– Fibrosis thought to be induced by inflammatory cytokines produced by megakaryocytes originating from the malignant progenitor cell clone
• Serious and life-threatening illness
− Leukemic transformation to AML (blast-phase MF)
− Thrombohemorrhagic complications associated with dysfunctional hematopoiesis
− Median survival: ~1-3 years for Intermediate-2 or High-risk disease
telomerase
Tefferi, JCO 2005; 23:8520-8530Tefferi, Mayo Clin Proc 2012; 87:25-33 Gangat et al, JCO 2011; 29:392-397Ferraris, Blood; 2005a; 105(5):2138–2140Harley, Nat Rev. 2008;8:167–179
Higher telomerase activity and shorter telomere length in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms
Inhibition of neoplastic progenitor cell growth observed with telomerase inhibition
Int-2/High-Risk MF Patient Population in the U.S.No approved drug for patients relapsed/refractory to ruxolitinib
8
Mehta et al, Leuk Lymphoma 2014; 55:595-600Gangat et al, JCO 2011; 29:392-397Geron Proprietary Market Research
* Intermediate-2/High-risk MF patients relapsed/refractory to JAK inhibitors
> 9,000Int-2/High-risk MF patients in the U.S.
> 2,000Int-2/High-risk MF cases diagnosed annually in the U.S.
Imetelstat patient population*
~75%of Int-2/High-risk
MF patients
75%5-year ruxolitinib
discontinuation rate
Unmet Medical Need in Int-2/High-Risk MFPotential for meaningful survival in poor-prognosis patients
9
Ruxolitinib• Primarily for symptoms or
splenomegaly
• Oral JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor
• Only approved product for MF in U.S./Europe
• Stay on drug as long as tolerated
Harrison et al, ASH 2015; Gupta et al, ASCO 2016 Newberry et al, Blood 2017; 130:1125-1131 Kuykendall et al, Ann Hematol 2018; 97:435-441 Spiegel et al, Blood Advances 2017; 1:1729-1738*Geron press release: May 16, 2019; clinical cut-off of April 30, 2019
Primary reasons:• Suboptimal response• Loss of therapeutic effect
Median Overall Survival is ~14-16 months
After discontinuation of ruxolitinib
Investigational Agent:imetelstat
IMbark Phase 2 Trial:
Median Overall Survival of 28.1 months* for 9.4 mg/kg
dosing arm
Analyses of IMbark Phase 2 Data vs RWDPresented at the 24th EHA Annual Congress
Rami Komrokji, M.D.
Moffitt Cancer Center
Andrew Kuykendall1, Ying Wan2, John Mascarenhas3, Jean-Jacques Kiladjian4, AlessandroVannucchi5, Julia Wang6, Qi Xia6, Eugene Shu6, Faye Feller2, Aleksandra Rizo2, JacquelineBussolari6, Rami Komrokji, MD1
1Moffitt Cancer Institute, Tampa, FL, United States 2Geron Corporation, Menlo Park, CA, United States, 3Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States, 4Hôpital Saint-Louis, Université Paris, Paris, France 5AOU Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy, 6Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Raritan, NJ, United States
Favorable Overall Survival of Imetelstat-Treated Relapsed/Refractory Myelofibrosis Patients
Compared with Closely Matched Real-World Data
Kuykendall et al. EHA 2019 Poster Presentation
Abstract# PS1456
Kuykendall et al. EHA 2019 Poster Presentation
• Myelofibrosis (MF), particularly Intermediate-2 (Int-2) or High-Risk disease per Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS) criteria, is a life-threatening disease for which the Janus Kinase inhibitor (JAKi), ruxolitinib, is currently the only approved therapy
o Currently, there is no approved or effective therapy for patients who lack or lose response to ruxolitinib
o These relapsed/refractory (R/R) patients have a notably poor prognosis, with median overall survival (OS) of 12-14 months 1,2
• Imetelstat, a 13-mer oligonucleotide that specifically targets the RNA template of human telomerase, is a potent competitive inhibitor of telomerase enzymatic activity
• A Phase 2 study, IMbark (MYF2001, NCT02426086), evaluated 2 doses of imetelstat in JAKi-R/R Int-2 or High-Risk MF3
o Encouraging total symptom score improvements were observed in the 9.4 mg/kg arm (no appreciable efficacy signal was observed in the 4.7 mg/kg arm)
o Median overall survival (OS) was 29.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 22.8, not evaluable [NE]) in the 9.4 mg/kg arm, with clinical cut-off of 22 Oct 2018
1 Kuykendall AT, et al. Ann Hematol 2018;97:435-441; 2 Newberry KJ, et al. Blood 2017;130:1125-1131; 3 Mascarenhas J, et al. ASH 2018. Abstract & oral presentation #685
Background: Myelofibrosis (MF), Imetelstat and IMbark
imetelstat
lipid tail
telomere Prevents binding by and maintenance of telomeres
Imetelstat binds to RNA template of telomerase
X
NPS oligonucleotide
12
Kuykendall et al. EHA 2019 Poster Presentation
Original Patient Populations
• Int-2/High-risk MF per DIPSS criteria
• Relapsed or refractory to JAKi defined as documented progressive disease during or after JAKi:o Subjects must have worsening of splenomegaly-
related abdominal pain at any time after the start of JAKi therapy and EITHER: ❑ No reduction in spleen volume or size after 12 weeks of
JAKi therapy, or
❑ Worsening splenomegaly* at any time after the start of JAKi therapy documented by:
– Increase in spleen volume from nadir by 25% measured by MRI or CT, or
– Increase in spleen size by palpation, CT, or ultrasound
• Active symptoms of MF
• Baseline measurable splenomegaly (palpable spleen ≥5 cm below LCM or ≥450 cm3 by MRI)
• Collected from a single-center study at the Moffitt Cancer Center, patients who had discontinued ruxolitinibo A closely matched cohort was identified using the
guidelines for inclusion and exclusion criteria as defined in IMbark protocol
o Cohort consisted of patients with MF who had discontinued JAKi due to lack or loss of response and were subsequently treated with BAT at the Moffitt Cancer Center from January 1998 to August 2018
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IMbark Criteria Real-World Data (RWD) Criteria
*Adapted from IWG-MRT response criteria definition of progressive disease
Kuykendall et al. EHA 2019 Poster Presentation
Bridging Clinical Trial Data and Real-World Data (RWD)
• Goal of analyses:
o To further assess the potential overall survival (OS) benefit of imetelstat in R/R MF patients treated with 9.4 mg/kg in IMbark
• Analyses performed:
o Main Analysis: OS was measured from the time of JAKi discontinuation to death or censored at last follow-up
– All patients from the analysis populations of the IMbark and the RWD were included
o Sensitivity Analysis #1: to address the immortal time bias introduced by early deaths post JAKi discontinuation observed in the RWD (i.e., align more closely with the IMbark clinical trial experience, where such patients would not have completed the screening phase):
– The RWD set excluded 2 patients who died within 1 month post JAKi discontinuation, with OS measured from 1 month post JAKi discontinuation
– For IMbark, OS was measured from the randomization date
o Sensitivity Analysis #2: to assess the impact of subsequent hematopoietic stem cell transplant on OS
14
Kuykendall et al. EHA 2019 Poster Presentation
Patient Populations Used in Analyses
The analysis population included:
a) From IMbark:
– 57 patients treated with imetelstat 9.4 mg/kg
– Median follow-up, 23 months
b) From RWD:
– 38 patients treated with BAT
– Median follow-up, 43 months
15
Kuykendall et al. EHA 2019 Poster Presentation
Statistical Methods Applied to Minimize Biases Arising from Differences in Baseline Characteristics
• To mimic the effect of randomization and improve comparability, a propensity score analysis approach was taken to match individual patients within each of the data sets to balance the populations with respect to important baseline covariates and prognostic factors that may impact OS outcomes
• Statistical adjustments applied:
o average treatment effect for overlap population (ATO) method
o stabilized inverse probability treatment weighting (sIPTW) method
• Baseline covariates utilized for matching:
• Improved balance in baseline covariates after statistical adjustments applied
o Using the ATO method, all p-values were 1.00 and standardized mean differences were <0.001
o Using the sIPTW method, p-value range was 0.263-0.957 and standardized mean differences were <0.3
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Kuykendall et al. EHA 2019 Poster Presentation
Statistically Significant Reductions in Death Observed with Imetelstat Treatment Across Analyses
• The data is consistent across the analyses performed
• Median OS of 30.7 months for the imetelstat-treated patients from IMbark is more than double the median OS of 12.0 months using RWD for patients treated with BAT
• Imetelstat conferred 65-67% lower risk of death compared to BAT in the unweighted analysis and per ATO and sIPTW weighting methods using hazard ratios
• Results suggest favorable overall survival with imetelstat treatment when compared to closely matched RWD from patients treated with BAT
17
Imetelstat(IMbark)
BAT(Moffitt)
Overall survival (months)Median (95% CI) 33.77 (26.87, NE) 12.04 (7.80, 30.53)
Hazard ratio (95% CI) 0.35 (0.20, 0.62)
P-value 0.0003
Imetelstat(IMbark)
BAT(Moffitt)
Overall survival (months)
Median (95% CI) 30.69 (25.17, NE) 12.04 (7.80, 16.58)
Hazard ratio (95% CI) 0.35 (0.18, 0.68)P-value 0.0019
Imetelstat(IMbark)
BAT(Moffitt)
Overall survival (months)
Median (95% CI) 30.69 (25.17, NE) 12.04 (9.51, 16.58)
Hazard ratio (95% CI) 0.33 (0.18, 0.61)
P-value 0.0003
Kuykendall et al. EHA 2019 Poster Presentation
Sensitivity Analyses Consistent with Main Analysis
• Sensitivity Analysis #1 (above): Addressing the immortal time bias introduced by early deaths post JAKi discontinuation observed in the RWD
o Imetelstat conferred a 65% lower risk of death vs BAT in the unweighted analysis and 64% and 66% per ATO and sIPTW, respectively
• Sensitivity Analysis #2: Addressing the impact of subsequent transplant on OS
o Unweighted analysis: median OS with imetelstat vs BAT of 30.69 vs 10.23 months, with a 69% reduction in the risk of death
o ATO and sIPTW: median OS with imetelstat vs BAT of 30.69 vs 12.04 months, with 68% and 70% reductions in the risk of death per ATO and sIPTW, respectively
18
Imetelstat(IMbark)
BAT(Moffitt)
Overall survival (months)Median (95% CI) 29.86 (23.59, NE) 11.04 (6.80 43.74)
Hazard ratio (95% CI) 0.35 (0.19, 0.65)
P-value 0.0008
Imetelstat(IMbark)
BAT(Moffitt)
Overall survival (months)
Median (95% CI) 29.86 (21.13, NE) 11.04 (7.13, 19.36)
Hazard ratio (95% CI) 0.36 (0.18, 0.73)P-value 0.0044
Imetelstat(IMbark)
BAT(Moffitt)
Overall survival (months)
Median (95% CI) 28.29 (21.13, NE) 11.04 (9.23, 14.03)
Hazard ratio (95% CI) 0.34 (0.18, 0.66)
P-value 0.0012
Kuykendall et al. EHA 2019 Poster Presentation
Conclusions
• These analyses showed that treatment with imetelstat was associated with a lower risk of death compared to BAT in closely matched patients from RWD with Int-2 or High-Risk MF after JAKi failure:
o All sensitivity analyses were consistent with the main analysis
• Acknowledging the limitations of such comparative analyses between RWD and clinical trial data, favorable OS of imetelstat treatment in this very poor-prognosis patient population warrants further evaluation
19
Main Analysis Unweighted ATO sIPTW
Median OS:ImetelstatBAT
33.77 mos12.04 mos
30.69 mos12.04 mos
30.69 mos12.04 mos
Risk of Death 65% 65% 67%
Q&A
Rami Komrokji, M.D.
Moffitt Cancer Center
Uwe Platzbecker, M.D.
21
Current • Head of Medical Department I – Hematology and Cell Therapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
Previous Positions • Professor of Translational Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Section Head of Hematology, University Hospital, Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
• Professor of Haematology, Kings College Hospital Medical School, London, Great Britain
Medical Training • University Hospital, Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
• Translation Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
• Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
• Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital, Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
• Palliative Medicine, University Hospital, Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
• Hemostaseology, University Hospital, Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
Expertise • Hematological malignancies with a focus on MDS and AML, including the translational exploration of innovative treatment options
• Co-founded the European MDS Study Coordinating Office (EMSCO)
An Introduction to Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Uwe Platzbecker, M.D.
University of Leipzig Medical Center
Lower Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)Disease characteristics
23
telomerase
• Lower risk MDS is comprised of Low and Intermediate-1 risk patients as defined by the International Prognostic Scoring System
• Lower risk MDS is a heterogeneous disease comprised of numerous subtypes, including refractory anemia with ring-sideroblasts (RARS) and refractory cytopenia with multi-lineage dysplasia-RS (RCMD-RS)
o RS+ MDS patients associated with better survival than RS- MDS patients
• Chronic transfusion-dependent anemia is the predominant clinical feature
o Transfusion dependency is associated with iron overload, and shorter survival; 2 units of RBC monthly may reduce life expectancy by 50%
o Annual transfusions for transfusion dependent patients cost $29,000-$51,000 per year
• Up to 30% of lower risk MDS patients progress to acute leukemia (AML)
• Median overall-survival is 3.5-5.7 years
High telomerase activity, high expression of hTERT and shorter telomeres are associated with shorter survival in lower risk MDS
Platzbecker, Blood 2019; 133:1096-1107Sekeres, Natl Compr Canc Netw 2011; 9:57-63Greenberg et al, Blood 1997; 89:2079-2088Bejar & Steensma, Blood 2014; 124:2793-2803Malcovati, Haematologica, 2006:91(12) Lucioni, Am J Blood Res 2013, 3(3):246-259www.cancer.org/cancer/myelodysplastic-syndromes
Cogle, Curr Hematol Malig Rep; 2015, 10272-10281Greenberg et al, Blood 1997; 89:2079-2088Geron Proprietary Market Research
Lower Risk MDS Patient Population in the U.S.Addressing a significant unmet need
24
* Lower risk MDS patients without chromosomal 5q deletion (non-del(5q)), relapsed/refractory to ESAs, prior to being treated with HMAs or Lenalidomide
> 40,000Lower risk MDS patients in the U.S.
> 10,000Lower risk MDS cases diagnosed annually in the U.S.
Imetelstat target patient population*
~85%of lower risk MDS
Current Treatment Options Limited For non-del(5q) lower risk MDS patients R/R to ESAs
25
Fenaux and Adès, Blood 2013; 121:4280-4286Santini et al, J Clin Oncol 2016; 34:2988-2996Tobiasson et al, BCJ 2014; 4: e189
Patients relapsed or
refractory to ESAs become dependent on red blood cell transfusions
Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs)
• Approved indication is for anemia
• Transient improvement in anemia
• Median duration of response: ~2 years
• Majority of patients will relapse or become refractory
Hypomethylating Agents (HMAs)
Approved in U.S., but not in Europe*
• ≥8-week RBC-TI: 17% for azacitidine
LenalidomideNot approved in U.S. or Europe*
• ≥8-week RBC-TI: 27%
* For non-del(5q) lower risk MDS, R/R to ESAs
Data from Phase 2 Portion of IMerge Presented at the 24th EHA Annual Congress
Uwe Platzbecker, M.D.
University of Leipzig Medical Center
Treatment with Imetelstat Provides Durable Transfusion Independence in Heavily Transfused
Non-Del(5q) Lower Risk MDS Relapsed/Refractory to Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents
Pierre Fenaux1, David P. Steensma2 , Koen Van Eygen3 , Azra Raza4, Valeria Santini5, Ulrich Germing6,Patricia Font7, Maria Diez-Campelo8 , Sylvain Thepot9 , Edo Vellenga10, Mrinal M. Patnaik11, Jun HoJang12, Laurie Sherman13, Libo Sun14, Helen Varsos14, Aleksandra Rizo13, Ying Wan13, Fei Huang13,Jacqueline Bussolari14, Esther Rose14, Uwe Platzbecker 15
1Hොopital Saint-Louis, Universit ƴe Paris Diderot, Paris, France, 2Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States, 3Algemeen Ziekenhuis Groeninge, Kortrijk, Belgium, 4Columbia University Medical Center, New York, United States, 5 MOS Unit, AOU Careggi-University of Florence, Florence, Italy, 6Klinik f ሷur H ሷamatologie, Onkologie and Klinische lmmunologie, Universit ሷatsklinik D ሷusseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universit ሷat, D ሷusseldorf, Germany, 7Department of Hematology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Maranon, Madrid, 8Hematology Department, The University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain, 9CHU Angers, Angers, France, 10Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, 11Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States, 12Department of Hematology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic Of, 13Geron Corporation, Menlo Park, CA, United States, 14Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Raritan, NJ, 15Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, University Clinic Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Funded by Geron Corporation and Janssen Research & Development Abstract code S83727
• Patients with TD LR-MDS (low or intermediate 1 by IPSS) that has relapsed or is refractory to ESA therapy have limited treatment options
• Higher telomerase activity, expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and shorter telomeres predict for shorter overall survival in lower risk MDS1
• Imetelstat is a first-in-class telomerase inhibitor that targets cells with short telomere lengths and active telomerase and has clinical activity in myeloid malignancies2-4
➢ FDA granted Fast Track designation for LR-MDS (Oct 2017)
• IMerge is an ongoing global phase 2/3 study of imetelstat in RBC TD patients with LR-MDS with a primary endpoint of 8-week TI
1- Gurkan E, et al Leuk Res 2005; 29:1131-9; 2- Baerlocher GM, et al. N Engl J Med 2015;373:920-928, 3-Tefferi A, et al. N Engl J Med 2015;373:908-919, 4- Tefferi A, et al. Blood Cancer J 2016;6:e405
ESA, erythropoiesis-stimulating agent; hTERT, human telomerase reverse transcriptase; IPSS, International Prognostic Scoring System; Int-1, Intermediate-1; LR, lower risk; RBC, red blood cell; TD, transfusion dependent; TI, transfusion independence.
Background: Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) and Imetelstat
imetelstat
lipid tail
telomere
Prevents binding by and maintenance of telomeres
Imetelstat binds to RNA template of telomerase
X
NPS oligonucleotide
28
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
(n = 38)
MDS patients:
• IPSS Low or Int-1
• Relapsed/Refractory to ESA or EPO >500 mU/ml
• Transfusion dependent: ≥ 4 units RBC/8 weeks over 16 week pre-study period
expand
All patients (n = 32)
8-week TI = 34%
Initial Cohort (n = 13)
non-del(5q) HMA/len naïve
8-week TI = 54%
Expansion Cohort(n = 25)
non-del(5q) HMA/len naïve
HMA, hypomethylating agent; len, lenalidomide
29
Primary Endpoint: 8-week RBC Transfusion Independence (TI)
Key Secondary Endpoints: 24-week RBC TI/Duration of TI/HI-E
IMerge Phase 2/3 Study: Phase 2 Portion
Imetelstat
7.5 mg/kg
IV q4w (2-hr infusion)
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
• Data from 38 patients with non-del(5q) HMA/len naïve transfusion dependent lower risk MDS is presented
• Data Cutoff Date: 30 April 2019
Treatment Exposure
Parameters n = 38
Median Follow-up, months (range)Initial cohort (n=13)Expansion cohort (n=25)
15.7 (5.6 – 37.5)33.7 (5.6 – 37.5)
14.3 (10.9 – 16.5)
Median treatment duration, months (range) 8.5 (0.02 – 37.5)
Median treatment cycles (range) 9 (1 – 39)
Median dose intensity, % 95.2
30
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
Patient Treatment Disposition
Parameters n = 38 (n, %)
Ongoing on Treatment 12 (32)
Discontinued from TreatmentReason: Lack of Efficacy
Adverse Event (AE)Withdrawal by SubjectProgressive DiseaseRelapsePhysician Decision
26 (68)12 (32)8 (21)2 (5)2 (5)1 (3)1 (3)
31
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
Baseline Patient Characteristics
Parameters n = 38
Age, years, median (range) 71.5 (46 – 83)
Male, n (%) 25 (66)
ECOG PS 0-1, n (%) 34 (89)
IPSS risk, n (%)Low
Intermediate-1
24 (63)
14 (37)
RBC transfusion burden, units / 8 weeks, median (range) 8 (4 – 14)
>4 units / 8 weeks at baseline, n (%) 35 (92)
WHO 2001 category, n (%)
RARS or RCMD-RS
RA, RCMD or RAEB-1
27 (71)
11 (29)
Prior ESA use, n (%) 34 (89)
sEPO > 500 mU/mL, n (%)12 (32)
(from 37 patients with baseline sEPO levels)ECOG PS, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status; sEPO, serum erythropoietin; RA, refractory anemia; RAEB1, refractory anemia with excess blasts; RARS, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts; RCMD, refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia; RCMD-RS, refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia and ringed sideroblasts; WHO, World Health Organization
32
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
a Kaplan Meier method
Meaningful and Durable Transfusion Independence with Imetelstat Treatment
Parameters n = 38
8-week TI, n (%)Time to onset, weeks, median (range) Duration of TIa, weeks, median (range)
16 (42)8.3 (0.1 – 40.7)
85.9 (8.0 – 140.9)
24-week TI, n (%) 11 (29)
HI-E per IWG 2006, n (%)≥1.5 g/dL increase in Hgb lasting ≥ 8 weeks
Transfusion reduction by ≥ 4 units/8 weeks
26 (68)12 (32)26 (68)
CR + marrow CR + PR (per IWG 2006, central path review), n (%)CRmarrow CRPR
9 (24)5 (13)4 (10)
0CR, complete remission; IWG, International Working Group, PR, partial remission.
33
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
8-week TI Observed Across Different Subgroups
34
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
Durable Transfusion Independence with Imetelstat Treatment(median follow up 15.7 months; median treatment duration 8.5 months)
Of the 16 patients who achieved 8-week TI • Median duration of TI is 86 weeks,
ranging from 8 - 141 weeks• 11/16 (69%) achieved 24-week TI rate• 12/16 (75%) had a Hgb rise ≥ 3g/dL
from the pretreatment level
35
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
Reductions in Transfusion Burden in Majority of Patients
Mean relative reduction of RBC transfusion burden from baseline was 68%
36
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
Sustained Improvement in Hgb with Imetelstat Treatment
37
Hgb m
ean (
+/-
SE)
change f
rom
baseline
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
Activity in Patients with Intermediate or Poor Cytogenetic Risk
Among 34 patients with baseline cytogenetic data available:
• 6/34 (18%) had intermediate or poor cytogenetic risk
─ 5/6 (83%) achieved 8-week TI and all had a ringed-sideroblast WHO subtype
─ 3/3 with trisomy 8 achieved 8-week TI and 2/3 achieved 24-week TI
─ 4/6 remain on treatment
• 2/3 patients with available post-treatment cytogenetic data achieved partial cytogenetic response
Subject Karyotype~24 wks
post-imetelstat~48 wks
post-imetelstat8-wk
TIWHO
Classification
200083* 47,XX,+8 [9] (45%) 47,XX,+8 [1] (5%) X RCMD-RS
200088* 47,XY,+8 [20] (100%) 47,XY,+8 [5] (25%) 47,XX,+8 [1] (5%) X RCMD-RS
200061 47,XX,+8 [20] (100%) X RARS
200040 46,XY,DEL(7)(Q22) [5] (25%) X RCMD-RS
200093*46,XX,Dup/Tri/Qtp(9)(P13P24)
[20] (100%)46,XX,Dup/Tri/Qtp(9)(P13P24)
[19] (95%)46,XX,Dup/Tri/Qtp(9)(P13P24)
[19] (95%)X RCMD-RS
200102*46,XY,T(3;3)(Q21;Q26.2)
(100%)RA
38*remain on treatment
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
SF3B1 mutated
Patient ID
TI duration in SF3B1 patients (weeks)
200078* 48.7
200079 3.6
200081* 52
200083* 32
200088* 56.7
200095* 62.9
2/6 patients with baseline SF3B1 mutations had reduction in variant allele frequency and maintained TI lasting over a year
Potential Impact on the Malignant Clone with Imetelstat Treatment
39
Confirmed partial cytogenetic
response (from 100% to 5%
abnormal karyotype)
*remain on treatment
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
No New Safety Signals Identified
ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; LFT, liver function test
TEAE All GradesN=38 (n, %)
Grade 3/4N=38 (n, %)
Thrombocytopenia 25 (66) 23 (61)Neutropenia 22 (58) 21 (55)Anemia 10 (26) 8 (21)
• Grade 3 LFT elevations were reversible
TEAE All GradesN=38 (n, %)
Grade 3/4N=38 (n, %)
Back paina 7 (18) 0ALT increased 7 (18) 2 (5)AST increased 6 (16) 3 (8)Bronchitis 6 (16) 3 (8)
Other AEsb6 (16) 0
Headache 6 (16) 1 (3)
Hematologic AEs
Non-hematologic AEs
aIn 3/7 (43%) patients back pain was an AE associated with infusion related reaction
bnasopharyngitis, diarrhea, constipation, edema peripheral and asthenia
40
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
Reversible Grade 3/4 Cytopenias without Significant Clinical Consequences
• 2/38 patients (5%) had febrile neutropenia• 4/38 patients (10%) had bleeding events, 2/38 (5%) were Grade 3/4
41
91% 92%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Neutrophils Platelets
%
Recovery of Grade 3/4 Cytopenia by Laboratory Value
Did not resolve
within 4 weeks
Resolved within
4 weeks
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
8- and 24-week TI correlate with a reduction in hTERT expression
* In preclinical xenograft models, a 50% reduction in hTERT expression is the threshold correlated with anti-tumor activity
hTERT expression 8-wk TI No 8- wk TI 24- wk TI No 24- wk TI
Matched baseline / post baseline data available
15/16 20/22 11/11 24/27
≥50% reduction from baseline* 73% 35% 82% 38%
42
On Target Activity Demonstrated by Reduction in Telomerase Activity and hTERT Expression
Biomarker TA hTERT
Matched baseline / post baseline data available 12/38 35/38
Reduction from baseline 6/12 (50%) 26/35 (74%)
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
• Imetelstat treatment shows meaningful and durable transfusion independence in heavily transfusion dependent non-del(5q) and HMA/len naïve lower risk MDS patients
– 8-week TI rate 42%
– 24-week TI rate 29%
– Median TI duration approximately 20 months
– HI-E rate 68%
Conclusions
43
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
• Transfusion independence observed across different clinical subgroups, including patients with int/poor cytogenetic risk
• Biomarker data suggest potential effect on the malignant clone and disease modification
• No new safety signal was identified; reversable cytopenias were most frequent AEs, without significant clinical consequences
• These results support initiation of the Phase 3 double-blind, placebo-controlled (2:1) portion of the study, expected to open this summer
Conclusions
44
Fenaux et al. EHA 2019 Oral Presentation
Acknowledgements
Mazure, DominiekMeers, StefBreems, Dimitri
The authors thank all the patients for their participation in this study and acknowledge the collaboration and commitment
of all investigators and their staff
Gourin, Marie-PierreGyan, EmmanuelLegros, LaurenceThepot, Sylvain
Kim, InhoLee, Je-hwan
Klein, SaskiaLangemeijer, Saskiavan de Loosdrecht, Arjan
Oliva, Esther
Pristupa, Alexander
Samoilova, Olga
Udovitsa, Dmitry
De Paz, RaquelEsteve, JordiValcarcel, DavidXicoy, Blanca
Boccia, RalphErba, Harry / DiStasi, AntonioGrunwald, MichaelJacoby, MeganMiller, CaroleSchiller, GarySilverman, LewisStevens, Don
45
Q&A
Uwe Platzbecker, M.D
University of Leipzig Medical Center
Imetelstat Program Update
John A. Scarlett, M.D.
Chairman and CEO
Geron Overview
48
Imetelstat, a Novel Drug with Unique Target
• Proprietary drug targeting telomerase-driven, uncontrolled progenitor cell proliferation in hematologic malignancies
• Development currently focused on two indications; both have significant unmet medical need and market opportunity
• Issued patent coverage until 2033 and orphan drug designation for MDS and MF
In-House Leadership and Expertise Establishes a Foundation for Potential Future Growth
• Highly-experienced in-house hematology-oncology and late-stage drug development team
Phase 3 Clinical Trial Starting August 2019 in Lower Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
• Recently reported imetelstat Phase 2 efficacy data (8-week RBC-TI) compares favorably to data from the Phase 3 MEDALIST trial ofluspatercept in high transfusion burden, lower risk MDS patients
• Randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial planned to open for screening and enrollment in August 2019
• Fast Track designation granted
Preparing for End of Phase 2 Meeting for Relapsed/Refractory Myelofibrosis (MF)
• Recently reported statistical analyses suggest favorable overall survival for imetelstat-treated relapsed/refractory MF patients compared to best available therapy (BAT) in closely matched patients from real-world data
• End of Phase 2 meeting with FDA to potentially determine regulatory strategy for relapsed/refractory MF is planned by the end of Q1 2020
2019 Development Plans
49
Complete Transition of Imetelstat Development Program❑ Transfer IND sponsorship by the end of the second quarter ❑ Actively recruit hematology-oncology research and development expertise throughout 2019
❑ Chief Medical Officer❑ Senior Leadership in Pharmacovigilance and Safety, Clinical Sciences/Operations, Clinical
Development, Biostatistics, Quality, Manufacturing❑ Senior Leadership in Regulatory Affairs
MDS Development ❑ Updated data from the Phase 2 portion of IMerge presented at EHA in June 2019❑ Site initiation for Phase 3 portion of IMerge in July 2019❑ Commence screening and enrollment for Phase 3 portion of IMerge in August 2019
Prepare for End of Phase 2 Meeting with the FDA for Relapsed/Refractory MF❑ Initiate discussions with MF KOLs❑ Prepare analyses and regulatory strategies for End of Phase 2 meeting with the FDA in the
second half of 2019 ❑ Schedule an End of Phase 2 meeting in the first quarter of 2020
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