Celgene and Acceleron Announce Luspatercept Achieved Primary and Key Secondary Endpoints in Phase III ‘MEDALIST’ Study in Patients with Low-to-Intermediate Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) and Acceleron Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: XLRN) today announced results from a phase III, randomized, double-blind, multi-center clinical study (MEDALIST). Luspatercept achieved a highly statistically significant improvement in the primary endpoint of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence of at least 8 consecutive weeks during the first 24 weeks compared to placebo.

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MEDALIST evaluated the efficacy and safety of luspatercept versus placebo in patients with IPSS-R very low, low or intermediate risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with chronic anemia and refractory to, intolerant of, or ineligible for treatment with an erythropoietin-stimulating agent (ESA), ring sideroblast-positive and require frequent RBC transfusions.

In addition to achieving the primary endpoint of the study, luspatercept also met the key secondary endpoint of demonstrating a highly statistically significant improvement in RBC transfusion independence of at least 12 consecutive weeks during the first 24 weeks. Modified hematologic improvement-erythroid (IWG mHI-E), a meaningful secondary endpoint, was also achieved.

Adverse events observed in the study were generally consistent with previously published data.

“This result from the phase III MEDALIST trial demonstrates the potential clinical benefit of luspatercept as an erythroid maturation agent for the treatment of chronic anemia in patients with low-to-intermediate risk MDS,” said Jay Backstrom, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for Celgene. “Based on these results, we look forward to preparing the dossier for global regulatory submissions and also investigating the clinical potential of luspatercept in ESA-naïve, low-to-intermediate risk MDS patients through the initiation of our phase III COMMANDS study.”

“We are truly encouraged by the top-line results of MEDALIST and the potential to benefit the tens of thousands of patients suffering from low-to-intermediate risk MDS worldwide. We would like to thank the patients and investigators involved in the trial,” said Habib Dable, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acceleron. “With other ongoing research in beta-thalassemia and myelofibrosis, we remain committed to exploring the potential of luspatercept to address a range of anemia-related diseases.”