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Jan 18, 2019

Chugai Files an Application for Expanded Use of Genomic Mutation Analysis Program “FoundationOne® CDx Cancer Genomic Profile”

-- Aiming to develop a companion diagnostic for entrectinib --

TOKYO, January 18, 2019 -- Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 4519) announced today that it filed an application with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for expanded use of “FoundationOne® CDx Cancer Genomic Profile,” a next-generation sequencing based program currently under preparation for launch, to include a companion diagnostic for the drug candidate entrectinib. Entrectinib is currently under regulatory review for the treatment of NTRK fusion-positive solid tumors.

FoundationOne CDx Cancer Genomic Profile is a next-generation sequencing based in vitro diagnostic device for the detection of substitutions, insertion and deletion alterations, and copy number alterations in 324 genes and select gene rearrangements, as well as genomic signatures including microsatellite instability (MSI) and tumor mutational burden (TMB) using DNA isolated from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue specimens. The program was approved by the MHLW in December 2018 as the first cancer genomic test in Japan with the two functions of cancer genomic profiling and companion diagnostics for molecular-targeted drugs.

The filing aims to expand the program for use as a companion diagnostic to identify people likely to benefit from entrectinib by detecting NTRK fusion genes (fusion genes between NTRK1, NTRK2, NTRK3 and other genes). Chugai filed a regulatory application for entrectinib to obtain approval for the treatment of very rare NTRK fusion-positive solid tumors in December 2018. The drug was granted both Sakigake designation and orphan drug designation in Japan.

As a leading company in the field of oncology, Chugai is committed to realize advanced personalized oncology care and contribute to patients and healthcare professionals through improving access to comprehensive genomic profiling.

[Notes]

About FoundationOne CDx Cancer Genomic Profile
FoundationOne CDx Cancer Genomic Profile is a next-generation sequencing based in vitro diagnostic device for the detection of substitutions, insertion and deletion alterations, and copy number alterations in 324 genes and select gene rearrangements, as well as genomic signatures including microsatellite instability (MSI) and tumor mutational burden (TMB) using DNA isolated from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue specimens. FoundationOne CDx Cancer Genomic Profile is intended to be used as a comprehensive companion diagnostic for patients with certain types of cancers to identify those patients that may benefit from approved molecular targeted therapies in Japan.

About entrectinib
Entrectinib is an investigational, oral medicine in development for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors that harbor NTRK1/2/3 or ROS1 gene fusions. It is a selective, CNS-active tyrosine kinase inhibitor designed to inhibit the kinase activity of the TRK A/B/C and ROS1 proteins, whose activating fusions drive proliferation in certain types of cancer. Entrectinib can block ROS1 and NTRK kinase activity and inhibit proliferation of cancer cells with ROS1 or NTRK gene fusions. Entrectinib is being investigated across a range of solid tumor types, including breast, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal, gynaecological, neuroendocrine, non-small cell lung, salivary gland, pancreatic, sarcoma and thyroid cancers.

About NTRK fusion gene positive cancer
NTRK fusion gene is an abnormal gene that can be formed by fusing the NTRK genes (NTRK1, NTRK2, NTRK3 encode TRKA, TRKB, TRKC protein, respectively) and other genes (ETV6, LMNA, TPM3, etc.) as a result of chromosomal translocation. The TRK fusion kinase made from NTRK fusion gene is thought to promote cancer cell proliferation. There is very rare expression of NTRK fusion but in various adult and pediatric solid tumors, including appendiceal cancer, breast cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), infantile fibrosarcoma, lung cancer, mammary analogue secretory carcinoma of the salivary gland, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, and various sarcomas.

Trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by laws.

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