Pepaxti provides sustained health related Quality of Life OCEAN study shows, article published in Haematologica

February 29, 2024 – Oncopeptides AB (publ) today announces that a new article analyzing health-related quality of life in patients treated with melflufen, marketed in Europe as Pepaxti, has been published in Haematologica, a monthly peer-reviewed open access medical journal.

The article, titled “Health-related quality of life in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma treated with melflufen and dexamethasone: analyses from the phase 3 OCEAN study” concludes that melflufen plus dexamethasone is shown to be safe and effective with sustained health-related quality of life also in later lines of therapy.

The full article can be found here.

“Patients who are in advanced stages of treatment are already heavily pre-treated. Therefore, an effective treatment that minimally affects their quality of life is undeniably beneficial,” says Fredrik Schjesvold, MD, Head of Oslo Myeloma Center, Oslo University Hospital and lead author of the article.
The phase 3 OCEAN study is a global, randomized, head-to-head, open-label study, evaluating the efficacy and safety of melflufen and dexamethasone, versus pomalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma who have received 2-4 prior therapies.
“The ability to sustain the health-related quality of life for patients in later lines of treatment is one of the key attributes of Pepaxti, and this article further validates how our drug can make a meaningful difference for patients,” says Stefan Norin, Chief Medical Officer at Oncopeptides.

For more information, please see questions and answers for investors, below.

Questions and answers for investors

What is this?

Oncopeptides, like most other biotech companies conducting medical research, from time to time publish medical data in established publications, such as Haematologica, or at medical congresses. These articles and presentations are primarily aimed at healthcare professionals.

The article in question references a clinical study on how melflufen combined with other drugs affects the health-related quality of life in patients suffering from multiple myeloma.

What does this data mean for physicians?

Overall, melflufen plus dexamethasone treatment resulted in health-related Quality of Life comparable to that of pomalidomide plus dexamethasone, further supporting the use of melflufen plus dexamethasone in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed, refractory multiple myeloma.

Why is this result important?

When reaching later lines of treatment, patients suffering from relapsed, refractory multiple myeloma often has symptoms such as pain and fatigue and come heavily pretreated which can be related to both myeloma and remaining side effects from previous therapies. Therefore, it is important that treatments in advanced myeloma are tolerable and preserve quality of life.

What are medical publications?

Medical publications refer to written documents that present research findings, case studies, reviews, and other scientific information in the field of medicine. They are often published in scientific journals after undergoing a rigorous peer-review process.

Why are they important for a biotech company such as Oncopeptides?
Medical publications help to establish credibility, promote transparency, and provide valuable evidence for the efficacy and safety of treatments or interventions. By sharing research findings and clinical experiences, companies can contribute to the broader medical knowledge base, influencing patient care and industry standards.

Do these publications affect product development?

The data from research and clinical trials, when published, can provide insights into the development of new drugs or new indications for existing ones. They can also guide the direction of future research projects.

How do healthcare professionals use these publications?

Healthcare professionals rely on medical publications to stay updated on the latest research, innovative techniques, and best practices. This knowledge helps them make informed decisions about patient care and treatment choices.

Can the general public access these publications?

It depends on the publication. While many medical journals require subscriptions, there are open-access journals and resources where research is freely available. Haematologica is open access meaning that the article in question is free.

Why is the peer-review process in medical publications crucial?

Peer review ensures that the research presented in the publication is of high quality, scientifically sound, and free from biases. Experts in the field evaluate the research, which helps maintain the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings.

How do medical publications benefit patients?

By driving advancements in medical science, these publications play a role in the development of newer, safer, and more effective treatments. When healthcare companies share their findings, it speeds up the dissemination of crucial information, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

Where can I find more information?

The article is available through this link.

For more information, please contact:

David Augustsson, Director of Corporate Affairs, Oncopeptides AB (publ)
E-mail: david.augustsson@oncopeptides.com
Cell phone: +46 76 229 38 68