Bayer announced that the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for BAY 2927088, a potential new targeted therapy for adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), whose tumors have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, and who have received a prior systemic therapy. The CDE's designation for BAY 2927088 follows the Breakthrough Therapy designation granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2024 for the same patient population.
"The Breakthrough Therapy designations granted for BAY 2927088 by China's CDE and the U.S. FDA underscore the potential of this targeted therapy to transform the lives of patients with HER2-mutant NSCLC, a type of lung cancer with limited treatment options and often poor prognosis," said Christian Rommel, Ph.D., Head of Research and Development at Bayer's Pharmaceuticals Division. "This recognition, backed by promising clinical evidence, strengthens our commitment to addressing critical unmet needs in cancer care. It reinforces our mission to be a leader in oncology by accelerating the development of targeted therapies, one of our key focus areas."
This Breakthrough Therapy designation is supported by preliminary clinical evidence from the Phase I/II, open-label, multicenter first-in-human study (NCT05099172) evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of BAY 2927088 in adult patients with advanced NSCLC harboring HER2 or EGFR. The Breakthrough Therapy designation is a process designed to expedite the development and review of novel medicines that are intended for the prevention or treatment of serious, life-threatening diseases or conditions that severely impact the quality of life for which there is no existing treatment, or where sufficient evidence indicates advantages of the novel drug over available treatment options.
About BAY 2927088
BAY 2927088 is an investigational agent and has not been approved by any health authority for use in any country, for any indication. It is currently being evaluated as a potential new targeted treatment option for patients with NSCLC harboring HER2 activating mutations. BAY 2927088 is an oral, reversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that potently inhibits mutant human epidermal growth factor receptors 2 (HER2), including HER2 exon 20 insertions and HER2 point mutations, as well as epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), with high selectivity for mutant vs wild-type EGFR.(1,2)
About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.(3) NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for more than 85% of cases.(4) Activating HER2 mutations are found in 2% to 4% of advanced NSCLC.(5) 80% of people diagnosed with NSCLC have already progressed to advanced stages, which makes it more difficult to treat.(6) Currently there are no available therapies that have received full approval for patients with NSCLC harboring HER2 activating mutations.
About Oncology at Bayer
Bayer is committed to delivering science for a better life by advancing a portfolio of innovative treatments. The company has the passion and determination to develop new medicines that help improve and extend the lives of people living with cancer. The oncology franchise at Bayer includes several marketed products across diverse indications and multiple compounds in different stages of clinical development. We have a wealth of expertise in areas including: Tumor Intrinsic Pathways, Targeted Radionuclide Therapies, and Next-Generation Immuno-Oncology. We are advancing prostate cancer treatment from early to metastatic stage, with the goal of extending survival while limiting side effects. Part of Bayer's focus on innovative precision oncology treatments, includes an approved TRK inhibitor exclusively designed to treat tumors that have an NTRK gene fusion, the oncogenic driver of tumor growth and spread.
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, "Health for all, Hunger for none," the company's products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2023, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 47.6 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 5.8 billion euros.
1. Siegel F, Karsli-Uzunbas G, Kotynkova K, et al, Preclinical activity of BAY 2927088 in HER2 mutant non-small cell lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 4035.
2. Siegel F, Siegel S, Graham K, et al. BAY 2927088: The first non-covalent, potent, and selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting EGFR exon 20 insertions and C797S resistance mutations in NSCLC. European Journal of Cancer. 2022;174:S9-S10.
3. Sung, H. et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J. Clin. 71, 209-249 (2021).
4. Leiter, A., Veluswamy, R.R. & Wisnivesky, J.P. The global burden of lung cancer: current status and future trends. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 20, 624-639 (2023).
5. Stephens P, Hunter C, Bignell G, et al. Lung cancer: intragenic ERBB2 kinase mutations in tumours. Nature 2004;431:525-526.
6. Yale Medicine Factsheet - Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Available at: https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/non-small-cell-lung-cancer Accessed April 2024.