Insight on USFDA Approves Vitrakvi® (larotrectinib), the First Ever TRK Inhibitor

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved Vitrakvi® (larotrectinib), the first ever oral TRK inhibitor, for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with solid tumors that have a neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusion without a known acquired resistance mutation, are metastatic or where surgical resection is likely to result in severe morbidity, and have no satisfactory alternative treatments or that have progressed following treatment.

This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR). Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. Vitrakvi is the first treatment to receive a tumor-agnostic indication at the time of initial FDA approval.

Bayer to Provide Comprehensive Value and Access Programs

• Bayer is committed to ensuring that patients in the U.S. who are prescribed Vitrakvi are able to access the medication and receive the support they may need. As part of this commitment, Bayer is providing two comprehensive programs, the Vitrakvi Commitment Program and the TRAK Assist patient support program.
• The Vitrakvi Commitment Program will refund the cost of Vitrakvi to payers, patients and third-party organizations paying on behalf of patients, in the event eligible patients do not experience clinical benefit within 90 days of treatment initiation. Eligible patients include those who have tested positive for an NTRK gene fusion, have not received clinical benefit within 90 days of treatment initiation, and received Vitrakvi from an in-network specialty pharmacy.
• The TRAK Assist patient support program provides comprehensive reimbursement support and patient assistance services.

Development:

• In November 2017, Bayer and Loxo Oncology entered into an exclusive global collaboration for the development and commercialization of the TRK inhibitors larotrectinib and LOXO-195. Bayer and Loxo Oncology are jointly developing the two products with Loxo Oncology leading the ongoing clinical studies as well as the filing in the U.S., and Bayer leading ex-U.S. regulatory activities and worldwide commercial activities. In the U.S., Bayer and Loxo Oncology will co-promote the products.
• Larotrectinib has not been approved by the European Medicines Agency till date.