Recent approval by Swissmedic for ABRAXANE in breast and pancreatic cancers reinforces the company's commitment to healthcare, bringing the first new treatment for pancreatic cancer in nearly 7 years
Celgene International Sàrl, a wholly owned subsidiary of Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG), today announced that Tuomo Pätsi has been appointed President of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for the company. In this role, he will oversee the current portfolio in EMEA as well as international efforts related to the company's broad pipeline of clinical programs in areas including immunotherapy, epigenetics, ubiquitin ligase targets, cancer metabolism and others. Mr. Pätsi takes over from Alan Colowick, MD, who has led Celgene in the region since 2012 and who returns to the United States, taking on another senior strategic position for the company.
Tuomo Pätsi, President, Celgene EMEA (Photo: Business Wire)
This year continues to be significant for Celgene in Switzerland and throughout the EMEA region. In addition to the change in leadership, Celgene also announced today the Swissmedic approval of ABRAXANE® (nab-paclitaxel), which was granted on 27 August, in combination with gemcitabine for metastatic pancreatic cancer and as a standalone therapy for metastatic breast cancer. The pancreatic cancer indication is particularly notable, as it is the first new therapy for this disease in nearly 7 years. In Switzerland, pancreatic cancer has the fourth highest cancer mortality rate.1 Median life expectancy after diagnosis with metastatic pancreatic cancer is only 3-6 months.2
"It is a very exciting time for Celgene, as we continue to deliver cutting-edge medicines to the many thousands of patients with life-threatening, rare or debilitating diseases across the region," said Mr. Pätsi. "The latest approvals by Swissmedic follow EU approval of Abraxane in pancreatic cancer. We also received approval in the EU and Switzerland for a new therapy to treat a rare blood cancer and an expanded indication for another rare blood cancer. These important steps will ensure more patients can benefit from these innovative new options."
He added: "It is an exciting time to work in an industry that is delivering significant innovation and having a direct and sustainable impact on patients, on healthcare and on the economy. My vision as the President for Celgene EMEA is to continue fostering innovative approaches and outcomes for the patients who need our medicines, and we will continue to collaborate with every stakeholder responsible for delivering healthcare, to ensure that patients receive the medicines they need and deserve."
Mr. Pätsi's appointment as President follows more than 7 years with the company. Most previously, he served as Corporate Vice President for the South Europe Region; as General Manager, Regional Vice President for the North Europe Region; and as Head of European Marketing. Mr. Pätsi is of Finnish nationality and will be based out of Celgene's International headquarters in Boudry, Switzerland.
The approval of ABRAXANE in Switzerland follows the announcement in June of the SwissMedic approval of oral IMNOVID (pomalidomide) for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. In June, the company also announced the forthcoming expansion of the EMEA headquarters in Switzerland, with the acquisition of a new site in Couvet, Neuchâtel.
About ABRAXANE®
ABRAXANE is an albumin-bound form of paclitaxel that is manufactured using patented nab® technology. ABRAXANE is formulated with albumin, a human protein, and is free of solvents.
In Europe, ABRAXANE was approved in January 2008 as monotherapy for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in adult patients who have failed first-line treatment for metastatic disease and for whom standard, anthracycline containing therapy is not indicated. In December 2013, ABRAXANE in combination with gemcitabine was approved for first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
In the United States, ABRAXANE was first approved in January 2005 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline unless clinically contraindicated. ABRAXANE has been globally approved in more than forty countries for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
In October 2012, ABRAXANE was approved by the FDA for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in combination with carboplatin, in patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy. ABRAXANE is also approved for the treatment of NSCLC in Argentina, Australia, Chile, Ecuador, Japan, and New Zealand.
In September 2013, the FDA approved ABRAXANE as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, in combination with gemcitabine. ABRAXANE is also approved for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer in Argentina, Australia, and Canada, Ecuador, Lebanon, and New Zealand.
About Celgene
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global pharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein regulation. Celgene International Sàrl, located in Boudry, Switzerland, is a wholly owned subsidiary and international headquarters of Celgene Corporation. Celgene GmbH, located in Zurich, is the Swiss affiliate of Celgene Corporation. For more information, please visit www.celgene.com and www.celgene.com/media. Follow us on Twitter @Celgene.
References
1. Cancer in Switzerland. Situation and development from 1983 to 2007. Page 19. http://www.nicer.org/assets/files/Krebs_in_der_Schweiz_e_web.pdf
2. Huggett MT, et al. Diagnosing and managing pancreatic cancer. Practitioner 2011;255(1742):21-23.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140919005295/en/
Contacts:
Celgene
Investors:
+41 32 729 8303
ir@celgene.com
or
Media:
+41 32 729 8304
media@celgene.com
