Rigel Announces R289 Granted Fast Track Designation by the FDA for Lower-Risk MDS

Rhea-AI Summary

Rigel Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: RIGL) announced that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation to R289 for treating patients with previously-treated transfusion dependent lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (LR-MDS). R289, a dual inhibitor of IRAK1 and IRAK4, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1b study. The Fast Track designation may provide benefits including more frequent FDA interactions and eligibility for Accelerated Approval and Priority Review. The drug works by blocking inflammatory cytokine production in response to toll-like receptor and interleukin-1 receptor family signaling, targeting the pro-inflammatory environment in bone marrow responsible for persistent cytopenias in lower-risk MDS patients.

Positive

• Received FDA Fast Track designation, potentially accelerating the drug development and review process
• Eligible for Accelerated Approval and Priority Review if criteria are met
• Addresses an unmet medical need in transfusion-dependent LR-MDS patients

Negative

• Drug is still in early Phase 1b testing stage
• No efficacy data or preliminary results provided from the ongoing study

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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL), a commercial stage biotechnology company focused on hematologic disorders and cancer, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to R289 for the treatment of patients with previously-treated transfusion dependent lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (LR-MDS). R289¹, Rigel's potent and selective dual inhibitor of IRAK1 and IRAK4, is being studied in an ongoing Phase 1b study evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary activity in patients with LR-MDS who are relapsed or refractory to prior therapies.

"We are pleased that R289 has been granted Fast Track designation, which underscores the significant unmet need for patients with transfusion dependent lower-risk MDS," said Raul Rodriguez, Rigel's president and CEO. "By targeting inflammatory signaling, we believe that R289 has the potential to meaningfully improve the lives of those living with this disease."

"Lower-risk MDS affects a primarily elderly patient population that faces progressive cytopenias, particularly anemia, and treatment options for transfusion-dependent patients are limited," said Lisa Rojkjaer, M.D., Rigel's chief medical officer. "This designation is based on initial data from the ongoing Phase 1b study and highlights the potential of R289 to be a new therapeutic option for these patients. We look forward to working closely with the FDA to advance the clinical development of R289."

Fast track is a process designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. A drug that receives Fast Track designation may benefit from more frequent interactions with the FDA over the course of drug development. In addition, the Fast Track program allows for eligibility for Accelerated Approval and Priority Review, if relevant criteria are met.

About R289
R289 is a prodrug of R835, an IRAK1/4 dual inhibitor, which has been shown in preclinical studies to block inflammatory cytokine production in response to toll-like receptor (TLR) and interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) family signaling. TLRs and IL-1Rs play a critical role in the innate immune response and dysregulation of these pathways can lead to various inflammatory conditions. Chronic stimulation of both these receptor systems is thought to cause the pro-inflammatory environment in the bone marrow responsible for persistent cytopenias in lower-risk MDS patients.²

About Rigel
Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL) is a biotechnology company dedicated to discovering, developing and providing novel therapies that significantly improve the lives of patients with hematologic disorders and cancer. Founded in 1996, Rigel is based in South San Francisco, California. For more information on Rigel, the Company's marketed products and pipeline of potential products, visit www.rigel.com.

1. R289 is an investigational compound not approved by the FDA.
2. Sallman DA et al. Unraveling the Pathogenesis of MDS: The NLRP3 Inflammasome and Pyroptosis Drive the MDS Phenotype. Front Oncol. June 16, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2016.0015

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, the potential benefits of Fast Track designation for R289 for the treatment of patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (LR-MDS), its potential as a therapeutic, the existence of patients with an unmet medical need for such therapy, the potential for such therapy to meaningfully improve the lives of such patients, and Rigel's ability to further develop its clinical stage product candidates, including the progress of current and potential future clinical trials of R289. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements and as such are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for "forward-looking statements" provided by the PSLRA. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "plan", "potential", "may", "look to", "expects", "will" and similar expressions in reference to future periods. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on Rigel's current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions and hence they inherently involve significant risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of Rigel's control. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, Fast Track designation may not result in a more expedited development or regulatory review process, and such a designation does not increase the likelihood that R289 will receive marketing approval in the United States; Fast Track designation does not change the standards for regulatory approval; the FDA may later decide that R289 no longer meets the conditions for qualification or decide that the time period for FDA review or approval will not be shortened; risks and uncertainties associated with the commercialization and marketing of R289; risks that the FDA or other regulatory authorities may make adverse decisions regarding R289; risks that clinical trials may not be predictive of real-world results or of results in subsequent clinical trials; risks that R289 may have unintended side effects, adverse reactions or incidents of misuses; the availability of resources to develop Rigel's product candidates; market competition; as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Rigel's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and subsequent filings. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Rigel does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, and expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein, except as required by law. 

Contact for Investors & Media:
Investors:
Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
650.624.1232
ir@rigel.com 

Media:
David Rosen
Argot Partners
646.461.6387
david.rosen@argotpartners.com

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SOURCE Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

FAQ

What is the Fast Track designation that RIGL received for R289?

R289 received FDA Fast Track designation for treating previously-treated transfusion dependent lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (LR-MDS), which may accelerate development and review through more frequent FDA interactions and potential eligibility for Accelerated Approval.

What phase of clinical trials is RIGL's R289 currently in?

R289 is currently in Phase 1b clinical trials, evaluating safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary activity in patients with lower-risk MDS who are relapsed or refractory to prior therapies.

How does RIGL's R289 work in treating MDS?

R289 is a dual inhibitor of IRAK1 and IRAK4 that blocks inflammatory cytokine production in response to TLR and IL-1R family signaling, targeting the pro-inflammatory environment in bone marrow that causes persistent cytopenias in lower-risk MDS patients.