Talon Therapeutics' NDA Accepted for Filing by US FDA Under Subpart H

Talon Therapeutics, Inc. recently announced its NDA seeking accelerated approval of Marqibo (vincristine sulfate liposomes injection) has been accepted for filing by the FDA. Marqibo will be reviewed by the FDA under Subpart H – Accelerated Approval of New Drugs for Serious or Life Threatening Illnesses, for the treatment of adult Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in second or greater relapse or that has progressed following two or more lines of anti-leukemia therapy.

“Two important hurdles have been crossed with the acceptance for filing of the Marqibo NDA and affirmation of the accelerated approval review path. We remain 100% focused on our goal of an FDA approval of Marqibo,” said Steven R. Deitcher, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Board Member of Talon Therapeutics. “The patients we are seeking to treat represent a rare hematologic malignancy and have a grave prognosis. The accelerated approval path has the potential to provide access to a new, well-tolerated, and effective treatment more quickly for these patients. We aim to initiate and commence enrollment in the Phase III confirmatory trial, that recently received an SPA, prior to the May PDUFA date.”

In August 2011, Talon received Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement from the FDA for its proposed Phase III confirmatory study, named HALLMARQ, for the treatment of adults greater than or equal to 60 years old with newly diagnosed ALL. In addition to the Phase III adult, front-line ALL study, Talon is developing Marqibo for pediatric cancers (solid tumors and hematologic malignancies) in a Phase I-II clinical study conducted by the National Cancer Institute and for newly diagnosed aggressive Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma to be conducted by the German High Grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Study Group.

Marqibo is a novel, targeted Optisome encapsulated formulation product candidate of the FDA-approved anticancer drug vincristine. Talon has been primarily developing Marqibo for the treatment of adult, Ph- ALL. Vincristine, a microtubule inhibitor, is FDA-approved for ALL and is widely used as a single agent and in combination regimens for treatment for hematologic malignancies, such as lymphomas and leukemias. Talon’s encapsulation formulation is designed to provide prolonged circulation of the drug in the blood and accumulation at the tumor site. These characteristics are intended to increase the dose of vincristine delivered in a safe and effective manner.

Talon Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to seizing upon medical opportunities, efficiently and expertly leading product candidates through clinical development, and transferring value to patients, patient care providers, shareholders, corporate partners, and employees. In addition to Marqibo, the company has additional pipeline opportunities some of which, like Marqibo, have the potential to improve delivery and enhance the therapeutic benefits of well-characterized, proven chemotherapies and enable high-potency dosing without increased toxicity.