Exhibit 99.2
Syros Announces Encouraging Initial Data from Randomized SELECT-AML-1 Phase 2 Clinical Trial Evaluating Tamibarotene in Combination with Venetoclax and Azacitidine
— 100% CR/CRi Rate in Patients Treated with Tamibarotene, Venetoclax and Azacitidine Compared to 70% in Patients Randomized to Treatment with Venetoclax and Azacitidine Alone —
— Triplet Regimen Continues to Demonstrate Favorable Tolerability —
— Additional Data Expected in 2024 —
— Management to Host Conference Call at 8:30 a.m. ET Today —
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., December 6, 2023 – Syros Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SYRS), a biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing new standards of care for the frontline treatment of hematologic malignancies, today announced strong and encouraging initial data from its ongoing SELECT-AML-1 Phase 2 trial evaluating tamibarotene, an oral, selective, retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) agonist, in combination with venetoclax and azacitidine in newly diagnosed, unfit patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and RARA gene overexpression.
“I am highly encouraged by the initial data from the randomized portion of SELECT-AML-1,” said Thomas Cluzeau, MD, PhD, Head of Hematology at Nice University Hospital, Côte d’Azur University in France. “Despite the recent advances in treatment for unfit AML patients, there remains a substantial need for options that offer higher response rates and improved overall survival, particularly for the one-third of patients who do not respond to existing standard-of-care. I believe tamibarotene may offer a significant therapeutic advance for the treatment of AML and I am eager to continue enrolling patients in the ongoing SELECT-AML-1 trial.”
“These data highlight the potential of tamibarotene to be a cornerstone therapy for newly diagnosed, unfit AML patients with RARA overexpression, further demonstrating its differentiated product profile and validating our biologically targeted approach,” said David A. Roth, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Syros. “These results — the first from a randomized, controlled study — demonstrate the potential impact of adding tamibarotene to the standard-of-care, venetoclax and azacitidine and, importantly, are consistent with prior experience. Across multiple clinical trials, we have observed tamibarotene’s ability to rapidly deliver clinically relevant activity, with a well-tolerated safety profile, including in a combination setting. We look forward to advancing our comprehensive clinical development program for tamibarotene, with additional data from SELECT-AML-1 and pivotal complete response data from our SELECT-MDS-1 trial in higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome with RARA overexpression expected next year, as we work to deliver profound benefit to patients with hematologic malignancies.”
Initial Data from SELECT-AML-1 Phase 2 Trial
SELECT-AML-1 is evaluating the safety and efficacy of tamibarotene in combination with venetoclax and azacitidine compared to venetoclax and azacitidine in approximately 80 patients randomized 1:1. The trial is also evaluating the triplet regimen as a salvage strategy in patients in the control arm who do not respond to venetoclax and azacitidine. The primary endpoint of the trial is complete response rate (CR)/complete response with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi). In December 2022, Syros reported data from the safety lead-in portion of SELECT-AML-1, in which five of six response evaluable patients (83%) achieved CR/CRi.
As of November 13, 2023, 23 newly diagnosed unfit AML patients positive for RARA overexpression had enrolled in the randomized portion of the trial, including 19 who were evaluable for response. The median age of the patients for the triplet arm was 77 (ranging from 66-85) and the median age of the patients for the doublet arm was 76 (ranging from 69-84).
Clinical Activity Data
| • | | The primary endpoint (CR/CRi rate), defined in alignment with ELN AML criteria (Dohner 2017 and Bloomfield 2018), was 100% among response evaluable patients (nine of nine) treated with the combination of tamibarotene, venetoclax and azacitidine, as compared to 70% of patients (seven of ten) treated with the control (venetoclax and azacitidine alone). |
| • | | Seven of the nine response evaluable patients (78%) treated with the combination of tamibarotene, venetoclax and azacitidine achieved a CR and two patients (22%) achieved a CRi. |