A Potential Paradigm for the Robust and Systematic Prioritisation of Assets in Academic-Led, Multi-Industry Collaborative Trials in Rare Populations (Glo-BNHL)
Authors: Seaford Emma , Scobie Nicole , Gore Lia , Alexander Sarah , Beishuizen Auke , Wistinghausen Birte , Minard-Colin Veronique , Bollard Catherine M. , Mellgren Karin , Allen Carl , Auperin Anne , Buenger Victoria , Kearns Pamela R. , Lawson Anna , Williams Ellie , Maycock Shanna , Ahmed Zahra , Muzaffar Mahnoor , Parsons Rhianna , Billingham Lucinda , Burke Gladstone Austin Amos 
Published: December 2023

Overview

Given the rarity of children and adolescents with relapsed and refractory (r/r) B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL) and the large number of potential agents in development for adult mature B-cell malignancies, there is urgent need for prioritisation of agents as proposed by the ACCELERATE Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal development in paediatric B-NHL (Pearson 2019). The process developed for the global platform study Glo-BNHL (published separately) is described here.

Prioritisation process

Assets submitted for review by industry collaborators are prioritised under Confidentiality Disclosure Agreements by the Glo-BNHL Trial Steering Committee (TSC) comprising expert clinicians, statisticians and patient representatives. The assessment includes a quantitative element addressing each of the following areas, with greater weighting given to more relevant criteria such as paediatric-specific and clinical data. Target and scientific rationaleAsset position within current prioritisation strategy*Pre-clinical data evaluating in vitro sensitivity, including the number, heterogeneity and relevance of cell lines tested and quality of the submitted elements of evidencePre-clinical data evaluating in vivo activity of the asset including the number, type and relevance of models and quality of the elements of evidence submittedClinical data regarding monotherapy efficacy in single arm and randomised trials, including the disease-type and therapeutic regimen studiedClinical data regarding combination efficacy (if studied)Clinical data regarding safety of the agent with regard to frequency, severity and modifiability of adverse events, including applicability to the paediatric populationFeasibility of delivery in paediatrics, including formulation and dose-confirmation processes

*Classes of novel agents prioritised for inclusion at the initiation of the trial were: (1) Bispecific antibodies (2) antibody-drug conjugates (3) chimeric antigen receptor T-cell products. The TSC has committed to updating this list as the field evolves.

The assessment also includes a qualitative element incorporating expert opinion regarding relevance of the target, mechanism of action, and overall impression of the asset. These elements are combined to inform the final discussion before a decision is made.

A formal written response from the Sponsor and TSC Chair outlining the TSC decision on whether the asset has been prioritised for evaluation within Glo-BNHL, and associated rationale, is issued to the relevant industry partner (now also copied to the European Medicines Agency (EMA)) within 28 days of receipt of the asset information pack. A follow-up clarification meeting is offered. For prioritised assets, following agreement from the relevant industry partner, the process of formal inclusion in Glo-BNHL then begins.

Scope of assets reviewed

Between September 2020 and June 2023, information packs for 7 assets were submitted for review from 6 pharmaceutical companies. The assets spanned 5 classes of drugs: 3 bispecific antibodies, 1 antibody-drug conjugate, 1 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell product, 1 small molecule inhibitor and 1 immunomodulator. Formal responses were issued within a median of 20 days (mean 21.3 days) followed by a clarification meeting on 5 occasions.

Prioritised assets

Four of the 7 reviewed assets were prioritised for inclusion within Glo-BNHL. At time of planned opening only 2 of these assets are included. The other 2 assets are being investigated in industry-led competitive trials. A further asset was deemed to be of potential interest but insufficient data were available due to the early stage of development to reach a final conclusion (further review pending).

Non-prioritised assets

The rationale for non-prioritisation of assets included irrelevant target in paediatric B-NHL, insufficiently convincing mechanism of action, and lack of superiority over other agents within a non-prioritised class. The EMA has subsequently waived the obligation to submit the results of paediatric B-NHL studies for both non-prioritised assets reasoning they do not represent potential for significant therapeutic benefit.

Summary

The Glo-BNHL international platform trial prioritisation process represents a model for handling the challenge of development of multiple potential agents in very rare populations in the global arena.