MEIP: MEI Pharma ($5.94)

MEI Pharmaceuticals has the potential to become best in class as an oral HDAC inhibitor (histone deacetylases) for MDS - Myelodysplastic Syndrome and AML - Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  The company recently presented at two conferences, the Bank of America last week and UBS just yesterday. As usual CEO Dr. Gold did a good job of presenting the story what their lead drug Pracinostat has shown to date, and the best in class HDAC inhibitor it could potentially be.  This post will compare what the best standard of care (Vidaza) has already achieved in Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), and what current competitor's (Vorinostat/Vidaza combo), (Mocetinostat/Vidaza combo) have accomplished with similar patients that MEI is targeting in their phase 2 trial for patients with intermediate-2 to high risk MDS.  These comparisons can serve as benchmarks when MEI presents data from their trials.

Current Standard of Care - Vidaza:
Vidaza Intermediate - High Risk MDS
CR = 17%
PR = 12%
Median overall survival of 24.5 months.
Vidaza is FDA approved for all subtypes of MDS.
Celgene Vidaza US patent expired in 2012.

Mocetinostat with Vidaza:
Phase 2, 22 Patients.  (Manero Trial)
Mocetinostat 90-110mg 3x/wk and Vidaza 75mg.
High Risk MDS.
ORR (CR+CRi+PR+HI) 64%
ORR (CR+CRi+HI) 55%
ORR (CR+CRi+PR) 59%
ORR (CR+PR) of 18%
CR (CR+CRi) of 50%
CR of 9%
Median overall survival was 12.4 months.
The above results are based on a subset of 22 patients with characteristics for a planned registration phase 3 trial second half of 2014.

Vorinostat with Vidaza:
Phase 2, N=33.  (Silverman Trial)
Vorinostat 300 mg twice daily and Vidaza 75mg.
Intermediate-1 (23%), Intermediate-2 (31%), High-Risk (31%) MDS.
ORR (CR+CRi+HI) 73%
CR (CR+CRi) of 42%
CR of 30%
Median overall survival was 37 months for (300mg / twice daily + Vidaza 75mg).

Pracinostat with Vidaza:
Phase 1, 10 Patients.  (Manero Trial)
Pracinostat 60 mg 3x/wk and Vidaza 75mg.
Intermediate Risk-2, or High Risk.
ORR (CR+CRi+PR) of 90%
ORR (CR+PR) of 70%
CR (CR+CRi) of 80%
CR of 60%

50% achieved a complete cytogenetic response and proceeded to stem cell therapy.

Pracinostat with Vidaza:  (Manero Trial)
Clinical Trials
Phase 2, 100 Patients in Progress.
Pracinostat 60 mg 3x/wk and Vidaza 75mg.
Intermediate Risk-2, or High Risk.
ORR (CR+PR)  ______
CR of  ______
OS of ______

Potential Market Statistics:
Estimated 101,000 MDS Patients in the US and EU.
Estimated 25,000 are Int-2 and High Risk MDS Patients in the US and EU.
2013 WW Sales of MDS/AML Products $1.4 Billion.
Vidaza and Dacogen:  560M + in U.S. 2012 Sales.
Celgene reported $800 million Vidaza w/w sales in 2012, lost U.S. patent protection in 2011.
Celgene holds patent exclusivity in the EU for Vidaza until December 2018.