BLA submission includes both myelodysplastic syndromes and beta-thalassemia indications

EMA marketing application?for both indications planned for Q2:19

SUMMIT, N.J. & CAMBRIDGE, Mas.Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) and Acceleron Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: XLRN) today announced that Celgene has submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) for luspatercept, an erythroid maturation agent, for the treatment of adult patients with very low to intermediate risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)-associated anemia who have ring sideroblasts and require red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and for the treatment of adult patients with beta-thalassemia-associated anemia who require RBC transfusions. The submission is based on the safety and efficacy results of the pivotal phase 3 studies MEDALIST and BELIEVE, both recently presented at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting, where MEDALIST was included in the plenary session. ?There remains a high unmet medical need for patients with MDS or beta-thalassemia who suffer from the effects of their disease-related anemia. The primary treatment option for these patients currently is chronic transfusion of red blood cells which can be associated with complications such as iron overload,? said?Jay Backstrom, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for Celgene. ?New treatment options are urgently needed for these patients. With this submission, we look forward to working with the Agency to deliver luspatercept to patients with these serious blood diseases.? The companies also plan to submit a marketing application to the European Medicines Agency in the second quarter of 2019. ?The BLA submission is a key milestone for Acceleron and a credit to our longstanding collaboration with Celgene,? said Habib Dable, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acceleron. ?We believe luspatercept?s positive clinical trial results demonstrate its potential as a novel treatment for patients with lower-risk MDS as well as in beta-thalassemia. All involved have worked diligently to develop luspatercept for patients with chronic anemias associated with these serious blood disorders.? Luspatercept is an investigational therapy that is not approved for any use in any country for any indication. About Luspatercept Luspatercept is a first-in-class erythroid maturation agent (EMA) that regulates late-stage red blood cell maturation. Acceleron and?Celgene?are jointly developing luspatercept as part of a global collaboration. A phase 3 trial (COMMANDS) in ESA-na?ve, lower-risk MDS patients, the BEYOND phase 2 trial in non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia, and a phase 2 trial in myelofibrosis are ongoing. For more information, please visit?www.clinicaltrials.gov. About MEDALIST MEDALIST is a phase 3, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study evaluating the safety and efficacy of luspatercept in adults with very low-, low-, or intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). All patients were RBC transfusion dependent and were either refractory or intolerant to prior erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) therapy or were ESA na?ve with endogenous serum erythropoietin = 200 U/L and had no prior treatment with disease modifying agents. The median age of the patients enrolled in the trial was 71 years in the luspatercept treatment group and 72 years in the placebo group. Median transfusion burden in both treatment arms was 5 RBC units/8 weeks. 229 patients were randomized to receive either luspatercept 1.0 mg/kg (153 patients) or placebo (76 patients) by subcutaneous injection once every 21 days. The study was conducted at 65 sites in 11 countries. About BELIEVE BELIEVE is a phase 3, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study comparing luspatercept + best supportive care (BSC) versus placebo + BSC in adults with beta-thalassemia patients who require regular RBC transfusions. The median age of the patients was 30 years in both treatment arms. 336 patients were randomized to receive either luspatercept 1.0 mg/kg (224 patients) or placebo (112 patients) by subcutaneous injection every 21 days for up to 48 weeks. Crossover to the luspatercept treatment groups was allowed after unblinding based on the recommendation of an independent Data Safety Monitoring Committee; patients treated with luspatercept will be followed for up to 3 years. The study was conducted at 65 sites in 15 countries. About Celgene Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through next-generation solutions in protein homeostasis, immuno-oncology, epigenetics, immunology and neuro-inflammation. For more information, please visit?www.celgene.com. Follow Celgene on Social Media:?Twitter,?Pinterest,?LinkedIn,?Facebook?and?YouTube. About Acceleron Acceleron is a?clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutics to treat serious and rare diseases. The Company's leadership in the understanding of TGF-beta biology and protein engineering generates innovative compounds that engage the body's ability to regulate cellular growth and repair. Acceleron focuses its research and development efforts in hematologic, neuromuscular, and pulmonary diseases. In hematology, the Company and its global collaboration partner,?Celgene, are developing luspatercept for the treatment of chronic anemia in myelodysplastic syndromes, beta-thalassemia, and myelofibrosis. Acceleron is also advancing its neuromuscular program with ACE-083, a locally-acting Myostatin+ agent in Phase 2 development in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and is conducting a Phase 2 pulmonary program with sotatercept in pulmonary arterial hypertension. For more information, please visit?www.acceleronpharma.com. Follow Acceleron on Social Media:?@AcceleronPharma?and?LinkedIn. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include those regarding the potential benefits of, and plans relating to the collaboration between Acceleron and?Celgene; the potential of luspatercept as a therapeutic drug; and the benefit of each company?s strategic plans and focus. The words ?anticipate,? ?believe,? ?estimate,? ?expect,? ?intend,? ?may,? ?plan,? ?predict,? ?project,? ?will,? ?would,? ?could,? ?potential,? ?possible,? ?hope? and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from current expectations and beliefs. For example, there can be no guarantee that luspatercept will be successfully developed or complete necessary clinical phases. Forward-looking statements in this press release could also be affected by risks and uncertainties relating to a number of other important factors, including: results of clinical trials, including subsequent analysis of existing data and new data received from ongoing and future studies; the content and timing of decisions made by the U.S.?FDA?and other regulatory authorities, investigational review boards at clinical trial sites and publication review bodies; the ability to obtain and maintain requisite regulatory approvals and to enroll patients in planned clinical trials; the ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for luspatercept; the ability to maintain key collaborations; and general economic and market conditions. These and other risks are described in greater detail under the caption "Risk Factors" included in each company?s public filings with the?Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect to Celgene includes risk factors related to the proposed transaction between Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene, such as, but not limited to, the risks that: management?s time and attention is diverted on transaction related issues; disruption from the transaction makes it more difficult to maintain business, contractual and operational relationships; and Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene or the combined company is unable to retain key personnel. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and neither company has any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Hyperlinks are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. Neither?Celgene?nor Acceleron bears responsibility for the security or content of external websites or websites outside of their respective control.

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Celgene Corporation Investors: +1-908-673-9628 ir@celgene.com or Media: +1-908-673-2275 media@celgene.com Acceleron Pharma Inc. Investors: Todd James, IRC, (617) 649-9393 Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications or Media: Matt Fearer, (617) 301-9557 Director, Corporate Communications