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Contributor: PR Newswire New York
Thursday, January 28 2021 - 12:00
AsiaNet
Mallinckrodt Receives Approval in Japan of the CELLEX(R) Extracorporeal Photopheresis System for Treatment of Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease
DUBLIN, Jan. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

Mallinckrodt plc ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3044095-1&h=4196795004&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mallinckrodt.com%2F&a=Mallinckrodt+plc 
), a global biopharmaceutical company, announced today that Japan's Ministry of 
Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) approved the CELLEX(R) extracorporeal 
photopheresis (ECP) system for the treatment of steroid-resistant or intolerant 
chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD) in adults. 

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/167103/mallinckrodt_plc_logo.jpg 

The approval was based on an open-label study conducted in patients with 
steroid-resistant or intolerant cGvHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell 
transplantation at three institutions in Japan. The efficacy rate following 
evaluation of response and changes in steroid dose 24-weeks after ECP 
initiation was 66.7 percent (8/12 patients), the primary endpoint of the study. 
Adverse events were observed in all patients (n=15, 106 events). Most of the 
adverse events observed were considered as those of the primary disease or 
associated with long-term treatment with steroids. There were no adverse events 
unique to this treatment.

"We are very pleased that the CELLEX ECP System has been approved. As a 
pharmaceutical company focused on improving outcomes for under-served patients 
with severe and critical conditions, we strive to develop treatment options 
that address unmet medical needs," said Masatoyo Gunji, the President of 
Mallinckrodt Pharma K.K. "Treatment for patients with cGvHD who do not respond 
to steroids has long been a challenge and is one of the more difficult aspects 
in treatment of cGvHD. As a new treatment option, we expect the CELLEX ECP 
System to play an important role in treatment of patients with cGvHD."

About Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGvHD)
Graft versus host-disease is a common complication of hematopoietic stem cell 
transplantation (HSCT) resulting in significant morbidity and mortality.(1) It 
can be classified as acute or chronic based on the clinical presentation and 
the time of occurrence after the transplantation. Signs and symptoms of cGvHD 
nearly always occur within the first year post transplantation but can 
occasionally happen several years later.(2) In cGvHD, the skin is the most 
frequently affected organ with manifestations of itchy rash, hyper or 
hypopigmentation and changes in texture. However, the disease can affect 
multiple sites, which may have a major impact upon a patient's quality of 
life.(2,3)  Chronic GvHD can lead to debilitating consequences, such as joint 
contractures, loss of sight, end-stage lung disease, or mortality resulting 
from profound chronic immune suppression leading to recurrent or 
life-threatening infections.(1)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Intended Use or Efficacy
This system is used as extracorporeal photopheresis therapy in steroid 
resistant or intolerant, chronic graft versus host disease.

Warnings
Directions for Use:

1. When conducting extracorporeal photopheresis therapy for patients receiving 
other therapy, exercise caution when changing treatment schedules to avoid 
increased disease activity that may be caused by abrupt withdrawal of previous 
therapy. 

2. Taking into account the condition of the patient, administer an appropriate 
amount of anticoagulant through the CELLEX device, as thromboembolic events may 
occur.

Contraindications / Prohibitions 
Directions for Use:

1. Do not re-use (Procedural Kit and Methoxsalen Solution). 

2. Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable anesthetic gases, 
external radio or electromagnetic disturbances that may interfere with proper 
performance of the device. There is the risk of ignition and malfunction.

Applicable subject (patient)
Do not use for the following population.

    -- Patients who cannot tolerate extracorporeal volume loss as the patient 
       has possibility of hypotension and shock disease. 

    -- Patients exhibiting idiosyncratic reactions to psoralen compounds 
       including methoxsalen, or possessing a specific history of a light-
       sensitive disease state. 

    -- Patients with aphakia because of the significantly increased risk of 
       retinal damage due to the absence of a lens. 

    -- Patients possessing a specific history of a disordered coagulation or 
       patients who have had previous splenectomy as anticoagulants is used 
       during therapy. 

    -- Patients during pregnancy and lactation as it is likely to cause harm 
       to the unborn child or suckling infant. 

    -- Patients who have white blood cell counts greater than 25,000/mm(3). 

ABOUT THE THERAKOS CELLEX ECP SYSTEM
The CELLEX System delivers extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), and consists of 
an instrument, procedural kit, methoxsalen solution and a UVA lamp. ECP was 
initially developed as a therapy for patients with Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma 
(CTCL). 

The CELLEX System was designated as a medical device to be introduced early in 
Japan by the 15th Study Panel on Early Introduction of Highly Needed Medical 
Devices. This meeting was organized by the MHLW and held on February 17, 2011. 

CELLEX was also designated as an orphan medical device by the MHLW on January 
18 2017.

ABOUT MALLINCKRODT 
Mallinckrodt is a global business consisting of multiple wholly owned 
subsidiaries that develop, manufacture, market and distribute specialty 
pharmaceutical products and therapies. The company's Specialty Brands 
reportable segment's areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in 
specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, hepatology, nephrology, 
pulmonology and ophthalmology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical 
care therapies; analgesics and gastrointestinal products. Its Specialty 
Generics reportable segment includes specialty generic drugs and active 
pharmaceutical ingredients. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit 
www.mallinckrodt.com. 

Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company 
information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial 
information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to 
time-critical information regarding the company in advance of or in lieu of 
distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should 
look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and 
time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive 
automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is 
made available on the Investor Relations page of the website.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release includes forward-looking statements concerning the use of the 
CELLEX System including potential benefits associated with its use. The 
statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the 
following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in 
the forward-looking statements: satisfaction of regulatory and other 
requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; 
changes in laws and regulations; issues with product quality, manufacturing or 
supply, or patient safety issues; and other risks identified and described in 
more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's most recent Annual 
Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, all of which are available 
on its website. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the 
date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise 
any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future 
events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

CONTACT

Media Inquiries
Caren Begun
Green Room Communications
+1 201-396-8551
caren@greenroompr.com

Investor Relations
Daniel J. Speciale, CPA
Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations Officer
+1 314-654-3638
daniel.speciale@mnk.com

Mallinckrodt Pharma K.K.
Kazuo Nishiyama 
Sales & Marketing, Product Manager
+81 3 6234 1650
kazuo.nishiyama@mnk.com

Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are 
trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company. Other brands are trademarks of a 
Mallinckrodt company or their respective owners. (c) 2021 Mallinckrodt. 1/21

REFERENCES 
1       Filipovich, Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2005; 11:945-956.
2       Jagasia 2015. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2015; 21(3): 389-401.
3       Pavletic et al. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2006;12:252-66.

SOURCE Mallinckrodt plc
Translations

Japanese