Therapy provides significant survival benefit in second-line metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer in combination with prednisone.

LAVAL, QC, Oct. 4, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Sanofi is pleased to announce that the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario have listed JEVTANA® (cabazitaxel) on their respective provincial formulary so that it is now eligible for reimbursement for patients with advanced prostate cancer. JEVTANA® (cabazitaxel) is indicated as a second line treatment of castration resistant (hormone refractory) metastatic prostate cancer (mHRPC) in combination with prednisone in patients who have received prior treatment with a docetaxel containing regimen.

"JEVTANA fills a critical treatment gap, since it is the novel treatment approved for patients with this stage of metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer. The ability to access JEVTANA and to know that Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario are funding the treatment is a major gain for men dealing with the disease and their families," said Dr. Stan Glezer, Vice President of Evidence, Value and Access.  "Sanofi is strongly committed to bringing innovative therapies to the cancer community and to working in cooperation with the provincial health agencies to demonstrate the value of medicine for the patients and contribute to the sustainability of the healthcare system."

The combination of JEVTANA® and prednisone is the first and only chemotherapy to have shown a significant survival benefit for men with mHRPC previously treated with a docetaxel-containing regimen.

Reimbursement for prescription drugs is not mandated by the Canada Health Act or any other federal legislation. Provincial governments independently establish reimbursement plans.

"We trust other provinces will follow the lead of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario and approve coverage of this treatment option," added Dr. Glezer. "JEVTANA is an important therapy addition for patients living with mHRPC and helps healthcare professionals in their efforts to treat those patients. Hopefully the availability of a drug like JEVTANA® (cabazitaxel) will signal the start of a new, more effective approach to help these patients access the treatment."

"Access and availability in Alberta to new options such as JEVTANA® can provide patients with a better chance of survival when dealing with such a difficult illness," concluded Bob Shiell, Executive Director, Prostate Cancer Canada Network (PCCN) Calgary.

About JEVTANA®
JEVTANA® (cabazitaxel) is approved as a second-line treatment option for metastatic castration resistant (hormone-refractory) prostate cancer (mCRPC).^[i] JEVTANA® is a chemotherapy compound used with the steroid medicine prednisone or prednisolone to treat people with mCRPC previously treated with a docetaxel-containing treatment regimen.^[ii]

Jevtana® is a registered trademark of Sanofi.

About Prostate Cancer
Worldwide, prostate cancer ranks third in cancer incidence and sixth in cancer mortality in men. In the U.S., prostate cancer remains the second most common cause of cancer death among men after lung cancer. In Canada, one man in seven men will develop prostate cancer. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and its incidence has increased by 30 percent since 1988. While it is most commonly diagnosed after age 70, prostate cancer can also occur in men in their forties and fifties. ^[ii1] For many patients with prostate cancer, their disease continues to progress despite prior treatment - including surgical and/or hormonal castration followed by chemotherapy. Metastatic prostate cancer indicates that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body, particularly the bones. Castration resistant/hormone-refractory prostate cancer means that the cancer has continued to grow despite the suppression of male hormones that fuel the growth of prostate cancer cells. An estimated 10-20% of patients with prostate cancer are diagnosed when the cancer has already metastasized.

About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi companies in Canada include sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. (pharmaceuticals), Sanofi Pasteur (vaccines), Sanofi Consumer Health (health and beauty), Genzyme (rare diseases) and Merial (animal health). Together they employ more than 1,700 people, mainly in the greater Montreal and Toronto areas. In 2011 Sanofi companies invested $151.7 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunity throughout the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.sanofi.ca .

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^[i] "About Jevtana." Sanofi-aventis Oncology. Available online: https://www.sanofi-aventisoncology.com/wps/portal/oncology/products/jevtana. Accessed 2/23/2011.

^[ii] "About Jevtana." Sanofi-aventis Oncology. Available online: https://www.sanofi-aventisoncology.com/wps/portal/oncology/products/jevtana. Accessed 2/23/2011.

^[iii]  Prostate Cancer: Understand the Disease and its Treatment: Saad F,  McCormack M; Annika Parance Publishing; 2012, p. 25

SOURCE: SANOFI