Pharmaxis Announces Positive Results of Phase 3 Cystic Fibrosis Trial
Posted on: Monday, 4 May 2009, 03:02 CDT
The primary endpoint of the trial was to assess whether Bronchitol improves lung function as measured by a change in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) when administered 400 mg twice per day for six months. The clinical trial comfortably met this endpoint. Patients treated with Bronchitol had a statistically significant improvement in lung function from baseline of 6.6% (p=0.001 versus placebo). Lung function improved at week 6 and was sustained through to week 26.
The key secondary endpoint of the trial was to assess whether Bronchitol further improves lung function in patients already being treated with the most commonly used CF therapeutic, dornase alfa (Pulmozyme(TM)). This endpoint was also successfully achieved. For patients being treated with concurrent dornase alfa, FEV1 improved after 6 months by 5.2% from baseline (p=0.002 versus placebo).
Over the 6 month treatment period, there was significant lung function improvement for both those patients being treated with Bronchitol and dornase alfa (p=0.008 versus placebo) and those being treated with Bronchitol alone (p=0.015 versus placebo).
Consistent loss of lung function, is the leading cause of death for people with cystic fibrosis and this deterioration now averages 1-2% per year.
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For the 324 subjects randomized, the treatment groups were balanced with respect to key demographic and background characteristics: the average age was approximately 23 years old, the mean lung function on entry to the trial was 62% of the predicted normal FEV1, and 55% of the population were using dornase alfa. The ages ranged from 6 years to 56 years and the lung function ranges were from 26% to 94% of the predicted FEV1.
In the trial subjects, Bronchitol was well-tolerated overall and had a favourable safety profile. At screening, only 7% of recruited subjects were unable to tolerate Bronchitol and were therefore not entered into the study. There was no difference in adverse events or serious adverse events between the treatment groups. The most common adverse event was cough, which was mild to moderate in most cases and similar between the treatment arms.
The trial was conducted in 40 centres in the
The first scientific presentation of the results will be made at the June
European Cystic Fibrosis Society meeting in
Bronchitol has received Orphan Drug Designation and development fast track status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Orphan Drug Designation from the European Medicines Agency.
Bronchitol is designed to hydrate the airway surface of the lungs, and promote normal lung mucus clearance. No new products have been approved anywhere in the world for cystic fibrosis for more than 10 years.
Dr
Dr
About Pharmaxis
Pharmaxis (ACN 082 811 630) is a specialist pharmaceutical company
involved in the research, development and commercialization of therapeutic
products for chronic respiratory and immune disorders. Its development
pipeline of products includes Aridol for the diagnosis of asthma, Bronchitol
for cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), PXS25 for the treatment of lung fibrosis and PXS4159 for asthma.
Founded in 1998, Pharmaxis is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange
(symbol PXS), and on NASDAQ Global Market (symbol PXSL). The company is
headquartered in
About Bronchitol
Pharmaxis Ltd is developing Bronchitol for the management of chronic obstructive lung diseases including cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis. Bronchitol is a proprietary dry-powder mannitol, precision formulated for delivery to the lungs through an easy-to-use, pocket-size, portable inhaler. Once inhaled its action on mucus helps restore normal lung clearance mechanisms. Clinical studies have shown Bronchitol to be effective and well tolerated in stimulating mucus hydration and clearance in people with chronic obstructive lung diseases. In particular, Bronchitol has been shown to increase mucus clearance from the lungs and significantly improve quality of life for people with bronchiectasis. Additional studies have also shown Bronchitol to improve lung function in people affected by cystic fibrosis.
About Cystic Fibrosis
In a healthy person, there is a constant flow of mucus over the surfaces of the air passages in the lungs, removing debris and bacteria. In CF, an inherited disease, a defective gene disrupts ion transport across the epithelial membrane within cells. In the lungs, this leads to a depletion of the airway surface liquid that normally bathes the cilia, and a resultant reduction in mucociliary clearance. The result is thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, severely restricting the natural airway-clearing process. It also increases the potential for bacteria to become trapped and for inflammation, thus creating an unhealthy lung environment that leads to life- threatening lung infections.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements contained in this media release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements in this media release include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, hopes, goals, intentions, initiatives or strategies, including statements regarding the potential for Aridol and/or Bronchitol. All forward-looking statements included in this media release are based upon information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We can not guarantee that any product candidate will receive FDA or other regulatory approval or that we will seek any such approval. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, factors discussed in the "Risk Factors and Other Uncertainties" section of our Form 20-F lodged with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: Alan Robertson Chief Executive Officer Tel: +61-2-9454-7200 Email: alan.robertson@pharmaxis.com.au RELEASED THROUGH: Australia: Felicity Moffatt Tel: +61-418-677-701 Email: felicity.moffatt@pharmaxis.com.au United States: Brandon Lewis Trout Group Tel: +1-646-378-2915 Email: blewis@troutgroup.comSOURCE Pharmaxis Ltd
Source: PR Newswire
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