SYDNEY — Pharmaceutical company Pharmaxis (ASX: PXS; Nasdaq: PXSL) is pleased to announce that additional results of its recently completed international Phase III trial of Bronchitol in patients with cystic fibrosis have been presented at the 2009 European Cystic Fibrosis Conference in Brest, France.
The results were presented to the conference on Friday 12 June by Dr Diana Bilton of the Royal Brompton Hospital, London.
The trial was a multi-centre, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, 26 week study, with an optional further 6 month open label uncontrolled period. It was conducted in 40 centres in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
The primary endpoint of the trial was to assess whether Bronchitol improves lung function as measured by a change in FEV1 when administered twice per day for six months.
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, rhDNase. Additional endpoints included changes in the Forced Vital Capacity of the lung, pulmonary exacerbations and antibiotic use.
Safety evaluation included the incidence of adverse events and the microbiology of sputum samples.
Clinical Results
— There was a clinically meaningful change from baseline (119mL) and
placebo (93mL) at week 26 with Bronchitol for FEV1 (p<0.001).
Importantly, treatment with Bronchitol showed an immediate and
sustained improvement in lung function (FEV1) over the 26 weeks
(p<0.001).
— For the subgroup of patients on concomitant rhDNase there was also a
significant improvement in FEV1 from baseline (88mL) and from placebo
(109mL) at week 26 with Bronchitol (p=0.001). Again, there was an
immediate and sustained improvement in FEV1 over the 26 week period of
the study (p=0.003).
— While the study was not powered to show a reduction in the secondary
endpoint of exacerbation, the rate of a protocol defined pulmonary
exacerbation (PDPE) per subject for the 26 weeks was lower for
Bronchitol versus control: overall reduction in rate of 25% (p=0.2).
— There was a non significant increase in time to first PDPE (p=0.1) for
the Intention to Treat group, however, for the Per Protocol population,
i.e. those who were mostly compliant with therapy and stayed in the
study, there was a significant increase in time to first PDPE
(p=0.026).
— There was a clinically meaningful change from baseline (129mL) and
control (113mL) at week 26 with Bronchitol for Forced Vital Capacity
(FVC) of the lung (p=0.002). Additionally, treatment with Bronchitol
showed an immediate and sustained improvement in lung capacity (FVC)
over the 26 week treatment period (p<0.001).
Safety
— There was a similar number of adverse events and serious adverse events
per treatment group, with no deaths in the study.
— Respiratory adverse events that were more common with Bronchitol
compared with placebo, included cough (25.4% versus 20.3%), haemoptysis
(11.9% versus 8.5%) and pharyngolaryngeal pain (13.6% versus 4.2%).
— There were similar rates between the groups for adverse events of
particular interest including: wheezing, asthma, bronchospasm
(Bronchitol 4.5% versus 5.9%).
— At screening 7% of patients were ineligible to participate due to
suspected undiagnosed hyperreactive airway disease.
— Overall infections were lower in the Bronchitol group (39% versus
47.5%).
— There was no difference in microbial growth for specific microorganisms
between treatment groups, confirming that Bronchitol does not
contribute to the bacterial load in the lung.
Bronchitol has received Orphan Drug Designation and fast track status for cystic fibrosis from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Orphan Drug Designation from the European Medicines Agency.
A more detailed account of the results of the trial are planned to be presented at the North American Cystic Fibrosis conference in Minneapolis in October.
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: [email protected]
RELEASED THROUGH:
Australia:
Felicity Moffatt
Tel: +61-418-677-701
Email: [email protected]
United States:
Brandon Lewis
Trout Group
Tel: +1-646-378-2915
Email: [email protected]