Antares Pharma Announces Positive Top Line Results From Its Pivotal Phase 3 Study of Anturol Gel for the Treatment of Overactive Bladder
- Company on Target to File NDA in 2010 -
EWING, N.J., Jul 27, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Antares Pharma, Inc. /quotes/comstock/14*!ais/quotes/nls/ais (AIS 1.68, +0.09, +5.74%) announced today positive results from its Phase 3 study of Anturol(TM) Gel in patients with overactive bladder (OAB). The study met its primary endpoint of a statistically significant reduction in urinary incontinence episodes for both doses studied (56 mg daily or 84 mg daily, p=0.028 and 0.033 respectively). An Open Label Extension study, evaluating long term safety remains ongoing and is scheduled to complete by Q4 2010.
The Phase 3 trial conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) with FDA was a double blind, randomized, parallel placebo-controlled multi-center study and evaluated the efficacy and safety of Anturol in 600 patients with overactive bladder. The primary objective of the study was to demonstrate that daily treatment of an 84mg or 56mg dose of oxybutynin applied in the ATD(TM) Gel technology for 12 weeks was superior to placebo for the relief of OAB symptoms.
Paul. K. Wotton Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Antares said "This success represents another key accomplishment in 2010 and continues to demonstrate our strong development capabilities. Anturol is one of many value drivers in our advancing pipeline of development products. We are delighted with the positive outcome of this Phase 3 trial, as both doses demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the primary endpoint of urinary incontinence events as well as a low incidence of reported side effects. We are on track to file a new drug application (NDA) with the FDA in 2010."
Roger R. Dmochowski M.D., FACS, Professor, Vanderbilt University, Department of Urologic Surgery stated "Anturol potentially offers many advantages for the treatment of OAB. Anturol is dispensed in a patient friendly metered dose pump which provides convenient dosing options. Both doses tested in the Phase 3 trial demonstrated a low incidence of side effects and the data also show that Anturol effectively reduces urinary incontinence episodes within seven days of beginning treatment compared to placebo."
Secondary end points included changes from baseline in average daily urinary frequency, void volume, patient perceptions, as well as safety and tolerability including skin irritation. Although not the basis for approval, the 84 mg dose provided highly statistical significant results for the secondary end points of urinary frequency and volume while the 56 mg dose did not reach statistical significance. Additionally, Anturol which uses the proprietary ATD Gel technology was well tolerated in the study. No serious adverse events related to the treatment were reported. Anticholinergic side effects such as dry mouth and constipation were low and no CNS side effects were seen compared to placebo. Treatment-related adverse events that resulted in study discontinuation during the double-blind period were low and similar for both the treatment and placebo groups.
About Overactive Bladder
OAB, also called urge incontinence, is a condition marked by a sudden need to urinate that can happen at any time whether or not the bladder is full. OAB is typically caused when the smooth muscle of the bladder undergoes involuntary contractions and may result in uncontrolled leakage. OAB is defined as urgency, with or without urge incontinence and usually includes frequency and nocturia (waking up one or more times during the night to urinate). According to published reports it is estimated that more than 30 million Americans have OAB, and while it can happen at any age is more prevalent among older individuals. It is more common than both diabetes and asthma. According to IMS the annual OAB prescription market in the United States is valued at approximately $2.0 billion.
About Anturol(TM)
Anturol is oxybutynin gel based on the ATD Gel technology platform which is a clear, odorless, hydroalcoholic gel that provides for delivery of oxybutynin in a non-patch transdermal form. The ATD technology is also used in Elestrin(R), an FDA approved product for hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. It has been well recognized that transdermal delivery of drugs including oxybutynin is a safe and effective way of delivering certain drugs that undergo first pass metabolism. By delivering oxybutynin transdermally, first-pass gastric and hepatic metabolism is avoided, which is believed to result in lower anticholinergic side effects such as dry mouth and constipation compared to orally administered treatments. These side effects account for a significant level of patient non-compliance among existing oral OAB treatments.
About Antares Pharma
Antares Pharma focuses on self-injection delivery technologies and topical gel-based pharmaceutical products. The Company's subcutaneous and intramuscular injection technology platforms include VIBEX(TM) disposable pressure-assisted auto injectors, Valeo(TM)/Vision(TM) reusable needle-free injectors, and disposable multi-use pen injectors. In the injector area, Antares Pharma has a multi-product deal with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd that includes Tev-Tropin(R) human growth hormone and a partnership with Ferring Pharmaceuticals. In the gel-based area, the Company's lead product candidate is Anturol, (R) an oxybutynin ATD(TM) gel for the treatment of OAB (overactive bladder). Antares also has a partnership with BioSante that includes LibiGel(R) (transdermal testosterone gel) in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), and Elestrin(R) (estradiol gel) indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, and currently marketed in the U.S. Antares Pharma has corporate headquarters in Ewing, New Jersey, with subsidiaries performing research, development and product commercialization activities in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Muttenz, Switzerland.