Watson Announces Positive Results From Its Pivotal Study of Oxybutynin Topical Gel for the Treatment of Overactive Bladder
- Company on Target to File NDA in Second Quarter of 2008 -
CORONA, Calif., Jan. 7 -- Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI), a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, announced positive results today from its Phase 3 study of oxybutynin topical gel (OTG) in patients with overactive bladder (OAB). The study met its primary endpoint of a statistically significant reduction in incontinence episodes, and secondary endpoints of reduction in frequency and increases in void volume compared with placebo, while demonstrating a low incidence of side effects.
"We are extremely encouraged with the results from this trial which will support our NDA submission, and we are on track to file with FDA in the second quarter of 2008," said Paul Bisaro, Watson's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Additionally, we have the potential to introduce the first gel formulation for the treatment of overactive bladder in 2009."
"Offering patients the ease and comfort of a daily gel for the treatment of OAB may provide greater patient acceptability and persistence on treatment," said Peter K. Sand, M.D., director of the Evanston Continence Center, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Division of Urogynecology, Evanston, IL.
It is well recognized that transdermal delivery of oxybutynin is a safe and effective treatment for OAB. By delivering oxybutynin transdermally, first-pass gastric and hepatic metabolism is bypassed, which is believed to result in lower anticholinergic side effects such as dry mouth and constipation. These side effects result in a significant level of patient non-compliance among existing oral OAB treatments, according to Dr. Sand. "Watson's oxybutynin gel is an elegant topical formulation that is clear, odorless and fast drying and will offer healthcare providers a unique treatment option for OAB patients," said Dr. Sand.
The Phase 3 multi-center, double blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy and safety of OTG in 789 patients with overactive bladder. The primary objective of the study was to demonstrate that daily treatment of a 1g dose (approximately 1 mL) of OTG for 12 weeks was superior to placebo for the relief of OAB symptoms. Changes from baseline to endpoint were calculated from a three-day patient urinary diary and included a reduction in incontinence episodes and urinary frequency, and an increase in void volume. Additionally, 216 patients participated in a 14-week, open label, safety-extension study for a total of 26 weeks. During the double-blind portion of the trial, highly statistically significant improvements relative to placebo were seen on all of these endpoints.
Secondary endpoints also included a patient assessment of incontinence-specific, quality-of-life measures using multiple validated instruments including the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ) and the King's Health Questionnaire, which indicated a significant positive effect of OTG treatment on quality-of-life total and subscale scores at endpoint in comparison with placebo.
OTG was well tolerated in the study. No serious adverse events related to the treatment were reported. Dry mouth (6.9%) and application site pruritis (2.1%) were the only treatment-related side effects reported at levels greater than 2%. Treatment-related adverse events that resulted in study discontinuation during the double-blind period were low (1.8%) and the similar for both the treatment and placebo groups.
Phase 1 studies have demonstrated that the steady-state plasma levels of oxybutynin show little fluctuation during the 24-hour dosing interval, and absorption of oxybutynin is similar when applied to the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm/shoulder.
OTG is protected by two patents, which cover methods of treatment and certain articles of manufacture for treating overactive bladder, with the latest patent expiring in 2020. An additional patent application is pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and various foreign jurisdictions.
About Overactive Bladder (OAB)
OAB is more common than both diabetes and asthma, affecting more than 33 million Americans. The OAB prescription market in the United States is valued at approximately $1.7 billion. 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). OAB can force patients to limit their participation in a myriad of physical and social activities, leaving sufferers feeling frustrated, anxious, embarrassed and sleep deprived.
Oxybutynin Topical Gel (OTG)
OTG is a clear, odorless, ethanolic gel that provides for delivery of oxybutynin hydrocholoride in a non-patch transdermal form. OTG is under development for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency.
Watson is a Leader in Urology
Making lives more livable, Watson offers patients and healthcare providers investigational and marketed products that address a number of the conditions urologists treat. The Watson portfolio in the U.S. includes Oxytrol(R); Trelstar(R) LA; Trelstar(R) Depot; Androderm(R); ProQuin(R) XR, under a co-promotion agreement with Depomed, Inc.; and AndroGel(R), under a co-promotion agreement with Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The Watson portfolio also includes a number of products under development including silodosin, a product under development for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia; a six-month formulation of Trelstar(R) (triptorelin pamoate for injectable suspension), under development for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer; and oxybutynin topical gel, under development for overactive bladder.
About Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., headquartered in Corona, California, is a leading specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, markets, sells and distributes brand and generic pharmaceutical products. Watson pursues a growth strategy combining internal product development, strategic alliances and collaborations and synergistic acquisitions of products and businesses.
For press releases and other company information, visit Watson Pharmaceuticals' Web site at http://www.watson.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
Any statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Watson's current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this release. Except as expressly required by law, Watson disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from Watson's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Watson's business. These factors include, among others, the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of clinical studies, product development efforts and FDA or other regulatory agency approvals or actions; whether the results of clinical trials for oxybutynin topical gel and other information will be sufficient to support approval by FDA and other regulatory authorities; delays regarding the regulatory approval process, including the timing and scope of approval received, if any; market acceptance and continued demand for Watson's products, including oxybutynin topical gel, if approved; our ability to successfully defend and/or enforce our patents and other intellectual property rights against third parties; patents and other intellectual property rights held by competitors and other third parties; successful compliance with FDA and other governmental regulations applicable to Watson's products and/or business; and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in Watson's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Watson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.