Cephalon, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEPH) today reported data from the first Phase 3 clinical trial to demonstrate positive results of FENTORA(TM) (fentanyl buccal tablet) [C-II] in opioid-tolerant patients with neuropathic pain. Onset of pain relief began in 10 minutes in this study as well as in a separate Phase 3 study in opioid- tolerant patients with cancer. The data from these studies will be submitted for presentation at a medical meeting in 2007.
One double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the efficacy of FENTORA in a variety of chronic conditions associated with neuropathic pain. The study involved 75 opioid-tolerant patients and demonstrated statistically significant improvement as measured on the primary endpoint, the Sum of Pain Intensity Differences at 60 minutes (p<0.0001). Statistically significant differences in pain relief compared with placebo were observed as early as 10 minutes (p<0.05), consistent with positive results from a previously announced study in opioid-tolerant patients with chronic low back pain. The medication was generally well tolerated with adverse events typical of opioids.
Similar results were reported for a second double-blind, placebo- controlled study that evaluated the onset of pain relief with FENTORA in 78 opioid-tolerant patients with cancer. Earlier clinical trials submitted as part of the FENTORA New Drug Application began evaluating pain relief at 15 minutes. This new study looked at earlier time points and demonstrated statistically significant differences in pain relief compared with placebo at 10 minutes (p<0.0001). The medication was generally well tolerated with adverse events typical of opioids.
"These new studies of FENTORA provide strong support for our clinical development strategy in breakthrough pain in additional chronic pain conditions," said Dr. Lesley Russell, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Medical and Regulatory Operations. "These data further suggest that, in opioid-tolerant patients, the onset of pain relief from FENTORA may be more rapid than indicated in the approved labeling."
FENTORA is currently approved by the FDA for the management of breakthrough pain in patients with cancer who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain. At this time, it is not approved for the management of breakthrough pain associated with other chronic pain conditions. Cephalon expects to seek regulatory approval for an expansion of the labeled indications for FENTORA, which will include data from Phase 3 studies in patients with chronic pain conditions associated with breakthrough pain, such as neuropathic and low back pain.
Breakthrough Pain
Breakthrough pain is a component of chronic pain that is characterized by its rapid onset, moderate to severe intensity, and relatively short duration. It is estimated that 64 percent of patients with cancer - and 74 percent of patients with conditions other than cancer - who are treated for persistent pain will experience breakthrough pain.
FENTORA
Approved to manage breakthrough pain in opioid-tolerant patients with cancer, FENTORA's drug delivery system generates transient changes in pH that may optimize how well the tablet dissolves and how quickly the medicine passes across the lining of the cheek, or buccal mucosa. The most commonly observed adverse events seen in all FENTORA clinical studies are typical of opioid adverse events. Opioid adverse events should be expected and managed accordingly. In clinical trials of FENTORA, the most common (.10%) adverse events were nausea, dizziness, vomiting, fatigue, headache, constipation, somnolence, anemia, and dehydration. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in severity. No attempt was made to correct for concomitant use of around-the-clock opioids or cancer-related symptoms.
IMPORTANT WARNINGS AND SAFETY INFORMATION
FENTORA contains fentanyl, an opioid agonist and a Schedule II controlled substance, with an abuse liability similar to other opioid analgesics. FENTORA can be abused in a manner similar to other opioid agonists, legal or illicit. This should be considered when prescribing or dispensing FENTORA in situations where the physician or pharmacist is concerned about an increased risk of misuse, abuse or diversion. Schedule II opioid substances which include morphine, oxycodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and methadone have the highest potential for abuse and risk of fatal overdose due to respiratory depression.
FENTORA is indicated for the management of breakthrough pain in patients with cancer who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain. Patients considered opioid tolerant are those who are taking at least 60 mg of oral morphine/day, at least 25 mcg of transdermal fentanyl/hour, at least 30 mg of oxycodone daily, at least 8 mg of oral hydromorphone daily or an equianalgesic dose of another opioid for a week or longer.
Because life-threatening respiratory depression could occur at any dose in opioid non-tolerant patients, FENTORA is contraindicated in the management of acute or postoperative pain. This product is not indicated for use in opioid non-tolerant patients.
Patients and their caregivers must be instructed that FENTORA contains a medicine in an amount which can be fatal to a child. Patients and their caregivers must be instructed to keep all tablets out of the reach of children (see Information for Patients and Their Caregivers contained within the prescribing information for disposal instructions).
Due to the higher bioavailability of fentanyl in FENTORA, when converting patients from other oral fentanyl products, including oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC and Actiq(R)), to FENTORA, do not substitute FENTORA on a mcg-per-mcg basis and adjust doses as appropriate (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION contained within the prescribing information).
FENTORA is intended to be used only in the care of opioid tolerant cancer patients and only by healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable of and skilled in the use of Schedule II opioids to treat cancer pain.
Full prescribing information about FENTORA, including a boxed warning, is available from http://www.FENTORA.com or Cephalon Professional Services and Medical Information (1-800-896-5855)
Cephalon, Inc.
Founded in 1987, Cephalon, Inc. is an international biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and marketing of innovative products in four core therapeutic areas: central nervous system, pain, oncology and addiction. Cephalon currently employs approximately 3,000 people in the United States and Europe. U.S. sites include the company's headquarters in Frazer, Pennsylvania, and offices, laboratories or manufacturing facilities in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Salt Lake City, Utah, and suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cephalon's European headquarters are located in Maisons-Alfort, France.
The company currently markets six proprietary products in the United States: PROVIGIL(R) (modafinil) Tablets [C-IV], FENTORA, TRISENOX(R) (arsenic trioxide) injection, VIVITROL(R) (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension), GABITRIL(R) (tiagabine hydrochloride), ACTIQ(R) (oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate) [C-II], and numerous products internationally. Full prescribing information on its U.S. products is available at http://www.cephalon.com or by calling 1-800-896-5855.
In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide Cephalon's current expectations or forecasts of future events. These may include statements regarding anticipated scientific progress on its research programs; development of potential pharmaceutical products, including any expansion of the labeled indications for FENTORA; interpretation of clinical results, including the results of the clinical trials of FENTORA in patients discussed above; prospects for regulatory approval; market prospects for its product; sales and earnings guidance; and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts. You may identify some of these forward-looking statements by the use of words in the statements such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe" or other words and terms of similar meaning. Cephalon's performance and financial results could differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements due to general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions affecting the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries as well as more specific risks and uncertainties facing Cephalon such as those set forth in its reports on Form 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Therefore, you should not rely on any such factors or forward-looking statements. Furthermore, Cephalon does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits this discussion.
Cephalon, Inc.
http://www.cephalon.com
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