Data from Phase 3 clinical trial demonstrate statistically significant effect achieved at all pre-specified primary endpoints
The Company intends to submit an sNDA to expand DEXTENZA’s label to include the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis in 2020
BEDFORD, MA, USA I April 28, 2020 I Ocular Therapeutix™, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCUL), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the formulation, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye, today announced topline results from its Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DEXTENZA® for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis (AC). We believe our product DEXTENZA for AC has potential as a hands-free therapy administered in the office setting as a bioresorbable, intracanalicular insert, designed to release the corticosteroid dexamethasone to the ocular surface for up to 30 days. In the Phase 3 trial, DEXTENZA met all pre-specified primary endpoints as demonstrated by a statistically significant mean change in ocular itching from baseline, on a subject-reported 5-point scale, at three time points on Day 8.
“We are thrilled with the results from the Phase 3 clinical trial and believe the data highlights a compelling product profile that could potentially change the current standard of care with a one-time, long-acting, hands-free, therapy for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis,” said Michael Goldstein, MD, Chief Medical Officer. “The allergic conjunctivitis market is currently dominated by topical antihistamine/mast cell stabilizers. There is a large unmet need for a potent, hands-free and preservative-free topical anti-inflammatory medication for those subjects who need more than what it is currently available to them. Even in normal times, the hassle of using topical eye-drops for patients and the worry of non-compliance for physicians are problematic. In the era of COVID-19, having a full course of steroid treatment in a single physician-administered insert that doesn’t require patients to touch their face multiple times per day is an even greater breakthrough.”
“Approximately 10-15 % of my allergic conjunctivitis patients are not adequately controlled with current therapy and thus require use of topical steroids. This patient group comprises commonplace seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis as well as more severe atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis,” stated Ken Kenyon, MD, an investigator in the DEXTENZA trial and Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Tufts / New England Eye Center. “Having a potent and effective anti-inflammatory medication to personally administer in the office setting without concern for patient compliance or potential misuse would be a great addition to my therapeutic toolbox.”
The Phase 3 randomized, double-masked, parallel-arm, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled 96 subjects and was conducted across 6 sites in the U.S. using Ora, Inc.’s modified Conjunctival Allergen Challenge (Ora-CAC®) Model. The primary efficacy measure for this trial was ocular itching on Day 8 at 3 minutes, 5 minutes and 7 minutes post-challenge and included subjects with seasonal and perennial allergens. The trial’s primary endpoint was ocular itching measured on a 5-point scale (0 to 4) at three pre-specified time points on Day 8 (PM), 1 week after insertion of DEXTENZA. DEXTENZA-treated subjects demonstrated a statistically significant (p<0.0001) change in ocular itching from baseline at all three pre-specified time points (Table 1). An assessment of the secondary endpoint of ocular itching at all other visits (Day 7, Day 8 (AM), Day 8 (PM, 10 minutes following exposure), Day 14, and Day 15 (AM and PM)) also showed that DEXTENZA-treated subjects had lower itching scores than vehicle-treated subjects at 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 7 minutes and 10 minutes post-CAC (p<.05 for all 21 time points except Day 7 at 3 minutes).
DEXTENZA was observed to have a favorable safety profile and be well-tolerated with no serious adverse events observed (ocular or non-ocular). No subjects required rescue medication and no subjects experienced elevated intraocular pressure. There were 8 ocular treatment emergent adverse events in this trial (2 in the DEXTENZA group and 6 in the vehicle group).
| Table 1 |
Primary Efficacy Endpoint Ocular Mean Itching Scores at Day 8 (PM) |
|
Challenge Time
Points |
Mean Itch Scores |
Treatment
Difference
(DEXTENZA-Vehicle) |
P Value |
|
| DEXTENZA |
Vehicle |
|
| |
| 3 minutes |
1.82 |
2.67 |
-0.86 |
<0.0001 |
|
| 5 minutes |
1.73 |
2.71 |
-0.98 |
<0.0001 |
|
| 7 minutes |
1.74 |
2.69 |
-0.96 |
<0.0001 |
|
| Least Squares Means; Population: Intent-to-treat (ITT) + Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) |
|
These data are consistent with what has been observed in prior Phase 2 and Phase 3a clinical trials using a similar repeat CAC model. The Company believes that the totality of the efficacy and safety data across the Phase 2 trial and the three Phase 3 trials (n = 323 subjects) represent a compelling package for discussion with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ocular itching associated with AC. This package is also supported by the safety data associated with the prior approval of DEXTENZA for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ophthalmic surgery. The Company will continue to assess additional secondary endpoints over the next several weeks. Upon completion of this review, the Company intends to request a meeting with the FDA to discuss the potential submission of a supplement to its existing new drug application for DEXTENZA to include the treatment of ocular itching associated with AC as an additional approved indication.
“It is estimated that up to 10 million1,2,3 people in the U.S. seek medical attention for the inflammatory response associated with allergic conjunctivitis caused by both seasonal and perennial allergens, representing a discrete and significant potential market for DEXTENZA beyond its current use in the surgical setting,” said Antony Mattessich, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “In addition to managing the various facets of symptoms associated with AC, we believe that this potential product also addresses physicians’ desire for an abuse-deterrent steroid and patients’ desire for a hands-free solution. From a business perspective, ocular itching associated with AC represents the first indication for DEXTENZA that will be administered in the office setting and is our first potential indication in the large ocular surface disease market. The commercial potential for DEXTENZA in the treatment of ocular surface diseases like AC and episodic dry eye is greater than its potential in the surgical setting.”
Conference Call & Webcast Information
Members of the Ocular Therapeutix management team will host a live conference call and webcast this morning at 8:30 am Eastern Time to discuss the Phase 3 clinical data announcement. The live webcast can be accessed by visiting the Investors section of the Company’s website at investors.ocutx.com. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the live webcast to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be needed to access the webcast. Alternatively, please call (844) 464-3934 (U.S.) or (765) 507-2620 (International) to listen to the live conference call. The conference ID number for the live call will be 1460319. An archive of the webcast will be available until July 28, 2020 on the Company’s website.
About DEXTENZA® (dexamethasone ophthalmic insert) 0.4 mg
DEXTENZA is an FDA-approved corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain following ophthalmic surgery. DEXTENZA is inserted in the lower lacrimal punctum and into the canaliculus by the physician following ophthalmic surgery. A single DEXTENZA releases a 0.4 mg dose of dexamethasone for up to 30 days following insertion. DEXTENZA is preservative free, resorbable and does not require removal.
DEXTENZA is contraindicated in patients with active corneal, conjunctival or canalicular infections. Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. Steroids should be used with caution in the presence of glaucoma. Intraocular pressure should be monitored during the course of the treatment. Corticosteroids may suppress the host response to, and increase the hazard for and severity of, secondary bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. The use of steroids after cataract surgery may delay wound healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation.
The most commonly reported ocular adverse reactions that occurred in patients treated with DEXTENZA were anterior chamber inflammation including iritis and iridocyclitis (10%) and elevations in intraocular pressure (6%). The most common non-ocular adverse reaction was headache (1%).
About Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the formulation, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye using its proprietary bioresorbable hydrogel-based formulation technology. Ocular Therapeutix’s first commercial drug product, DEXTENZA®, is FDA-approved for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain following ophthalmic surgery. Ocular Therapeutix has recently completed a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating DEXTENZA for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. OTX-TP (intracanalicular travoprost insert) is an intracanalicular insert in clinical development for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The Company’s earlier stage assets include OTX-TIC, an extended-delivery intracameral travoprost implant for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension, as well as sustained release intravitreal implants for the treatment of retinal diseases. These intravitreal implants include OTX-TKI, containing the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) axitinib, and, in collaboration with Regeneron, OTX-IVT, an extended-delivery protein-based anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) trap. Ocular Therapeutix’s first product, ReSure® Sealant, is FDA-approved to seal corneal incisions following cataract surgery.
1 Leonardi A, Castegnaro A, Valerio ALG, Lazzarini D. Epidemiology of allergic conjunctivitis: clinical appearance and treatment patterns in a population-based study. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015;15(5):482-488.
2 Rosario N, Bielory L. Epidemiology of allergic conjunctivitis. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011;11(5):471-476
3 Ora website, An Update on Ocular Allergy Trends, 2019 Ora, Inc., www.oraclinical.com
SOURCE: Ocular Therapeutix
Post Views: 24
Data from Phase 3 clinical trial demonstrate statistically significant effect achieved at all pre-specified primary endpoints
The Company intends to submit an sNDA to expand DEXTENZA’s label to include the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis in 2020
BEDFORD, MA, USA I April 28, 2020 I Ocular Therapeutix™, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCUL), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the formulation, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye, today announced topline results from its Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DEXTENZA® for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis (AC). We believe our product DEXTENZA for AC has potential as a hands-free therapy administered in the office setting as a bioresorbable, intracanalicular insert, designed to release the corticosteroid dexamethasone to the ocular surface for up to 30 days. In the Phase 3 trial, DEXTENZA met all pre-specified primary endpoints as demonstrated by a statistically significant mean change in ocular itching from baseline, on a subject-reported 5-point scale, at three time points on Day 8.
“We are thrilled with the results from the Phase 3 clinical trial and believe the data highlights a compelling product profile that could potentially change the current standard of care with a one-time, long-acting, hands-free, therapy for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis,” said Michael Goldstein, MD, Chief Medical Officer. “The allergic conjunctivitis market is currently dominated by topical antihistamine/mast cell stabilizers. There is a large unmet need for a potent, hands-free and preservative-free topical anti-inflammatory medication for those subjects who need more than what it is currently available to them. Even in normal times, the hassle of using topical eye-drops for patients and the worry of non-compliance for physicians are problematic. In the era of COVID-19, having a full course of steroid treatment in a single physician-administered insert that doesn’t require patients to touch their face multiple times per day is an even greater breakthrough.”
“Approximately 10-15 % of my allergic conjunctivitis patients are not adequately controlled with current therapy and thus require use of topical steroids. This patient group comprises commonplace seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis as well as more severe atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis,” stated Ken Kenyon, MD, an investigator in the DEXTENZA trial and Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Tufts / New England Eye Center. “Having a potent and effective anti-inflammatory medication to personally administer in the office setting without concern for patient compliance or potential misuse would be a great addition to my therapeutic toolbox.”
The Phase 3 randomized, double-masked, parallel-arm, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled 96 subjects and was conducted across 6 sites in the U.S. using Ora, Inc.’s modified Conjunctival Allergen Challenge (Ora-CAC®) Model. The primary efficacy measure for this trial was ocular itching on Day 8 at 3 minutes, 5 minutes and 7 minutes post-challenge and included subjects with seasonal and perennial allergens. The trial’s primary endpoint was ocular itching measured on a 5-point scale (0 to 4) at three pre-specified time points on Day 8 (PM), 1 week after insertion of DEXTENZA. DEXTENZA-treated subjects demonstrated a statistically significant (p<0.0001) change in ocular itching from baseline at all three pre-specified time points (Table 1). An assessment of the secondary endpoint of ocular itching at all other visits (Day 7, Day 8 (AM), Day 8 (PM, 10 minutes following exposure), Day 14, and Day 15 (AM and PM)) also showed that DEXTENZA-treated subjects had lower itching scores than vehicle-treated subjects at 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 7 minutes and 10 minutes post-CAC (p<.05 for all 21 time points except Day 7 at 3 minutes).
DEXTENZA was observed to have a favorable safety profile and be well-tolerated with no serious adverse events observed (ocular or non-ocular). No subjects required rescue medication and no subjects experienced elevated intraocular pressure. There were 8 ocular treatment emergent adverse events in this trial (2 in the DEXTENZA group and 6 in the vehicle group).
| Table 1 |
Primary Efficacy Endpoint Ocular Mean Itching Scores at Day 8 (PM) |
|
Challenge Time
Points |
Mean Itch Scores |
Treatment
Difference
(DEXTENZA-Vehicle) |
P Value |
|
| DEXTENZA |
Vehicle |
|
| |
| 3 minutes |
1.82 |
2.67 |
-0.86 |
<0.0001 |
|
| 5 minutes |
1.73 |
2.71 |
-0.98 |
<0.0001 |
|
| 7 minutes |
1.74 |
2.69 |
-0.96 |
<0.0001 |
|
| Least Squares Means; Population: Intent-to-treat (ITT) + Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) |
|
These data are consistent with what has been observed in prior Phase 2 and Phase 3a clinical trials using a similar repeat CAC model. The Company believes that the totality of the efficacy and safety data across the Phase 2 trial and the three Phase 3 trials (n = 323 subjects) represent a compelling package for discussion with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ocular itching associated with AC. This package is also supported by the safety data associated with the prior approval of DEXTENZA for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ophthalmic surgery. The Company will continue to assess additional secondary endpoints over the next several weeks. Upon completion of this review, the Company intends to request a meeting with the FDA to discuss the potential submission of a supplement to its existing new drug application for DEXTENZA to include the treatment of ocular itching associated with AC as an additional approved indication.
“It is estimated that up to 10 million1,2,3 people in the U.S. seek medical attention for the inflammatory response associated with allergic conjunctivitis caused by both seasonal and perennial allergens, representing a discrete and significant potential market for DEXTENZA beyond its current use in the surgical setting,” said Antony Mattessich, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “In addition to managing the various facets of symptoms associated with AC, we believe that this potential product also addresses physicians’ desire for an abuse-deterrent steroid and patients’ desire for a hands-free solution. From a business perspective, ocular itching associated with AC represents the first indication for DEXTENZA that will be administered in the office setting and is our first potential indication in the large ocular surface disease market. The commercial potential for DEXTENZA in the treatment of ocular surface diseases like AC and episodic dry eye is greater than its potential in the surgical setting.”
Conference Call & Webcast Information
Members of the Ocular Therapeutix management team will host a live conference call and webcast this morning at 8:30 am Eastern Time to discuss the Phase 3 clinical data announcement. The live webcast can be accessed by visiting the Investors section of the Company’s website at investors.ocutx.com. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the live webcast to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be needed to access the webcast. Alternatively, please call (844) 464-3934 (U.S.) or (765) 507-2620 (International) to listen to the live conference call. The conference ID number for the live call will be 1460319. An archive of the webcast will be available until July 28, 2020 on the Company’s website.
About DEXTENZA® (dexamethasone ophthalmic insert) 0.4 mg
DEXTENZA is an FDA-approved corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain following ophthalmic surgery. DEXTENZA is inserted in the lower lacrimal punctum and into the canaliculus by the physician following ophthalmic surgery. A single DEXTENZA releases a 0.4 mg dose of dexamethasone for up to 30 days following insertion. DEXTENZA is preservative free, resorbable and does not require removal.
DEXTENZA is contraindicated in patients with active corneal, conjunctival or canalicular infections. Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. Steroids should be used with caution in the presence of glaucoma. Intraocular pressure should be monitored during the course of the treatment. Corticosteroids may suppress the host response to, and increase the hazard for and severity of, secondary bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. The use of steroids after cataract surgery may delay wound healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation.
The most commonly reported ocular adverse reactions that occurred in patients treated with DEXTENZA were anterior chamber inflammation including iritis and iridocyclitis (10%) and elevations in intraocular pressure (6%). The most common non-ocular adverse reaction was headache (1%).
About Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the formulation, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye using its proprietary bioresorbable hydrogel-based formulation technology. Ocular Therapeutix’s first commercial drug product, DEXTENZA®, is FDA-approved for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain following ophthalmic surgery. Ocular Therapeutix has recently completed a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating DEXTENZA for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. OTX-TP (intracanalicular travoprost insert) is an intracanalicular insert in clinical development for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The Company’s earlier stage assets include OTX-TIC, an extended-delivery intracameral travoprost implant for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension, as well as sustained release intravitreal implants for the treatment of retinal diseases. These intravitreal implants include OTX-TKI, containing the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) axitinib, and, in collaboration with Regeneron, OTX-IVT, an extended-delivery protein-based anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) trap. Ocular Therapeutix’s first product, ReSure® Sealant, is FDA-approved to seal corneal incisions following cataract surgery.
1 Leonardi A, Castegnaro A, Valerio ALG, Lazzarini D. Epidemiology of allergic conjunctivitis: clinical appearance and treatment patterns in a population-based study. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015;15(5):482-488.
2 Rosario N, Bielory L. Epidemiology of allergic conjunctivitis. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011;11(5):471-476
3 Ora website, An Update on Ocular Allergy Trends, 2019 Ora, Inc., www.oraclinical.com
SOURCE: Ocular Therapeutix
Post Views: 24
