PARIS, France I December 17, 2013 I Ipsen (IPN.PA)(Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) today announced positive initial results from the double-blind phase III study of Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) in Adult Upper Limb spasticity. Regarding the primary endpoints, treatment with Dysport® showed statistically significant response versus placebo in the improvement of muscle tone, as measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). In addition, a statistically significant clinical benefit for the patients treated with Dysport® was demonstrated versus placebo, as measured by the Physician Global Assessment (PGA). The safety profile observed in the study was consistent with the known safety profile of Dysport® in this indication. Comprehensive results from this double-blind study will be disclosed in the next few months at major international congresses.
Marc de Garidel, Chairman and CEO of Ipsen stated: “These clinical results are an important step in our ambition to become a global leader in the treatment of targeted debilitating diseases. Expanding our scope of indications for Dysport® would help us further develop the neurology franchise, notably in the USA.”
Claude Bertrand, Executive Vice-President Research & Development and Chief Scientific Officer of Ipsen commented: “Ipsen is very pleased with the initial results of the Dysport® study in Adult Upper Limb spasticity. We believe it should meet the expectations of physicians by potentially providing a new alternative for treating patients suffering from this debilitating condition. We are grateful to the clinicians, caregivers, patients and their families who were involved in this study.”
About the study
This phase III research study included 243 patients and was multicentric, prospective, double blind, randomised, and placebo-controlled. It was conducted in the USA, France, Italy, Belgium, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Russia and Hungary.
The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of Dysport® compared to placebo in improving upper limb spasticity in hemiparetic patients following a stroke or a brain trauma. The study co-primary endpoints were the improvement of muscle tone in the treated upper limb measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and the clinical benefit for the patients assessed by the Physician Global Assessment (PGA).
Patients were offered to continue in an open label long-term study wherein they will be receiving additional Dysport® treatment cycles within a total of 15 months.
About the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
The MAS is the reference clinical scale to assess muscle tone in clinical trials in patients with spasticity. It allows categorizing the severity of spasticity by evaluating resistance to passive movement. It ranges from 0 (=no increase in tone) to 4 (=affected limb rigid in flexion or extension).
About the Physician Global Assessment (PGA)
The PGA is a well-known tool used by clinicians to assess the overall clinical benefit for their patients. It is a 9-point scale that ranges from -4 (markedly worse) to +4 (markedly better).
About Dysport®
Dysport® is an injectable form of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A), which is isolated and purified from Clostridium BTX-A bacteria. It is supplied as a lyophilized powder.
Dysport® was first registered for the treatment of blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm in the United Kingdom in 1990, and is licensed in more than 75 countries for various indications including: blepharospasm, adult upper and lower limb spasticity, hemifacial spasm, spasmodic torticollis (ST) (previously referred to as cervical dystonia), pediatric lower limb spasticity due to cerebral palsy (CP), axillary hyperhidrosis, and glabellar lines.
Dysport® is approved for the treatment of upper limb spasticity in many international markets, but not in the United States (US). Dysport®’s only approved therapeutic indication in the United States (US) is for the treatment of adults with cervical dystonia (referred to spasmodic torticollis in other markets). As such, data from this study in adults with upper limb spasticity are with respect to an investigational use of Dysport® in the USA.
Important Safety Information about Dysport®
Postmarketing reports indicate that the effects of Dysport® and all botulinum toxin products may spread from the area of injection to produce symptoms consistent with botulinum toxin effects. These may include asthenia, generalized muscle weakness, diplopia, blurred vision, ptosis, dysphagia, dysphonia, dysarthria, urinary incontinence, and breathing difficulties. These symptoms have been reported hours to weeks after injection. Swallowing and breathing difficulties can be life threatening, and there have been reports of death. The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in children treated for spasticity, but symptoms can also occur in adults treated for spasticity and other conditions, particularly in those patients who have underlying conditions that would predispose them to these symptoms. In unapproved uses, including spasticity in children and adults, and in approved indications, cases of spread of effect have been reported at doses comparable to those used to treat cervical dystonia and at lower doses.
Contraindications
Dysport® is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin product or its excipients, including human albumin, lactose, and cow’s milk protein, or who have an infection at the proposed injection site.
Lack of interchangeability between botulinum toxin products
The potency Units of Dysport® are not interchangeable with other preparations of botulinum toxin products and, therefore, Units of biological activity of Dysport® cannot be compared to or converted into Units of any other botulinum toxin products. Recommended dose and frequency of administration should not be exceeded.
Dysphagia and breathing difficulties
Immediate medical attention may be required in cases of respiratory, speech, or swallowing difficulties. Dysphagia may persist for several weeks, and require use of a feeding tube to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration. Aspiration may result from severe dysphagia and is a particular risk when treating patients in whom swallowing or respiratory function is already compromised. Concomitant neuromuscular disorder may exacerbate clinical effects of treatment.
Pre-existing neuromuscular disorders
Patients with neuromuscular disorders should be monitored particularly closely when given botulinum toxin as they may be at increased risk of clinically significant effects, including severe dysphagia and respiratory compromise from typical doses.
Human albumin
Dysport® contains human albumin. Based on effective donor screening and product manufacturing processes, it carries an extremely remote risk for transmission of viral diseases or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). No cases of transmission of viral diseases or CJD have ever been identified for albumin.
Immune reaction
The possibility of an immune reaction when injected intradermally is unknown. The safety of Dysport® for the treatment of hyperhidrosis has not been established.
Drug interactions
Patients receiving concomitant treatment of Dysport® and aminoglycosides or other agents interfering with neuromuscular transmission (e.g., curare-like agents), or muscle relaxants, should be observed closely because the effect of botulinum toxin may be potentiated. Use of anticholinergic drugs may potentiate systemic anticholinergic effects. The effect of administering different botulinum neurotoxins during the course of treatment with Dysport® is unknown.
Special populations
Based on animal data, may cause fetal harm. Dysport® should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Care should be exercised when administering Dysport® to elderly patients, reflecting the greater frequency of concomitant disease and other drug therapy.
Adverse reactions
The most commonly observed adverse reactions (>5% of patients) with Dysport® for the treatment of cervical dystonia are muscular weakness, dysphagia, dry mouth, injection site discomfort, fatigue, headache, neck pain, musculoskeletal pain, dysphonia, injection site pain, and eye disorders.
About Ipsen
Ipsen is a global specialty-driven pharmaceutical company with total sales exceeding €1.2 billion in 2012. Ipsen’s ambition is to become a leader in specialty healthcare solutions for targeted debilitating diseases. Its development strategy is supported by 3 franchises: neurology, endocrinology and uro-oncology. Moreover, the Group has an active policy of partnerships. Ipsen’s R&D is focused on its innovative and differentiated technological platforms, peptides and toxins. In 2012, R&D expenditure totalled close to €250 million, representing more than 20% of Group sales. The Group has close to 4,900 employees worldwide. Ipsen’s shares are traded on segment A of Euronext Paris (stock code: IPN, ISIN code: FR0010259150) and eligible to the “Service de Règlement Différé” (“SRD”). The Group is part of the SBF 120 index. Ipsen has implemented a Sponsored Level I American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program, which trade on the over-the-counter market in the United States under the symbol IPSEY. For more information on Ipsen, visit www.ipsen.com.
SOURCE: Ipsen
Post Views: 175
PARIS, France I December 17, 2013 I Ipsen (IPN.PA)(Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) today announced positive initial results from the double-blind phase III study of Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) in Adult Upper Limb spasticity. Regarding the primary endpoints, treatment with Dysport® showed statistically significant response versus placebo in the improvement of muscle tone, as measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). In addition, a statistically significant clinical benefit for the patients treated with Dysport® was demonstrated versus placebo, as measured by the Physician Global Assessment (PGA). The safety profile observed in the study was consistent with the known safety profile of Dysport® in this indication. Comprehensive results from this double-blind study will be disclosed in the next few months at major international congresses.
Marc de Garidel, Chairman and CEO of Ipsen stated: “These clinical results are an important step in our ambition to become a global leader in the treatment of targeted debilitating diseases. Expanding our scope of indications for Dysport® would help us further develop the neurology franchise, notably in the USA.”
Claude Bertrand, Executive Vice-President Research & Development and Chief Scientific Officer of Ipsen commented: “Ipsen is very pleased with the initial results of the Dysport® study in Adult Upper Limb spasticity. We believe it should meet the expectations of physicians by potentially providing a new alternative for treating patients suffering from this debilitating condition. We are grateful to the clinicians, caregivers, patients and their families who were involved in this study.”
About the study
This phase III research study included 243 patients and was multicentric, prospective, double blind, randomised, and placebo-controlled. It was conducted in the USA, France, Italy, Belgium, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Russia and Hungary.
The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of Dysport® compared to placebo in improving upper limb spasticity in hemiparetic patients following a stroke or a brain trauma. The study co-primary endpoints were the improvement of muscle tone in the treated upper limb measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and the clinical benefit for the patients assessed by the Physician Global Assessment (PGA).
Patients were offered to continue in an open label long-term study wherein they will be receiving additional Dysport® treatment cycles within a total of 15 months.
About the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
The MAS is the reference clinical scale to assess muscle tone in clinical trials in patients with spasticity. It allows categorizing the severity of spasticity by evaluating resistance to passive movement. It ranges from 0 (=no increase in tone) to 4 (=affected limb rigid in flexion or extension).
About the Physician Global Assessment (PGA)
The PGA is a well-known tool used by clinicians to assess the overall clinical benefit for their patients. It is a 9-point scale that ranges from -4 (markedly worse) to +4 (markedly better).
About Dysport®
Dysport® is an injectable form of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A), which is isolated and purified from Clostridium BTX-A bacteria. It is supplied as a lyophilized powder.
Dysport® was first registered for the treatment of blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm in the United Kingdom in 1990, and is licensed in more than 75 countries for various indications including: blepharospasm, adult upper and lower limb spasticity, hemifacial spasm, spasmodic torticollis (ST) (previously referred to as cervical dystonia), pediatric lower limb spasticity due to cerebral palsy (CP), axillary hyperhidrosis, and glabellar lines.
Dysport® is approved for the treatment of upper limb spasticity in many international markets, but not in the United States (US). Dysport®’s only approved therapeutic indication in the United States (US) is for the treatment of adults with cervical dystonia (referred to spasmodic torticollis in other markets). As such, data from this study in adults with upper limb spasticity are with respect to an investigational use of Dysport® in the USA.
Important Safety Information about Dysport®
Postmarketing reports indicate that the effects of Dysport® and all botulinum toxin products may spread from the area of injection to produce symptoms consistent with botulinum toxin effects. These may include asthenia, generalized muscle weakness, diplopia, blurred vision, ptosis, dysphagia, dysphonia, dysarthria, urinary incontinence, and breathing difficulties. These symptoms have been reported hours to weeks after injection. Swallowing and breathing difficulties can be life threatening, and there have been reports of death. The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in children treated for spasticity, but symptoms can also occur in adults treated for spasticity and other conditions, particularly in those patients who have underlying conditions that would predispose them to these symptoms. In unapproved uses, including spasticity in children and adults, and in approved indications, cases of spread of effect have been reported at doses comparable to those used to treat cervical dystonia and at lower doses.
Contraindications
Dysport® is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin product or its excipients, including human albumin, lactose, and cow’s milk protein, or who have an infection at the proposed injection site.
Lack of interchangeability between botulinum toxin products
The potency Units of Dysport® are not interchangeable with other preparations of botulinum toxin products and, therefore, Units of biological activity of Dysport® cannot be compared to or converted into Units of any other botulinum toxin products. Recommended dose and frequency of administration should not be exceeded.
Dysphagia and breathing difficulties
Immediate medical attention may be required in cases of respiratory, speech, or swallowing difficulties. Dysphagia may persist for several weeks, and require use of a feeding tube to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration. Aspiration may result from severe dysphagia and is a particular risk when treating patients in whom swallowing or respiratory function is already compromised. Concomitant neuromuscular disorder may exacerbate clinical effects of treatment.
Pre-existing neuromuscular disorders
Patients with neuromuscular disorders should be monitored particularly closely when given botulinum toxin as they may be at increased risk of clinically significant effects, including severe dysphagia and respiratory compromise from typical doses.
Human albumin
Dysport® contains human albumin. Based on effective donor screening and product manufacturing processes, it carries an extremely remote risk for transmission of viral diseases or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). No cases of transmission of viral diseases or CJD have ever been identified for albumin.
Immune reaction
The possibility of an immune reaction when injected intradermally is unknown. The safety of Dysport® for the treatment of hyperhidrosis has not been established.
Drug interactions
Patients receiving concomitant treatment of Dysport® and aminoglycosides or other agents interfering with neuromuscular transmission (e.g., curare-like agents), or muscle relaxants, should be observed closely because the effect of botulinum toxin may be potentiated. Use of anticholinergic drugs may potentiate systemic anticholinergic effects. The effect of administering different botulinum neurotoxins during the course of treatment with Dysport® is unknown.
Special populations
Based on animal data, may cause fetal harm. Dysport® should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Care should be exercised when administering Dysport® to elderly patients, reflecting the greater frequency of concomitant disease and other drug therapy.
Adverse reactions
The most commonly observed adverse reactions (>5% of patients) with Dysport® for the treatment of cervical dystonia are muscular weakness, dysphagia, dry mouth, injection site discomfort, fatigue, headache, neck pain, musculoskeletal pain, dysphonia, injection site pain, and eye disorders.
About Ipsen
Ipsen is a global specialty-driven pharmaceutical company with total sales exceeding €1.2 billion in 2012. Ipsen’s ambition is to become a leader in specialty healthcare solutions for targeted debilitating diseases. Its development strategy is supported by 3 franchises: neurology, endocrinology and uro-oncology. Moreover, the Group has an active policy of partnerships. Ipsen’s R&D is focused on its innovative and differentiated technological platforms, peptides and toxins. In 2012, R&D expenditure totalled close to €250 million, representing more than 20% of Group sales. The Group has close to 4,900 employees worldwide. Ipsen’s shares are traded on segment A of Euronext Paris (stock code: IPN, ISIN code: FR0010259150) and eligible to the “Service de Règlement Différé” (“SRD”). The Group is part of the SBF 120 index. Ipsen has implemented a Sponsored Level I American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program, which trade on the over-the-counter market in the United States under the symbol IPSEY. For more information on Ipsen, visit www.ipsen.com.
SOURCE: Ipsen
Post Views: 175
