Healthcare Industry News: bronchoconstriction
News Release - June 28, 2007
Critical Therapeutics and Dey, L.P. Complete Definitive Co-Promotion Agreement for Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution
LEXINGTON, Mass.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Critical Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRTX ) today announced the signing of a definitive co-promotion agreement for Perforomist(TM) (formoterol fumarate) Inhalation Solution (Perforomist) with Dey, L.P. (DEY). The definitive agreement supersedes the binding letter agreement that the two companies entered into on March 13, 2007. In May 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved DEY's new drug application for Perforomist for the long-term, twice-daily maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction for emphysema and chronic bronchitis, also known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Critical Therapeutics and DEY, an affiliate of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, will jointly promote Perforomist in the United States. As part of the agreement, Critical Therapeutics agreed to expand its sales force to 40 representatives, which it is currently undertaking since it received regulatory approval of ZYFLO CR(TM) (zileuton) extended-release tablets in May 2007. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Critical Therapeutics has agreed to provide a minimum number of product details each month to a targeted group of physicians. In exchange, DEY has agreed to pay Critical Therapeutics a co-promotion fee under a calculation based on retail sales of Perforomist.
"This is a very exciting time for DEY and Critical Therapeutics," said Frank Thomas, Critical Therapeutics' President and Chief Executive Officer. "Critical Therapeutics and DEY both received FDA approvals in May and have two product launches planned for this fall. We are extremely pleased to be able to provide physicians and patients with additional chronic therapies for the treatment of COPD and asthma."
Formoterol is a rapid and long-lasting beta2-agonist that has been previously approved in the U.S. as a dry powder formulation, and the molecule has 20 years of world-wide use. Perforomist is the first and only FDA-approved nebulized formoterol fumarate. Nebulizers convert liquid medication into a mist that patients inhale through a mouthpiece or face mask.
On March 13, 2007, Critical Therapeutics and DEY entered into an agreement for the joint promotion of ZYFLO® (zileuton tablets) and ZYFLO CR. ZYFLO is the FDA-approved immediate-release formulation of zileuton, a four-times daily medication for asthma in patients 12 years of age and older. DEY began promotion of ZYFLO in the U.S. on April 30, 2007. ZYFLO CR is a twice-daily, controlled-release formulation that will be marketed for asthma patients 12 years of age and older. ZYFLO CR utilizes SkyePharma PLC's Geomatrix® technology. ZYFLO CR and ZYFLO are the only FDA-approved leukotriene synthesis inhibitors for the prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma in adults and children 12 years of age and older. ZYFLO CR and ZYFLO are not indicated for use in the reversal of bronchospasm in acute asthma attacks, but can be continued during acute exacerbations of asthma. Critical Therapeutics, together with its co-promotion partner DEY, expects to begin marketing ZYFLO CR in the U.S. in the fall of 2007.
About Perforomist(TM) (Formoterol Fumarate) Inhalation Solution
The clinical evaluations of Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution included two clinical trials involving a total of 1,045 patients. In the product's pivotal Phase III trial, 351 patients participated in a 12-week, multi-center, safety and efficacy COPD study. In the study, 123 COPD patients were treated with Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution 20 mcg/2 mL twice daily, 114 COPD patients were treated with the active comparator (Foradil®), and 114 COPD patients were treated with placebo. The study's results showed that Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution 20 mcg/2 mL taken twice daily was statistically superior to placebo for the primary endpoint, FEV(1) AUC(0-12). The safety and efficacy of Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution observed in this study were comparable to those of Foradil®. Additionally, patients treated with Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution used less rescue albuterol during the trial compared to patients treated with placebo.
About COPD
COPD refers to a number of chronic lung disorders in which the airways to the lungs become narrowed and breathing becomes increasingly difficult. The most common forms of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and many patients suffer from a combination of the two diseases.
COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in America, behind heart disease, cancer and stroke. Twelve million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD and at least another 12 million have symptoms but are not diagnosed. COPD is not well understood or recognized - most Americans have not heard of it, not even those who may be living with the condition. The most common cause of COPD is cigarette smoking, which is responsible for an estimated 80 to 90 percent of COPD cases. Estimates of the total incidence of COPD in America range from 24 to 30 million.
About Nebulization
Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution is a long-acting bronchodilator that is taken by nebulizer. Of the three types of devices used to deliver bronchodilators -- nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers, and dry powder inhalers -- nebulizers may offer the easiest method because they require no special technique or coordination, as the medication is converted into a fine mist that the patient inhales through a mouthpiece or face-mask while breathing naturally. Because nebulization is an easy, effective, and thorough method of delivering medicine directly into the lungs, many COPD patients prefer it, particularly as they become increasingly frail due to their disease progression.
Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution changes the paradigm regarding nebulization. Now, nebulization may become a more valuable and widely used treatment option for the millions of COPD patients at earlier treatment stages who would benefit from twice-daily maintenance dosing of a nebulized LABA such as Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution. For example, the clinical benefit of this new COPD treatment may be a valuable clinical option for patients who are not adequately controlled with short-acting bronchodilators.
Indication
Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution is indicated for the long-term, twice-daily (morning and evening) administration in the maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Important Safety Information
Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution belongs to a class of medications known as long-acting beta(2)-adrenergic agonists (LABAs). LABAs may increase the risk of asthma-related death. Data from a large placebo-controlled US study comparing the safety of another LABA (salmeterol) or placebo added to usual asthma therapy showed an increase in asthma-related deaths in patients receiving salmeterol. This finding with salmeterol may apply to formoterol (a LABA), the active ingredient in Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution.
Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution should not be used in patients with acutely deteriorating COPD or to treat acute symptoms. Acute symptoms should be treated with fast-acting rescue inhalers. Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution should not be used with other medications containing LABAs. Do not use more than one nebule twice daily. Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders. Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution is not a substitute for inhaled or oral corticosteroids. The safety and efficacy of Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution in asthma has not been established. In COPD clinical trials, the most common adverse events reported with Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution were diarrhea, nausea, nasopharyngitis, dry mouth, vomiting, dizziness, and insomnia.
About ZYFLO CR and ZYFLO
ZYFLO CR and ZYFLO are the only FDA-approved leukotriene synthesis inhibitors for the prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma in adults and children 12 years of age and older. ZYFLO CR and ZYFLO are not indicated for use in the reversal of bronchospasm in acute asthma attacks. Therapy with ZYFLO CR and ZYFLO can be continued during acute exacerbations of asthma.
The recommended dose of ZYFLO CR is two 600 mg extended-release tablets twice daily, within one hour after morning and evening meals, for a total daily dose of 2400 mg. The recommended dose of ZYFLO is one 600 mg immediate-release tablet four times a day for a total daily dose of 2400 mg.
ZYFLO CR and ZYFLO are contraindicated in patients with active liver disease or transaminase elevations greater than or equal to three times the upper limit of normal. A small percentage of patients treated with ZYFLO CR (2.5%) and ZYFLO (1.9%) in placebo-controlled trials showed an increased release of a liver enzyme known as ALT and bilirubin (an orange or yellowish pigment in bile). As a result, the level of liver enzymes in patients treated with ZYFLO CR and ZYFLO should be measured by a simple blood test. It is recommended that physicians perform this test before administering ZYFLO CR and ZYFLO and repeat the test on a regular basis while patients are on the medication. Patients taking ZYFLO CR and theophylline should reduce the theophylline dose by 50%. Patients taking ZYFLO CR and propranolol or warfarin should be monitored and doses adjusted as appropriate. Most common side effects associated with the use of ZYFLO CR and ZYFLO are sinusitis, nausea and pharyngolaryngeal pain and abdominal pain, upset stomach and nausea, respectively.
For full prescribing information for ZYFLO CR, please visit www.zyflocr.com or call the Company's toll free telephone number 1-866-835-8216 to request medical information.
For full prescribing information for ZYFLO, please visit www.zyflo.com or call the Company's toll free telephone number 1-866-835-8216 to request medical information.
About Critical Therapeutics
Critical Therapeutics, Inc. is developing and commercializing innovative products for respiratory, inflammatory and critical care diseases. The Company owns worldwide rights to two FDA-approved drugs for the prevention and chronic treatment of asthma in patients 12 years of age and older: twice-daily ZYFLO CR(TM) (zileuton) extended-release tablets and ZYFLO® (zileuton tablets). Critical Therapeutics is working to develop products for acute asthma attacks that lead patients to the emergency room and other urgent care settings. The Company also is developing therapies directed toward the body's inflammatory response. Critical Therapeutics is located in Lexington, Mass. For more information, please visit www.crtx.com.
Critical Therapeutics' Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Critical Therapeutics, Inc., including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated success of our co-promotion arrangements with DEY, including with respect to Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution; possible therapeutic benefits, market acceptance, and future sales of ZYFLO CR(TM); the progress, timing and success of our product launch for ZYLFO CR; the anticipated increase in our number of sales representatives and whether the co-promotion for Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution will become effective, and all other statements that are not purely historical in nature, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "should," "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including risks and uncertainties relating to: our ability to successfully market and sell ZYFLO CR, including the success of our co-promotion arrangement with DEY; our ability to successfully promote Perforomist(TM) Inhalation Solution pursuant to our co-promotion arrangement with DEY; our ability to develop and maintain the necessary sales, marketing, distribution and manufacturing capabilities to commercialize ZYFLO CR; patient, physician and third-party payor acceptance of ZYFLO CR as a safe and effective therapeutic product; adverse side effects experienced by patients taking ZYFLO and ZYFLO CR; our heavy dependence on the commercial success of ZYFLO CR; our ability to maintain regulatory approvals to market and sell ZYFLO CR; our ability to successfully enter into additional strategic co-promotion, collaboration or licensing transactions on favorable terms, if at all; conducting clinical trials, including difficulties or delays in the completion of patient enrollment, data collection or data analysis; our ability to obtain the substantial additional funding required to conduct our research, development and commercialization activities; our dependence on our strategic collaboration with MedImmune, Inc.; and our ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for ZYFLO CR, our discoveries and our drug candidates. These and other risks are described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other filings that we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these factors materialize, or if any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
The statements in this release reflect our expectations and beliefs as of the date of this release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our expectations and beliefs to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements publicly at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this release.
ZYFLO® is a registered trademark of Critical Therapeutics, Inc.
ZYFLO CR(TM) is a trademark of Critical Therapeutics, Inc.
Perforomist(TM) is a trademark of Dey, L.P.
Foradil® (formoterol fumarate) is a registered trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
Geomatrix® is a registered trademark of SkyePharma PLC.
Source: Critical Therapeutics
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