Healthcare Industry News: Critical Therapeutics
News Release - July 10, 2007
Critical Therapeutics Initiates Phase IV Study Evaluating ZYFLO CR(TM) in Asthma Patients on Inhaled Corticosteroids Whose Symptoms Are Poorly Controlled
LEXINGTON, Mass.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Critical Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRTX ) today announced enrollment of the first patient in its Phase IV clinical study designed to evaluate the efficacy of ZYFLO CR(TM) (zileuton) extended-release tablets in asthma patients whose symptoms are poorly controlled despite taking moderate dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). ZYFLO CR and the immediate release formulation of zileuton, ZYFLO® (zileuton tablets), 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.The Phase IV trial will assess the effect of ZYFLO CR on lung function, asthma control and symptomatic response in adult patients whose asthma has not responded effectively to moderate doses of ICS. The randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial will enroll approximately 400 patients at 30 sites in the United States. Patients with Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV(1)) between 40% and 80% and a score of greater than or equal to 1.25 on the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) will receive either two 600 mg ZYFLO CR tablets twice daily or two placebo tablets twice daily on top of their moderate dose ICS for 24 weeks. Endpoints of the study will include the change from baseline in mean morning Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), morning pre-dose FEV(1), mean evening PEFR, symptoms based on the ACQ, nighttime awakenings and rescue beta agonist use.
"We believe this clinical study will provide meaningful additional data for physicians who are considering treatment with ZYFLO CR for today's asthma patient," said Frank Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Critical Therapeutics. "Many patients who use moderate doses of inhaled corticosteroids remain poorly controlled despite their therapy. The results of this Phase IV trial could further strengthen the ZYFLO CR profile and support our marketing efforts following the planned U.S. launch this fall."
ZYFLO CR was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on May 30, 2007. Critical Therapeutics and its co-promotion partner, Dey, L.P. (DEY), an affiliate of Merck KGaA in Germany, plan to launch ZYFLO CR in the U.S. this coming fall. Critical Therapeutics and DEY currently market ZYFLO®, the immediate release formulation of zileuton, in the U.S.
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. ZYFLO CR uses SkyePharma PLC's (LSE: SKP ) proprietary Geomatrix® drug delivery technology, which controls the amount and rate of drug released into the body.
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 or ZYFLO and theophylline should reduce the theophylline dose by 50%. Patients taking ZYFLO CR or ZYFLO 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.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Critical Therapeutics, Inc., including, without limitation, statements regarding possible therapeutic benefits, market acceptance and future sales of ZYFLO CR; the anticipated success of the co-promotion arrangement with DEY; the progress, timing and success of the product launch for ZYFLO CR; prospects, plans and objectives of management; 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 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 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; and our ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for ZYFLO, 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.
In addition, the statements in this press 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.
Geomatrix® is a registered trademark of SkyePharma PLC
Source: Critical Therapeutics
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