BioMS Medical Completes Patient Recruitment In Phase III U.S. Multiple Sclerosis Trial

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 02 Aug 2008 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

BioMS Medical Corp. (TSX: MS), a leading developer in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), announced that it has completed patient recruitment in its phase III clinical trial of MBP8298 (dirucotide) for the treatment of secondary progressive MS (SPMS). The trial, named MAESTRO-03, includes approximately 510 patients, and is being conducted at 68 trial sites in the U.S.

"We have had great success in recruiting patients into the trial, which is a testament to the promise of our approach and the efforts of our investigators," said Mr. Kevin Giese, President and CEO. "Since initiating this trial in June 2007 we have been delighted by the enthusiasm of the patients and clinical groups participating across the U.S."

MBP8298 (dirucotide) is currently being developed in three late-stage clinical trials:

1. MAESTRO-01: A pivotal phase II/III trial for secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients in Canada and Europe.

2. MAESTRO-03: A pivotal phase III trial for SPMS patients in the United States.

3. MINDSET-01: A phase II trial for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients in Europe.

About MAESTRO-03

The MAESTRO-03 U.S. pivotal phase III clinical trial is a randomized, double-blind study that has completed recruitment of approximately 510 patients at 68 clinical sites who will be administered either MBP8298 (dirucotide) or placebo intravenously every six months for a period of two years. The primary clinical endpoint for the trial is defined as a statistically and clinically significant increase in the time to progression of the disease as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), in patients with HLA-DR2 and/or HLA-DR4 immune response genes (up to 75% of all MS patients are HLA-DR2 and/or HLA-DR4 positive).

About MBP8298 (dirucotide)

MBP8298 (dirucotide) is a synthetic peptide that consists of 17 amino acids having a sequence identical to that of a portion of human myelin basic protein (MBP). MBP8298 (dirucotide) is being developed for the potential treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease caused by immune attack against normal components of the central nervous system. The sequence of MBP8298 is associated with the autoimmune process in MS patients with certain immune response genes (HLA types DR2 and/or DR4); MS patients having these genes represent 65 to 75 percent of all MS patients.

The apparent mechanism of action of MBP8298 (dirucotide) is the induction or restoration of immunological tolerance with respect to ongoing immune attack as a result of high doses of peptide delivered periodically by the intravenous route. The potential benefit of MBP8298 (dirucotide) for any individual patient is therefore expected to be related to the role this peptide plays in that patient's immune system. The degree of immunomodulation achieved will depend on the relationship among the peptide, HLA molecules and T cells.

The results of phase II and long-term follow-up treatment of MS patients with MBP8298 (dirucotide), published in 2006 in the European Journal of Neurology (EJN), showed that MBP8298 (dirucotide) safely delayed median time to disease progression for five years (versus placebo) in progressive MS patients with HLA types DR2 and/or DR4. Thus, MBP8298 (dirucotide) has the potential to be used as a tailored therapy for patients genetically determined to express the appropriate HLA molecules.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to affect as many as 2.5 million people worldwide, including approximately 75,000 in Canada, 400,000 in the United States and more than 500,000 in Europe. It is a disease that affects more women than men, with onset typically occurring between 20 and 50 years of age. MS is caused by damage to myelin, the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibers in the central nervous system, which interferes with messages from the brain to the body. Symptoms of MS may include vision problems, loss of balance, numbness, difficulty walking and paralysis. Approximately 40 percent of all MS patients have the secondary progressive form of the disease.

About BioMS Medical Corp.

BioMS Medical is a biotechnology company engaged in the development and commercialization of novel therapeutic technologies. BioMS Medical's lead technology, MBP8298 (dirucotide), is for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and is being evaluated in two pivotal phase III clinical trials for secondary progressive MS patients, MAESTRO-01 in Canada and Europe and MAESTRO-03 in the United States. It additionally is being evaluated for relapsing remitting MS patients in a Phase II trial in Europe entitled MINDSET-01. In December 2007, BioMS entered into a licensing and development agreement granting Eli Lilly and Company exclusive worldwide rights to MBP8298 (dirucotide) in exchange for an $87 million upfront payment, milestone payments and escalating royalties on sales. For further information please visit our website at http://www.biomsmedical.com.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly and annual reporting. Certain of the assumptions made in preparing forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: that MBP8298 will continue to demonstrate a satisfactory safety profile in ongoing and future clinical trials; and that BioMS Medical Corp. will complete the respective clinical trials within the timelines communicated in this release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

BioMS Medical Corp.
http://www.biomsmedical.com