MAP Pharmaceuticals Announces Results From LEVADEX Pharmacokinetics Trial In Smokers

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 14 Jul 2010 - 2:00 PDT

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MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAPP) announced results from a clinical trial comparing the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of LEVADEX™ orally inhaled migraine therapy with intravenous dihydroergotamine mesylate (DHE) in smokers and non-smokers. The trial was designed to measure whether systemic absorption and exposure in smokers is greater than in non-smokers. In the trial, the systemic absorption of LEVADEX was not higher and systemic exposure to DHE was not greater in smokers than in non-smokers. LEVADEX is a novel orally inhaled migraine therapy that has completed Phase 3 efficacy development for the acute treatment of migraine.

The PK trial was a single dose, open-label, crossover trial designed to compare the PK of LEVADEX to intravenous DHE (IV DHE) in both smokers and non-smokers. In the trial, subjects were randomized to receive either a single dose of LEVADEX or IV DHE (DHE 45) and then crossed over to the alternate treatment. Study drug administration was followed by 48 hours of serial blood sample collections, repeat ECGs, spirometry and vital sign assessments. The trial included healthy adult volunteers, 23 were smokers and 24 were non-smokers. LEVADEX was well-tolerated and no drug related serious adverse events were reported.

"We are pleased to have completed our PK trial with these results," said Timothy S. Nelson, president and chief executive officer of MAP Pharmaceuticals. "In addition, we are pleased to report that we have completed enrollment in our pharmacodynamic trial as we continue to make progress with our remaining clinical trials to support an NDA submission for LEVADEX in the first half of 2011."

This PK trial is the first trial completed of the four remaining trials required to support a new drug application (NDA) submission for LEVADEX. The other trials include an ongoing 12 month open-label safety extension of the Phase 3 FREEDOM-301 trial, a pharmacodynamic trial and a thorough QT trial. The Company anticipates that subjects in these trials will complete treatment in 2010.

About LEVADEX™

LEVADEX orally inhaled migraine therapy is in Phase 3 development for the potential acute treatment of migraine. Patients administer LEVADEX themselves using the Company's proprietary TEMPO® inhaler. In the Phase 3 FREEDOM-301 trial, LEVADEX met all four co-primary endpoints at two hours: pain relief (p < 0.0001); phonophobia free (p < 0.0001); photophobia free (p < 0.0001); and nausea free (p = 0.02). LEVADEX was well tolerated and there were no drug-related serious adverse events reported in the trial. Data from this Phase 3 trial show the potential for LEVADEX to be effective in treating acute migraine, as well as a broad spectrum of migraine subpopulations that are often difficult to treat with current therapies, including triptans. For example, in this trial, patients with allodynia, menstrual migraine, migraine with nausea and vomiting, severe migraine or who treated late in their migraine cycle responded well to LEVADEX.

LEVADEX is a novel formulation of dihydroergotamine mesylate (DHE), a drug used intravenously in clinical settings to effectively and safely treat migraines. It is designed to be differentiated from existing migraine treatments. Based on clinical results, the Company believes that LEVADEX has the potential to provide fast onset of action, sustained pain relief and other migraine symptom relief in an easy-to-use and non-invasive at-home therapy.

LEVADEX is designed to incorporate the multiple beneficial mechanisms of action that allow DHE to block initiation of migraine, limit pain, reduce inflammation and stop a migraine at any point in the migraine cycle. Based on research to date, including the efficacy portion of the FREEDOM-301 trial, the Company believes the unique pharmacokinetic profile of LEVADEX has the potential to effectively treat migraines, while minimizing the side effects commonly seen with other DHE-based products and other currently available migraine medicines.

About Migraine

Common symptoms of migraine include recurrent headaches, nausea, vomiting, photophobia (sensitivity to light) and phonophobia (sensitivity to sound). According to the National Headache Foundation, most migraines last between four and 24 hours, and some last as long as three days. On average, migraine sufferers experience 1.5 migraine attacks monthly, although 25 percent of them experience one or more attacks weekly, according to published studies. Migraine patients report that currently approved drugs do not fully meet their needs due to slow onset of action, short duration of effect, inconsistent response and unacceptable side effect profiles. The economic burden of migraine remains substantial despite existing treatments, with the direct and indirect costs of migraine in the United States estimated at over $20 billion annually.

About MAP Pharmaceuticals

MAP Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to developing and commercializing new therapies for patients suffering from conditions that are not adequately treated by currently available medicines. The Company is developing LEVADEX orally inhaled therapy for the potential treatment of migraine and has reported positive results from the efficacy portion of its Phase 3 trial of LEVADEX. In addition, MAP Pharmaceuticals generates new pipeline opportunities by applying its proprietary drug particle and inhalation technologies to enhance the therapeutic benefits of proven drugs, while minimizing risk by capitalizing on their known safety, efficacy and commercialization history.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to statements of historical facts or statements of current conditions, this press release contains forward-looking statements, including with respect to MAP Pharmaceuticals' LEVADEX product candidate. Actual results may differ materially from current expectations based on risks and uncertainties affecting the Company's business, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the enrollment, conduct and completion of clinical trials, and relating to the preparation and filing of a New Drug Application and the regulatory process to have the Company's LEVADEX product candidate approved for commercial use. The reader is cautioned not to unduly rely on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Source: MAP Pharmaceuticals

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