Sunovion Announces Positive Topline Results from Study Evaluating Latuda® (lurasidone HCl) in Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Depression

- Phase 3 study demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement compared to placebo at primary endpoint -

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--()--Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Sunovion) today announced that its Phase 3 clinical study evaluating Latuda® (lurasidone HCl) in children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 years with depression associated with bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression) met its primary endpoint. LATUDA is currently indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of major depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression) as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate in adults and for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults and adolescents aged 13 to 17 years.

“Children and adolescents with bipolar depression often experience significant changes in mood and functioning that can affect performance in school and relationships with peers and family,” said Kiki Chang, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Stanford University Medical Center. “Early identification, accurate diagnosis and proper treatment are critical in helping children and their families effectively manage this disorder.”

“There are few treatment options for bipolar depression in this population,” said Antony Loebel, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Sunovion, Head of Global Clinical Development for Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Group. “We are encouraged by these topline results that demonstrate the potential of LATUDA to help children and adolescents with bipolar depression.”

In the six-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multi-regional study, children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 years with bipolar depression received once-daily LATUDA flexibly dosed (20-80 mg/day) or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline to Week 6 on the Children Depression Rating Scale, Revised (CDRS-R) total score, and the key secondary endpoint was change from baseline to Week 6 on the Clinical Global Impression-Bipolar Version, Severity of Illness (CGI-BP-S) score for depression. Treatment with LATUDA was associated with statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in symptoms of bipolar depression compared to placebo at both the primary and key secondary endpoints at Week 6.

LATUDA was generally well tolerated with minimal effects on weight and metabolic parameters. Adverse events (AEs) included nausea, somnolence, weight increased, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia and decreased appetite.

Full results are being analyzed and will be presented at upcoming scientific meetings. Sunovion intends to submit a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the FDA in 2017 for LATUDA as a treatment for children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 years with bipolar depression.

About Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that is characterized by potentially debilitating mood swings, including periods of depression and mania.1,2 It affects approximately 12.6 million adults in the United States.3,4 It often begins during adolescence and can be difficult to diagnose.5 Pediatric bipolar disorder affects approximately 1.7 percent of children and adolescents in the United States.6 Symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents can be severe.7

Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability worldwide.8 Bipolar I disorder is characterized by at least one lifetime manic or mixed episode; individuals often have one or more depressive episodes.9 Bipolar depression refers to the depressive phase of bipolar disorder;1 its symptoms include: depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, significant weight loss, insomnia, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, diminished ability to concentrate and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide attempt.1 When symptomatic, depressive symptoms affect patients more commonly than manic symptoms.10 Depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder have been shown to result in significant impairment in work, family and social function,11,12 and are associated with increased risk of suicide and direct and indirect health care costs.13,14

About LATUDA

LATUDA is used to treat patients with:

  • Depressive episodes in bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression) when used alone or with lithium or valproate in adults
  • Schizophrenia in adults and adolescents 13 to 17 years of age

The efficacy of LATUDA was established in a 6-week monotherapy study and a 6-week adjunctive therapy study with lithium or valproate in adult patients with bipolar depression. The efficacy of LATUDA in schizophrenia was established in five 6-week controlled studies in adult patients and one 6-week placebo-controlled study in adolescents (13 to 17 years).

The most common side effects of LATUDA include sleepiness or drowsiness; restlessness or feeling like you need to move around (akathisia); difficulty moving, slow movements, muscle stiffness, or tremor; runny nose/nasal inflammation, and nausea.

LATUDA is available in five tablet strengths: 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg and 120 mg.

The effectiveness of LATUDA for longer-term use, that is, for more than 6 weeks, has not been established in controlled studies. Therefore, the physician who elects to use LATUDA for extended periods should periodically re-evaluate the long-term usefulness of the drug for the individual patient. The efficacy of LATUDA in the treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder has not been established.

Please see Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warnings, below and full Prescribing Information at www.LATUDA.com.

Important Safety Information and Indications for LATUDA

INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS; and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS

Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death compared to patients receiving placebo (sugar pill). LATUDA is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. Depression and other serious mental illnesses are themselves associated with an increase in the risk of suicide. Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, especially sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed. Report any change in these symptoms immediately to the doctor. LATUDA is not approved for use in pediatric patients with depression.

LATUDA can cause serious side effects, including stroke that can lead to death, which can happen in elderly people with dementia who take medicines like LATUDA.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but very serious condition that can happen in people who take antipsychotic medicines, including LATUDA. NMS can cause death and must be treated in a hospital. Call your health care provider right away if you become severely ill and have some or all of these symptoms: high fever, excessive sweating, rigid muscles, confusion, or changes in your breathing, heartbeat or blood pressure.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a serious and sometimes permanent side effect reported with LATUDA and similar medicines. Tell your doctor about any movements you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts, as they may be signs of TD. TD may not go away, even if you stop taking LATUDA. TD may also start after you stop taking LATUDA.

Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who take LATUDA. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. If you have diabetes or risk factors for diabetes (such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes), your health care provider should check your blood sugar before you start LATUDA and during therapy. Call your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) while taking LATUDA: feel very thirsty, need to urinate more than usual, feel very hungry, feel weak or tired, feel sick to your stomach, feel confused, or your breath smells fruity.

Increases in triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol and decreases in HDL (good) cholesterol have been reported with LATUDA. You may not have any symptoms, so your health care provider may decide to check your cholesterol and triglycerides during your treatment with LATUDA.

Some patients may gain weight while taking LATUDA. Your doctor should check your weight regularly.

Tell your doctor if you experience any of these:

• feeling dizzy or light-headed upon standing

• decreases in white blood cells (which can be fatal)

• trouble swallowing

LATUDA and medicines like it may raise the level of prolactin. Tell your health care provider if you experience a lack of menstrual periods, leaking or enlarged breasts, or impotence.

Tell your health care provider if you have a seizure disorder, have had seizures in the past, or have conditions that increase your risk for seizures.

Tell your health care provider if you experience prolonged, abnormal muscle spasms or contractions, which may be a sign of a condition called dystonia.

LATUDA can affect your judgment, thinking, and motor skills. You should not drive or operate hazardous machinery until you know how LATUDA affects you.

LATUDA may make you more sensitive to heat. You may have trouble cooling off. Be careful when exercising or when doing things likely to cause dehydration or make you warm.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you take LATUDA since these can affect the amount of LATUDA in the blood.

Tell your health care provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are taking or plan to take, since there are some risks for drug interactions with LATUDA. Tell your health care provider if you are allergic to any of the ingredients of LATUDA or take certain medications called CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers. Ask your health care provider if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medications.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking LATUDA.

Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or if you are planning to get pregnant. Avoid breastfeeding while taking LATUDA.

The most common side effects of LATUDA include sleepiness or drowsiness; restlessness or feeling like you need to move around (akathisia); difficulty moving, slow movements, muscle stiffness, or tremor; runny nose/nasal inflammation, and nausea.

These are not all the possible side effects of LATUDA. For more information, ask your health care provider or pharmacist.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

About Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Sunovion)

Sunovion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the innovative application of science and medicine to help people with serious medical conditions. Sunovion’s vision is to lead the way to a healthier world. The company’s spirit of innovation is driven by the conviction that scientific excellence paired with meaningful advocacy and relevant education can improve lives. With patients at the center of everything it does, Sunovion has charted new paths to life-transforming treatments that reflect ongoing investments in research and development and an unwavering commitment to support people with psychiatric, neurological and respiratory conditions. Sunovion’s track record of discovery, development and commercialization of important therapies has included Brovana® (arformoterol tartrate), Latuda® (lurasidone HCl) and Aptiom® (eslicarbazepine acetate).

Headquartered in Marlborough, Mass., Sunovion is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Europe Ltd., based in London, England, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., based in Mississauga, Ontario, and Sunovion CNS Development Canada ULC, based in Toronto, Ontario, are wholly-owned direct subsidiaries of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Additional information can be found on the company’s web sites: www.sunovion.com, www.sunovion.eu and www.sunovion.ca. Connect with Sunovion on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

About Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is among the top-ten listed pharmaceutical companies in Japan operating globally in major pharmaceutical markets, including Japan, the United States, China and the European Union. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma aims to create innovative pharmaceutical products in the Psychiatry & Neurology area and the Oncology area, which have been designated as the focus therapeutic areas. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is based on the merger in 2005 between Dainippon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. Today, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma has about 6,500 employees worldwide. Additional information about Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is available through its corporate website at www.ds-pharma.com.

LATUDA and SUNOVION are registered trademarks of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.
BROVANA is a registered trademark of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
APTIOM is used under license from BIAL.

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a U.S. subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.
© 2017 Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. All rights reserved.

For a copy of this release, visit Sunovion’s web site at www.sunovion.com

References

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2 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
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4 “Bipolar Disorder.” Decision Resources. Table 2-2. Burlington, MA. December 2013.
5 National Institute of Mental Health. Bipolar disorder in adults. [Internet]. Available from: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder-tr-15-3679/index.shtml. Accessed January 2016.
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14 Leverich GS, Altshuler LL, Frye MA, et al. Factors Associated With Suicide Attempts In 648 Patients With Bipolar Disorder In The Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2003; 64(5):506-15.

Contacts

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Kristina Coppola, 508-787-4368
Sr. Manager, Corporate Communications
kristina.coppola@sunovion.com

Contacts

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Kristina Coppola, 508-787-4368
Sr. Manager, Corporate Communications
kristina.coppola@sunovion.com