HAYWARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aradigm Corporation (Nasdaq:ARDM) (the “Company”) today announced that the European Patent Office has issued an important new composition of matter patent entitled “Dual Action, Inhaled Formulations Providing Both an Immediate and Sustained Release Profile,” (E.U. Patent No. 2,079,443) to Aradigm for formulations of liposomal and free ciprofloxacin. This patent provides coverage for Aradigm’s lead product candidate, the inhaled ciprofloxacin drug Pulmaquin®, in Europe until at least October 23, 2027.
Aradigm also recently obtained its second patent in Australia (AU2012211514) entitled “Concentrated, Inhalable Ciprofloxacin Formulation,” covering formulations of ciprofloxacin including that used in Pulmaquin. This patent provides coverage until at least 2027.
In addition to these new patents in Europe and Australia, Aradigm has four issued U.S. patents and one issued Japanese patent (JP5254239) which provide coverage for Pulmaquin in the U.S. until 2031 and in Japan until 2027.
“Long term patent protection of our lead product Pulmaquin is an important component of our corporate strategy,” said Igor Gonda, Aradigm’s president and chief executive officer. “Our global efforts in this area are running in parallel with our Phase 3 clinical trials of Pulmaquin for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis currently being conducted across five continents in 14 different countries.”
About Pulmaquin
Ciprofloxacin, available in oral and intravenous formulations, is a widely prescribed antibiotic. It is used to treat acute lung infections and is often preferred because of its broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against various bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pulmaquin is a dual release formulation composed of a mixture of liposome encapsulated and unencapsulated ciprofloxacin. It is being evaluated in two ongoing Phase 3 studies to determine its safety and effectiveness as a once-a-day inhaled formulation for the chronic treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (non-CF BE).
Pulmaquin has been tested in preclinical safety studies (up to 3 months in rodents and 9 months in dogs).
Following Phase 2a development of the liposomal portion of Pulmaquin (Lipoquin®) and phase 1 development of Pulmaquin, the phase 2b study ORBIT-2 with Pulmaquin was a 24-week multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 42 adult non-CF BE subjects. This study demonstrated a significant reduction in P.aeruginosa sputum activity (p=0.002) and a decrease in time to first exacerbation in the per protocol population (p=0.046) and the mITT (p=0.057) populations in the Pulmaquin treated subjects compared to placebo. Overall, the incidence of all treatment emergent adverse events was similar between groups. The most frequently reported treatment related adverse events (reported by ≥ 3 patients in either treatment group) included product taste abnormal and nausea in the Pulmaquin group and wheezing in the placebo group. No serious adverse events were considered treatment related. There were no deaths reported during ORBIT-2.
The Phase 3 clinical program for Pulmaquin in non-CF BE consists of two worldwide, double-blind, placebo-controlled pivotal trials (ORBIT-3 and ORBIT-4) that are identical in design except for a pharmacokinetics sub-study to be conducted in one of the trials. Each trial is enrolling approximately 255 patients into a 48 week double-blind period consisting of 6 cycles of 28 days on treatment with Pulmaquin or placebo plus 28 days off treatment, followed by a 28 day open label extension in which all participants will receive Pulmaquin (total treatment duration approximately one year). The superiority of Pulmaquin vs. placebo during the double-blind period is being evaluated in terms of the time to first pulmonary exacerbation (primary endpoint), while key secondary endpoints include the reduction in the number of pulmonary exacerbations and improvements in the quality of life measures. Lung function is being monitored as a safety indicator.
Aradigm has been granted orphan drug designations for liposomal ciprofloxacin as well as for ciprofloxacin for inhalation for non-CF BE in the U.S. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated Pulmaquin as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP). The QIDP designation is granted for treatment of non-CF BE patients with chronic lung infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The QIDP designation made Pulmaquin eligible for Fast Track designation which was granted by the FDA in September 2014.
In 2013, Aradigm granted an exclusive, world-wide license for the Company’s inhaled liposomal ciprofloxacin product candidates for the indication of non-CF BE and other indications to Grifols S.A. More information on the terms of this license may be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014.
About Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis
Non-CF BE is a severe, chronic and rare disease characterized by abnormal dilatation of the bronchi and bronchioles, frequently associated with chronic lung infections. It is often a consequence of a vicious cycle of inflammation, recurrent lung infections, and bronchial wall damage. Non-CF BE represents an unmet medical need with high morbidity and mortality that affects more than 110,000 people in the U.S. and over 200,000 people in Europe. There is currently no drug approved for the treatment of this condition.
About Aradigm
Aradigm is an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of drugs delivered by inhalation for the prevention and treatment of severe respiratory diseases. Aradigm has product candidates under development for the treatment of non-CF BE, cystic fibrosis and prevention of respiratory and other diseases in tobacco smokers through smoking cessation. Aradigm is also developing Pulmaquin and a liposomal ciprofloxacin formulation as potential medications for patients with chronic lung infections with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), and for the prevention and treatment of high threat and bioterrorism infections, such as inhaled tularemia, pneumonic plague, Q fever and inhaled anthrax.
More information about Aradigm can be found at www.aradigm.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties, including those related to the ORBIT-3 and ORBIT-4 clinical trials and the ability to obtain and enforce patents important to our business, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014, and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Aradigm, Pulmaquin, Lipoquin and the Aradigm Logo are registered trademarks of Aradigm Corporation.
