NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SGYP) today announced positive top-line results from the second of two pivotal phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of plecanatide, an investigational once-daily orally-administered compound, in 1,054 adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).
Preliminary analysis of the data indicates that both plecanatide 3 mg and 6 mg doses met the study’s primary endpoint and showed statistical significance in the percentage of patients who were Overall Responders compared to placebo during the 12-week treatment period (30.2% in 3 mg and 29.5% in 6 mg dose groups compared to 17.8% in placebo; p<0.001 for 3 mg and p<0.001 for 6 mg).
The most common adverse event was diarrhea which occurred in 5.4% of patients in 3 mg and 4.3% of patients in 6 mg dose groups compared to 0.6% of placebo-treated patients.
“We are understandably very pleased with these results, and how well the data support the first pivotal phase 3 IBS-C trial which we announced recently,” said Gary S. Jacob, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. “We have been relentless in our commitment to develop innovative treatments for the GI market. The successful phase 3 trials are a major step in our mission to better serve patients, as we believe plecanatide has the potential to be an important new treatment option for the millions of people suffering from IBS-C. I want to, in particular, acknowledge my colleagues at Synergy, my outstanding board, and the many stakeholders who have supported us throughout this clinical program.”
Ten patients in the trial (<1.0%) experienced serious adverse events but there was no imbalance across treatment groups in either incidences or individual serious adverse events. Overall, the rates of withdrawal from treatment because of an adverse event were low (2.6% in 3 mg and 2.3% in 6 mg dose groups compared to 0.8% in placebo) and discontinuations due to diarrhea were infrequent (1.7% in 3 mg and 1.2% in 6 mg dose groups compared to 0 in placebo).
Synergy reported positive top-line data in the first phase 3 IBS-C trial with plecanatide earlier this month. The company plans to present further clinical data from both trials at an appropriate scientific meeting next year.
Additionally, plecanatide is under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is January 29, 2017. Pending approval in the CIC indication, the company plans to file a New Drug Application Supplement with Clinical Data (sNDA) for plecanatide in IBS-C in Q1 2017.
The Plecanatide Phase 3 IBS-C Program
Design
The plecanatide phase 3 IBS-C program includes two randomized, 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of plecanatide treatment (3 mg and 6 mg doses), taken as a tablet once-a-day in patients with IBS-C. Both trials included a two-week pre-treatment baseline period, a 12-week treatment period, and a two-week post-treatment follow-up period. The phase 3 IBS-C program was conducted in North America and designed to support regulatory submission in the U.S. Patients who were enrolled in these trials fulfilled Rome III IBS-C criteria related to abdominal pain and stool changes.
The first phase 3 IBS-C trial assessed 1,135 patients (28.2% males and 71.8% females) that were randomly assigned to take 3 mg or 6 mg plecanatide or placebo once-a-day during the 12-week treatment period (377 patients in the 3 mg dose group, 379 patients in the 6 mg dose group and 379 patients in the placebo group).
The second phase 3 IBS-C trial assessed 1,054 patients (23.6% males and 76.4% females) that were randomly assigned to take 3 mg or 6 mg plecanatide or placebo once-a-day during the 12-week treatment period (351 patients in the 3 mg dose group, 349 patients in the 6 mg dose group and 354 patients in the placebo group).
Primary Endpoint
The primary endpoint for both trials is the percentage of patients who are Overall Responders (%) during the 12-week treatment period. An Overall Responder, as defined by the FDA, is a patient who fulfills both ≥ 30% reduction in worst abdominal pain and an increase of ≥ 1 complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) from baseline, in the same week, for at least 50% of the 12 treatment weeks. The Overall Responder endpoint is the current regulatory endpoint required for U.S. approval in IBS-C.
About Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and associated with 2 or more of the following: related to defecation, associated with a change in the frequency of stool, or associated with a change in the form (appearance) of the stool. IBS can be subtyped by the predominant stool form: constipation (IBS-C), diarrhea (IBS-D), or mixed (IBS-M). Those within the IBS-C subtype experience hard or lumpy stools more than 25 percent of the time they defecate, and loose or watery stools less than 25 percent of the time. It is estimated that the prevalence of IBS-C in the U.S. adult population is approximately 4 to 5 percent, although this number may vary as patients often fluctuate between the three subtypes of IBS.
About Plecanatide
Plecanatide is a peptide made up of 16 amino acids and, with the exception of a single amino acid substitution, it is identical to uroguanylin. Plecanatide is the first investigational drug designed to replicate the function of uroguanylin, a naturally occurring and endogenous human GI peptide which acts in a pH-sensitive manner targeting GC-C receptors primarily in the proximal small intestine. Plecanatide stimulates fluid secretion and promotes stool consistency necessary to support normal bowel function.
About Synergy Pharmaceuticals
Synergy is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel GI therapies. The company has pioneered discovery, research and development efforts around uroguanylin analogs for the treatment of functional GI disorders and inflammatory bowel disease. Synergy’s proprietary uroguanylin analog platform includes two lead product candidates – plecanatide and dolcanatide. For more information, please visit www.synergypharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward- looking words such as "anticipate," "planned," "believe," "forecast," "estimated," "expected," and "intend," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Synergy's current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, substantial competition; our ability to continue as a going concern; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payer reimbursement; limited sales and marketing efforts and dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. There are no guarantees that future clinical trials discussed in this press release will be completed or successful or that any product will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove to be commercially successful. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in Synergy's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof, and Synergy does not undertake any obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
