FOCUS study met all primary and secondary endpoints in both the quarterly and monthly dosing regimens in patients with chronic and episodic migraine
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) today announced positive topline results from the Phase IIIb FOCUS study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of fremanezumab for the preventive treatment of migraine in adult patients who previously experienced inadequate responses to two to four classes of preventive treatments. In the study of 838 patients, including those who suffer from either chronic or episodic migraine, patients treated with fremanezumab experienced highly significant reduction in the monthly average number of migraine days versus placebo (-0.6 days) over the 12 week assessment period, for both monthly (-4.1 days, p<0.0001) and quarterly (-3.7 days, p><0.0001) dosing regimens.>0.0001)>0.0001)>
In addition, patients treated with fremanezumab experienced significant improvement compared to placebo on all secondary endpoints for both quarterly and monthly dosing regimens. There were no safety signals detected in the study.
“We are pleased to share the topline results of this study,” said Danny McBryan, M.D., Senior Vice President, Head of Global Medical Affairs and Pharmacovigilance at Teva. “This study design is distinct in that it is the largest trial to date in patients who failed to respond to multiple classes of preventive migraine treatments, and is the first study of its type to be conducted in chronic, as well as episodic, migraine patients.”
Teva plans to submit the full results for medical meetings in 2019, as well as peer-reviewed publication.
“With robust effect sizes for the primary endpoint, the FOCUS trial produced clinically meaningful results that demonstrated the effectiveness of fremanezumab in a population of patients that are difficult to treat and who require other treatment options,” said Matthias Mueller, M.D. MSc, Vice President Global Medical Affairs, Head of Therapeutic Areas and Scientific Communications at Teva. “We look forward to bringing forward additional insights from the study in the future.”
About FOCUS
The Phase IIIb FOCUS study is a multicenter,
randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study that
evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of quarterly and
monthly treatment with fremanezumab, compared to placebo. Adult patients
with chronic migraine or episodic migraine who have responded
inadequately to two to four classes of prior preventive treatments were
enrolled in the study.
Inadequate response is defined as: lack of efficacy after at least three months of therapy; or the patient cannot tolerate the drug; or the drug is contraindicated; or the drug is not suitable for the patient. The classes of medications include: beta-blockers, anticonvulsants, tricyclics, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, onabotulinumtoxinA, and valproic acid.
In the study, chronic migraine and episodic migraine patients were randomized in blinded-fashion 1:1:1 into one of three treatment groups – a quarterly dosing regimen, a monthly dosing regimen or matching placebo.
An open-label extension of three months (weeks 13-24) followed the placebo-controlled portion of the study.
About Migraine
Migraine is a disabling neurological disease
characterized by severe head pain, nausea and vomiting.1 With
more than 1 billion people affected worldwidei, migraine is
the third most prevalent illness in the world.2
About Fremanezumab
Fremanezumab is a humanized monoclonal
antibody that binds to the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) ligand
and blocks its binding to the receptor.
In the U.S., it is marketed as AJOVYTM (fremanezumab-vfrm) injection, indicated for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults, and available as a 225 mg/1.5mL single dose injection in a prefilled syringe with two dosing options – 225 mg monthly administered as one subcutaneous injection, or 675 mg every three months (quarterly), administered as three subcutaneous injections. No starting dose is required to begin treatment.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications: AJOVY
is contraindicated in patients with serious hypersensitivity to
fremanezumab-vfrm or to any of the excipients.
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Hypersensitivity reactions, including rash, pruritus, drug hypersensitivity, and urticaria, were reported with AJOVY in clinical trials. Most reactions were mild to moderate, but some led to discontinuation or required corticosteroid treatment. Most reactions were reported from within hours to one month after administration. If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, consider discontinuing AJOVY and institute appropriate therapy.
Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions (≥5% and greater than placebo) were injection site reactions.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for AJOVYTM (fremanezumab-vfrm) injection.
About Teva
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and
TASE: TEVA) is a global leader in generic medicines, with innovative
treatments in select areas, including CNS, pain and respiratory. We
deliver high-quality generic products and medicines in nearly every
therapeutic area to address unmet patient needs. We have an established
presence in generics, specialty, OTC and API, building on more than a
century-old legacy, with a fully integrated R&D function, strong
operational base and global infrastructure and scale. We strive to act
in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Headquartered
in Israel, with production and research facilities around the globe, we
employ 45,000 professionals, committed to improving the lives of
millions of patients. Learn more at www.tevapharm.com.
Teva Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This
press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding
Fremanezumab (commercialized as AJOVYTM), which
are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations and are
subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown,
that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to
differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or
contribute to such differences include risks relating to:
and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, including in the section captioned “Risk Factors,” and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov and www.tevapharm.com. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
i. Migraine Research Foundation. Migraine Facts. https://migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine/migraine-facts/. Accessed November 2018.
ii. Migraine Trust. Facts and Figures. https://www.migrainetrust.org/about-migraine/migraine-what-is-it/facts-figures/. Accessed November 2018.
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