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Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A.. (9/20/19). "Press Release: Newron Pharmaceutical Commercialization Partner Meiji Seika together with Eisai Announce the Approval of Safinamide for Parkinson’s Disease in Japan". Milan.
Region | Japan | |
Organisation | Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. (SIX: NWRN) | |
Group | Newron (Group) | |
Organisation 2 | Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. | |
Product | Xadago® | |
Product 2 | clinical research | |
Index term | Meiji Seika Kaisha–Newron: safinamide, 2011– license to develop + manufacture + commercialise safinamide in Asia to Meiji Seika Pharma | |
Newron Pharmaceuticals S.pA. (“Newron”) (SIX: NWRN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for patients with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, is pleased to note its partner Meiji Seika PharmaCo., Ltd., together with Eisai Co., Ltd., have announced the manufacturing and marketing approval in Japan for Equfina® TABLETS (safinamide mesilate, “safinamide”) for the indication of improvement of wearing-off phenomenon in patients with Parkinson’s disease under treatment with a drug containing levodopa.
The full text of the announcement from Meiji Seika and Eisai is as follows:
EISAI AND MEIJI ANNOUNCE PARKINSON’S DISEASE TREATMENT EQUFINA® TABLETS (SAFINAMIDE MESILATE) APPROVED IN JAPAN
Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headqurters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito, “Eisai”) and Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. (Headqurters: Tokyo, CEO: Daikichiro Kobayashi, “Meiji”) today announced the manufacturing and marketing approval in Japan for the indication of improvement of wearing-off phenomenon in patients with Parkinson’s disease under treatment with a drug containing levodopa for Equfina® TABLETS (safinamide mesilate, “safinamide”), which was developed for use in the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease, was obtained. In Japan, Meiji holds the manufacturing and marketing approval for safinamide, and Eisai exclusively sells safinamide.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease which causes motor impairment, with symptoms including tremors in the limbs, muscular rigidity and shuffling gait. It is caused by degeneration of the dopamine nervous system, which leads to a shortage of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain. There are approximately 200,000 patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease in Japan1, and the number of patients is increasing due to the aging of the population.1, 2 Drugs containing levodopa are widely used to treat Parkinson’s disease by replenishing the brain’s supply of dopamine. However, as the disease progresses, levodopa’s duration of effect (“on” time) decreases, and there are cases where patients may experience wearing-off phenomena, a return of Parkinson’s disease symptoms before the next dose. Safinamide through its main mechanism of action as a selective monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor, increases the density of endogenous dopamine and exogenous dopamine from levodopa-containing drugs in the brain.
This manufacturing and marketing approval is based on a double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II/III study (study ME2125-3) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of safinamide as add-on therapy and an open label Phase III study (study ME2125-4) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of long-term administration of safinamide in Japanese patients with Parkinson’s disease with wearing-off phenomena who are currently receiving levodopa, as well as global clinical trials.
In study ME2125-3, the change in mean daily “on” time from baseline to 24 weeks of the treatment phase, which is the primary endpoint, of treatment with safinamide 50 mg and 100 mg were statistically significant compared to placebo-controlled treatment. The most common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) (incidence 3% and higher) observed with patients with safinamide 50 mg and 100 mg were dyskinesia and visual hallucination. Also in study ME2125-4, with regard to the change in mean daily “on” time from baseline to 52 weeks of the treatment phase, the “on” time with long-term administration of safinamide was extended, and showed the continued effectiveness. The most common ADRs (incidence 3% and higher) observed with patients were dyskinesia, falls, and constipation.
By providing Equifina TABLETS as a new option for Parkinson’s disease treatment, Eisai and Meiji will make further contributions to address the diverse needs of, and increase the benefits provided to, Parkinson’s disease patients and their families.
1. About Equfina® TABLETS (generic name: safinamide mesilate, “safinamide”)
Safinamide is a selective monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor, which reduces the degradation of excreted dopamine, helping to maintain the density of dopamine in the brain. Additionally, safinamide blocks sodium ion channels and inhibits glutamate release, and possesses both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic mechanisms.
Global and domestic clinical trials of safinamide in combination with levodopa for the treatment of mid- to latestage Parkinson's disease showed extended “on” time and an improvement in motor function.3,4
2. About Licensing Agreement between Eisai and Meiji for Safinamide
Safinamide was discovered and developed by Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. (Headquarters: Milan, Italy, “Newron”). In 2011, Newron entered into a licensing agreement with Meiji, granting Meiji exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the drug in Japan and Asia. Under the license agreement signed between Eisai and Meiji in March 2017, Eisai has the exclusive rights to market safinamide in Japan, as well as to develop and market safinamide in Asia*.
Safinamide is marketed under the name “Xadago” in 17 countries in Europe and the United States.
* South Korea, Taiwan, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau
3. About study ME2125-3 (Phase II/III Clinical Study)
Study ME2125-3 was a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel group study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two doses of safinamide (50 and 100 mg, once a day for 24 weeks) administered orally as add-on therapy in Japanese patients with Parkinson's disease with wearing-off phenomenon who are currently receiving a drug containing levodopa. In this study, the primary endpoint was the change in mean daily “on” time from baseline to 24 weeks of the treatment phase, and verified the superiority of each dose of safinamide over placebo. Regarding the changes from baseline of mean daily “on” time of 24 weeks of treatment, the increases of 1.39 hours (95%CI: 0.67,2.11) with safinamide 50 mg and 1.66 hours (95%CI: 0.93,2.39) with safinamide 100 mg were shown compared to placebo, and statistically significant “on” time extension were indicated in patients with both safinamide 50 mg and 100 mg. The most common ADRs (incidence 3% and higher) observed in patients taking safinamide 50 mg and 100 mg were dyskinesia and visual hallucination.
4. About study ME2125-4 (Phase III Clinical Study)
Study ME2125-4 was an open-label, multicenter study to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of two doses of safinamide (50 and 100 mg, once a day for 52 weeks) administered orally as add-on therapy in Japanese patients with Parkinson’s disease with wearing-off phenomenon who are currently receiving a drug containing levodopa. In this study, in addition to evaluating the safety of long-term administration of safinamide, the study evaluated the change in mean daily “on” time from baseline to 52 weeks of the treatment phase as the primary efficacy endpoint. Regarding the changes (Least Square Mean (LSM) ± Standard Deviation of Lateral Position (SDLP)) from baseline of mean daily “on” time of 52 weeks of treatment, it was 1.42±2.72 hours, and the continuous efficacy of long term administration was shown. The most common ADRs (incidence 3% and higher) observed were dyskinesia, falls, and constipation.
5. About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease which causes motor impairment, including shaking in the limbs, muscular rigidity and shuffling gait. It is caused by degeneration of the dopamine nervous system, which leads to a shortage of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain. According to the estimation of Japanese Society of Neurology, there are approximately 200,000 patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease in Japan.1 Also, the approximate 3 million patients suffer from Parkinson’s disease in Asia.5 The number of patients increasing due to the aging of the population.2 Levodopa is widely used to treat Parkinson's disease by replenishing the brain's supply of dopamine. However, as the disease progresses, the duration of a drug containing levodopa of effect (“on” time) decreases, and there are cases of Parkinson's disease symptoms returning before the next dose (“wearing-off” phenomenon). To prevent the “wearing-off” phenomenon, combination therapy with a drug that has a different mechanism of action to a drug containing levodopa is administered.
6. About Eisai Co., Ltd.
Eisai Co., Ltd. is a leading global research and development-based pharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan. We define our corporate mission as "giving first thought to patients and their families and to increasing the benefits health care provides," which we call our human health care (hhc) philosophy. With approximately 10,000 employees working across our global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to realize our hhc philosophy by delivering innovative products to address unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas of Oncology and Neurology. As a global pharmaceutical company, our mission extends to patients around the world through our investment and participation in partnership-based initiatives to improve access to medicines in developing and emerging countries.
For more information about Eisai Co., Ltd., please visit https://www.eisai.com/.
7. About Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd.
In order to protect and improve people's health and lives, Meiji Seika Pharma, as a “Speciality and Generic Pharmaceuticals Company,” runs its pharmaceutical business in the two main fields, infectious disease and central nervous system disorders, as well as generic drugs. Meiji Seika Pharma strives to respond to diversified medical needs and contributes to the well-being of people worldwide.
For details, please visit its corporate website: https://www.meiji.com/global/about-us/corporate-profile/meiji-seika-pharma/
1 Japanese Society of Neurology. Treatment and Management Guideline 2018 for Parkinson’s Disease
2 Japan Intractable Diseases Information Center http://www.nanbyou.or.jp/
3 Borgohain R et al. Randomized Trial of Safinamide Add-On to Levodopa in Parkinson's Disease With Motor Fluctuations. Mov Disord. 2014 Feb;29(2):229-37
4 Schapira AH et al. Assessment of Safety and Efficacy of Safinamide as a Levodopa Adjunct in Patients With Parkinson Disease and Motor Fluctuations: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol. 2017 Feb 1;74(2):216-224
5 E Ray Dorsey et al. Global, regional, and national burden of Parkinson’s disease, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 Lancet Neurol. 2018;17:939–53
About Newron Pharmaceuticals
Newron (SIX: NWRN, XETRA: NP5) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for patients with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. The Company is headquartered in Bresso near Milan, Italy. Xadago®/safinamide has received marketing authorization for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease in the European Union, Switzerland, the USA, Australia, Canada, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and Japan, and is commercialized by Newron’s Partner Zambon. US WorldMeds holds the commercialization rights in the USA. Meiji Seika has the rights to develop and commercialize the compound in Japan and other key Asian territories. In addition to Xadago®/safinamide for Parkinson’s disease, Newron has a strong pipeline of promising treatments for rare disease patients at various stages of clinical development, including sarizotan for patients with Rett syndrome and ralfinamide for patients with specific rare pain indications. Newron is also developing Evenamide as the potential first add-on therapy for the treatment of patients with positive symptoms of schizophrenia. For more information, please visit: www.newron.com
For more information, please contact
Newron
Stefan Weber – CEO
+39 02 6103 46 26
pr@newron.com
UK/Europe
Julia Phillips / Natalie Garland-Collins, FTI Consulting
+44 20 3727 1000
SCnewron@fticonsulting.com
Switzerland
Martin Meier-Pfister, IRF
+41 43 244 81 40
meier-pfister@irf-reputation.ch
Germany/Europe
Anne Hennecke, MC Services
+49 211 52925222
anne.hennecke@mc-services.eu
USA
Paul Sagan, LaVoieHealthScience
+1 617 374 8800, Ext. 112
psagan@lavoiehealthscience.com
Important Notices
This document contains forward-looking statements, including (without limitation) about (1) Newron’s ability to develop and expand its business, successfully complete development of its current product candidates and current and future collaborations for the development and commercialisation of its product candidates and reduce costs (including staff costs), (2) the market for drugs to treat CNS diseases and pain conditions, (3) Newron’s anticipated future revenues, capital expenditures and financial resources, and (4) assumptions underlying any such statements. In some cases, these statements and assumptions can be identified by the fact that they use words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “target,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. All statements, other than historical facts, contained herein regarding Newron's strategy, goals, plans, future financial position, projected revenues and costs and prospects are forward-looking statements. By their very nature, such statements and assumptions involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that predictions, forecasts, projections and other outcomes described, assumed or implied therein will not be achieved. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set out in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors. These factors include (without limitation) (1) uncertainties in the discovery, development or marketing of products, including without limitation negative results of clinical trials or research projects or unexpected side effects, (2) delay or inability in obtaining regulatory approvals or bringing products to market, (3) future market acceptance of products, (4) loss of or inability to obtain adequate protection for intellectual property rights, (5) inability to raise additional funds, (6) success of existing and entry into future collaborations and licensing agreements, (7) litigation, (8) loss of key executive or other employees, (9) adverse publicity and news coverage, and (10) competition, regulatory, legislative and judicial developments or changes in market and/or overall economic conditions. Newron may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in forward-looking statements, and assumptions underlying any such statements may prove wrong. Investors should therefore not place undue reliance on them. There can be no assurance that actual results of Newron's research programmes, development activities, commercialisation plans, collaborations and operations will not differ materially from the expectations set out in such forward-looking statements or underlying assumptions. Newron does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements except as may be required by applicable regulations of the SIX Swiss Exchange, where the shares of Newron are listed. This announcement is not an offer for sale of securities in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would otherwise be unlawful. The securities referred to herein may not be sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Newron does not intend to register any of its securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of its securities in the United States. This document does not contain or constitute an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities of Newron and no part of this document shall form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever.
Record changed: 2023-06-05 |
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