MILAN & MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. (“Newron”) (SIX: NWRN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for patients with diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) and pain, today announced that the Sarizotan Treatment of Apneas in Rett Syndrome (STARS) study has been expanded to include Rett syndrome patients as young as six years of age. An amendment to allow the inclusion of the patients under the age of 13 was approved by the FDA after Newron submitted results from juvenile toxicology studies. Newron is also submitting the amendment to Health Authorities and Institutional Review Boards in other countries.
Ravi Anand, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Newron, commented: “Rett syndrome is a devastating condition that manifests in early childhood. This decision by the FDA to lower the age limit for inclusion of patients from six years old will allow sarizotan’s benefits to be evaluated in these younger patients before the disease has significantly progressed. Newron believes that earlier onset of treatment in Rett’s patients may be associated with less deterioration of respiratory and neurological symptoms.”
STARS is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study, expected to enroll 129 patients (three groups of 43), in up to 15 centers of excellence in the USA, the UK, Italy, Australia and India. The potentially pivotal clinical study will evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of sarizotan in patients with Rett syndrome suffering from respiratory symptoms. Among the core symptoms of Rett, breathing disturbances may affect the whole body; they can have a marked effect on biochemistry, influence emotions, circulation and digestive function as well as musculoskeletal structures in the respiratory process.
The primary endpoint for the STARS study is reduction in episodes of clinically significant apneas (>10 sec) during waking time by 20 percent. During this 6-month study, patients will receive treatment with daily doses of 10 and 20 mg of sarizotan, or placebo. The Company expects to have top-line results available for release in 2018.
Sarizotan received Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of Rett syndrome from both the European Commission and the FDA in 2015. It could become the first therapy approved for the treatment of Rett syndrome patients. Newron intends to commercialize sarizotan directly.
Besides the STARS efficacy study, Newron, as part of its commitment to the rare disease patient community, is partnering with the global Rett community to work on the first Burden of Disease (BOD) study. The study aims to deliver data and analytics to quantify the physical, emotional and financial challenges of Rett syndrome. These learnings can help identify improved intervention programs and services designed to complement the Rett care pathway.
Learn More
View a
video on Rett syndrome here.
About Rett Syndrome
Rett syndrome is a severe
neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting females, with an
estimated prevalence ranging from one in 10,000 to one in 20,000
females. There are no approved treatments available. Rett syndrome is
characterized by a loss of acquired fine and gross motor skills and the
development of neurological, cognitive and autonomic dysfunction, which
leads to loss of ability to conduct daily life activities, walk or
communicate. Rett syndrome also is associated with a reduced life
expectancy. Approximately 25 percent of the deaths in patients with Rett
syndrome are possibly related to multiple cardio-respiratory
dysrhythmias that result from brain stem immaturity and autonomic
failure. More than 95 percent of these patients have a random mutation
in the MECP2 gene. Episodes of apnea, hyperventilation and disordered
breathing are found in approximately 70 percent of patients with Rett
syndrome at some stage of their life. For more information on Rett
syndrome, visit www.rettsyndrome.org.
About Newron Pharmaceuticals
Newron (SIX: NWRN) is a
biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies
for patients with diseases of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and pain.
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 and the USA, 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® 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. www.newron.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 up-date 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 document does not contain or constitute an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities of Newron and no part of it shall form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever.