Debra Borchardt
GW Pharmaceuticals
GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:GWPH) has filed a supplemental marketing application in the U.S. seeking approval to use Epidiolex (cannabidiol) oral solution to treat seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex, a rare inherited disorder characterized by the growth on non-cancerous tumors in many parts of the body. It affects approximately 40-80 thousand individuals in the U.S. and nearly one million people worldwide.
“The submission of this sNDA for Epidiolex is an important step towards the prospect of offering a new treatment option for those patients with TSC who battle difficult-to-treat seizures,” said GW Pharmaceuticals CEO, Justin Gover. “Having already obtained approval for Epdiolex in the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome, this submission is based on positive Phase 3 data showing that Epidiolex reduced TSC-associated seizures, which include both focal and generalized seizures types. We look forward to working with the FDA toward an expected approval later this year.”
The statement said that TSC is a condition that causes mostly benign tumors to grow in vital organs of the body including the brain, skin, heart, eyes, kidneys, and lungs and is a leading cause of genetic epilepsy. TSC is typically diagnosed in childhood. More than 60% of individuals with TSC do not achieve seizure control with standard treatments.
Study Data
The sNDA is supported by data from a Phase 3 safety and efficacy study, results of which were recently presented at the American Epilepsy Society 2019 annual meeting. The study met its primary endpoint with patients treated with Epidiolex 25 mg/kg/day experiencing a significantly greater reduction from baseline in TSC-associated seizures compared to placebo (49% vs 27%; p=0.0009). Results for the 50 mg/kg/day dose group were similar, with seizure reductions of 48% from baseline vs 26.5% for placebo (p=0.0018).
Zynerba
Zynerba Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ZYNE)reported that it has successfully achieved patient screening target in its 14-week CONNECT-FX (Clinical study of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Children and Adolescents with Fragile X) trial assessing the efficacy and safety of Zygel CBD Gel in children and adolescents ages three to 17 with full mutation Fragile X syndrome.
“This is an important milestone for patients with Fragile X syndrome and their caregivers as we move toward completion of enrollment in this pivotal trial,” commented Armando Anido, Chief Executive Officer of Zynerba. “I would like to thank all of our clinical investigators and their staff for their assistance thus far. Through strict entry criteria and overall trial design, we expect to enhance the study’s ability to demonstrate a strong signal of activity and minimize response variability. Having now achieved our screening target, we remain confident that we will announce topline results late in the second quarter of this year.”
The company said in a statement that it expects to disclose topline results of this study late in the second quarter of 2020. If the results are positive, the Company expects to meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to determine the acceptability of the data as a basis to submit its New Drug Application for Zygel in FXS in the second half of 2020, with potential approval by mid-year 2021.
