Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM), a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for the
management of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, announces the
initiation of the INTERCEPT trial, a Phase 3 study evaluating the
early treatment of migraine with AXS-07 (MoSEIC™
meloxicam/rizatriptan), the Company’s novel, oral, investigational
medicine with distinct dual mechanisms of action for the acute
treatment of migraine. The Company separately announced results of
the MINDSET survey of physicians who treat in aggregate more than
50,000 migraine patients annually. The vast majority of survey
physicians (90%) believe it is very important for patients to
administer their acute treatment at the earliest sign of migraine
pain, supporting the rationale for the INTERCEPT trial which is
designed to enhance the market readiness of AXS-07 by generating
information on its potential real-world use. The vast majority of
respondents (85%) also cite efficacy as the most significant unmet
need in the acute treatment of migraine, supporting the rationale
for the MOMENTUM Phase 3 trial in patients with difficult-to-treat
migraine. Enrollment in MOMENTUM is nearly complete and the study
is on track for readout of topline results before year end. Based
on FDA feedback, the MOMENTUM trial, if positive, will be the only
efficacy trial required to support an NDA filing for AXS-07 for the
acute treatment of migraine, as previously disclosed.
“We are pleased with the continued progress in
the clinical development of AXS-07 for the acute treatment of
migraine. With a potential NDA filing for AXS-07 next year, the
newly launched INTERCEPT early treatment trial is designed to
further enhance the positioning of AXS-07 and ready it for
potential market entry,” said Herriot Tabuteau, MD, Chief Executive
Officer of Axsome. “Results of the MINDSET survey of
migraine-treating physicians suggest high receptivity to the
potential clinical profile of AXS-07. The vast majority of
physicians indicate that they are more likely to prescribe AXS-07
over current treatments, as well as over other treatments in
development, if AXS-07 meets the objectives of the ongoing MOMENTUM
Phase 3 registration trial in patients with difficult-to-treat
migraine. Importantly, MOMENTUM remains on track to report topline
results before year end.”
The Company plans to hold an investor R&D
call with migraine key opinion leaders on November 25, 2019 to
discuss unmet needs in the acute treatment of migraine and the
potential for AXS-07.
AXS-07 Progress Update
MOMENTUM Phase 3 Trial in Patients with History
of Inadequate Response
- Enrollment in the MOMENTUM
(Maximizing Outcomes in Treating Acute Migraine) trial is nearly
complete, and the Company remains on track to report topline
results from this study in the fourth quarter of 2019.
- MOMENTUM is enrolling only patients
with a history of inadequate response to prior acute migraine
treatments, assessed using the Migraine Treatment Optimization
Questionnaire (mTOQ-4), and incorporates the potent active
comparator rizatriptan. The trial is being conducted pursuant to an
FDA Special Protocol Assessment (SPA). Based on FDA feedback, this
trial, if positive, will be the only efficacy trial required to
support an NDA filing for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of
migraine.
INTERCEPT Phase 3 Trial Evaluating Early
Treatment of Migraine Pain
- The Company launched the INTERCEPT
(Initiating Early Control of Migraine Pain and Associated Symptoms)
trial, a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
study evaluating the early treatment of migraine with AXS-07.
- In contrast to the ongoing MOMENTUM
trial in which patients with a history of inadequate response treat
migraine attacks once they have become of moderate or severe
intensity, in the INTERCEPT trial, patients are to administer
AXS-07 at the earliest sign of migraine pain. Approximately 300
patients will be randomized in this study in a 1:1 ratio to
treatment with AXS-07 or placebo. Topline results from the
INTERCEPT trial are anticipated in the first quarter of 2020.
Migraine Treatment Needs and Physician
Receptivity (MINDSET) Survey
- Axsome separately announced today
results of the “Migraine Treatment Needs and Physician Receptivity”
(MINDSET) survey of 106 neurologists and other migraine-treating
physicians, who collectively treat more than 50,000 migraine
patients annually. The MINDSET survey was conducted to understand
treating physicians’ views of the unmet needs in the acute
treatment of migraine and their potential receptivity to
AXS-07.
- The vast majority of physicians
cite efficacy as the most significant unmet need in the acute
treatment of migraine, and believe it is very important for
patients to administer their acute treatment at the earliest sign
of migraine pain (85% and 90% of physicians, respectively).
- If AXS-07 demonstrates superior
efficacy over rizatriptan as assessed in the ongoing MOMENTUM
trial, 91% of physicians report that they are more likely to
prescribe AXS-07 over currently available treatments, with 56%
reporting that they are significantly or moderately more likely to
prescribe AXS-07.
- If AXS-07 demonstrates superior
efficacy over rizatriptan as assessed in the ongoing MOMENTUM
trial, 87% of physicians report that they are more likely to
prescribe AXS-07 over other drugs in development, including oral
CGRPs, that have not demonstrated superior efficacy to current
treatments, with 56% reporting that they are significantly or
moderately more likely to prescribe AXS-07.
Migraine Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) Conference
Call
- Axsome plans to host an investor
R&D conference call and webcast on November 25, 2019 with
migraine key opinion leaders (KOLs), focusing on AXS-07 and the
unmet needs in the acute treatment of migraine.
- This R&D event will feature
presentations from Dr. Stewart J. Tepper, Professor of Neurology at
The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and from Dr. Richard B.
Lipton, Professor and Vice Chair of Neurology, and Director of the
Montefiore Headache Center, at the Albert Einstein College of
Medicine. Additional event details including the agenda and access
information will be provided at a later date.
About the INTERCEPT Trial Evaluating
Early Treatment
INTERCEPT (Initiating Early Control of Migraine
Pain and Associated Symptoms) is a Phase 3, randomized,
double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the
early treatment of migraine with AXS-07. Approximately 300 patients
will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to treatment with AXS-07 or
placebo. Patients are to administer AXS-07 at the earliest sign of
migraine pain. The two co-primary endpoints of the trial are the
proportion of patients who are free from headache pain two hours
after dosing, and the proportion of patients who no longer suffer
from their most bothersome migraine-associated symptom (nausea,
photophobia, or phonophobia) two hours after dosing.
About the MOMENTUM Trial in Patients
with History of Inadequate Response
MOMENTUM (Maximizing Outcomes in Treating Acute
Migraine) is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, multicenter,
controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of AXS-07 in the
acute treatment of moderate and severe migraine in patients with a
history of inadequate response to prior acute treatments.
Approximately 875 eligible patients will be randomized in a 2:2:2:1
ratio to treatment with AXS-07, rizatriptan, MoSEIC™ meloxicam, or
placebo. The two co-primary endpoints of the trial are the
proportion of patients who are free from headache pain two hours
after dosing, and the proportion of patients who no longer suffer
from their most bothersome migraine-associated symptom (nausea,
photophobia, or phonophobia) two hours after dosing, for AXS-07 as
compared to placebo. Superiority of AXS-07 to the rizatriptan and
meloxicam arms (component contribution) will be established based
on sustained freedom from headache pain from two to 24 hours after
dosing. The MOMENTUM study is being conducted pursuant to an FDA
Special Protocol Assessment (SPA).
About Migraine
Over 37 million Americans suffer from migraine
according to the Centers for Disease Control, and it is the leading
cause of disability among neurological disorders in the United
States according to the American Migraine Foundation. Migraine is
characterized by recurrent attacks of pulsating, often severe and
disabling head pain associated with nausea, and sensitivity to
light and or sound. It is estimated that migraine accounts for $78
billion in direct (e.g. doctor visits, medications) and indirect
(e.g. missed work, lost productivity) costs each year in the United
States [1]. Published surveys of migraine sufferers indicate that
more than 70% are not fully satisfied with their current treatment,
that nearly 80% would try a new therapy, and that they desire
treatments that work faster, more consistently, and result in less
symptom recurrence [2,3].
About AXS-07
AXS-07 is a novel, oral, investigational
medicine with distinct dual mechanisms of action under development
for the acute treatment of migraine. AXS-07 consists of MoSEIC™
meloxicam and rizatriptan. Meloxicam is a new molecular entity for
migraine enabled by Axsome’s MoSEIC (Molecular Solubility Enhanced
Inclusion Complex) technology, which results in rapid absorption of
meloxicam while maintaining a long plasma half-life. Meloxicam is a
COX-2 preferential non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and
rizatriptan is a 5-HT1B/D agonist. AXS-07 is designed to provide
rapid, enhanced and consistent relief of migraine, with reduced
symptom recurrence. AXS-07 is not approved by the FDA.
About Axsome Therapeutics,
Inc.
Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for the
management of central nervous system (CNS) disorders for which
there are limited treatment options. Axsome’s core CNS product
candidate portfolio includes four clinical-stage candidates,
AXS-05, AXS-07, AXS-09, and AXS-12. AXS-05 is currently in a Phase
3 trial in treatment resistant depression (TRD), a Phase 3 trial in
major depressive disorder (MDD), and a Phase 2/3 trial in agitation
associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AXS-05 is also being
developed for smoking cessation treatment. AXS-07 is currently in
two Phase 3 trials for the acute treatment of migraine. AXS-12 is
currently in a Phase 2 trial in narcolepsy. AXS-05, AXS-07, AXS-09,
and AXS-12 are investigational drug products not approved by the
FDA. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at
axsome.com. The Company may occasionally disseminate material,
nonpublic information on the company website.
References
- Gooch CL, Pracht E, Borenstein AR.
The burden of neurological disease in the United States: A summary
report and call to action. Ann Neurol. 2017 Apr;
81(4):479-484.
- Smelt AF, Louter MA, Kies DA, Blom
JW, Terwindt GM, van der Heijden GJ, De Gucht V, Ferrari MD,
Assendelft WJ. What do patients consider to be the most important
outcomes for effectiveness studies on migraine treatment? Results
of a Delphi study. PLoS One. 2014 Jun 16;9(6):e98933.
- Lipton RB, Stewart WF. Acute
migraine therapy: do doctors understand what patients with migraine
want from therapy? Headache. 1999;39(suppl 2):S20-S26.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this press release
are “forward-looking statements”. We may, in some cases, use terms
such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “continue,”
“estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,”
“could,” “might,” “will,” “should” or other words that convey
uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these
forward-looking statements. In particular, the Company’s statements
regarding trends and potential future results are examples of such
forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements include
risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the
success, timing and cost of our ongoing clinical trials and
anticipated clinical trials for our current product candidates,
including statements regarding the timing of initiation, pace of
enrollment and completion of the trials (including our ability to
fully fund our disclosed clinical trials, which assumes no material
changes to our currently projected expenses), futility analyses and
receipt of interim results, which are not necessarily indicative of
the final results of our ongoing clinical trials, and the number or
type of studies or nature of results necessary to support the
filing of a new drug application (“NDA”) for any of our current
product candidates; our ability to fund additional clinical trials
to continue the advancement of our product candidates; the timing
of and our ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (“FDA”) or other regulatory authority approval of,
or other action with respect to, our product candidates (including,
but not limited to, FDA’s agreement with the Company’s plan to
discontinue the bupropion treatment arm of the ADVANCE-1 study in
accordance with the independent data monitoring committee’s
recommendations); the potential for the ASCEND clinical trial to
provide a basis for approval of AXS-05 for the treatment of major
depressive disorder and accelerate its development timeline and
commercial path to patients; the Company’s ability to successfully
defend its intellectual property or obtain the necessary licenses
at a cost acceptable to the Company, if at all; the successful
implementation of the Company’s research and development programs
and collaborations; the success of the Company’s license
agreements; the acceptance by the market of the Company’s product
candidates, if approved; the Company’s anticipated capital
requirements, including the Company’s anticipated cash runway and
the Company’s current expectations regarding its plans for future
equity financings prior to the readout from its Phase 3 trials; and
other factors, including general economic conditions and regulatory
developments, not within the Company’s control. The factors
discussed herein could cause actual results and developments to be
materially different from those expressed in or implied by such
statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the
date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation
to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect
subsequent events or circumstance.
Axsome Contact: Mark Jacobson Senior Vice
President, Operations Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. 200 Broadway, 3rd
Floor New York, NY 10038 Tel: 212-332-3243 Email:
mjacobson@axsome.com www.axsome.com
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