Teva to Initiate Third Phase III Trial of Oral Laquinimod for the Treatment of Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd and Active Biotech provided an update on the clinical development program of once-daily oral laquinimod for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The companies are to initiate a third Phase III study of laquinimod, following the written agreement reached with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the Special Protocol Assessment (SPA).

The third Phase III laquinimod trial CONCERTO will evaluate two doses of the investigational product (0.6mg and 1.2mg) in approximately 1,800 patients for up to 24 months. The primary outcome measure will be confirmed disability progression as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).

"The results achieved in the previous Phase III trials of laquinimod support the clinical utility of this compound as a unique treatment option for multiple sclerosis," said Dr. Michael Hayden, president of global R&D and chief scientific officer, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. "We are encouraged by the FDA’s agreement on the trial design and planned analysis, and look forward to further developing laquinimod as a potential treatment option for RRMS patients."

ABOUT LAQUINIMOD

Laquinimod is an oral, once-daily CNS-active immunomodulator with a novel mechanism of action being developed for the treatment of MS. In animal models laquinimod crosses the blood brain barrier to potentially have a direct effect on resident CNS inflammation and neurodegeneration. The global Phase III clinical development program evaluating oral laquinimod in MS includes two pivotal studies, ALLEGRO and BRAVO.

In addition to the MS clinical studies, laquinimod is currently in Phase II of development for Crohn’s disease and Lupus.

ABOUT SPECIAL PROTOCOL ASSESMENT (SPA)

A SPA is a written agreement between the FDA and a drug sponsor intended to confirm that the clinical trial protocol is adequate to meet current scientific and regulatory requirements for a potential new drug application.

ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

MS is the leading cause of neurological disability in young adults. It is estimated that more than 400,000 people in the United States are affected by the disease and that two million people may be affected worldwide. Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system in which inflammation and axonal damage and loss result in the development of progressive disability.

ABOUT TEVA

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd is a leading global pharmaceutical company, committed to increasing access to high-quality healthcare by developing, producing and marketing affordable generic drugs as well as innovative and specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Headquartered in Israel, Teva is the world’s leading generic drug maker, with a global product portfolio of more than 1,300 molecules and a direct presence in about 60 countries. Teva’s branded businesses focus on CNS, oncology, pain, respiratory and women’s health therapeutic areas as well as biologics. Teva currently employs approximately 46,000 people around the world and reached $18.3 billion in net revenues in 2011.

ABOUT ACTIVE BIOTECH

Active Biotech AB is a biotechnology company with focus on autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and cancer. Projects in or entering pivotal phase are laquinimod, an orally administered small molecule with unique immunomodulatory properties for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, TASQ for prostate cancer as well as ANYARA for use in cancer targeted therapy, primarily of renal cell cancer. In addition, laquinimod is in Phase II development for Crohn’s and Lupus. An additional project in clinical development is the orally administered compound 57-57 for Systemic Sclerosis. Please visit www.activebiotech.com for more information.

SOURCE: Active Biotech