Data Confirmed Significant Improvement in Psychosis in Patientswith Alzheimer’s Disease with Substantively Greater Benefit in Patientswith More Severe Psychotic Symptoms
Pimavanserin met the primary endpoint in the Phase II -019 Study,showing a statistically significant reduction in psychosis versusplacebo, as previously reported. Data presented at CTAD showed multiplesensitivity and responder analyses supportive of the primary result anddemonstrated substantively greater benefit in those patients with moresevere psychosis. Building on these data, ACADIA recently initiated thePhase III HARMONY study of pimavanserin in dementia-related psychosis.Dementia-related psychosis includes psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease,dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease dementia, vasculardementia, and frontotemporal dementia. There is no drug approved by the
“In the Phase II -019 Study, pimavanserin significantly reducedpsychosis in patients with Alzheimer’s disease without negativelyimpacting cognition,” said
Key Findings from the Phase II -019 Study Presented at CTAD Symposium
The Phase II -019 Study data are being presented by
Pimavanserin met the primary endpoint in the study, showing astatistically significant reduction in psychosis versus placebo asmeasured by the
Importantly, in the -019 Study, no detrimental effect was observed oncognition for pimavanserin-treated patients compared to placebo.Atypical antipsychotics have been associated with a statisticallysignificant acceleration of cognitive deterioration in patients withAlzheimer’s disease.
The pimavanserin and placebo groups did not separate statistically onthe secondary endpoints of the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study -Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS-CGIC) or the Cohen-MansfieldAgitation Inventory Short Form (CMAI-SF), nor on the exploratoryendpoints of the mean change in NPI-NH Psychosis score at week 12 or theAlzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study - Activities of Daily Living(ADCS-ADL).
Data presented at CTAD from a pre-specified subgroup analysisdemonstrated a substantively larger and significant reduction inpsychosis in pimavanserin-treated patients with more severe psychosis,further underscoring the effect seen on the primary result.Approximately one-third of patients in the study had more severepsychotic symptoms (NPI-NH Psychosis score ≥12). In this subgroup,pimavanserin demonstrated a statistically significant reduction inpsychosis versus placebo on the NPI-NH Psychosis score at week 6 (delta= 4.43, p=0.0114, effect size [Cohen’s d] = 0.73). Additionally, theproportion of responders at week 6 that had an NPI-NH Psychosis scoreimprovement of ≥ 30% was 88.9% for pimavanserin-treated patients versus43.3% for placebo (p=0.0004).
Larger effects were also observed on the NPI-NH Psychosis score inpimavanserin-treated patients with prior antipsychotic use.
As previously reported, pimavanserin was well tolerated in this frailand elderly population and the safety profile was consistent with whathas been observed in previous studies.
Other Presentations at CTAD Symposium: “The Importance of Serotoninin Alzheimer’s Disease Psychosis and the Role of Pimavanserin”
The -019 Study data are being presented as part of a three-partsymposium. The symposium also includes a presentation by Stephen M.Stahl, MD, PhD, Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry,
Furthermore, a presentation by
The symposium’s moderator is
About Dementia-Related Psychosis
Around 8 million people in
Phase III HARMONY Study
Pimavanserin is currently being evaluated in a Phase III study, HARMONY,which is designed to evaluate its efficacy and safety for the treatmentof hallucinations and delusions associated with dementia-relatedpsychosis. The objective of the study is to evaluate the ability ofpimavanserin to prevent relapse of psychotic symptoms in a broadpopulation of patients with the most common subtypes of dementia:Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s diseasedementia, vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia.
The
About Pimavanserin
Pimavanserin is a selective serotonin inverse agonist (SSIA)preferentially targeting 5-HT2A receptors. These receptorsare thought to play an important role in dementia-related psychosis.Pimavanserin is being evaluated in an extensive clinical developmentprogram by ACADIA across multiple indications. Pimavanserin (34 mg) wasapproved for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associatedwith Parkinson’s disease psychosis by the
About ACADIA Pharmaceuticals
ACADIA is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development andcommercialization of innovative medicines to address unmet medical needsin central nervous system disorders. ACADIA maintains a website at www.acadia-pharm.comto which we regularly post copies of our press releases as well asadditional information and through which interested parties cansubscribe to receive e-mail alerts.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical innature are forward-looking statements. These statements include but arenot limited to statements related to the benefits to be derived fromNUPLAZID (pimavanserin); the utility of pimavanserin in indicationsother than hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’sdisease psychosis, including indications falling within dementia-relatedpsychosis; whether pimavanserin could be an important new treatment forelderly and underserved patients with dementia-related psychosis;whether selective 5-HT2A inverse agonists/antagonists, such aspimavanserin, can be used to restore balance to brain regions criticalfor processing sensory information and performing executive functions;and the timing or results of future studies involving pimavanserin.These statements are only predictions based on current information andexpectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actualevents or results may differ materially from those projected in any ofsuch statements due to various factors, including the risks anduncertainties inherent in drug discovery, development, approval andcommercialization, and the fact that past results of clinical trials maynot be indicative of future trial results. For a discussion of these andother factors, please refer to ACADIA’s annual report on Form 10-K forthe year ended
Important Safety Information and Indication forNUPLAZID (pimavanserin) tablets
WARNING: INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITHDEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated withantipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. NUPLAZID is notapproved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosisunrelated to the hallucinations and delusions associated withParkinson’s disease psychosis.
NUPLAZID is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment ofhallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s diseasepsychosis.
Contraindication: NUPLAZID is contraindicated in patients with a historyof a hypersensitivity reaction to pimavanserin or any of its components.Rash, urticaria, and reactions consistent with angioedema (e.g., tongueswelling, circumoral edema, throat tightness, and dyspnea) have beenreported.
QT Interval Prolongation: NUPLAZID prolongs the QT interval. The use ofNUPLAZID should be avoided in patients with known QT prolongation or incombination with other drugs known to prolong QT interval includingClass 1A antiarrhythmics or Class 3 antiarrhythmics, certainantipsychotic medications, and certain antibiotics. NUPLAZID should alsobe avoided in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias, as well asother circumstances that may increase the risk of the occurrence oftorsade de pointes and/or sudden death, including symptomaticbradycardia, hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, and presence of congenitalprolongation of the QT interval.
Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions (≥2%for NUPLAZID and greater than placebo) were peripheral edema (7%vs 2%), nausea (7% vs 4%), confusional state (6% vs 3%), hallucination(5% vs 3%), constipation (4% vs 3%), and gait disturbance (2% vs <1%).
Drug Interactions: Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, ketoconazole)increase NUPLAZID concentrations. Reduce the NUPLAZID dose by one-half.Strong CYP3A4 inducers may reduce NUPLAZID exposure, monitor for reducedefficacy. Increase in NUPLAZID dosage may be needed.
Renal Impairment: No dosage adjustment for NUPLAZID is needed inpatients with mild to moderate renal impairment. Use of NUPLAZID is notrecommended in patients with severe renal impairment.
Hepatic Impairment: Use of NUPLAZID is not recommended in patients withhepatic impairment. NUPLAZID has not been evaluated in this patientpopulation.
Pregnancy: Use of NUPLAZID in pregnant women has not been evaluated andshould therefore be used in pregnancy only if the potential benefitjustifies the potential risk to the mother and fetus.
Pediatric Use: Safety and efficacy have not been established inpediatric patients.
Dosage and Administration: Recommended dose: 34 mg per day, taken orallyas two 17-mg tablets once daily, without titration.
For additional Important Safety Information, including boxed warning,please see the full Prescribing Information for NUPLAZID at https://www.nuplazid.com/pdf/NUPLAZID_Prescribing_Information.pdf.
Source:
Investor Contact:
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
LisaBarthelemy
(858) 558-2871
ir@acadia-pharm.com
or
MediaContact:
Taft Communications
Bob Laverty
(609)558-5570
bob@taftcommunications.com