VIVUS, Inc. Says Diet Drug Effective In Mid-Stage Study
"Qnexa demonstrated significant weight loss and reduction in waist circumference in this study, coupled with excellent tolerability and a positive impact on certain factors pertaining to metabolic syndrome in obese patients," commented Leland Wilson, president and chief executive officer of VIVUS. "This is the first time the Qnexa Phase 2 data has been presented in a medical forum and represents the beginning of our education process with practicing physicians on the potential of Qnexa."
Dr. Gadde's presentation, entitled A 24-week Randomized Controlled Trial of VI-0521, a Combination Weight Loss Therapy, in Obese Adults, provided data on average weight-loss, percent of weight loss from baseline, waist circumference and the observed benefit of Qnexa with respect to certain risk factors contributing to metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a condition characterized by multiple metabolic risk factors, including obesity as well as elevated triglyceride levels, blood pressure and cholesterol. Dr. Gadde also detailed the primary findings from this study, which have been previously reported.
Presentation Highlights
Qnexa is a proprietary oral investigational pharmaceutical treatment for obesity. The Phase 2 study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted at Duke University. This trial involved 200 subjects, 159 women and 41 men with an average age of 40 and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 38.6. (A BMI of > 30.0 is classified as obese per guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.)
Patients completing the twenty-four week treated period achieved a highly significant average weight loss of 26.0 pounds, as compared to 7.0 pounds for the placebo group (p < 0.0001). Using an intent-to-treat, last observation-carried forward (ITT-LOCF) analysis, treatment with Qnexa had a highly significant average weight loss of 25.1 pounds, compared to 4.8 pounds for the placebo group (p < 0.0001).
The study completion rate for patients on Qnexa over the 24-week treatment period was 92%, as compared to 62% for patients in the placebo group.
Additional Findings on Weight Loss
Patients completing the twenty-four week treatment period lost on average 11.1% of baseline body weight, as compared to an average 2.8% in the placebo group. The difference between the Qnexa arm and the placebo arm was highly significant (p < 0.0001). Using an ITT-LOCF analysis, patients on Qnexa lost 10.7% of baseline body weight, as compared to 2.1% for the placebo arm (p < 0.0001). The primary efficacy endpoint for weight loss trials as required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is demonstration of a mean placebo-subtracted 1 year weight loss of greater than or equal to 5%. In Europe, The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has recommended that demonstration of significant weight loss of at least 10% of baseline weight is considered to be a valid primary endpoint for anti-obesity drugs.
Using an ITT-LOCF analysis, the percentage of patients achieving 5%, 10% and 15% weight loss from baseline was 82% (p < 0.0001), 50% (p < 0.0001) and 20% (p=0.0007), respectively, as compared to 14%, 8% and 0% for the placebo group.
Findings for Secondary Endpoints
On an ITT-LOCF basis, patients in the Qnexa group had a significant reduction of waist circumference of 12.6 cm, as compared to 6.4 cm for the placebo group (p < 0.0001). Waistline is an indicator of central adiposity, which has been shown to be positively correlated with the risk factors for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.
Patients treated with Qnexa had a mean reduction of 10% for cholesterol and 16.2% for triglycerides, as compared to a reduction of 3.5% and an increase of 6.7%, respectively, for the placebo group. Baseline cholesterol and triglycerides were considered normal. Decreases in blood pressure as measured by the mean change from baseline at week 24 were also observed in the Qnexa group as compared to the placebo group. These findings suggest that Qnexa may improve certain metabolic risk factors in obese patients. Qnexa was well tolerated in this trial. Adverse events occurring in greater than 10% in the Qnexa arm as compared to placebo included paresthesia (mild tingling of the extremities), altered taste and increased urinary frequency. There were no dropouts in the Qnexa arm due to serious or severe adverse events.
About Qnexa
Qnexa is a proprietary pharmaceutical treatment that incorporates low doses of active ingredients from two previously approved products (phentermine and topiramate). By combining the activity of each of these compounds, Qnexa simultaneously addresses excessive appetite and high threshold for satiety, the two main mechanisms that impact eating behavior. We believe Qnexa is the first product to treat obesity in this manner. Qnexa is subject to U.S. and International patents.
About Obesity
In 2004, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranked obesity as the number one health threat in America. Obesity is a chronic condition that affects millions of people and often requires long-term or invasive treatment to promote and sustain weight loss. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. The American Obesity Association estimates that approximately 127 million, or 64.5 percent of adults in the U.S. are overweight, and an estimated 60 million, or 30.5 percent, are obese. The total direct and indirect costs attributed to those who are overweight and obese amounted to $117 billion in 2000. Additionally, Americans spend more than $33 billion annually on weight-loss products and services.
About Metabolic Syndrome
According to the American Heart Association, "The metabolic syndrome is characterized by a group of metabolic risk factors in one person." Such factors include but are not limited to:
-- Abdominal obesity -- Blood fat disorders that foster plaque buildup in artery walls including: - high triglycerides - low HDL cholesterol - high LDL cholesterol -- Elevated blood pressure People with metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of coronary heart disease and other conditions that result from the buildup of plaque in artery walls (e.g., stroke and peripheral vascular disease) and type 2 diabetes. It is currently estimated that more than 50 million Americans are living with metabolic syndrome.
About VIVUS
VIVUS, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of next-generation therapeutic products addressing obesity and sexual health. VIVUS has three products that are positioned to enter Phase 3 clinical trials, and one product currently under NDA review by the FDA. The pipeline includes: Qnexa(TM), for which a Phase 2 study has been completed for the treatment of obesity; Testosterone MDTS®, for which a Phase 2 study has been completed for the treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD); EvaMist(TM), for which a Phase 3 study has been completed and an NDA submitted for the treatment of menopausal symptoms; and avanafil, for which a Phase 2 study has been completed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). MUSE® is approved and currently on the market for the treatment of ED. For more information on clinical trials and products, please visit the company's web site at www.vivus.com .
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," "estimated" and "intend," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on VIVUS' current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, substantial competition; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payer reimbursement; reliance on sole source suppliers; limited sales and marketing efforts and dependence upon third parties; risks related to the development of innovative products; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. There are no guarantees that future clinical studies discussed in this press release will be completed or successful or that any product will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove to be commercially successful. VIVUS does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in VIVUS' Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: VIVUS, Inc. Vida Communication Timothy E. Morris Stephanie Diaz & Tim Brons Chief Financial Officer 415-675-7400 650-934-5200
Source: VIVUS, Inc.