Primary Endpoint and Overall Study Timing and Size Unchanged; Statistical Analysis Plan Finalized; Second Interim Efficacy Analysis and Additional Pre-Specified Endpoints Added
•Added a second pre-specified interim efficacy analysis at approximately 80% of the 1,612 primary cardiovascular events targeted for completion of the study; and
•Expanded to over 30 the number of pre-specified secondary and tertiary endpoints in an effort to more fully capture the broad potential clinical effects of Vascepa® (icosapent ethyl) and the diversity of the patient population being studied.
The amendment does not change the primary endpoint or the overall size of the REDUCE-IT study or the company's prior guidance on timing. Prospective study of additional endpoints could lead to improved patient care for specific groups within the diverse population studied in REDUCE-IT. The addition of a second interim efficacy analysis at approximately 80% completion is expected to facilitate the compilation of the final locked dataset at study end and potentially shorten the time needed to complete final analysis and final result reporting.
"This amendment reflects timely modification and fine tuning of an already robust clinical trial design and helps ensure that expectations are clear between all parties directly involved regarding the formalities of data presentation and analysis at trial completion and interim looks," commented
Statistical Analysis Plan Finalized
The primary endpoint of REDUCE-IT is the time from randomization to the first occurrence of a composite of adjudicated cardiovascular events (including cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, coronary revascularization, or hospitalization for unstable angina). Consistent with the protocol, patients in REDUCE-IT have been randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the Vascepa plus statin treatment arm of the study or to the placebo plus statin treatment arm of the study. The time to the first occurrence of the composite endpoint will be compared between arms.
REDUCE-IT is designed to provide 90% power to detect a 15% relative risk reduction between arms. The final analysis for the comparison of the time to onset of the first primary cardiovascular event between the treatment and control groups will be considered significant if the two-sided p-value is less than 0.0422.
The planned interim analyses by the DMC are based on a group sequential design with classic O'Brien-Fleming boundaries generated using the typical Lan-DeMets alpha-spending function. The use of the spending function allows for possible deviations from the target event numbers at the times of the respective interim analyses. As is standard with similar statistical assessments and permitted by study protocol, should either the first or second planned interim efficacy analysis include slightly more or slightly fewer adjudicated events, the target p-value stopping boundaries will be adjusted accordingly. The statistical analysis plan for REDUCE-IT does not include futility analysis at either interim analysis.
First Efficacy Analysis Anticipated Within 90 Days
As previously announced, late in the first quarter of 2016, the onset of approximately 60% of the target aggregate number of primary cardiovascular events triggered formal preparation for a protocol-specified interim efficacy and safety analysis by the DMC. The study has undergone multiple prior safety reviews by the DMC with each such review resulting in a DMC recommendation that REDUCE-IT continue as planned. The upcoming interim analysis in the September-October timeframe will include the first review of unblinded efficacy data by the DMC.
To be considered statistically significant at this interim look, based on the assumption that exactly 60% of target events are adjudicated and available for assessment by the DMC, the primary efficacy analysis must show that the two-sided p-value for relative risk reduction on the primary endpoint is less than 0.0076 in favor of the Vascepa plus statin treatment arm.
Second Efficacy Analysis Added
Preparations for the second planned interim efficacy analysis will be triggered by the onset of approximately 80% of the target aggregate number of primary cardiovascular events in the study. Based on historical event rates,
Assuming that exactly 80% of the target primary events have been adjudicated and included in the second interim efficacy analysis by the DMC, the primary efficacy analysis must show that the two-sided p-value for relative risk reduction on the primary endpoint is less than 0.0220 in favor of the Vascepa plus statin treatment arm.
Final Efficacy Analysis Anticipated in 2018
The final analysis will be conducted from a locked database after notification that 1,612 primary cardiovascular events have been formally adjudicated.
If the study is continued until the planned end, subsequent to the two interim efficacy analyses by the DMC, the final analysis for the comparison of the time to onset of first primary cardiovascular event between the treatment and control groups will be considered significant if the two-sided p-value is less than 0.0422. This final p-value reflects accepted statistical methodology for adjustment of multiple analyses.
Secondary and Tertiary Endpoints Expanded
Recognizing the potential to observe broad beneficial impact from treatment with Vascepa in REDUCE-IT, the study's statistical analysis plan now includes more than 30 pre-specified secondary and tertiary endpoints designed to capture multiple potential drug effects in multiple additional sub-populations. Such pre-specified endpoints are designed to better assess the potential therapeutic benefits of Vascepa across multiple patient subpopulations and support a variety of related new publications. We anticipate these publications could help us improve patient care by supporting informed medical decisions in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
"The data generated by this trial, if successful, could define how residual cardiovascular risk is treated in the studied patient population," added
About Special Protocol Assessment Agreements
An SPA agreement documents
About REDUCE-IT
REDUCE-IT is a global Phase 3, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate whether treatment with Vascepa reduces cardiovascular events in patients who have persistently elevated triglyceride levels despite stabilized statin therapy. The primary endpoint of the study is the time to the first occurrence of the composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, coronary revascularization, or hospitalization for unstable angina. Secondary endpoints include time to event analyses of components of the primary endpoint.
Additional information on the REDUCE-IT trial and
About VASCEPA ® (icosapent ethyl) capsules
VASCEPA® (icosapent ethyl) capsules are a single-molecule prescription product consisting of 1 gram of the omega-3 acid commonly known as EPA in ethyl-ester form. Vascepa is not fish oil, but is derived from fish through a stringent and complex
•The effect of VASCEPA on the risk for pancreatitis and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia has not been determined.
Important Safety Information for VASCEPA •VASCEPA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reaction) to VASCEPA or any of its components.
•Use with caution in patients with known hypersensitivity to fish and/or shellfish.
•The most common reported adverse reaction (incidence > 2% and greater than placebo) was arthralgia (2.3% for Vascepa, 1.0% for placebo). There was no reported adverse reaction > 3% and greater than placebo.
•Patients receiving treatment with VASCEPA and other drugs affecting coagulation (e.g., anti-platelet agents) should be monitored periodically.
•In patients with hepatic impairment, monitor ALT and AST levels periodically during therapy.
•Patients should be advised to swallow VASCEPA capsules whole; not to break open, crush, dissolve, or chew VASCEPA.
•Adverse events and product complaints may be reported by calling
1-855-VASCEPA or the
FULL VASCEPA PRESCRIBING INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.VASCEPA.COM.
Vascepa has been approved for use by the
About
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the potential efficacy and therapeutic benefits of Vascepa, including implications about the potential clinical importance of the potential findings from REDUCE-IT; statements regarding the REDUCE-IT study's potential success and its effects on patient care, including as relating to the more than 30 pre-specified secondary and tertiary endpoints focused on additional effects and patient sub-populations; the expected timing of the planned 60% and 80% interim data analyses by the DMC and related effects on the analysis and reporting of final data from the REDUCE-IT study; expectations regarding the DMC's recommendations to continue the REDUCE-IT study as planned following the 60% and 80% interim data analyses; expectations regarding the timing of the final cardiovascular event in the REDUCE-IT study
and the release of top-line data; and the potential for an expansion of the approved Vascepa label based on the possible results of the REDUCE-IT study. These forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein include uncertainties associated generally with research on biomarkers thought to be relevant in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, as well as research and development and clinical trial risk generally, including the risk that study results may not be predictive of future results and that studied parameters may not have clinically meaningful effect. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks associated with an investment in
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