SAN DIEGO, April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARNA) today announced favorable results from its Phase 1b multiple-ascending dose clinical trial of APD371, a highly selective and potent agonist of the cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor with potential utility in the treatment of pain.
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1b clinical trial enrolled 36 healthy adults to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of multiple-ascending doses of APD371. Cohorts of 12 subjects (9 active, 3 placebo) were administered doses of 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg of APD371 or placebo three times daily for 10 days and, in connection with the pharmacokinetic evaluation, one time on the 11th day. The most common adverse events were headache and nausea. All adverse events were classified as mild, and there were no serious adverse events reported. There was one discontinuation in the high-dose group due to an adverse event of mild thirst and somnolence. Reductions in blood pressure and heart rate were observed, but none were symptomatic or resulted in an adverse event. Drug levels at all doses tested in the trial, including the lowest dose, were well above those believed to be needed to stimulate the CB2 receptor.
“The results of this trial substantiate data from our single-ascending dose trial of APD371. In both trials, we achieved dose-responsive exposure without dose-limiting adverse events across the range studied,” said William R. Shanahan, Jr., M.D., Arena’s Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. “Our scientists designed APD371 as a highly selective, peripherally restricted, full agonist to provide pain relief without psychotropic effects, loss of efficacy over time, or the dependence, abuse potential or adverse event profile associated with other pain treatments.”
About APD371
APD371, an orally available agonist of the CB2 receptor, is Arena’s internally discovered investigational drug candidate intended for the treatment of pain and potentially other indications. With its high level of selectivity for the CB2 receptor versus the CB1 receptor and its high peripheral restriction observed in preclinical studies, APD371 is designed to provide pain relief without psychotropic effects. Targeting the CB2 receptor may also avoid or reduce the potential for the dependence or abuse associated with opioid drugs or the adverse event profile associated with NSAIDs. Preclinical efficacy with APD371 has been shown in animal models of osteoarthritic and neuropathic pain.
About Arena Pharmaceuticals
Arena embraces the challenge of improving health by seeking to bring innovative medicines targeting G protein-coupled receptors to patients. Arena’s focus is discovering, developing and commercializing drugs to address unmet medical needs, and BELVIQ® (lorcaserin HCl) is Arena’s first internally discovered drug approved for marketing. Arena’s US operations are located in San Diego, California, and its operations outside of the United States, including its commercial manufacturing facility, are located in Zofingen, Switzerland. For more information, visit Arena’s website at www.arenapharm.com.
Arena Pharmaceuticals® and Arena® are registered service marks of Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. BELVIQ® is a registered trademark of Arena Pharmaceuticals GmbH.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements about the therapeutic indication, utility, safety, efficacy, selectivity, potency and mechanism of action of APD371; the significance of results from clinical trials and studies of APD371; the potential of APD371 and targeting the CB2 receptor, including with respect to the treatment of pain and other indications and avoiding or reducing the potential for the dependence, abuse or adverse event profile of other pain treatments; the dosage level needed to stimulate the CB2 receptor; embracing the challenge of improving health; seeking to bring innovative medicines to patients; and Arena’s focus, plans, goals, strategy, expectations, research and development programs, and ability to discover and develop compounds and commercialize drugs. For such statements, Arena claims the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ materially from Arena’s expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: top-line results are not comprehensive and are based on a preliminary analysis of then available data, and findings and conclusions related to the trial are subject to change following a more comprehensive review of the data; APD371 may not provide the anticipated, intended or desired results; APD371 may not be developed, approved for marketing or commercialized for any disease or condition; having adequate funds and other assets and their effective use; risks related to commercializing BELVIQ or any future drug, including regulatory, manufacturing, supply and marketing issues and their availability and use; the risk that Arena’s revenues are based in part on estimates, judgment and accounting policies, and incorrect estimates or disagreement regarding estimates or accounting policies may result in changes to Arena’s guidance or previously reported results; the timing and outcome of regulatory review is uncertain, and lorcaserin may not receive any additional marketing approvals; regulatory decisions in one territory may impact other regulatory decisions and Arena’s business prospects; government and commercial reimbursement and pricing decisions; risks related to relying on collaborative arrangements; the timing and receipt of payments and fees, if any, from collaborators; the entry into or modification or termination of collaborative arrangements; the timing, success and cost of Arena’s research and development and related strategy and decisions; results of clinical trials and other studies are subject to different interpretations and may not be predictive of future results; clinical trials and other studies may not proceed at the time or in the manner expected or at all; unexpected or unfavorable new data; nonclinical and clinical data is voluminous and detailed, and regulatory agencies may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently and reach different conclusions than Arena or others, request additional information, have additional recommendations or change their guidance or requirements before or after approval; data and other information related to any of Arena’s research and development may not meet regulatory requirements or otherwise be sufficient for (or Arena or a collaborator may not pursue) further research and development, regulatory review or approval or continued marketing; Arena’s and third parties’ intellectual property rights; and satisfactory resolution of litigation or other disagreements. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by Arena’s forward-looking statements are disclosed in Arena’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent Arena’s judgment as of the time of this release. Arena disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as may be required under applicable law.
Contact: Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Craig M. Audet, Ph.D., Senior Vice President,
Operations & Head of Global Regulatory Affairs
caudet@arenapharm.com
858.453.7200, ext. 1612
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SOURCE Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
