WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: VNDA) today announced top-line results of the Phase IIb/III clinical study (MAGELLAN) in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), investigating the efficacy and safety of tasimelteon as a monotherapy in the treatment of patients with MDD. The clinical study did not meet the primary endpoint of change from baseline in the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) after 8 weeks of treatment as compared to placebo. Both tasimelteon and placebo treated patients had an approximately 40% reduction of their MDD symptoms from baseline. Tasimelteon was shown to be safe and well-tolerated, consistent with observations in prior studies. Given these current proof of concept clinical study results, Vanda has decided to discontinue all activities in this indication.
“These results are disappointing, as there is still a significant unmet medical need for patients with Major Depression,” said Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, M.D., President and CEO of Vanda. “Tasimelteon’s application in the treatment of blind individuals with Non-24 remains our top priority as we pursue our planned NDA submission this year.”
Vanda has recently reported positive results in two phase III clinical studies of tasimelteon in Non-24-Hour Disorder (Non-24) and plans to submit a New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in mid-2013.
About MAGELLAN
MAGELLAN was a proof of concept, two arm (tasimelteon 20mg and placebo), 8-week, double-masked, randomized, phase IIb/III clinical study in patients with MDD. The study enrolled 507 patients in 43 sites in the U.S. The primary endpoint of the study was the change from baseline in the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) at week 8.
About Tasimelteon
Tasimelteon is a circadian regulator in development for the treatment of Non-24. Tasimelteon is a melatonin agonist of the human MT1 and MT2 receptors, with greater specificity for MT2. Tasimelteon’s ability to reset the master body clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), located in the hypothalamus, results in the entrainment of the body’s melatonin and cortisol rhythms to align to the 24-hour day-night cycle. Tasimelteon is currently in Phase III development for Non-24. A New Drug Application, is expected to be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in mid-2013 for Non-24.
Conference Call
Vanda has scheduled a conference call for today, Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 9 AM ET to discuss the MDD clinical trial results. Investors can call 1-888-895-5479 (domestic) and 1-847 619-6250 (international) and use passcode 34186999. A replay of the call will be available beginning Thursday, January 31, 2013, at 11:30 AM ET and will be accessible until Thursday, February 7, 2013, at 11:59 PM ET. The replay call-in number is 1-888-843-7419 for domestic callers and 1-630 652-3042 for international callers. The access number is 34186999.
The conference call will be broadcast simultaneously on Vanda’s website, http://www.vandapharma.com. Investors should click on the Investor Relations tab and are advised to go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary software. The call will also be archived on Vanda’s website for a period of 30 days, through March 2, 2013.
About Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.:
Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of products for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. For more on Vanda, please visit http://www.vandapharma.com.
Company Contact:
Jim Kelly
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(202) 734-3428
jim.kelly@vandapharma.com
Media Contact:
Cristina Murphy
Senior Communications Manager
Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(202) 734-3414
cristina.murphy@vandapharma.com
Laney Cohen
Account Supervisor
Makovsky & Company, Inc.
(212)-508-9643
lcohen@makovsky.com
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Various statements in this release are “forward-looking statements” under the securities laws. Words such as, but not limited to, “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “goal,” “likely,” “will,” “would,” and “could,” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions or words, identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks, changes in circumstances, assumptions and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the company’s forward-looking statements include, among others: the inability to reach agreement with the FDA regarding Vanda’s regulatory approval strategy or proposed path to approval for tasimelteon for the treatment of Non-24-Hour Disorder; Vanda’s failure to obtain regulatory approval for tasimelteon for the treatment of Non-24-Hour Disorder or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements; and other factors that are described in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of Vanda’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 which is on file with the SEC and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition to the risks described above and in Vanda’s annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, other unknown or unpredictable factors also could affect Vanda’s results. There can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by Vanda will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Vanda. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the outcomes stated in such forward-looking statements and estimates will be achieved.
All written and verbal forward-looking statements attributable to Vanda or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. Vanda cautions investors not to rely too heavily on the forward-looking statements Vanda makes or that are made on its behalf. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Vanda undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.
