VIVUS Announces Positive Phase 2 Clinical Trial Results With Qnexa, a Novel Therapy to Treat Obesity
VIVUS Announces Positive Phase 2 Clinical Trial Results With Qnexa, a Novel Therapy to Treat Obesity
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 10, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- VIVUS, Inc. (Nasdaq: VVUS) today announced positive results from a 200-patient, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of Qnexa, an investigational oral treatment for obesity. In the study conducted by Duke University Medical Center, more than 50% of obese patients in the Qnexa treatment group experienced 10% or more total body weight loss during the 24-week study period. Mean weight loss on an intent-to-treat (ITT) basis in the Qnexa group was 25.1 lbs., compared to 4.8 lbs in the placebo group (p<0.0001). Importantly, the rate of weight loss for patients in the Qnexa group had not plateaued by the end of the study. Qnexa was well-tolerated with a study completion rate of 92% versus a completion rate of 62% for the placebo group.
Qnexa Phase 2 Trial Results
Qnexa is a proprietary pharmaceutical treatment containing low doses of the active ingredients phentermine and topiramate. This phase 2 study was a 4-arm, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study comparing Qnexa to placebo, phentermine and topiramate. Primary and secondary efficacy measurements in the study all showed that Qnexa was significantly better than placebo and the active single-agent control groups. Findings from the study included:
- Qnexa achieved significantly greater weight loss as compared to
placebo and each of the active single-agent control groups.
Moreover, the proportion of patients achieving 10% or more total body
weight loss with Qnexa was greater than the sum of both active
comparator agents.
- Qnexa achieved a placebo-adjusted weight loss of 20.3 pounds at
week 24.
- Weight loss with Qnexa had not plateaued by 24 weeks as has been
observed with other obesity therapeutics in development.
- Qnexa was well-tolerated as evidenced by the fact that only four patients (8%) dropped out of the Qnexa study arm, versus 19 patients (38%) on placebo.
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. (A BMI of >30.0 is classified
as obese per guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services). Each subject in the study received daily doses, consisting of
Qnexa, placebo, or each one of the active ingredients separately. Subjects
were asked to reduce caloric intake by 500 calories per day.
"The prevalence of obesity and related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes has increased at an alarming rate in the U.S. in the recent years. There is considerable need for effective treatments for weight control. The weight loss observed in this trial is quite impressive," said Kishore M. Gadde, M.D., Director, Obesity Clinical Trials Program, Duke University Medical Center and Principal Investigator of the phase 2 trial. "Qnexa was well-tolerated and it will be exciting to follow this investigational product as it advances through clinical development."
"These results are consistent with the research data that I have generated using this treatment," stated Dr. Thomas Najarian, Principal Scientist and inventor of Qnexa. "Qnexa provides synergistic weight loss over the two active agents and is well tolerated."
"Qnexa is being developed as a proprietary pharmaceutical treatment that incorporates the active ingredients from two previously approved products with demonstrated weight loss properties. We believe that by combining the activity of each of these compounds, Qnexa simultaneously addresses the two main mechanisms that impact eating behavior," stated Wesley W. Day, Ph.D., Vice President, Clinical Development. "Qnexa could be the first product to significantly affect both excessive hunger and the inability to feel satisfied. Based on the results from the Duke study, Qnexa appears to induce significantly greater weight loss than either component individually. Importantly, the weight loss had not plateaued in the Qnexa group at week 24."
"The announcement of this program represents the natural expansion of our pipeline outside of our focus on sexual health. Obesity is a serious medical condition that leads to major co-morbidities including diabetes, hypertension and dyslipdemia. Qnexa fits well with our strategy of developing proprietary compounds, with proven safety records for large market opportunities," said Leland Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIVUS.
About Qnexa
Qnexa is a proprietary pharmaceutical treatment that incorporates low doses of active ingredients from two previously approved products. 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. In a recent clinical trial conducted at Duke University, over 50% of obese patients experienced 10% or more total body weight loss in a 24-week study 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. An estimated 400,000 deaths a year in the U.S. may be attributable to poor diet and physical inactivity. The total direct and indirect costs attributed to overweight and obesity amounted to $117 billion in 2000. Additionally, Americans spend more than $33 billion annually on weight-loss products and services.
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 four products that are positioned to enter Phase 3 clinical trials, and one product has completed Phase 3 evaluation, for which an NDA will be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in late 2006. The pipeline includes: Qnexa, for which a phase 2 study has been completed; ALISTA, for which a phase 2B program ongoing for the treatment of Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD); Testosterone MDTS®, for which a phase 2 program has been completed for the treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD); Evamist, for which a phase 3 program has been completed for the treatment of menopausal symptoms; avanafil, for which a phase 2 program has been completed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED); and MUSE®, which 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.
Note to Investors
Conference Call & Webcast
As previously announced, VIVUS will hold a conference call to discuss Qnexa today, May 10, 2006, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time. You can listen to this call by dialing 877-660-0983 and entering reservation number 9107678. A live webcast and 30-day archive of the call can be accessed at www.vivus.com.
A telephone replay of the conference call will be available for 24 hours beginning May 10th at approximately 1:30 p.m. (EDT) by dialing 800-642-1687 and entering reservation number 9107678.
Analyst Day
VIVUS will hold an Analyst Day in New York City on Thursday, May 18, 2006,
from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT. The event will be held at the Four Seasons
Hotel, 57 East 57th Street, New York, New York. VIVUS management and certain
principal investigators will be on hand to discuss the results from the phase
2 clinical trial of Qnexa, and the pivotal phase 3 studies of Evamist. A
detailed update on all other development programs will be included. Seating
is limited and participants can confirm their attendance by contacting
Stephanie Diaz at Vida Communication, 415-675-7401 or
sdiaz@vidacommunication.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.
SOURCE VIVUS, Inc.
Timothy E. Morris, Chief Financial Officer of VIVUS, Inc., +1-650-934-5200; or investors, Stephanie Diaz, or Tim Brons, both of Vida Communication, +1-415-675-7400, for VIVUS, Inc.; media, Kevin Knight, +1-214-739-0353, for VIVUS, Inc.