Full Press Release Details
Incannex Healthcare Completes Phase 2 Enrollment in RePOSA Phase
2/3 Trial of IHL-42X, an Oral Once-Daily
Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Topline Phase 2 clinical data expected in the first half 2025
NEW YORK and MELBOURNE, Australia, April 3 2025
(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Incannex Healthcare Inc. (Nasdaq: IXHL), (Incannex), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leading the way in
developing new oral combination medicines, today announced that the Company has completed Phase 2 patient enrollment in the global Phase
2/3 RePOSA study of IHL-42X for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). IHL-42X is an oral fixed dose combination medicine designed
to reduce the incidence of interruptions to breathing during sleep and improve sleep quality.
"We are excited to have achieved this milestone
and deeply grateful to our investigators, site coordinators, and, especially to the sleep apnea patient community for its support. The
pace at which we fully enrolled the Phase 2 portion of the RePOSA Phase 2/3 study strengthens our confidence in this program. OSA is a
serious, chronic, and life-threatening condition, and we believe our once-daily oral medication - designed to target underlying causes
of OSA - could offer meaningful benefits to patients," Lou Barbato, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Incannex.
"What makes IHL-42X truly unique is that
it's the first new therapeutic in its class to target physiological pathways directly tied to the airway obstruction and CO2
accumulation, both of which are characteristic of OSA. We are eager to report topline clinical data from Phase 2 portion of the study
and progress to the larger Phase 3 as swiftly as possible," said Mark Bleackley, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Incannex.
"We are pleased to have completed Phase
2 recruitment in the IHL-42X RePOSA clinical trial. The speed at which patients enrolled in the study was impressive, surpassing typical
recruitment timelines for trials of this nature. This strong interest underscores the pressing need for more effective pharmaceutical
options to manage OSA," said Mira Baron, M.D., a lead investigator for the RePOSA Phase 2/3 trial, Palm Beach Research Center. "Despite
the widespread global prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea, there is still no approved pharmaceutical therapy specifically for the treatment
of OSA. The positive response from both clinicians and patients reflects the real-world demand for a well-tolerated and effective therapeutic
option. IHL-42X represents an exciting and novel approach for filling this longstanding treatment gap. I look forward to seeing the progress
we are making in partnership with Incannex to further advance this program and address a critical need in sleep medicine."
The RePOSA Phase 2/3 is a randomized, double-blind
clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IHL-42X in patients with mild to severe OSA, who are intolerant, non-compliant,
or na ve to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. At least 560 patients will be recruited, with a total of 355 patients receiving
IHL-42X over the course of the study.
The Phase 2 study is a four-week, dose-finding
study comparing two dose strengths of IHL-42X (2.5 mg dronabinol/125 mg acetazolamide and 5 mg dronabinol/250 mg acetazolamide) to placebo.
More than 120 patients were enrolled across 11 study sites in the U.S. Phase 2 results will determine the optimal dose strength to advance
into the larger Phase 3 trial.
The Phase 3 expansion study will evaluate the
selected IHL-42X dose over 52 weeks, comparing it to its individual active pharmaceutical ingredients, dronabinol and acetazolamide, at
equivalent doses, and to placebo. This pivotal study will enroll approximately 440 patients across four treatment arms, with the goal
of supporting future regulatory submission and providing a potential new treatment option for patients with OSA who are underserved by
current therapies. Phase 2 trials sites will be rolled over into the Phase 3 expansion study, allowing for an efficient transition and
minimizing downtime between study phases.
The Phase 2/3 study follows a recently completed
successful pharmacokinetic (PK) study designed to support a future FDA 505(b)(2) new drug application (NDA) and aid in the
analysis of the global Phase 2/3 RePOSA study data, in addition to an earlier Phase 2 clinical proof-of-concept trial. Additional
information about the RePOSA study can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov under trial identifier
About Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic, serious,
and life-threatening condition characterized by frequent interruptions in breathing. Individuals with OSA experience apneic episodes,
waking up gasping for air 15 to 30 times per hour. During apneic episodes, collapse and obstruction of the upper airway lead to intermittent
cessation of breathing, hypoxia (low oxygen levels), and hypercapnia (inadequate expulsion of carbon dioxide). This results in poor quality
of sleep, severe and daytime fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. OSA is also linked to serious medical conditions,
including high blood pressure, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, liver disease, and complications with medicines and
More than 54 million adults in the U.S. and 936
million worldwide suffer from OSA, with prevalence on the rise due to aging populations, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and sedentary lifestyles.
Public awareness is increasing, along with advancements in professional and consumer diagnostic technologies, contributing to earlier
diagnosis and treatment. Notably, approximately 20% of adults with OSA are non-obese, and they are four times more likely to develop hypertension
compared to obese individuals without OSA.
Current treatment options for moderate-to-severe
OSA, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices and an injectable GIP/GLP-1 agonist for patients with obesity, have significant
drawbacks in terms of long-term use and patient compliance. CPAP devices, which deliver pressurized air through a fitted mask worn during
sleep, and current pharmacotherapy often face challenges with adherence and discontinuation. For patients who fail to comply with, or
are intolerant of these treatments, surgical removal of excess throat tissue to widen the airway may be considered. However, success rates
vary, and there are potential risks of surgical, as well as long-term post-surgical complications.
IHL-42X is designed to treat OSA by targeting
its underlying pathophysiology. An oral fixed-dose combination of dronabinol and acetazolamide, IHL-42X is currently advancing through
the RePOSA Phase 2/3 clinical trial, which is expected to enroll more 560 patients at sites worldwide.
Designed to act synergistically, IHL-42X uniquely
targets two physiological pathways associated with the intermittent hypoxia (IH) and hypercapnia that characterize OSA. In a prior Australian
Phase 2 clinical trial, IHL-42X was shown to reduce the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) in all dosage strengths, with the lowest dose reducing
AHI by an average of 51 percent relative to baseline. RePOSA, a global Phase 2/3 clinical trial is underway, evaluating IHL-42X in individuals
with OSA who are either non-compliant, intolerant, or na ve to positive airway pressure devices, including CPAP, with the Phase 2
portion conducted in the United States. A topline readout from the U.S. Phase 2 portion is anticipated in the first half of 2025.
About Incannex Healthcare Inc.
Incannex is leading the way in developing combination
medicines that target the underlying biological pathways associated with chronic conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, rheumatoid
arthritis and generalized anxiety disorder. The company is advancing three clinical-stage product candidates based on evidence-based innovation,
and supported by streamlined operations. Incannex's lead clinical program, IHL-42X, is an oral fixed-dose combination of dronabinol and
acetazolamide designed to target underlying mechanisms and act synergistically in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. In a Phase
2 development program, IHL-675A is an oral fixed-dose combination of cannabidiol and hydroxychloroquine sulfate designed to act synergistically
to alleviate inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Approved for Phase 2 clinical development, PSX-001 is an oral synthetic
psilocybin treatment for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Incannex's programs target disorders that have limited, inadequate,
or no approved pharmaceutical treatment options. For additional information on Incannex, please visit our website at www.incannex.com.
Forward Looking Statements
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statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Examples of forward-looking statements in this press release include statements about, among other things: Incannex's business strategy,
future operations; Incannex's ability to execute on its objectives, prospects, or plans, the skills and experience of the newly appointed
officer of Incannex and expectations with respect to his future contributions to the Company and statements, evaluations and judgments
regarding Incannex's research and development efforts, including any implications that the results of earlier clinical trials will be
representative or consistent with later clinical trials or final results; the expected timing of enrollment for these trials and the availability
of data or results of these trials, and the potential benefits, safety or of Incannex's drug candidates. Forward-looking statements are
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business. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which may cause the forward-looking events
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Incannex's ability to raise capital to fund continuing operations and to complete capital raising transactions; the impact of any infringement
actions or other litigation brought against Incannex; the success of Incannex's development efforts, including Incannex's ability to progress
its drug candidates through clinical trials on the timelines expected; competition from other providers and products; that the market
for its drug candidates may not grow at the rates anticipated or at all; Incannex's compliance with the various evolving and complex laws
and regulations applicable to its business and its industry; and Incannex's ability to protect its proprietary technology and intellectual