Full Press Release Details
Biopharma, Inc. Announces Top-Line Results From Phase 2 Study of Nezulcitinib In Patients Hospitalized With Acute Lung Injury Due
| - | Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study did not meet the primary endpoint: number of Respiratory Failure-Free Days (RFDs) from randomization through Day 28 in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population | |
| - | Nezulcitinib demonstrated a favorable trend in improvement when compared to placebo for 28-day all-cause mortality rate (p=0.08) | |
| - | In a post-hoc analysis, there was an improvement in mortality (p=0.009) and time to recovery (p=0.02) in patients treated with nezulcitinib who had baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) levels <150 mg/L | |
| - | Nezulcitinib was well-tolerated when administered once-daily for up to seven days |
and SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - June 21, 2021 -
Theravance Biopharma, Inc. ("Theravance Biopharma" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: TBPH), a diversified biopharmaceutical
company primarily focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of organ-selective medicines, today announced top-line
results from its Phase 2 study of 3 mg once-daily nezulcitinib compared to placebo, each in combination with standard of care. Nezulcitinib
is an investigational, inhaled, lung-selective, pan-Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor in development for hospitalized patients with confirmed
COVID-19 associated acute lung injury and impaired oxygenation.
learning of the extensive respiratory complications in severe COVID-19, we have worked to advance the science behind inhaled lung-selective
JAK inhibitors in critical diseases like COVID-19," said Rick E Winningham, Chief Executive Officer, Theravance Biopharma.
"Even though this Phase 2 study, enrolling more than 200 patients, did not meet the primary endpoint, we are encouraged by the
trend in the pre-specified analysis of the 28-day mortality rate in the intent-to-treat population. We are grateful to the
patients and their families, our research partners, the clinical investigators, and our team at Theravance Biopharma for their important
is the first investigation of an inhaled JAK inhibitor in COVID-19 patients. The classification of a COVID-ALI endotype using a blood
biomarker, such as C-reactive protein, may advance the understanding and stratification of a subpopulation of patients with immune characteristics
that best responds to a targeted-therapeutic such as nezulcitinib," said John Belperio, MD, professor of medicine in the pulmonary
and critical care department at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and trial investigator.
study was a 1:1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center Phase 2 trial for the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients
(n=210) with impaired oxygenation (NCT04402866). Key endpoints
were measured through Day 28. Standard of care in the study included approximately 99% receiving steroids (91% received dexamethasone).
| o | Primary: No statistically significant difference in RFDs from randomization through Day 28 between nezulcitinib and placebo in ITT (median: 21 vs. 21 days; p=0.61). | |
| o | Secondary: No difference in change from baseline at Day 7 in SaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio, proportion of patients in each category of the 8-point Clinical Status scale, and proportion of patients alive and respiratory failure-free at Day 28. | |
| o | Nezulcitinib demonstrated a favorable trend in improvement when compared to placebo for 28-day all-cause mortality (total number of deaths: 6 vs. 13, HR: 0.42, p=0.08) and time to recovery (median: 10 vs. 11 days, HR: 1.27, p=0.12). | |
| o | In a post-hoc analysis of patients with baseline CRP (n=201): |
will share these results with FDA and other regulatory agencies to seek input on protocols to further study nezulcitinib in acute hyperinflammation
in the lung. A more detailed analysis of the data, including further pharmacokinetic and biomarker results, will be available in the
Call and Live Webcast Today at 8 am ET
Biopharma will hold a conference call and live webcast accompanied by slides today at 8 am ET / 5 am PT / 1 pm IST.
To participate, please dial (855) 296-9648 from the U.S. or (920) 663-6266 for international callers, using the confirmation code 6984147.
Those interested in listening to the conference call live via the internet may do so by visiting Theravance.com, under the Investors
section, Events and Presentations.
replay will be available on Theravance.com for 30 days through July 21, 2021.
An audio replay will also be available through 11:00 am ET on June 28, 2021, by dialing (855) 859-2056 from the U.S., or (404) 537-3406
for international callers, and then entering confirmation code 6984147.
also known as TD-0903, is an investigational, inhaled, lung-selective, pan-JAK inhibitor that was discovered and developed at Theravance
Biopharma. Nezulcitinib has been shown in experimental murine models to have potent, broad inhibition of JAK-STAT signaling in the airways
following challenges with multiple cytokines. The organ selectivity of nezulcitinib is demonstrated preclinically via a high lung: plasma
ratio and rapid metabolic clearance resulting in low systemic exposure. As an inhaled JAK inhibitor, nezulcitinib is expected to intervene
broadly to interrupt excessive immune activation in the airways. Nezulcitinib, delivered via nebulization, may present a novel therapeutic
modality to address the cytokine release syndrome that has been associated with acute lung injury, ventilator use, and increased morbidity
and mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Company previously reported results from the initial dose-finding portion
of this Phase 2 study, in which nezulcitinib was generally well-tolerated and showed numerical improvements in clinical outcome, duration
of hospital stay, and fewer deaths compared to placebo. Results of this dose-finding portion of the Phase 2 study informed a decision
to progress the 3 mg dose into the larger Phase 2 study reported herein. Read more about the dose-finding portion of the Phase 2 study
may also provide a potential treatment for other causes of acute hyperinflammation of the lung and the prevention or delay of lung transplant
Theravance Biopharma
Biopharma, Inc. is a diversified biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the discovery, development and commercialization
of organ-selective medicines. Its purpose is to pioneer a new generation of small molecule drugs designed to better meet patient needs.
Its research is focused in the areas of inflammation and immunology.
pursuit of its purpose, Theravance Biopharma applies insights and innovation at each stage of its business and utilizes its internal
capabilities and those of partners around the world. The Company applies organ-selective expertise to target disease biologically, to
discover and develop medicines that may expand the therapeutic index with the goal of maximizing efficacy and limiting systemic side
effects. These efforts leverage years of experience in developing lung-selective medicines to treat respiratory disease, including FDA-approved
YUPELRI (revefenacin) inhalation solution indicated for the maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). Its pipeline of internally discovered programs is targeted to address significant patient needs.
Biopharma has an economic interest in potential future payments from Glaxo Group Limited or one of its affiliates (GSK) pursuant to its
agreements with Innoviva, Inc. relating to certain programs, including TRELEGY.
more information, please visit www.theravance.com.
BIOPHARMA , THERAVANCE , and the Cross/Star logo are registered trademarks of the Theravance Biopharma group of companies (in
the U.S. and certain other countries).
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appearing on this press release are the property of their respective owners.
press release contains and the conference call will contain certain "forward-looking" statements as that term is defined in
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, statements relating to goals, plans, objectives,
expectations and future events. Theravance Biopharma intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions
for forward-looking statements contained in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Examples of such statements include statements relating to: the Company's goals, designs, strategies, plans
and objectives, the Company's regulatory strategies and timing of clinical studies (including the data therefrom), the potential
characteristics, benefits and mechanisms of action of the Company's product and product candidates, the potential that the Company's
research programs will progress product candidates into the clinic, the Company's expectations for product candidates through development,
the Company's expectations regarding its allocation of resources, potential regulatory approval and commercialization (including their
differentiation from other products or potential products), product sales or profit share revenue and the Company's expectations
for its expenses, excluding share-based compensation and other financial results. These statements are based on the current estimates
and assumptions of the management of Theravance Biopharma as of the date of the press release and the conference call and are subject
to risks, uncertainties, changes in circumstances, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results of Theravance Biopharma
to be materially different from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, risks related to: disagreements with
Innoviva, Inc. and TRC LLC, the uncertainty of arbitration and litigation and the possibility that the results of these proceedings
could be adverse to the Company, additional future analysis of the data resulting from our clinical trial(s), delays or difficulties
in commencing, enrolling or completing clinical studies, the potential that results from clinical or non-clinical studies indicate the
Company's compounds or product candidates are unsafe or ineffective, risks that product candidates do not obtain approval from
regulatory authorities, the feasibility of undertaking future clinical trials for our product candidates based on policies and feedback
from regulatory authorities, dependence on third parties to conduct clinical studies, delays or failure to achieve and maintain regulatory
approvals for product candidates, risks of collaborating with or relying on third parties to discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize
products, and risks associated with establishing and maintaining sales, marketing and distribution capabilities with appropriate technical
expertise and supporting infrastructure. In addition, while we expect the effects of COVID-19 to continue to adversely impact our business
operations and financial results, the extent of the impact on our ability to generate revenue from YUPELRI (revefenacin), our clinical
development programs (including but not limited to our later stage clinical programs for izencitinib and ampreloxetine), and the value
of and market for our ordinary shares, will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence
at this time. These potential future developments include, but are not limited to, the ultimate duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel
restrictions, quarantines, social distancing and business closure requirements in the United States and in other countries, other measures
taken by us and those we work with to help protect individuals from contracting COVID-19, and the effectiveness of actions taken globally
to contain and treat the disease, including vaccine availability, distribution, acceptance and effectiveness. Other risks affecting Theravance
Biopharma are in the Company's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 6, 2021 and other periodic reports filed with the
SEC. In addition to the risks described above and in Theravance Biopharma's filings with the SEC, other unknown or unpredictable factors
also could affect Theravance Biopharma's results. No forward-looking statements can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially
from such statements. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Theravance
Biopharma assumes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements on account of new information, future events or otherwise, except