-
Priority review designation shortens the regulatory review period
from the standard 10 months to six months
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TURQUOISE-III study showed 100 percent sustained virologic response
at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12) in
patients with genotype 1b (GT1b) chronic hepatitis C virus and
compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A)
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VIEKIRA PAK contains Enanta’s lead protease inhibitor, paritaprevir
Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (NASDAQ:ENTA) a research and
development-focused biotechnology company dedicated to creating small
molecule drugs for viral infections and liver diseases, today announced
that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted AbbVie’s
supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) and granted priority review for
VIEKIRA PAK® (ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir tablets; dasabuvir
tablets) without ribavirin (RBV) in patients with genotype 1b (GT1b)
chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh
A). The current dosing recommendation for patients with GT1b and
compensated cirrhosis is to administer RBV with VIEKIRA PAK for 12 weeks.
The FDA grants priority review designation to investigational therapies
that treat a serious condition and, if approved, would provide a
significant improvement in safety or effectiveness. The priority
designation shortens the regulatory review period from the standard 10
months to 6 months.
Paritaprevir is Enanta’s lead protease inhibitor identified within the
ongoing Enanta-AbbVie collaboration and is one of the direct-acting
antivirals in AbbVie’s VIEKIRA PAK treatment regimens for chronic
hepatitis C virus (HCV).
VIEKIRA PAK is a prescription medicine used with or without ribavirin to
treat adults with genotype 1 (GT1) chronic HCV infection, including
people who have a certain type of cirrhosis (compensated). VIEKIRA PAK
is not for people with advanced cirrhosis (decompensated). If people
have cirrhosis, they should talk to a doctor before taking VIEKIRA PAK.
The TURQUOISE-III study included in the sNDA evaluated the use of
VIEKIRA PAK without RBV for 12 weeks in GT1b patients with compensated
cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A). Results demonstrated 100 percent (N=60/60)
sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12).
No patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events. The most
commonly-reported adverse events (≥10 percent) were fatigue (22
percent), diarrhea (20 percent), headache (18 percent), arthralgia (10
percent), dizziness (10 percent), insomnia (10 percent) and pruritus (10
percent).1
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in
the United States, 2.7 million people are chronically infected with HCV.2
Genotype 1 is the most common HCV in the U.S.3 Of the total
U.S. population with GT1 HCV infection, approximately 77 percent have
GT1a HCV infection and 23 percent have GT1b.3
About the TURQUOISE-III Study
TURQUOISE-III is a multi-center, open-label Phase 3b study to evaluate
the safety and efficacy of 12 weeks of treatment with VIEKIRA PAK
without ribavirin (RBV) in adult patients (N=60) with genotype 1b (GT1b)
chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and compensated liver
cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A) who were treatment-naïve or
treatment-experienced (failed previous therapy with pegylated interferon
and RBV). The primary endpoint is the rate of sustained virologic
response 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12).1
About VIEKIRA PAK
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
When taking VIEKIRA PAK in combination with ribavirin, people should
read the Medication Guide that comes with ribavirin, especially the
important pregnancy information.
What is the most important information to know about VIEKIRA PAK?
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VIEKIRA PAK may cause severe liver problems, especially in people with
certain types of cirrhosis. These severe liver problems can lead to
the need for a liver transplant, or can lead to death.
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VIEKIRA PAK can cause increases in liver function blood test results,
especially if people use ethinyl estradiol-containing medicines (such
as some birth control products).
-
Ethinyl estradiol-containing medicines (combination birth control
pills or patches, such as Lo Loestrin® FE, Norinyl®, Ortho
Tri-Cyclen Lo®, Ortho Evra®; hormonal vaginal rings such as
NuvaRing®; and the hormone replacement therapy medicine, Fem HRT®)
must be stopped before starting treatment with VIEKIRA PAK. If
these medicines are used as a method of birth control, another
method must be used during treatment with VIEKIRA PAK, and for
about 2 weeks after treatment with VIEKIRA PAK ends. A doctor can
provide instruction on when to begin taking ethinyl
estradiol-containing medicines.
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A doctor should do blood tests to check liver function during the
first 4 weeks of treatment and then as needed.
-
A doctor may tell people to stop taking VIEKIRA PAK if signs or
symptoms of liver problems develop. A doctor must be notified right
away if any of the following symptoms develop or if they worsen during
treatment with VIEKIRA PAK: tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite,
nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, color changes in
stools, confusion, or swelling of the stomach area.
VIEKIRA PAK must not be taken if people:
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have certain liver problems
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take any of the following medicines: alfuzosin hydrochloride
(Uroxatral®) • carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®,
Tegretol®) • colchicine (Colcrys®) • efavirenz (Sustiva®, Atripla®) •
ergot containing medicines, including ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot®,
Migergot®, Ergomar®, Ergostat®, Medihaler®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®),
dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), methylergonovine
(Ergotrate®, Methergine®) • ethinyl estradiol-containing medicines •
gemfibrozil (Lopid®) • lovastatin (Advicor®, Altoprev®, Mevacor®) •
midazolam (when taken by mouth) • phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®) •
phenobarbital (Luminal®) • pimozide (Orap®) • rifampin (Rifadin®,
Rifamate®, Rifater®, Rimactane®) • sildenafil citrate (Revatio®), when
taken for pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) • simvastatin (Zocor®,
Vytorin®, Simcor®) • St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) or a
product that contains St. John’s wort • triazolam (Halcion®)
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have had a severe skin rash after taking ritonavir (Norvir®)
What should people tell a doctor before taking VIEKIRA PAK?
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If they have: liver problems other than hep C infection, HIV
infection, or any other medical conditions.
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If they have had a liver transplant. If they take the medicines
tacrolimus (Prograf®) or cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®,
Sandimmune®), a doctor should check blood levels and, if needed, may
change the dose of these medicines or how often they are taken, both
during and after treatment with VIEKIRA PAK.
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If they are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or if they are
breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VIEKIRA PAK
will harm a person’s unborn baby or pass into breast milk. A doctor
should be consulted about the best way to feed a baby if taking
VIEKIRA PAK. Pregnant females who have both hep C and HIV infection
should talk with a doctor about enrolling in the antiretroviral
pregnancy registry.
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About all the medicines they take, including
prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal
supplements. Some medicines interact with VIEKIRA PAK.
-
A new medicine must not be started without telling a doctor.
A doctor will provide instruction on whether it is safe to take
VIEKIRA PAK with other medicines.
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When VIEKIRA PAK is finished, a doctor should be consulted on what
to do if one of the usual medicines taken was stopped or if the
dose changed during VIEKIRA PAK treatment.
What are the common side effects of VIEKIRA PAK?
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For VIEKIRA PAK used with ribavirin, side effects include
tiredness, nausea, itching, skin reactions such as redness or rash,
sleep problems, and feeling weak.
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For VIEKIRA PAK used without ribavirin, side effects include
nausea, itching, and sleep problems.
These are not all of the possible side effects of VIEKIRA PAK. A doctor
should be notified if there is any side effect that is bothersome or
that does not go away.
This is the most important information to know about VIEKIRA PAK. For
more information, talk with a doctor.
People are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription
drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch
or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Click here
for full Prescribing Information, including the Medication Guide.
If people cannot afford their medication, they should contact www.pparx.org
for assistance.
Additional Information about VIEKIRA PAK®
VIEKIRA PAK® has been studied in a broad range of genotype 1
(GT1) patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, ranging
from treatment-naïve to difficult- to-treat patients, such as those with
compensated (mild, Child-Pugh A) cirrhosis of the liver, HCV/HIV-1
co-infection, liver transplant recipients with normal hepatic function
and mild fibrosis, and those who have failed previous treatment with
pegylated interferon (pegIFN) and ribavirin (RBV). VIEKIRA PAK is
contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment
(Child-Pugh B and C) due to risk of potential toxicity. VIEKIRA PAK
consists of the fixed-dose combination of ombitasvir 25mg (an NS5A
inhibitor), paritaprevir 150mg (an NS3/4A protease inhibitor), and
ritonavir 100mg (an HIV-1 protease inhibitor), dosed once daily with a
meal, and dasabuvir 250mg (a non-nucleoside NS5B palm polymerase
inhibitor), dosed twice daily with a meal. VIEKIRA PAK is taken for 12
weeks, except in GT1a patients with cirrhosis, who should take it for 24
weeks. Ribavirin should be co-administered in GT1a patients, and in all
patients who have cirrhosis or who have received a liver transplant.
About Enanta
Enanta Pharmaceuticals is a research and development-focused
biotechnology company that uses its robust chemistry-driven approach and
drug discovery capabilities to create small molecule drugs for viral
infections and liver diseases. Enanta has developed novel protease
inhibitors and NS5A inhibitors that are members of the
direct-acting-antiviral (DAA) inhibitor classes designed for use against
the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Enanta’s protease inhibitors partnered with
AbbVie include paritaprevir, which is contained in AbbVie’s marketed DAA
regimens for HCV, and ABT-493, Enanta’s next-generation protease
inhibitor which AbbVie is developing in phase 3 studies in combination
with ABT-530, AbbVie’s next-generation NS5A inhibitor. Enanta also has
discovered EDP-494, a host-targeted antiviral (HTA) inhibitor for HCV
targeted against cyclophilin, which Enanta plans to study in a phase 1
clinical trial beginning in the first quarter of calendar 2016. In
addition, Enanta plans to advance into clinical development later in
2016 its program in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, a condition
that results in liver inflammation and liver damage caused by a buildup
of fat in the liver.
Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including
statements with respect to the prospects for FDA approval under priority
review of the sNDA for VIEKIRA PAK. Statements that are not historical
facts are based on management’s current expectations, estimates,
forecasts and projections about Enanta’s business and the industry in
which it operates and management’s beliefs and assumptions. The
statements contained in this release are not guarantees of future
performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions,
which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results
may differ materially from what is expressed in such forward-looking
statements. Important factors and risks that may affect actual results
include: the efforts of AbbVie (our collaborator on paritaprevir that is
marketing VIEKIRA PAK) to obtain regulatory approval of the sNDA for
VIEKIRA PAK; the development, regulatory and marketing efforts of others
with respect to competitive HCV treatment regimens; regulatory and
reimbursement actions affecting VIEKIRA PAK, any competitive regimen, or
both; and other risk factors described or referred to in “Risk Factors”
in Enanta’s most recent Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September
30, 2015 and any other periodic reports filed more recently with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Enanta cautions investors not to
place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this
release. These statements speak only as of the date of this release, and
Enanta undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements,
except as may be required by law.
_______________________________________________
1 Feld JJ et al. Sustained virologic response of 100% in HCV
genotype 1b patients with cirrhosis receiving
ombitasvir/paritaprevir/r and dasabuvir for 12 weeks. J Hepatol (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2015.10.005
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hepatitis
C FAQs for health professionals. http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/hcvfaq.htm.
Accessed December 17, 2015.
3 Wedemeyer H. Hepatitis C. Chapter 80: In: Feldman M,
Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's
Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. Vol 2. 10th ed. Philadelphia,
PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2016.
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