WALTHAM, Mass., May 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Proteon Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:PRTO), a company developing novel, first-in-class
therapeutics to address the medical needs of patients with kidney and vascular diseases, today announced that it will increase the
planned enrollment of its ongoing Phase 3 PATENCY-2 trial to 600 patients. The increased sample size follows a review of the
statistical plan, which revealed a calculation error that overstated the trial’s power for secondary patency, one of the co-primary
endpoints. The increased sample size provides 88% power to detect the differences observed in the PATENCY-1 trial with a p-value
≤0.05 for secondary patency, and 98% power with a p-value ≤0.05 for fistula use for hemodialysis, the other co-primary endpoint.
The increase in sample size does not alter the study endpoints, which use the same definitions as in the
PATENCY-1 trial.
- Secondary patency is defined as the
length of time from surgical creation until fistula abandonment (final failure). In PATENCY-1, vonapanitase-treated patients
experienced a 34% reduction in the risk of secondary patency loss over one year, compared to placebo (p=0.048). At the end of one
year, 74% of vonapanitase-treated patients maintained secondary patency, compared to 61% of placebo-treated patients.
- Use for hemodialysis is defined as use
of the fistula for hemodialysis for at least 90 days or, if hemodialysis was not initiated at least 90 days prior to the
patient’s last visit, for at least 30 days prior to the patient’s last visit and in use at the patient’s last visit. In
PATENCY-1, 64% of vonapanitase-treated patients used their fistula for hemodialysis, compared to 44% of placebo-treated patients
(p=0.006), a 45% relative increase.
With this change in sample size, Proteon expects to complete enrollment in the first quarter of 2018 and to
report top-line data in the first quarter of 2019. Proteon still expects to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019.
Proteon received written confirmation from the FDA that, if the PATENCY-2 trial is successful in showing
statistical significance (p≤0.05) on each of the co-primary endpoints, the PATENCY-2 trial together with data from previously
completed studies would provide the basis for a BLA submission as a single pivotal study.
About Vonapanitase
Vonapanitase is an investigational drug intended to improve hemodialysis vascular access outcomes. Vonapanitase is applied in a
single administration and is currently being studied in a Phase 3 program in patients with CKD undergoing surgical creation of a
radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis. Vonapanitase has received fast track and orphan drug designations from the
FDA, and orphan medicinal product designation from the European Commission, for hemodialysis vascular access indications. In
addition, vonapanitase may have other surgical and endovascular applications in diseases or conditions in which vessel injury leads
to blockages in blood vessels and reduced blood flow. Proteon is currently conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial of vonapanitase in
patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).
About Proteon Therapeutics
Proteon Therapeutics is committed to improving the health of patients with kidney and vascular diseases through the development
of novel, first-in-class therapeutics. Proteon's lead product candidate, vonapanitase, is an investigational drug intended to
improve hemodialysis vascular access outcomes. Proteon is currently enrolling patients in PATENCY-2, a Phase 3 clinical trial
evaluating vonapanitase in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing surgical creation of a radiocephalic arteriovenous
fistula for hemodialysis. Proteon is also evaluating vonapanitase in a Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with PAD. For more
information, please visit www.proteontx.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements." In some cases, these
forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “estimates,”
“anticipates,” "expects,” “plans,” "intends,” “may,” or “will,” in each case, their negatives or other variations thereon or
comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements, including the number of
patients to be enrolled in and the timing of enrollment in the PATENCY-2 trial, when the Company expects to report top-line data
from the PATENCY-2 trial, whether and when we may submit a BLA in the United States, whether additional studies will be necessary
to support a BLA submission as a single pivotal trial, the potential treatment of renal and vascular diseases with vonapanitase,
the effect or benefit of vonapanitase in patients with CKD, whether vonapanitase improves fistula patency or use for hemodialysis,
and those relating to future events or our future financial performance or condition, involve substantial known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other
factors, including whether our cash resources will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure
requirements for the period anticipated; whether data from early nonclinical or clinical studies will be indicative of the data
that will be obtained from future clinical trials; whether vonapanitase will advance through the clinical trial process on the
anticipated timeline and warrant submission for regulatory approval; whether such a submission would receive approval from the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies on a timely basis or at all; and whether we can successfully
commercialize and market our product candidates, are described more fully in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 16, 2017, and our subsequent Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC, particularly in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and
“Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” In light of the significant uncertainties
in our forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on these statements or regard these statements as a
representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or
at all. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date
of this press release and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this press release.
Investor Contact
George Eldridge, Proteon Therapeutics, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
781-890-0102
geldridge@proteontherapeutics.com
Media Contact
Ann Stanesa, Ten Bridge Communications
617-230-0347
proteon@tenbridgecommunications.com