Agile Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGRX), a women’s healthcare
company, today announced the U.S. commercial launch of Twirla®
(levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) transdermal system, a new
non-daily, non-invasive contraceptive patch. Twirla is now
available in the United States by prescription for women of
reproductive potential with a body mass index (BMI) <30 kg/m2
for whom a combined hormonal contraceptive is appropriate to
prevent pregnancy. Twirla is less effective in women with a BMI ≥
25 kg/m2 to < 30 kg/m2 and should not be used in women with a
BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2.
Please see Important Safety Information for
Twirla, including BOXED WARNING on Cigarette Smoking and Serious
Cardiovascular Events and Contraindication in Women with a BMI ≥ 30
kg/m2, below in “About Twirla.” In a clinical trial, the most
common adverse events were skin reactions at the patch site,
nausea, headache, menstrual cramps, and weight gain.
“We are thrilled to launch our first commercial
product, Twirla, an effective, modern contraceptive option, for
women and their healthcare providers,” said Al Altomari, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Agile. “Family planning experts
believe the most successful contraception for a woman is one of her
choosing that fits her lifestyle, and we believe Twirla will be a
valuable addition to the category’s available options. We are
committed to seeking ways to make Twirla affordable and accessible
for women.”
Twirla is worn weekly and delivers a 30 mcg
daily dose of ethinyl estradiol, the lowest exposure of estrogen in
a transdermal contraceptive option1, along with a 120 mcg daily
dose of levonorgestrel, a well-known progestin with a long history
of use in the category. Twirla is designed to be worn on the
abdomen, buttock, or upper torso (excluding the breasts), using
Skinfusion® technology. At less than 1mm thin, Twirla is made up of
five distinct layers for focused drug delivery and to help maintain
adhesion.
“Nearly all women use contraception at some
point in their lives, but when it comes to preventing unplanned
pregnancies, 90% of failures are attributed to inconsistent and/or
improper use,” said Donnica Moore, MD, women’s health expert and
advocate, President, Sapphire Women’s Health Group and consultant
to Agile Therapeutics. “Today, women need a birth control product
that is not only safe and reliable, but also that fits seamlessly
into an active lifestyle. The soft and flexible design of Twirla
contours to a woman’s body, requires no invasive procedures, and
reduces the burden of daily administration. I am excited that
healthcare providers can now offer a new solution that can fill a
gap in hormonal contraceptive care.”
“The approach that we have taken in the
development and launch of Twirla is representative of Agile’s
ongoing dedication to addressing the unmet needs of today’s women,”
said Paul Korner, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer of Agile. “Not
only did we design our Phase 3 trial to closely represent the U.S.
demographics of women, but we also worked with women over the last
four years to better understand their evolving needs to ensure our
patient programs holistically support women who use Twirla.”
To provide women with additional personalized
resources, Agile has introduced an insight-driven experience,
called The Loop (http://www.Twirla.com/TheLoop). The Loop will
serve as an online destination where women can get meaningful
resources as they navigate their birth control journeys. Twirla
patients can access the Twirla patch replacement program, chat with
qualified nurse-educators about patch use, and read specially
curated content designed to inspire Twirla women beyond the brand.
The Loop is designed to create a sense of community by bringing
together and celebrating women who embody the Twirla spirit of
courage and confidence.
Women who would like to learn more about Twirla
as a potential contraceptive option should speak to their doctor or
a healthcare provider. For more information on Twirla, consumers
and healthcare providers can visit www.Twirla.com.
1Xulane [prescribing information]. Morgantown,
WV: Mylan Pharmaceuticals; 2020.
About TwirlaIMPORTANT SAFETY
INFORMATION
WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR
EVENTS and CONTRAINDICATED IN WOMEN WITH A BMI ≥ 30
KG/M2 |
|
Cigarette Smoking and Serious Cardiovascular
Events |
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious
cardiovascular events from combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC)
use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35
years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. For this
reason, CHCs, including TWIRLA, are contraindicated in women who
are over 35 years of age and smoke. |
|
Contraindicated in Women with a BMI ≥ 30
kg/m2 |
TWIRLA is contraindicated in women with a BMI ≥ 30
kg/m2. Compared to women with a
lower BMI, women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2
had reduced effectiveness and may have a higher risk for
venous thromboembolism events (VTEs). |
CONTRAINDICATIONSTWIRLA is
contraindicated and should not be used in women with a high risk of
arterial or venous thrombotic disease, including women with a BMI ≥
30 kg/m2; have headaches with focal neurological symptoms, migraine
with aura, women over 35 years of age with any migraine headache;
liver tumors, acute viral hepatitis, or severe (decompensated)
cirrhosis, or liver disease; undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding;
pregnancy; current or history of breast cancer or other estrogen-
or progestin-sensitive cancer; hypersensitivity to any components
of TWIRLA; and use of Hepatitis C drug combinations containing
ombitasvir/paraparesis/ritonavir with or without dasabuvir.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
- Thromboembolic Disorders and Other Vascular
Conditions-Women are at increased risk for a venous
thromboembolic event (VTE) when using TWIRLA º Stop
TWIRLA if an arterial or venous thrombotic/thromboembolic event
occurs º Stop TWIRLA if there is unexplained loss
of vision, proptosis, diplopia, papilledema, or retinal vascular
lesions. Evaluate for retinal vein thrombosis immediately
º Discontinue TWIRLA during prolonged immobilization
and, if feasible, stop TWIRLA at least 4 weeks before and through 2
weeks after major surgery º Start TWIRLA no
earlier than four weeks after delivery in women who are not
breast-feeding º Before starting TWIRLA, evaluate
any past medical history or family history of thromboembolism or
thromboembolic disorders and consider whether history suggests
inherited or acquired hypercoagulopathyArterial Events- CHCs
increase the risk of cardiovascular events and cerebrovascular
events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, particularly
among older women (> 35 years of age), smokers, and women with
hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, or obesity.
- Risk of Liver Enzyme
Elevations with Concomitant Hepatitis C Treatment-
Discontinue TWIRLA prior to starting therapy with the combination
drug regimen ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without
dasabuvir. TWIRLA can be restarted approximately 2 weeks following
completion of treatment with the Hepatitis C combination drug
regimen.
- Liver Disease- Discontinue TWIRLA if jaundice
develops
- Hypertension- Monitor
blood pressure at routine visits and stop TWIRLA if blood pressure
rises significantly. An increase in blood pressure has been
reported in women using CHCs, and this increase is more likely in
older women with extended duration of use.
- Gallbladder
Disease- Studies suggest CHCs increase risk of developing
gallbladder disease and may also worsen existing gallbladder
disease.
- Adverse Carbohydrate and Lipid
Metabolic Effects- º TWIRLA may decrease
glucose tolerance. Carefully monitor prediabetic and diabetic women
who are using TWIRLA. º Consider alternative
contraception for women with uncontrolled dyslipidemia. TWIRLA may
cause adverse lipid changes. Women with hypertriglyceridemia, or a
family history thereof, may have an increase in serum triglyceride
concentrations when using TWIRLA, which may increase the risk of
pancreatitis.
- Headache- If a woman
using TWIRLA develops new headaches that are recurrent, persistent,
or severe, evaluate the cause and discontinue TWIRLA if indicated.
Consider discontinuation of TWIRLA if there is any increased
frequency or severity of migraines during CHC use (which may be
prodromal of a cerebrovascular event).
- Bleeding Irregularities and
Amenorrhea- Women using TWIRLA may experience unscheduled
bleeding, especially during the first three months of use, or
experience absence of scheduled bleeding. If bleeding persists or
occurs after previously regular cycles on TWIRLA, or if scheduled
bleeding does not occur, evaluate for causes such as pregnancy or,
in the case of unscheduled bleeding, malignancy.
- Other Warnings and
Precautions- Other warnings and precautions include,
depression, cervical cancer, increased serum concentrations of
binding globulins, hereditary angioedema, and chloasma.
ADVERSE REACTIONSThe following
serious adverse reactions occurred in <1% of women who received
TWIRLA: cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, major depression, suicidal
ideation, appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, pneumonia, and
gastroenteritis. A total of four VTEs in TWIRLA-treated patients
were identified in the Phase 3 clinical trial. The most common
adverse reactions (≥2%) in clinical trials for TWIRLA are
application site disorders, nausea, headache, dysmenorrhea, and
increased weight.
Patients should be counseled that TWIRLA
does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually
transmitted infections (STIs).
DRUG INTERACTIONSDrugs or herbal
products that induce certain enzymes, including CYP3A4, may
decrease the effectiveness of TWIRLA or increase breakthrough
bleeding. Counsel patients to use a back-up or alternative method
of contraception when enzyme inducers are used with TWIRLA.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE TWIRLA is
indicated as a method of contraception for use in women of
reproductive potential with a BMI < 30 kg/m2 for whom a combined
hormonal contraceptive is appropriate.Limitations of Use:Consider
TWIRLA’s reduced effectiveness in women with a BMI ≥ 25 to < 30
kg/m2 before prescribing TWIRLA. TWIRLA is contraindicated in women
with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2.
This is not a comprehensive list of
safety information related to TWIRLA.
Please See Full
Prescribing Information, including BOXED
WARNING.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE
REACTIONS, call 1-855-888-2467 or report via the FDA
MedWatch Program at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or
1-800-FDA-1088.
About Agile Therapeutics,
Inc.Agile Therapeutics is a women's healthcare
company dedicated to fulfilling the unmet health needs of today’s
women. Our product candidates are designed to provide women with
contraceptive options that offer freedom from taking a daily pill,
without committing to a longer-acting method. Our initial
product, Twirla®, (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol)
transdermal system is a non-daily prescription contraceptive.
Twirla is based on our proprietary transdermal patch technology,
called Skinfusion®, which is designed to allow drug delivery
through the skin. For more information, please visit the company
website at www.agiletherapeutics.com. The Company may
occasionally disseminate material, nonpublic information on the
Company’s website.
Forward-Looking
StatementCertain information contained in this press
release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We may in
some cases use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,”
“continue,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,”
“intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “likely,” “will,” “should” or
other words that convey uncertainty of the future events or
outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Our
forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and
expectations of our management team that involve risks, potential
changes in circumstances, assumptions, and uncertainties, including
statements regarding market availability and uptake of Twirla, and
the expected structure of our commercialization plan for Twirla
among others. Any or all of the forward-looking statements may turn
out to be wrong or be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might
make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
including risks related to our ability to maintain regulatory
approval of Twirla, the ability of our third party manufacturer,
Corium, to produce commercial supply in quantities and quality
sufficient to satisfy market demand for Twirla, our ability to
successfully commercialize and obtain market access for Twirla, the
successful development of our sales and marketing capabilities, the
accuracy of our estimates of the potential market for Twirla,
regulatory and legislative developments in the United States and
foreign countries, our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual
property protection for Twirla, our strategy, business plans and
focus, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations and
the operations of third parties we rely upon as well as on our
potential customer base, and the other risks set forth in our
filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including
our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q. For all these reasons, actual results and developments could
be materially different from those expressed in or implied by our
forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are made only
as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to
publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect
subsequent events or circumstances.
Contact:Matt RileyHead of Investor Relations
& Corporate Communications mriley@agiletherapeutics.com
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