Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AQST), a pharmaceutical
company focused on developing and commercializing differentiated
products that address patients’ unmet needs and solve therapeutic
problems, will provide later this morning an in-depth overview of
its systemic epinephrine drug delivery program combining its novel
prodrug technology and its PharmFilm® technology. At the R&D
event, the management team and KOLs will share an extensive review
of the science, clinical results, and development strategy
associated with two prodrug candidates in development for the
treatment of allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Aquestive
has submitted multiple U.S. and foreign patent applications that
cover the technology and formulations for its two prodrug
candidates, AQST-108 and AQST-109. If granted, Aquestive
anticipates patent protection for both drug candidates through at
least 2037.
“Aquestive is, we believe, the first and only
company that has successfully demonstrated a repeatable and
predictable capability for orally administering a film for the
delivery of systemic epinephrine as indicated by the results from
the two completed Phase 1 PK trials with AQST-108 that will be
shared at today’s R&D event,” remarked Dan Barber, Chief
Operating Officer of Aquestive. “We have taken the learnings from
the AQST-108 studies regarding absorption and conversion and have
applied them to the development of our second generation prodrug,
AQST-109. We plan to commence a Phase 1 PK trial with AQST-109 and
anticipate a topline data readout in the second half of 2021.”
“Today is an exciting day for the Aquestive
team,” said Keith Kendall, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Aquestive. “Now that we have completed the submission of our
initial patent applications, we are thrilled to provide our various
stakeholders more insight into our scientific and clinical efforts
to develop treatments for anaphylaxis. As we will discuss during
our R&D event today, patients, caregivers, and healthcare
providers remain highly interested in non-invasive routes of
delivery for systemic epinephrine. Our surveys show that 80% of
patients surveyed are interested in PharmFilm replacing their
current medical device and 96% of patients surveyed believe that
PharmFilm would be easier to administer during an emergency
situation when compared to their current medical device.”
AQST-108 Sublingual
FilmAquestive plans to outline in the R&D event today
that its “first of its kind” oral sublingual film candidate
delivering systemic epinephrine, AQST-108, is composed of the
prodrug dipivefrin, which is contained within a unique polymeric
matrix of Aquestive’s PharmFilm technology. Dipivefrin is currently
approved by the FDA for ophthalmic indications. Dipivefrin is
enzymatically cleaved systemically into epinephrine after
administration.
Aquestive previously completed an initial PK
trial (Protocol 180299). This study featured a single
ascending dose design with between 6-12 healthy subjects completing
each dosing level during Part I and Part II of the study. During
the study, both PK and pharmacodynamic (PD) markers were measured.
At the target dose level, the observed range for time to reach
maximal concentration (Tmax) for AQST-108 was 15-35 minutes, and
the observed maximal concentration (Cmax) was 1487 pg/mL. In
addition, this study indicated that AQST-108 was rapidly converted
to epinephrine with an observed epinephrine Tmax range of 20-60
minutes and an observed Cmax of 261 pg/mL.
Aquestive recently completed its second Phase 1
PK trial in 28 healthy adult subjects, which featured a
four-treatment crossover design comparing PK, safety and
pharmacodynamics of AQST-108 to that of epinephrine administered
via both subcutaneous and intramuscular injections. In this study,
the observed range for Tmax for AQST-108 was 10-40 minutes and the
observed Cmax for AQST-108 was 1276 pg/mL. In addition, this study
indicated that AQST-108 was rapidly converted to epinephrine with
an observed Tmax range of 11-106 minutes and an observed Cmax of
205 pg/mL. This was compared to an epinephrine Tmax range of 4-75
minutes and 8-68 minutes and Cmax of 475 pg/mL and 388 pg/mL for
the intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, respectively.
In addition, several pharmacodynamic markers
were measured during the second Phase 1 PK study. AQST-108
demonstrated changes from baseline in heart rate, systolic blood
pressure, and diastolic blood pressure which are relevant in the
context of anaphylaxis treatment and epinephrine’s mechanism of
action. For instance, for the area under the effect curve (AUEC)
for systolic blood pressure, the median values for AQST-108 and
intramuscular injected epinephrine were 452 and 428 (in hr*mm hg),
respectively, indicating a comparable effect from both treatments
on systolic blood pressure in healthy volunteers. A similar pattern
was demonstrated for other pharmacodynamic measures as well.
Aquestive plans on meeting with the FDA in the
second half of 2021 to review these results and discuss next steps
in the development of AQST-108.
AQST-109 Sublingual FilmDuring
today’s R&D event, Aquestive will articulate its development
strategy for a second epinephrine prodrug candidate, AQST-109
sublingual film. AQST-109 is a next generation prodrug of
epinephrine that Aquestive intends to develop for sublingual
treatment of allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. In vitro
tests and preclinical studies indicate that AQST-109 has the
potential to absorb more extensively, convert more rapidly to
systemic epinephrine, utilize less drug and provide a unique
profile when compared to AQST-108. Aquestive anticipates conducting
and completing a single ascending dose PK study in the second half
of 2021. Based upon receiving favorable topline results from the
study, Aquestive intends to request a pre-IND meeting with the
FDA.
Webcast Access/ReplayA webcast
of the virtual R&D event today at 9:00 am ET and accompanying
slides will be available under “Events and Presentations” in the
Investors section of the Company’s website at
https://investors.aquestive.com/events-and-presentations. In
addition, the R&D event can be accessed by dialing (833)
640-1722 from the U.S. and (602) 585-9829 internationally, followed
by the conference ID: 3598556. The event webcast will be archived
for 30 days.
About AnaphylaxisAnaphylaxis is
a potentially life-threatening systemic allergic reaction, with an
estimated incidence of 50 to 112 episodes per 100,000 people per
year. The frequency of hospital admissions for anaphylaxis has
increased 500-700% in the last 10-15 years. The most common causes
of reactions that can include anaphylaxis are medications, foods
(such as peanuts), and venom from insect stings. Epinephrine
injection is the current standard of treatment intended to reverse
the potentially severe manifestation of anaphylaxis, which may
include red rash, throat swelling, respiratory problems,
gastrointestinal distress and loss of consciousness.
About Aquestive
TherapeuticsAquestive Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical
company that applies innovative technology to solve therapeutic
problems and improve medicines for patients. The Company has
commercialized one internally-developed proprietary product to
date, Sympazan® (clobazam) oral film, has a commercial proprietary
product pipeline focused on the treatment of diseases of the
central nervous system, or CNS, and other unmet needs, and is
developing orally administered complex molecules to provide
alternatives to invasively administered standard of care therapies.
The Company also collaborates with other pharmaceutical companies
to bring new molecules to market using proprietary, best-in-class
technologies, like PharmFilm®, and has proven capabilities for drug
development and commercialization.
Forward-Looking
StatementsCertain statements in this press release include
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believe,”
“anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,”
“will,” or the negative of those terms, and similar expressions,
are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
statements regarding the advancement of AQST-108, AQST-109 and
other product candidates through the regulatory and development
pipeline; and business strategies, market opportunities, and other
statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking
statements are subject to the uncertain impact of the COVID-19
global pandemic on our business including with respect to our
clinical trials including site initiation, patient enrollment and
timing and adequacy of clinical trials; on regulatory submissions
and regulatory reviews and approvals of our product candidates;
pharmaceutical ingredient and other raw materials supply chain,
manufacture, and distribution; sale of and demand for our products;
our liquidity and availability of capital resources; customer
demand for our products and services; customers’ ability to pay for
goods and services; and ongoing availability of an appropriate
labor force and skilled professionals. Given these uncertainties,
the Company is unable to provide assurance that operations can be
maintained as planned prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
These forward-looking statements are based on
our current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks
associated with the Company's development work, including any
delays or changes to the timing, cost and success of our product
development activities and clinical trials and plans for AQST-108,
AQST-109 and our other drug candidates; risk of delays in FDA
approval of our drug candidates Libervant, AQST-108, AQST-109 and
our other drug candidates or failure to receive approval; ability
to address the concerns identified in the FDA’s Complete Response
Letter dated September 25, 2020 regarding the New Drug Application
for Libervant; risk of our ability to demonstrate to the FDA
“clinical superiority” within the meaning of the FDA regulations of
Libervant relative to FDA-approved diazepam rectal gel and nasal
spray products including by establishing a major contribution to
patient care within the meaning of FDA regulations relative to the
approved products as well as risks related to other potential
pathways or positions which are or may in the future be advanced to
the FDA to overcome the seven year orphan drug exclusivity granted
by the FDA for the approved nasal spray product of a competitor in
the U.S. and there can be no assurance that we will be successful;
risk that a competitor obtains FDA orphan drug exclusivity for a
product with the same active moiety as any of our other drug
products for which we are seeking FDA approval and that such
earlier approved competitor orphan drug blocks such other product
candidates in the U.S. for seven years for the same indication;
risk inherent in commercializing a new product (including
technology risks, financial risks, market risks and implementation
risks and regulatory limitations); risk of development of our sales
and marketing capabilities; risk of legal costs associated with and
the outcome of our patent litigation challenging third party at
risk generic sale of our proprietary products; risk of sufficient
capital and cash resources, including access to available debt and
equity financing and revenues from operations, to satisfy all of
our short-term and longer term cash requirements and other cash
needs, at the times and in the amounts needed; risk of failure to
satisfy all financial and other debt covenants and of any default;
our and our competitors’ orphan drug approval and resulting drug
exclusivity for our products or products of our competitors;
short-term and long-term liquidity and cash requirements, cash
funding and cash burn; risk related to government claims against
Indivior for which we license, manufacture and sell Suboxone® and
which accounts for the substantial part of our current operating
revenues; risks related to the outsourcing of certain marketing and
other operational and staff functions to third parties; risk of the
rate and degree of market acceptance of our product and product
candidates; the success of any competing products, including
generics; risk of the size and growth of our product markets; risks
of compliance with all FDA and other governmental and customer
requirements for our manufacturing facilities; risks associated
with intellectual property rights and infringement claims relating
to the Company's products; risk of unexpected patent developments;
the impact of existing and future legislation and regulatory
provisions on product exclusivity; legislation or regulatory
actions affecting pharmaceutical product pricing, reimbursement or
access; claims and risks that may arise regarding the safety or
efficacy of the Company's products and product candidates; risk of
loss of significant customers; risks related to legal proceedings,
including patent infringement, investigative and antitrust
litigation matters; changes in government laws and regulations;
risk of product recalls and withdrawals; uncertainties related to
general economic, political, business, industry, regulatory and
market conditions and other unusual items; and other uncertainties
affecting the Company described in the “Risk Factors” section and
in other sections included in our Annual Report on Form 10 K, in
our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in our Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). Given
those uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.
All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to us or any
person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their
entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company assumes no
obligation to update forward-looking statements or outlook or
guidance after the date of this press release whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be
required by applicable law.
PharmFilm®, Sympazan® and the Aquestive logo are
registered trademarks of Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc.
All other registered trademarks referenced herein are the property
of their respective owners.
Investor inquiries:Westwicke,
an ICR CompanyStephanie
Carringtonstephanie.carington@westwicke.com646-277-1282
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