Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
(Sucampo Pharmaceuticals) today announced that it has submitted a
supplemental New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
to seek market approval of a lower strength of lubiprostone (8 mcg) to
treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Lubiprostone,
developed by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, is currently approved for the
treatment of Chronic Idiopathic Constipation in adults as AMITIZA(R) (24
mcg) and is marketed by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals and Takeda Pharmaceuticals
North America, Inc., (Takeda) in the U.S. for that indication.
"IBS-C has a significant impact on millions of Americans living with
the condition," said Ryuji Ueno, M.D., Ph.D., Ph.D., Sucampo
Pharmaceuticals' founder, chairman and chief executive officer. "We are
excited that the results of our clinical studies have led to the successful
filing of a supplemental New Drug Application for a lower strength of
lubiprostone [8 mcg, twice daily] for IBS-C. If approved, lubiprostone may
offer a new treatment option for people living with this condition."
Approximately 58 million Americans have irritable bowel syndrome, with
IBS-C accounting for approximately one-third of these cases. IBS-C symptoms
include abdominal pain and discomfort associated with defecation or a
change in bowel habits with features of disordered defecation.
The supplemental application is based on a clinical study program that
included two Phase III, multi-center, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-
controlled trials involving 1,171 adults, followed by one long-term, open-
label safety and efficacy extension trial involving 522 adults diagnosed
with IBS-C. In the two Phase III studies, patients received lubiprostone 8
mcg taken twice daily (783 adults) or placebo (388 adults) over a 12-week
period. In both trials, patients receiving lubiprostone 8 mcg twice daily
were nearly twice as likely to achieve an overall response that was
statistically significant compared to those receiving placebo (P=0.001).
The long-term extension trial demonstrated that the efficacy of
lubiprostone, established during the double-blinded period, continued
overall improvement during the open-label extension period to the end of
the 52-week program.
In the pivotal trials, lubiprostone and placebo groups showed a similar
incidence of serious adverse events (1% in both the lubiprostone and
placebo groups) and related adverse events (22% in lubiprostone vs. 21% in
the placebo group). The most common treatment-related adverse events
(greater than or equal to 5% of patients) were nausea (8% vs. 4%,
respectively), diarrhea (6% vs. 4%, respectively) and abdominal pain (4%
vs. 5%, respectively). The incidence of these adverse reactions was lower
in the IBS-C clinical trials.
As a result of the supplemental application, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals
will be entitled to receive a development milestone payment under the
agreement with Takeda.
About Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)
IBS-C is a chronic disorder characterized by abdominal discomfort,
pain, and changes in bowel habits including symptoms of constipation.
In IBS-C, symptoms are present for at least 12 weeks (these do not need
to be consecutive) over a 12-month period. Although people with IBS-C
report suffering from many of the symptoms associated with constipation,
the presence of abdominal discomfort and pain is what differentiates IBS-C
from chronic constipation.
Additionally, the hypersensitivity of the gastrointestinal system of
individuals with IBS-C makes them more prone to experience the effects of
even mild symptoms of constipation. IBS is approximately 2 to 2.5 times
more prevalent in women than men.
About AMITIZA(R) (lubiprostone) 24 mcg Twice Daily for Chronic
Idiopathic Constipation
AMITIZA (24 mcg, twice daily) is indicated for the treatment of Chronic
Idiopathic Constipation in adults. AMITIZA should not be used in patients
with a known gastrointestinal obstruction. Patients with symptoms
suggestive of mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction should be evaluated
to confirm the absence of such an obstruction prior to initiating AMITIZA
treatment.
The safety of AMITIZA in pregnancy has not been evaluated in humans. In
guinea pigs, lubiprostone has been shown to have the potential to cause
fetal loss. AMITIZA should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit
justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Women who could become pregnant
should have a negative pregnancy test prior to beginning therapy with
AMITIZA and should be capable of complying with effective contraceptive
measures.
Patients taking AMITIZA may experience nausea. If this occurs,
concomitant administration of food with AMITIZA may reduce symptoms of
nausea.
AMITIZA should not be administered to patients that have severe
diarrhea. Patients should be aware of the possible occurrence of diarrhea
during treatment. If the diarrhea or nausea becomes severe, patients should
consult their health professional.
In clinical trials for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (24 mcg twice
daily), the most common adverse reaction was nausea (29%). Other adverse
reactions (greater than or equal to 5% of patients) included diarrhea
(12%), headache (11%), abdominal pain (8%), abdominal distension (6%) and
flatulence (6%).
For full prescribing information, visit amitiza. AMITIZA(R) is
a registered trademark of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is an emerging pharmaceutical company
based in Bethesda, Md. Sucampo Pharmaceuticals was founded in 1996 by Ryuji
Ueno, M.D., Ph.D., Ph.D., the company's Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, and co-founder, Sachiko Kuno, Ph.D. Sucampo Pharmaceuticals
focuses on the development and commercialization of drugs based on
prostones, a class of compounds derived from functional fatty acids that
occur naturally in the human body. The therapeutic potential of prostones
was first identified by Dr. Ueno. In January 2006, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals
received marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for
its first product, AMITIZA, for the treatment of Chronic Idiopathic
Constipation in adults. In October 2004, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals entered
into an agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Osaka, Japan)
to co-promote and market AMITIZA in the United States and Canada. Sucampo
Pharmaceuticals' specialized sales force complements the efforts of Takeda
by focusing on institutional and long- term care facilities. To learn more
about the company and its products, visit sucampo.
Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.
Based in Deerfield, Ill., Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.,
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the
largest pharmaceutical company in Japan. In the United States, Takeda
currently markets products for diabetes, insomnia, wakefulness and
gastroenterology. The company has a robust pipeline with compounds in
development for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other conditions.
Takeda is committed to striving toward better health for individuals and
progress in medicine by developing superior pharmaceutical products. To
learn more about the company and its products, visit tpna.
Sucampo Pharmaceuticals; Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America
sucampo
View drug information on Amitiza.