MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 01, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dermira, Inc. (NASDAQ: DERM ), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to identifying, developing and commercializing innovative, differentiated therapies to improve the lives of patients with dermatologic diseases, today presented data, including new disease-related quality of life data, from its DRM04 Phase 3 clinical program in patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating) in a late-breaking news session at the 25 th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Vienna, Austria.
In June 2016 , positive topline results from the Phase 3 ATMOS-1 and ATMOS-2 pivotal trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of DRM04, a topical anticholinergic product candidate, compared to vehicle were reported showing significant improvements in patient-reported disease severity following four weeks of treatment.
New findings presented at EADV found that patients treated with DRM04 reported significant improvements in their disease-related quality of life compared to patients who received vehicle only. DRM04 showed a mean improvement from baseline in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score compared to vehicle in both the ATMOS-1 (decrease of 8.1 vs. 4.3; p<0.001) and ATMOS-2 (decrease of 8.6 vs. 5.0; p<0.001) clinical trials, at week 4. A decrease in a patient’s DLQI score translates to overall improved satisfaction in the management of their skin condition. DLQI [1] is a widely used and recognized quality of life measurement instrument frequently used across several dermatologic conditions.
“Patients suffering from hyperhidrosis often report a feeling of helplessness that can negatively affect their mental well-being and overall quality of life,” said David Pariser, M.D., professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Department of Dermatology, who presented these findings in an oral presentation today. “Hyperhidrosis has historically been an undertreated skin condition. As a result, millions of patients have been suffering silently. New treatment options that are safe and effective are needed that provide clinical benefit and ultimately improve a patient’s quality of life.”
Dermira intends to present additional patient quality of life data as measured by the Axillary Sweating Daily Diary (ASDD), its proprietary patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument, in peer-reviewed forums. The ASDD instrument was developed and validated by Dermira in accordance with the 2009 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance document for PRO instruments.
“We are pleased that these data add to the growing body of evidence that suggests DRM04 may be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis,” said Eugene A. Bauer, M.D., chief medical officer of Dermira. “We look forward to presenting additional data from our proprietary patient-reported outcome tool, which we hope will establish a new standard of confidence among healthcare professionals who have been seeking new treatment options for these patients.”
About DRM04 and Dermira’s Phase 3 Clinical Program
DRM04 is a topical anticholinergic product candidate in development for patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating). In June 2016 , Dermira reported topline results from two DRM04 Phase 3 clinical trials, ATMOS-1 and ATMOS-2, which were designed as identical, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials to assess the safety and efficacy of DRM04 at a concentration of 3.75% compared to vehicle in adolescent and adult patients (ages nine and older) with primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Both clinical trials evaluated the safety and efficacy of DRM04 compared to vehicle.
The co-primary endpoints for the ATMOS-1 and ATMOS-2 Phase 3 trials were the proportion of patients who achieved at least a four-point improvement from baseline in sweating severity as measured by the ASDD, and the average absolute change from baseline in gravimetrically-measured sweat production. The secondary endpoints in both trials measured the proportion of patients who had at least a two-grade improvement from baseline as measured by the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) and the proportion of patients with at least a 50% reduction from baseline in gravimetrically-measured sweat production. Each endpoint was measured at the end of the four-week treatment period.
The ATMOS-1 trial enrolled 344 patients at 29 sites in the United States and Germany, and the ATMOS-2 trial enrolled 353 patients at 20 sites in the United States. Inclusion criteria required that prior to the start of treatment, all patients produce at least 50 mg of sweat in each underarm over a five-minute period and rate the severity of their sweating as a four or higher on the 11-point ASDD scale and as a three or a four on the four-grade HDSS. In the ATMOS-1 trial, 229 patients were randomized to receive DRM04 and 115 patients were randomized to receive vehicle; and in the ATMOS-2 trial, 234 patients were randomized to receive DRM04 and 119 patients were randomized to receive vehicle. Patients were instructed to apply the study product to each underarm once daily for four weeks using topical wipes containing either DRM04 or vehicle only.
In the ATMOS-2 trial, DRM04 demonstrated statistically significant improvements for both co-primary endpoints and both secondary endpoints compared to vehicle. In the ATMOS-1 trial, DRM04 demonstrated statistically significant improvements for one of the co-primary endpoints and both secondary endpoints. These results were based on the overall dataset from the intent-to-treat population. For the second co-primary endpoint in the ATMOS-1 trial, when extreme outlier data from one analysis center were excluded in accordance with the pre-specified statistical analysis plan submitted to the FDA, DRM04 demonstrated statistically significant results compared to vehicle. Consistent with previous results, DRM04 was generally well-tolerated with side effects that were primarily mild to moderate in severity.
Dermira is also conducting ARIDO, an open-label trial assessing the long-term safety of DRM04 as part of its Phase 3 program to provide safety data for a minimum of 100 patients who have received DRM04 for at least 12 months per the International Council on Harmonization guidelines. Patients from the ATMOS-1 and ATMOS-2 trials were permitted to enroll in the ARIDO trial and continue to receive DRM04 (active treatment) for up to an additional 44 weeks from the end of the four-week treatment periods in the ATMOS-1 or ATMOS-2 trials. A total of 564 patients, more than 80%, elected to enroll in ARIDO. Dermira expects to complete the treatment period for the ARIDO trial by the end of 2016.
Based on the results of the ATMOS-1 and ATMOS-2 trials, Dermira plans to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for potential approval of DRM04. The NDA submission is targeted for the second half of 2017, subject to the completion of the ARIDO trial, other registration-enabling activities and a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA.
About Hyperhidrosis Based on the most recent data available in the United States, the prevalence of hyperhidrosis in 2003 was estimated to be 2.8% of the population, or approximately 7.8 million people. Hyperhidrosis is a condition of sweating beyond what is physiologically required to maintain normal thermal regulation. Sweat is produced by glands in the skin and released to the skin surface through ducts. Sweat gland activity is controlled by the nervous system. The nervous system transmits signals to the sweat glands through acetylcholine, which is known as a neurotransmitter. Primary hyperhidrosis, which is excessive sweating without a known cause, can affect the underarms, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, face and other areas. According to published studies, approximately half of hyperhidrosis sufferers have axillary hyperhidrosis, and roughly one-third of axillary hyperhidrosis sufferers, or 1.3 million Americans, have severe disease that is barely tolerable and frequently interferes with daily activities or is intolerable and always interferes with daily activities as scored by the HDSS. Several studies have demonstrated that excessive sweating often impedes normal daily activities and can result in occupational, emotional, psychological, social and physical impairment.
About Dermira Dermira is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to identifying, developing and commercializing innovative, differentiated therapies to improve the lives of patients with dermatologic diseases. Dermira’s portfolio includes three late-stage product candidates that target significant unmet needs and market opportunities: CIMZIA® (certolizumab pegol), in Phase 3 development in collaboration with UCB Pharma S.A. for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis; DRM04, in Phase 3 development for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating); and DRM01, in Phase 2b development for the treatment of facial acne vulgaris. Dermira is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. For more information, please visit www.dermira.com .
In addition to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), press releases, public conference calls and webcasts, Dermira uses its website ( www.dermira.com ) and LinkedIn page ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/dermira-inc- ) as channels of distribution of information about its company, product candidates, planned financial and other announcements, attendance at upcoming investor and industry conferences and other matters. Such information may be deemed material information and Dermira may use these channels to comply with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Therefore, investors should monitor Dermira’s website and LinkedIn page in addition to following its SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts.
Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements with respect to the use of DRM04 as a safe and effective treatment option for patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis; the future presentation of additional patient quality of life data as measured by its proprietary patient-reported outcome instrument and the establishment of a new standard of confidence among healthcare professionals who have been seeking new treatment options for patients primary axillary hyperhidrosis; the expected timing for completion of the treatment period for the open-label ARIDO Phase 3 trial; the timing of the anticipated pre-NDA meeting with the FDA and other registration-enabling activities; and the timing and submission of an NDA to the FDA for DRM04. These statements deal with future events and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties such as those relating to the design, implementation and outcome of Dermira’s open-label ARIDO Phase 3 trial; Dermira’s anticipated pre-NDA meeting with the FDA for DRM04; Dermira’s dependence on third-party clinical research organizations, manufacturers and suppliers; Dermira’s ability to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidate; and Dermira’s ability to continue to stay in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. You should refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” set forth in Dermira’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Dermira’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings Dermira makes with the SEC from time to time for a discussion of important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by Dermira’s forward-looking statements. Furthermore, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Dermira undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements or reasons why actual results might differ, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
*Disclaimer: Dr. Pariser served as an investigator for the DRM04 clinical development program. He serves as a paid advisor to Dermira. He does not have a financial interest in the company.
[1] Cardiff University, Department of Dermatology. Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI). Available at: http://sites.cardiff.ac.uk/dermatology/qualit...ndex-dlqi/ .
Contacts: Media: Erica Jefferson Senior Director, Head of Corporate Communications 650-421-7216 erica.jefferson@dermira.com Investors: Andrew Guggenhime Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer 650-421-7200 investors@dermira.com Robert H. Uhl Westwicke Partners Managing Director 858-356-5932 robert.uhl@westwicke.com
