Tag: AXSM

Axsome completes pre-NDA meeting with FDA for AXS-07 indicated for Migraine acute treatment

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. () today announced that it has completed a successful pre-New Drug Application (NDA) meeting with the U.S. FDA for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine. AXS-07 is Axsome’s novel, oral, multi-mechanistic investigational medicine for the acute treatment of migraine. The purpose of the meeting was to reach agreement with the FDA on the proposed content and format of the Company’s planned NDA submission including the clinical and nonclinical requirements.
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Based on the feedback from the FDA, the Company believes its regulatory data package will be sufficient to support an NDA for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine, and Axsome remains on track to submit the planned NDA in 4Q-2020. Acceptance of the final NDA will be subject to the FDA’s review of the complete filing.

Axsome previously announced positive results from two Phase 3, randomized, controlled trials of AXS-07 in the acute treatment of migraine, the MOMENTUM and INTERCEPT trials, which demonstrated rapid, substantial, and statistically significant elimination of migraine pain and prevention of progression of migraine pain intensity with AXS-07 compared to control.

AXS-07 is a novel, oral, investigational medicine with distinct dual mechanisms of action under development for the acute treatment of migraine. AXS-07 consists of MoSEIC meloxicam and rizatriptan. Meloxicam is a new molecular entity for migraine enabled by Axsome’s MoSEIC (Molecular Solubility Enhanced Inclusion Complex) technology, which results in rapid absorption of meloxicam while maintaining a long plasma half-life. Meloxicam is a COX-2 preferential non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and rizatriptan is a 5-HT1B/1D agonist. AXS-07 is designed to provide rapid, enhanced and consistent relief of migraine, with reduced symptom recurrence. AXS-07 is not approved by the FDA.

Over 37 million Americans suffer from migraine according to the Centers for Disease Control, and it is the leading cause of disability among neurological disorders in the United States according to the American Migraine Foundation. Migraine is characterized by recurrent attacks of pulsating, often severe and disabling head pain associated with nausea, and sensitivity to light and or sound. It is estimated that migraine accounts for $78 billion in direct (e.g. doctor visits, medications) and indirect (e.g. missed work, lost productivity) costs each year in the United States. Published surveys of migraine sufferers indicate that more than 70% are not fully satisfied with their current treatment, that nearly 80% would try a new therapy, and that they desire treatments that work faster, more consistently, and result in less symptom recurrence.

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Axsome gets Breakthrough Therapy Designation from FDA for AXS-12 in Narcolepsy

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. () today announced that the U.S. FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for AXS-12 for the treatment of cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy. AXS-12 is a novel, oral, highly selective and potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Axsome previously received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for AXS-12 for the treatment of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a debilitating, neurological condition characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by strong emotions. This is the third FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation received by Axsome.
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The Breakthrough Therapy designation for AXS-12 for the treatment of cataplexy in narcolepsy was supported by the positive results from the Phase 2 CONCERT study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, multicenter U.S. trial. In the trial, 21 patients with a diagnosis of narcolepsy with cataplexy were treated for 2 weeks with AXS-12 or with placebo, followed by a crossover to the other treatment after a 1-week down-titration and washout period. AXS-12 met the primary endpoint demonstrating a highly statistically significant reduction from baseline in the mean weekly number of cataplexy attacks, averaged for the 2-week treatment period (overall treatment effect), as compared to placebo (p<0.001), and at the end of the 2-week treatment period (p=0.002). AXS-12 also significantly improved EDS compared to placebo, as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and by the frequency of inadvertent naps (p=0.003 and p<0.001, respectively). In addition, AXS-12 significantly improved cognitive function compared to placebo over the 2-week treatment period as measured by the Ability to Concentrate item of the Narcolepsy Symptom Assessment Questionnaire (p<0.001). AXS-12 was well tolerated in this trial with the most commonly reported adverse events being anxiety, constipation, and insomnia.

Narcolepsy can be a serious and debilitating neurological condition that causes dysregulation of the sleep-wake cycle and is characterized clinically by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and disrupted nocturnal sleep. Narcolepsy afflicts an estimated 185,000 individuals in the U.S. Cataplexy is seen in an estimated 70% of narcolepsy patients and is a sudden reduction or loss of muscle tone while a patient is awake, typically triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, fear, anger, stress, or excitement. Narcolepsy interferes with cognitive, psychological, and social functioning, increases the risk of work- and driving-related accidents, and is associated with a 1.5-fold higher mortality rate. Depression is reported in up to 57% of patients.

AXS-12 (reboxetine) is a highly selective and potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor for the treatment of narcolepsy. AXS-12 modulates noradrenergic activity to promote wakefulness, maintain muscle tone and enhance cognition. AXS-12 has been granted U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough Therapy designation and Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of narcolepsy. AXS-12 is an investigational drug product not approved yet by the FDA.

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