Catabasis Pharmaceuticals Presents Data Supporting MRI T2 as a Potential Marker of Clinical Outcome in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the World Muscle Society Congress
-- Data from Large Natural History Study Show Strong Correlation of Lower Leg Composite MRI T2 with DMD Disease Progression, Supporting Positive Edasalonexent Effects in the MoveDMD® Trial --
-- Positive MoveDMD Clinical Results Through 72 Weeks of Edasalonexent Treatment and Phase 3 PolarisDMD Trial Design Also Presented --
The utility of MRI T2 as a marker to predict disease progression in DMD was assessed in the ImagingDMD natural history database of more than 150 boys. The lower leg composite MRI T2 was highly correlated with functional abilities in boys with DMD. The lower leg composite MRI T2 correlated with ability to complete assessments of muscle function, with 2 milliseconds (MRI T2 measurement units) corresponding to clinically relevant functional changes. The MoveDMD edasalonexent trial also assessed MRI T2 and saw a statistically significant improvement in the lower leg composite MRI T2 rate of change following 12, 24, 36 and 48 weeks of edasalonexent treatment compared to the off-treatment control period, supporting the potential clinical benefit of edasalonexent. These improvements in MRI T2 are consistent with the improvements observed in all assessments of muscle function with edasalonexent treatment compared to the off-treatment control period.
“It is extremely exciting to see the MRI composite correlate with
disease progression in boys with Duchenne in the natural history data as
we have been interested in MRI measures as a potential marker of
clinical outcome in Duchenne to make drug development more efficient,”
said
“The potential of MRI T2 to predict disease progression and potential
treatment benefit in Duchenne will greatly enhance the ability of
investigators to assess clinical effects of investigational agents and
hopefully lead to improved clinical management of boys living with the
disease,” said
Catabasis also presented new MoveDMD trial data and the Phase 3
PolarisDMD trial design at the
MoveDMD Trial Data through 72 Weeks of Edasalonexent Treatment
- New positive efficacy and safety results through 72 weeks of edasalonexent treatment were presented, showing preservation of muscle function and sustained disease-modifying effects in all assessments of muscle function in boys with DMD in the MoveDMD trial and open-label extension compared to the off-treatment control period.
- Significant decreases in muscle enzymes through 72 weeks were also seen in boys treated with edasalonexent, supporting the durability of edasalonexent treatment effects.
- Significantly decreased heart rate towards age-normative values was observed and supports the potential beneficial cardiac effects of edasalonexent. Boys with DMD in this age range typically have resting tachycardia, a heart rate that exceeds the normal resting rate, and is the first cardiac manifestation in boys with DMD. Cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of mortality in DMD.
- Edasalonexent continued to be well tolerated with no safety signals observed in the trial. Boys treated with edasalonexent continue to follow age-appropriate growth curves with age-appropriate increases in weight and height and overall BMI has trended down to age-normative values.
PolarisDMD Phase 3 Trial Design for Edasalonexent
- The recently initiated Phase 3 PolarisDMD trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of edasalonexent in patients with DMD and is intended to support an application for commercial registration of edasalonexent.
- The PolarisDMD trial is expected to include approximately 40 clinical trial sites globally.
- The Phase 3 PolarisDMD trial is a one-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Catabasis plans to enroll approximately 125 patients ages 4 to 7 (up to 8th birthday) regardless of mutation type who have not been on steroids for at least 6 months.
-
The primary efficacy endpoint will be change in the
North Star Ambulatory Assessment score after 12 months of treatment with edasalonexent compared to placebo. Key secondary endpoints include the age-appropriate timed function tests time to stand, 4-stair climb and 10-meter walk/run. Assessments of growth, cardiac and bone health are also included. - Top-line results from the Phase 3 PolarisDMD trial are expected in the second quarter of 2020.
About Edasalonexent (CAT-1004)
Edasalonexent (CAT-1004) is
an investigational oral small molecule that is being developed as a
potential new standard of care for all patients affected by DMD,
regardless of their underlying mutation. Edasalonexent inhibits NF-kB,
which is the key link between loss of dystrophin and disease pathology
and plays a fundamental role in the initiation and progression of
skeletal and cardiac muscle disease in DMD. Catabasis is currently
enrolling the single global Phase 3 PolarisDMD trial to evaluate the
efficacy and safety of edasalonexent for registration purposes.
Edasalonexent continues to be dosed in an open-label extension of the
MoveDMD Phase 2 clinical trial. The
About Catabasis
At
Forward Looking Statements
Any statements in this press
release about future expectations, plans and prospects for the Company,
including statements about future clinical trial plans including, among
other things, statements about the Company’s global Phase 3 PolarisDMD
trial in DMD to evaluate the efficacy and safety of edasalonexent for
registration purposes, and other statements containing the words
“believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “may” and similar
expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of
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uncertainties inherent in the initiation and completion of preclinical
studies and clinical trials and clinical development of the Company’s
product candidates; whether interim results from a clinical trial will
be predictive of the final results of the trial or the results of future
trials; expectations for regulatory approvals to conduct trials or to
market products; availability of funding sufficient for the Company’s
foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure
requirements; other matters that could affect the availability or
commercial potential of the Company’s product candidates; and general
economic and market conditions and other factors discussed in the “Risk
Factors” section of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended
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Source:
Investor and Media Contact
Catabasis
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Andrea Matthews, 617-349-1971
amatthews@catabasis.com