-- Data Presented Today at DDW Demonstrate Linaclotide Provided Early
Onset of Abdominal Pain Relief and Improved Bowel Habits --
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and NEW YORK, May 31, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) today
announced results from additional analyses of their Phase 2b study assessing
the safety and efficacy of the novel, first-in-class agent linaclotide in 419
patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Previous
analyses of these data indicated that once-daily oral dosing with linaclotide,
across a range of doses, significantly improved abdominal symptoms, bowel
habits, and global assessments over the 12-week treatment period. These
additional analyses demonstrated that patients treated with linaclotide
experienced a statistically significant improvement in abdominal symptoms,
bowel habits, and global assessments within the first week of treatment.
Results were presented today at the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) conference
being held in Chicago from May 30 through June 4, 2009. The companies also
will present additional data throughout the week from studies of linaclotide
in patients with IBS-C or chronic constipation (CC).
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The data presented today in an oral presentation (Abstract 157: Effect of
Linaclotide on IBS-C Symptoms in the First Week of Treatment: Results from a
Phase 2b Study) by investigator Anthony Lembo, M.D., Director, GI Motility
Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, indicated that within
the first week of treatment, linaclotide significantly improved abdominal
symptoms, bowel habits, and global assessments. A statistically significant
percentage of patients (48 to 64 percent) experienced a clinically meaningful
reduction (greater than or equal to 0.5 on a five-point severity scale) in
abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and bloating in the first week of
treatment, compared with 25 to 37 percent of placebo patients (p<0.05 for each
pairwise comparison of a linaclotide dose group to the placebo group). For
patients receiving the Phase 3 linaclotide dose, 300 ug daily, 60 percent
showed this level of improvement in the first week (p<0.005). There was also
significant improvement in stool frequency, stool consistency, straining,
adequate relief, and global relief during the first week of linaclotide
treatment (p<0.05 for all dose groups and p<0.001 for the 300 ug dose group).
These levels of improvement were sustained throughout the 12 weeks of
treatment. Linaclotide was well tolerated at all doses with no
treatment-related serious adverse events. The most common adverse event was
diarrhea; however, there were no associated dehydration or electrolyte
abnormalities. Study discontinuations due to diarrhea ranged from 1 to 7
percent of patients in the four linaclotide dose groups; no placebo?treated
patients discontinued due to diarrhea.
"Management of abdominal pain, discomfort, and bloating, in addition to
constipation, is important for patients suffering from IBS-C because these
symptoms can be debilitating," said Anthony Lembo, M.D. "The results of this
Phase 2b study suggest treatment with linaclotide may reduce symptoms in
patients within a week of starting treatment."
The additional linaclotide presentations being made this week at DDW will
be:
-- Abstract 236: Global Endpoints in IBS Clinical Trials: Results from a
Phase 2b Study of Linaclotide, an oral presentation by Jeffrey
Johnston, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.G. on Sunday, May 31 at 2:30 p.m. CT;
McCormick Place, Room E352
-- Abstract 418: Effect of Linaclotide on Quality of Life in Adults with
Chronic Constipation: Results from a Phase 2b Study, an oral
presentation by Bernard J. Lavins, M.D. on Monday, June 1 at 2:15 p.m.
CT; McCormick Place, Room S406A
-- Abstract 1273: Time to Onset of Linaclotide Effect on the Bowel Habits
in Patients with Chronic Constipation: Results from a Phase 2b Study,
a poster presentation by Jeffrey Johnston, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.G. on
Tuesday, June 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT; McCormick Place, South
Hall
Ironwood and Forest presented the initial analyses from both the IBS-C and
CC studies last year.
IBS-C Phase 2b Study Design
This North American-based, randomized, multi-center, double-blind,
placebo-controlled, dose-range-finding, parallel-group Phase 2b study was
designed to assess the safety, efficacy, and dose response of linaclotide in
patients with IBS-C. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline in
complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) frequency. The study evaluated the
effects of 75, 150, 300, or 600 ug linaclotide or placebo administered orally
once daily to adults meeting modified Rome II criteria for IBS-C. Participants
underwent a two-week pretreatment (baseline) period before undergoing the
12-week treatment period, followed by a two-week post-treatment period. Daily
assessments of bowel habits and symptom severity, and weekly global
assessments were performed using an interactive voice response system. During
the baseline period patients had to demonstrate <3 CSBM/week and mean daily
abdominal pain of at least mild severity. Treatment effects in the
intent-to-treat population were estimated using an analysis of covariance and
the Cochran-Mantel Haenszel test.
About Linaclotide
Linaclotide is a first-in-class compound in Phase 3 clinical development
for the treatment of IBSC and CC. Linaclotide demonstrated proof of concept in
a comprehensive Phase 2b program, comprised of two clinical studies in over
700 patients with either IBS-C or CC. In patients with IBS-C, linaclotide
significantly reduced abdominal pain, discomfort, and bloating and improved
bowel function throughout the 12-week treatment period. In patients with CC,
linaclotide reduced constipation, abdominal discomfort, and bloating
throughout the 4-week treatment period. Across both studies, the most common
adverse event in the linaclotide-treated groups was diarrhea, and diarrhea was
the most common adverse event leading to discontinuation. Linaclotide is a
once daily, orally delivered peptide that acts locally in the gut with no
detectable systemic exposure at therapeutic doses. Linaclotide is an agonist
of guanylate cyclase type-C, a receptor found on the lining of the intestine.
An issued composition of matter patent for linaclotide provides protection to
2025. In September 2007, Ironwood and Forest entered into a 50/50
collaboration to co-develop and co-promote linaclotide in the United States.
In April 2009, Ironwood licensed to Almirall the European rights to develop
and commercialize linaclotide.
About Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)
IBS-C is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by
abdominal pain, discomfort, and bloating associated with altered bowel habits.
There are currently few available therapies to treat this disorder. Nine
million U.S. patients have been diagnosed with IBS-C, and as many as 15
million people in the U.S. suffer from it. Patients suffering from IBS-C can
be affected physically, psychologically, socially, and economically.
About Chronic Constipation (CC)
As many as 23 million Americans suffer from CC and 12 million patients
have sought treatment and been diagnosed. Patients with CC often experience
hard and lumpy stools, straining during defecation, a sensation of incomplete
evacuation, and fewer than three bowel movements per week. The discomfort and
bloating of CC significantly affects patients' quality of life by impairing
their ability to work and participate in typical daily activities.
About Digestive Disease Week (DDW)
DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and
academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and
gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for
the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Gastroenterological Association
(AGA) Institute, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and the
Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, DDW takes place May 30 - June 4,
2009, at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. The meeting showcases approximately
5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI
research, medicine, and technology. For more information, visit www.ddw.org.
About Ironwood Pharmaceuticals
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (www.ironwoodpharma.com) is an entrepreneurial
pharmaceutical company dedicated to the science and art of great drugmaking.
Linaclotide, the Company's first-in-class compound, is being evaluated in a
comprehensive Phase 3 program for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic constipation (CC). Ironwood also has a
growing pipeline of additional drug candidates in earlier stages of
development. Microbia, Inc. (formerly Microbia Precision Engineering), a
majority-owned subsidiary of Ironwood, is an industrial biotechnology company
developing and commercializing novel bioprocesses for the production of
specialty chemicals. Ironwood has raised $281 million in private equity
financing and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
About Forest Laboratories
Forest Laboratories (NYSE: FRX) is a U.S.-based pharmaceutical company
with a long track record of building partnerships and developing and marketing
products that make a positive difference in people's lives. In addition to its
well-established franchises in therapeutic areas of the central nervous and
cardiovascular systems, Forest's current pipeline includes product candidates
in all stages of development and across a wide range of therapeutic areas. The
company is headquartered in New York, NY. To learn more about Forest
Laboratories, visit www.FRX.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this release
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of
risks and uncertainties, including the difficulty of predicting FDA approvals,
the acceptance and demand for new pharmaceutical products, the impact of
competitive products and pricing, the timely development and launch of new
products, and the risk factors listed from time to time in Forest
Laboratories' Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and
any subsequent SEC filings.
SOURCE Forest Laboratories, Inc.; Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: Frank J. Murdolo, Vice President - Investor Relations,
Forest
Laboratories, Inc
+1-212-224-6714,
Frank.Murdolo@frx.com/