Alkermes announces positive topline results from phase 1 study of ALKS 8700 for treatment of multiple sclerosis

Alkermes plc (NASDAQ: ALKS) today announced positive topline results from a phase 1, randomized, double-blind clinical study of ALKS 8700, a novel monomethyl fumarate (MMF) molecule in development for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).

ALKS 8700 is designed to rapidly and efficiently convert to MMF in the body and offer differentiated features as compared to the currently marketed dimethyl fumarate, TECFIDERA®. The study evaluated the safety, tolerability and single-dose pharmacokinetics (PK) of several oral formulations of ALKS 8700 compared to both placebo and active control groups in 104 healthy volunteers. Data from the phase 1 study showed that ALKS 8700 was generally well tolerated and provided MMF exposures comparable to TECFIDERA, with less variability and improved gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability. The most common adverse events (AEs) were flushing and GI-related. Based on the positive results from the study, Alkermes will request a meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and plans to advance ALKS 8700 with twice-daily dosing into pivotal development in 2015.

 “The results from this study demonstrated ALKS 8700 converts efficiently into MMF after oral administration with the potential to offer improved GI tolerability for patients with MS,” said Elliot Ehrich, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Alkermes. “This highly informative clinical study provided clear data regarding dose selection and supports our decision to advance ALKS 8700 twice-daily into pivotal development later this year. In addition, it provided new insights into approaches for once-daily dosing options, which we will continue to pursue.”

Phase 1 Study Design and Results

The three-part, randomized, double-blind phase 1 study was conducted in 104 healthy subjects. Part 1 was a single-ascending-dose, placebo-controlled design in 56 subjects to evaluate the safety, tolerability and PK of a range of single doses of ALKS 8700, and determine a dose that would provide MMF exposure comparable to 240 mg TECFIDERA, to be used in Part 2. Part 2 was a two-treatment, two-period crossover design in 16 subjects that compared the PK and tolerability of a single dose of ALKS 8700, 240 mg TECFIDERA or placebo. Part 3 included 32 subjects and evaluated PK of extended-release formulations of ALKS 8700.

In Part 1, doses of ALKS 8700 ranging from 49 mg to 980 mg were evaluated. ALKS 8700 was rapidly converted to MMF, a dose-exposure relationship was observed, with higher MMF exposure associated with increasing ALKS 8700 dose levels, and a dose of ALKS 8700 providing MMF plasma exposure comparable to 240 mg TECFIDERA was identified for Part 2. In Part 2, subjects on active drug received either the selected dose of ALKS 8700 from Part 1 or 240 mg TECFIDERA, followed by the other agent on a subsequent day, thereby enabling a crossover comparison of PK and tolerability within the same subjects. In this part of the study, subjects who received ALKS 8700 demonstrated less variability in MMF exposure than subjects who received TECFIDERA, with a significantly lower maximum plasma concentration (Cmax). The percentage of subjects with GI-related AEs was lower with ALKS 8700 (8.3%) compared to TECFIDERA (41.7%). In Part 3, the PK data of the extended-release formulations of ALKS 8700 provided new insights into approaches for once-daily dosing options, which Alkermes will continue to pursue.

Throughout the study, all dose levels of ALKS 8700 were generally well tolerated. The most common AEs were flushing and GI-related; all AEs were mild or moderate in severity. No serious AEs or discontinuations due to AEs were observed for ALKS 8700 in the study. Alkermes will present safety and PK data from the phase 1 study at an upcoming medical meeting and submit the results for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.