BioSante reported that with 2,869 women enrolled and over 3,000 women-years of exposure in its LibiGel Phase III cardiovascular and breast cancer safety study, there have been 17 adjudicated cardiovascular (CV) events, with a lower than anticipated event rate of approximately 0.57 percent. There have been eight breast cancers reported, a rate of approximately 0.27 percent.
Therefore, the Phase III LibiGel (testosterone gel) safety study will continue as per the FDA-agreed protocol, without modifications including continued enrollment of new subjects. This was the recommendation of the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) based on its 5th unblinded review of all study safety data. LibiGel is in development for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), specifically, hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in menopausal women, for which there is no FDA-approved product.
"Once again, the DMC has recommended that the safety study continue as per the FDA-agreed protocol, without modification as there were no general or specific safety issues based on their unblinded review of adverse events. In addition, the low number of CV events to date is consistent with the safety of testosterone in this population," stated Michael Snabes, M.D., Ph.D., the senior vice president of medical affairs for BioSante. "Once the DMC determines that there are enough subjects enrolled for statistical significance, enrollment of new subjects will be complete. The protocol allows up to 4,000 women to be enrolled, however, the DMC may recommend completion of enrollment at any time between the current enrollment and the 4,000 women maximum."
Subjects have been enrolled in this study for an average of 12.5 months. More than 1,000 subjects have been enrolled in the study for more than a year and over 550 subjects for more than two years. The periodic reviews by the DMC are based on their mandate in accordance with FDA agreement on protocol-defined study oversight. BioSante's objective is to submit the LibiGel NDA for a product launch in 2012.
"LibiGel remains the only product in the world in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of HSDD," said Stephen M. Simes, BioSante's president & CEO. "We expect to announce completion of enrollment in both Phase III efficacy trials in the near-future," Mr. Simes continued. "With this most recent favorable DMC recommendation, we continue to believe that LibiGel will be the first product approved by the FDA to treat HSDD, also referred to as FSD, in menopausal women."
About the LibiGel Phase III Cardiovascular and Breast Cancer Safety Study
The Phase III LibiGel safety study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, cardiovascular (CV) events and breast cancer study that has enrolled 2,869 women, with a maximum of 4,000 patients to be enrolled. The study will continue for a total of five years, however, BioSante can use the safety study data as part of an NDA submission after an average of 12 months of exposure to LibiGel or placebo.
The LibiGel safety study is tracking a predefined list of CV events, in agreement with the FDA, including CV death, myocardial infarction and stroke in women 50 years of age or older and suffering from at least two CV risk factors including hypertension and diabetes. The objective of the safety study is to show the relative safety of testosterone compared to placebo in the number of CV events. The incidence of breast cancer also is being tracked over the course of the study. The study represents the largest data base of the safety of testosterone in women.
Upon completion of the statistical analyses of the safety study and efficacy trials, BioSante intends to submit an NDA to the FDA, requesting approval to market LibiGel for the treatment of HSDD in menopausal women.
About LibiGel®
LibiGel is a testosterone gel in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of women who suffer from female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The on-going Phase III efficacy trials are double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that will enroll up to approximately 500 surgically menopausal women each for a six-month clinical trial. The efficacy trials are being conducted under an FDA-approved special protocol assessment (SPA) agreement. LibiGel is absorbed quickly through the skin after applying a once-daily pea-sized topical application on the upper arm that delivers testosterone to the bloodstream evenly over time.
In a Phase II trial, LibiGel significantly increased the number of satisfying sexual events in surgically menopausal women suffering from FSD by 238 percent versus baseline (p<0.0001); this increase also was significant versus placebo (p < 0.05). In this study, the effective dose of LibiGel produced testosterone blood levels within the normal range for pre-menopausal women and had a safety profile similar to that observed in the placebo group. In addition, no serious adverse events and no discontinuations due to adverse events occurred in any subject receiving LibiGel. The Phase II clinical trial was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, conducted in the United States, in surgically menopausal women distressed by their low sexual desire and activity.
About BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
BioSante is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing products for female sexual health and oncology. BioSante's lead products include LibiGel® (transdermal testosterone gel) for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) which is in Phase III clinical development under a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Special Protocol Assessment. BioSante also is developing a portfolio of cancer vaccines, four of which have been granted Orphan Drug designation, and are currently in several Phase II clinical trials. Other products in development are Bio-T-Gel™, a testosterone gel for male hypogonadism licensed to Teva Pharmaceuticals and an oral contraceptive in Phase II clinical development using BioSante patented technology. The company also is seeking opportunities for its other technologies. Additional information is available online at: www.biosantepharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
To the extent any statements made in this news release deal with information that is not historical, these are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about BioSante's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to future operations and products, the timing of anticipated regulatory submissions and other statements identified by words such as �will,� �potential,� �could,� �can,� �believe,� �intends,� �continue,� �plans,� �expects,� �anticipates,� �estimates,� �may,� other words of similar meaning or the use of future dates. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Uncertainties and risks may cause BioSante's actual results to be materially different than those expressed in or implied by BioSante's forward-looking statements. For BioSante, particular uncertainties and risks include, among others, the difficulty of developing pharmaceutical products, obtaining regulatory and other approvals and achieving market acceptance; the marketing success of BioSante's licensees or sublicensees; the success of clinical testing; and BioSante's need for and ability to obtain additional financing. More detailed information on these and additional factors that could affect BioSante's actual results are described in BioSante's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release. BioSante undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact:
BioSante Pharmaceuticals
For Investors:
The Trout Group LLC
Tricia Swanson
(646) 378-2953
tswanson@troutgroup.com
or
For Media:
McKinney/Chicago
Alan Zachary
(312) 944-6784 ext. 316
azachary@mckinneychicago.com
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