Accentia Biopharmaceuticals Announces Favorable Interim Blinded Data on SinuNase in Its Fast-Tracked Pivotal Phase 3 Clinical Trial for Chronic Sinusitis.Interim Data Shows Substantial Percentage of Patients Are Experiencing Resolution of Symptoms and Reduction in Polyps Polyps A tumor with a small flap that attaches itself to the wall of various vascular organs such as the nose, uterus and rectum. Polyps bleed easily, and if they are suspected to be cancerous they should be surgically removed. TAMPA, Fla. -- Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : ABPI ABPI Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry ABPI Associação Brasileira da Propriedade Intelectual (Brazilian Intellectual Property Association; Brazil) ABPI Ankle Brachial Pressure Index ) announced on Wednesday, June 27 at the Jefferies Healthcare Conference that its interim analysis of the blinded data on the first fifty patients in the Fast-Tracked Phase 3 clinical study of SinuNase[TM], at 8 weeks post-randomization, has demonstrated substantial improvement in resolution of one or both of the cardinal symptoms of chronic sinusitis chronic sinusitis Chronic sinus infection ENT Inflammation of the sinuses that empty into the nasal cavity Etiology Allergic rhinitis, nasal obstruction, deviated nasal septum, tooth abscesses, URIs , and substantial improvement in intranasal in·tra·na·sal adj. Within the nose. polyposis polyposis /pol·yp·osis/ (pol?i-po´sis) the formation of numerous polyps. familial polyposis , familial adenomatous polyposis . Resolution of both cardinal symptoms at the end of 16 weeks is the primary endpoint of the ongoing Phase 3 study. Based on this interim blinded data, approximately 42% of patients randomized ran·dom·ize tr.v. ran·dom·ized, ran·dom·iz·ing, ran·dom·iz·es To make random in arrangement, especially in order to control the variables in an experiment. reported resolution of one or both cardinal symptoms. In addition, approximately 47% of patients were evaluated as having improved endoscopy endoscopy Examination of the body's interior through an instrument inserted into a natural opening or an incision, usually as an outpatient procedure. Endoscopes include the upper gastrointestinal endoscope (for the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum), the colonoscope (for the scores. It should be noted, prior to randomization randomization (ranˈ·d v. To wash out a cavity or wound with a fluid. with saline twice daily for two weeks and only those who showed no placebo effect placebo effect n. A beneficial effect in a patient following a particular treatment that arises from the patient's expectations concerning the treatment rather than from the treatment itself. were randomized. The randomization between SinuNase and placebo control is 1:1, meaning that 50% of the patients in the blinded interim analysis should be on SinuNase, and 50% on placebo control. "The data reported is very encouraging," said Dr. Frank E. O'Donnell Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Accentia Biopharmaceuticals. "While we cannot determine which patients are receiving SinuNase and which are receiving placebo control until the study is completed and unblinded, the fact that there are resolution of symptoms and improvement in endoscopy in a substantial percentage of patients suggests to me that we are on track to reach our anticipated outcome for SinuNase in the Phase 3 study. It seems unlikely to me that patients receiving placebo would have a substantial improvement in polyps. In fact, in patients who experienced no resolution of symptoms, the endoscopy scores improved by just 2%. In patients who reported complete resolution of one cardinal symptom there was an average improvement in endoscopy scores of 12%. In patients who reported resolution of both cardinal symptoms there was an average improvement in endoscopy scores of 23%." The clinical trial has reached approximately 80% enrollment and the Company believes it will finish enrollment of the 300 patients required for randomization during the summer. Unblinded top-line results for all patients are expected to be available before the end of the year. Members of the investment community, the media, and other interested parties can access the PowerPoint presentation and an audio webcast by visiting Accentia's homepage at www.accentia.net, or for audio only, http://www.wsw.com/webcast/jeff18/abpi. The PowerPoint presentation and audio will be available and archived on Accentia's website for 90 days. About Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the "Company" or "Accentia") is a vertically integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of drug candidates that are in late-stage clinical development and typically are based on active pharmaceutical ingredients that have been previously approved by the FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. for other indications. Usually these drug candidates can access the accelerated 505(b)(2) regulatory approval pathway, which is generally less time-consuming and less expensive than the typical 505(b)(1) pathway that must be used for new chemical entities. The Company's lead product candidate is SinuNase(TM), a novel application and formulation of a known therapeutic to treat chronic rhinosinusitis. SinuNase has been granted Fast Track status by the FDA and it is currently in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial phase 3 clinical trial Phase 3 study. See Phase study. . During this fiscal year, the Company also plans to file an Investigative New Drug (IND) for a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of Revimmune, to treat numerous autoimmune diseases Autoimmune diseases A group of diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, in which immune cells turn on the body, attacking various tissues and organs. Mentioned in: Complement Deficiencies, Premature Menopause with an initial indication targeting refractory relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Revimmune is based on pulsed, ultra-high dosing of a well-known chemotherapeutic agent chemotherapeutic agent An agent used to treat CA, administered in 'regimens'-one or more 'cycles' that combine 3 or more agents over wks; CAs are toxic to any cell with a high rate of proliferation–the CA itself, the GI tract–causing N&V, under a risk management program. Additionally, through an investment strategy, the Company has acquired the majority ownership interest in Biovest International, Inc. ("Biovest"), (BVTI.OB) and a royalty interest royalty interest The proportional ownership interest by the owner of oil and gas rights in income produced by the asset. See also overriding royalty interest. in Biovest's lead drug candidate, BiovaxID(TM) and any other biologic products developed by Biovest. Biovest is currently conducting a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for BiovaxID which is a patient-specific anti-cancer vaccine focusing on the treatment of follicular fol·lic·u·lar adj. 1. Relating to, having, or resembling a follicle or follicles. 2. Affecting or growing out of a follicle or follicles. non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. BiovaxID has been granted Fast Track status by the FDA. In addition to these product candidates, the Company has a specialty pharmaceutical business which markets products focused on respiratory disease and an analytical consulting business that serves customers in the biopharmaceutical industry. For further information, visit the Company Web site at www.accentia.net. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this release that are not strictly historical in nature constitute "forward-looking statements." Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Revimmune(TM) SinuNase(TM), BiovaxID(TM), AutovaxID(TM), CRSFungal Profile(TM) and any other statements relating to products, product candidates, product development programs the FDA or clinical study process including the commencement, process or completion of clinical trials or the regulatory process. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as "may," "could," "would," "should," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results of Accentia to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to the progress, timing, cost, and results of clinical trials and product development programs; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approval for product candidates; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and the additional risks discussed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Accentia undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. |
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