Cardiome Announces Positive Phase 2b Results For Oral Vernakalant
VANCOUVER, July 14, 2008 /CNW/ - Cardiome Pharma Corp.
(NASDAQ: CRME / TSX: COM) today announced positive clinical
results from its 90-day Phase 2b study of vernakalant (oral).
The final analysis demonstrated statistically significant
efficacy for the patient group receiving 500mg b.i.d. of
vernakalant (oral) as compared to placebo. The safety data from the
final analysis also shows that vernakalant (oral) was
well-tolerated in the atrial fibrillation population
studied.
The final results demonstrated that the 500mg dosing group
significantly reduced the rate of atrial fibrillation relapse
as compared to placebo (two-sided log rank, p=0.0221). The
median time to recurrence of atrial fibrillation was greater
than 90 days for the 500mg dosing group, compared to 27 days
for the placebo group, an even stronger signal of sinus
rhythm maintenance than what was seen in the interim
analysis. 51% of patients in the 500mg dosing group (n=150)
completed the study in normal heart rhythm compared to 37% of
patients receiving placebo (n=160). Both the 150mg (n=147) and
300mg (n=148) dosing groups also reduced the rate of atrial
fibrillation relapse, but were not statistically significant
when compared with placebo. These results provide evidence of
a clear dose response, with 500mg b.i.d. proving to be the
effective dose to prevent the recurrence of atrial fibrillation
in this trial.
"These statistically significant and clinically significant
results support and enhance the results we saw in the interim
analysis and Phase 2a study, while clearly demonstrating an
appropriate dose to take forward into the Phase 3 program,"
said Dr. Charles Fisher, Executive Vice President and Chief
Medical Officer of Cardiome. "Having observed more than a
threefold increase in median time to recurrence of atrial
fibrillation in patients receiving 500mg b.i.d. of
vernakalant (oral), the potential therapeutic benefit of
vernakalant (oral) for patients at risk of recurrent atrial
fibrillation is clear."
The safety data for all dosing groups indicates that vernakalant
(oral) was well-tolerated. There was no difference in the
incidence of serious adverse events between treatment groups.
Potentially drug-related serious adverse events occurred in
0.5% of placebo patients, 1.1% of patients in the 150mg
dosing group, 0.5% of patients in the 300mg dosing group and 0.5%
of patients in the 500mg dosing group. There were no cases of
"Torsades de Pointes", a well-characterized arrhythmia which
is a known side effect of some current anti-arrhythmic drugs.
There were 4 deaths in the study, all unrelated to
vernakalant (oral), comprising 2 patients in the placebo group, 1
patient in the 150mg dosing group and 1 patient in the 300mg
dosing group. There were no deaths in the 500mg dosing
group.
"We are delighted to report clearly positive clinical results from
our vernakalant (oral) program, which continue to support our
belief in the exciting potential of vernakalant as a therapy
for atrial fibrillation," said Bob Rieder, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Cardiome. "With 949 patients and
subjects exposed to vernakalant (oral) in this development
program, we now have an extensive safety and efficacy dataset to
guide us as we move this exciting clinical program forward
and finalize our strategic discussions with interested
parties."
The double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, dose-ranging
study was designed to explore safety and tolerability,
pharmacokinetics and efficacy of vernakalant (oral) over 90
days of dosing in patients at risk of recurrent atrial
fibrillation. Patients received a 150mg, 300mg or 500mg dose
of vernakalant (oral) or placebo twice per day. After the
first 3 days, patients still in atrial fibrillation were
electrically cardioverted. Successfully cardioverted patients
continued to receive vernakalant (oral) or placebo for the
remainder of the 90-day trial and were monitored throughout the
dosing period. A total of 735 patients were randomized in the
study, of which 605 were successfully cardioverted to sinus
rhythm and entered the maintenance phase and were evaluated
for efficacy. Cardiome will hold a
teleconference and webcast on Monday, July 14, 2008 at 9:00am
Eastern (6:00am Pacific). To access the conference call, please
dial 416-641-6117 or 866-299-6655. There will be a separate
dial-in line for analysts on which we will respond to
questions at the end of the call. The webcast can be accessed
through Cardiome's website at http://www.cardiome.com">www.cardiome.com.
Webcast and telephone replays of the conference call will be
available approximately two hours after the completion of the
call through August 14, 2008. Please dial 416-695-5800 or
800-408-3053 and enter code 3266645 followed by the number
sign to access the replay.
About Cardiome Pharma Corp.
Cardiome Pharma Corp. is a product-focused drug development company dedicated to the advancement and commercialization of novel treatments for disorders of the heart and circulatory system. Cardiome is traded on the NASDAQ National Market (CRME) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (COM). For more information, please visit our web site at http://www.cardiome.com">www.cardiome.com.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
Certain statements in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including without limitation statements containing the words "believe", "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect" and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, events or developments, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such factors include, among others, our stage of development, lack of product revenues, additional capital requirements, risk associated with the completion of clinical trials and obtaining regulatory approval to market our products, the ability to protect our intellectual property, dependence on collaborative partners and the prospects for negotiating additional corporate collaborations or licensing arrangements and their timing. Specifically, certain risks and uncertainties that could cause such actual events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from any future events or results expressed or implied by such statements and information include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties that: we may not be able to successfully develop and obtain regulatory approval for vernakalant (iv) or vernakalant (oral) in the treatment of atrial fibrillation or any other current or future products in our targeted indications; our future operating results are uncertain and likely to fluctuate; we may not be able to raise additional capital; we may not be successful in establishing additional corporate collaborations or licensing arrangements; we may not be able to establish marketing and sales capabilities and the costs of launching our products may be greater than anticipated; we rely on third parties for the continued supply and manufacture of vernakalant (iv) and vernakalant (oral) and we have no experience in commercial manufacturing; we may face unknown risks related to intellectual property matters; we face increased competition from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; and other factors as described in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available at http://www.sec.gov">www.sec.gov and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities at http://www.sedar.com">www.sedar.com. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All forward-looking statements and information made herein are based on our current expectations and we undertake no obligation to revise or update such forward-looking statements and information to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.
For further information: Peter K. Hofman, Senior Director, Investor Relations, (604) 676-6993 or Toll Free: 1-800-330-9928, Email: phofman@cardiome.com">phofman@cardiome.com/
Posted: July 2008
