Upsher-Smith Presents Data Highlighting Topiramate Extended-Release Formulation at 100th Annual APhA Meeting
Findings Lead to Selection of an Optimal Formulation of Once-Daily USL255 (Extended-Release Topiramate) for Development in Epilepsy
MAPLE GROVE, Minn., March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Upsher-Smith
Laboratories, Inc. (http://www.upsher-smith.com)
today presented Phase I pharmacokinetic data evaluating the
profiles of 10 internally developed once-daily, extended-release
formulations of the epilepsy medication topiramate. Of the
formulations investigated, one extended-release (ER) formulation of
topiramate emerged as being optimal for further development by
meeting all pre-established single-dose and simulated steady-state
goals as compared with immediate-release (IR) topiramate
(Topamax®) administered to healthy volunteers. These
findings led to the further development of USL255, an
investigational treatment for the management of epilepsy in
adults. USL255 is currently the subject of a global Phase III
clinical trial (PREVAIL). Information about the trial can be
found at:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01142193?term=upsher+smith&rank=4.
The poster was presented on Saturday, March 10, at the American Pharmacists Associations' (APhA) 2012 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA (http://www.aphameeting.org).
"With the identification of an optimal formulation of extended-release topiramate, we hope to reduce the blood level fluctuations that can occur when taking immediate-release topiramate and that may be associated with adverse events at peak levels and break-through seizures at trough levels," said Mark Halvorsen, Pharm.D., Senior Director, Clinical Development at Upsher-Smith.
The abstract of this poster is available in the March/April edition of the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. Copies of the journal are available onsite at the APhA Annual Meeting.
•"Development of a Once-Daily, Extended-Release Topiramate
Formulation"
Poster # 296. Authors: Lawrence J. Lambrecht, Wesley M.
Todd, Mark B. Halvorsen
About The Poster
All trials were randomized, open-label, single-dose, crossover
pilot studies comparing topiramate extended-release formulations to
immediate-release topiramate in healthy adult subjects. In
the trials, the subjects received either IR topiramate as a single
100 mg dose, IR topiramate as two individual 100 mg doses
(administered 12 hours apart), or a single 200 mg dose of ER
topiramate. Due to the long half-life of topiramate, each of
the study arms included a 14-day sampling period.
The study program was designed to identify an optimal ER topiramate formulation meeting the following a priori PK goals:
•Topiramate ER Cmax less than or equal to IR topiramate
Cmax after a single-dose and at simulated steady-state.
•Topiramate ER Cmin greater than or equal to IR topiramate
Cmin at simulated steady-state.
•Topiramate ER AUC that is equivalent for extent of exposure
to IR topiramate after a single-dose and at simulated
steady-state.
Only one ER formulation met all single-dose and simulated
steady-state a priori PK goals, including lower Cmax, higher Cmin,
and equivalent extent of exposure as compared with IR
topiramate. No unexpected adverse events were seen; adverse
events were consistent with those expected for topiramate.
Upsher-Smith's Expanding CNS Pipeline
Upsher-Smith's central nervous system (CNS) pipeline includes a
number of investigational drug programs. In addition to
USL255 (extended-release topiramate), USL is developing an
intranasal midazolam (USL261), for the rescue treatment of seizures
in patients on stable anti-epileptic drug regimens who require
control of intermittent bouts of increased seizure activity,
frequently referred to as seizure clusters. Another program
is USL260 (tonabersat), an investigational drug and first-in-class
neuronal gap junction modulator which is also a potential treatment
for epilepsy.
About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a medical condition that produces seizures affecting a
variety of mental and physical functions. Almost three
million people in the U.S. have some form of epilepsy with about
200,000 new cases of epilepsy diagnosed each year.(1)
About Upsher-Smith
Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc., founded in 1919, is a rapidly
growing, privately held pharmaceutical company that develops,
manufactures, and markets prescription and consumer products.
Upsher-Smith's product portfolio focuses in the areas of women's
health, dermatology, cardiology, and CNS diseases. The
company's focus is growing a CNS pipeline for diseases with
significant unmet need, including epilepsy and Parkinson's
disease. To expand its CNS pipeline, Upsher-Smith seeks
alliances and co-development programs, pursues licensing and
acquisitions, and leverages its core competency in formulation
development. For more information, visit http://www.upsher-smith.com.
*Topamax® (immediate-release topiramate) is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson Corporation.
1. Epilepsy Foundation. Available at: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/. Accessed on February 10, 2012.
SOURCE Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.
Posted: March 2012
