Teva to Discontinue Trial of Fremanezumab in Chronic Cluster Headache

June 15, 2018
  • Futility analysis found primary endpoint unlikely to be met

  • Episodic cluster headache study will continue as planned

  • FDA action date for use in prevention of migraine on September 16, 2018

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) today announced a change in the clinical development program of fremanezumab in chronic cluster headache. The ENFORCE Phase III clinical development program includes a chronic cluster headache study, an episodic cluster headache study, and a long-term safety study. A pre-specified futility analysis of the chronic cluster headache study revealed that the primary endpoint of mean change from baseline in the monthly average number of cluster headache attacks during the 12-week treatment period is unlikely to be met. There were no safety concerns observed with fremanezumab treatment in the trial.
Based on the study meeting the futility criteria, the Company will discontinue the trial for chronic cluster headache. Chronic Cluster Headache patients who participate in the long-term safety study, will discontinue their participation in the long-term safety study as well. The episodic cluster headache study is not affected and continues as planned.

“While we are disappointed with this outcome, we remain optimistic that fremanezumab could have clinical benefits in additional conditions, beyond migraine, where calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a contributory role in their pathophysiology. We would like to thank the patients and investigators for their participation in the Chronic Cluster Clinical Trial,” said Tushar Shah, M.D., Senior Vice President, Head of Global Specialty Clinical Development at Teva.
Fremanezumab is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with an action date of September 16, 2018, and by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as a quarterly or monthly injection for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults.

Fremanezumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting the CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) ligand, currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as a quarterly or monthly injection for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults.
Fremanezumab is also being investigated as a preventive treatment for several additional disorders including cluster headache and post traumatic headache disorder.

Teva had previously anticipated a decision by the FDA in June. However manufacturing problems at the Celltrion, the manufacturer of the active ingredient for the drug, received an FDA warning letter about unspecified issues at a site in South Korea where it makes the drug for Teva.

CP Wire

Submit an article to cafepharma's CP Wire. Click here to find out more.

current feelings about your job

Please rate how you feel about your job this moment. 1 = "I hate my job" and 7 = "I love my job"
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Fill in the blank.