Immunic, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMUX) today announced the outcome of a pre-planned interim group-level data analysis of its phase 1b clinical trial of IMU-935 in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.
| – Interim Analysis Revealed Unexpected High Placebo Rate; Two Active Arms Did Not Separate From Placebo – – No New Safety Signals Observed for IMU-935 in this Trial – – Company Expects to Continue IMU-935 Development in Psoriasis – NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunic, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMUX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of selective oral immunology therapies focused on treating chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, today announced the outcome of a pre-planned interim group-level data analysis of its phase 1b clinical trial of IMU-935 in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. The overall trial is ongoing and remains blinded. The pre-planned interim analysis revealed that the group averages for Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) reductions in the two active arms did not separate from placebo at four weeks. Although the active arms performed in line with prior expectations, the trial experienced a greater decrease than expected in PASI in the placebo arm based on similarly designed trials. The trial, conducted in Australia, New Zealand and Bulgaria, was structured as a 28-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 41 patients were enrolled and the trial evaluated IMU-935 at doses of 150 mg once-daily and 150 mg twice-daily versus placebo (randomized 3:1). The primary objective was the evaluation of the safety and tolerability of IMU-935 in moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients. At this point, the company only has access to very limited information. The interim analysis only revealed mean values at group-level up to the end of the four-week treatment period. Immunic does not yet have access to unblinded individual patient data. Moreover, pharmacodynamic, biomarker – including skin punches and IL-17 levels in serum – or pharmacokinetic data, at either an individual or group-level, are not yet available. Based on the already available preclinical and clinical safety and tolerability data, Immunic has the flexibility to consider additional higher-dose or longer treatment cohorts. Supported by the broad availability of activity data from in vitro and in vivo studies in various disease models and settings, the company continues to believe in IMU-935’s potential therapeutic activity. Finally, although the safety data remains blinded, administration of IMU-935 and placebo in this trial were demonstrated to be safe and well-tolerated, and no new safety signals were observed. “Although we did not see the desired activity signal over placebo in this group-level interim analysis, we retain a high degree of conviction on IMU-935’s potential promise in psoriasis and beyond,” stated Daniel Vitt, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Immunic. “Given the proven binding of IMU-935 to the molecular target RORγt, potent target inhibition as measured by transcription inhibition and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-17A, IL-17F and IFNγ from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), proven inhibition of Th17 cell differentiation, and consistent activity in different animal models, including psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and graft-versus-host disease, we believe IMU-935 holds the potential to provide a safe, efficacious and meaningful treatment option to patients with psoriasis. That said, we look forward to a full and final analysis of data from this trial which hopefully allows us to better understand these early observations to determine the best next steps for this exciting program.” “The unexpected high placebo rates observed in this interim analysis are disappointing and confound the evaluation of activity in the investigated active treatment arms. This requires further investigation throughout the coming weeks and months,” stated Andreas Muehler, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Immunic. “These were the first two dose levels tested in patients. Based on IMU-935’s very favorable pharmacokinetic, safety and tolerability profile, to date, including absence of any dose-limiting toxicities in humans at doses exceeding those in this trial, and the preclinical safety and tolerability data, we have significant flexibility to explore higher dosing and longer treatment periods of this promising molecule. Availability of the full, unblinded individual patient data, and in particular the quantitative immunological markers, should help us to further guide the optimal development path for IMU-935.” The company reiterates its prior guidance that current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are expected to fund operating and capital expenditures into the fourth quarter of 2024. Regarding the company’s upcoming clinical milestones, as previously announced, data from the interim analysis of the phase 2 CALLIPER trial of vidofludimus calcium in progressive multiple sclerosis are expected to be available in the second half of 2023 and top-line data at the end of 2024. Moreover, the read-out of the first of the phase 3 ENSURE trials of vidofludimus calcium in relapsing multiple sclerosis is targeted for end of 2025. Finally, initial clinical efficacy data of the Part C portion of the ongoing phase 1 clinical trial of IMU-856 in celiac disease patients are expected in 2023. About IMU-935 About Immunic, Inc. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Contact Information Immunic, Inc. US IR Contact US Media Contact
SOURCE Immunic, Inc. | ||
Company Codes: NASDAQ-NMS:IMUX |
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