Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Announces AGAMREE Now Commercially Available In The U.S. For The Treatment Of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Author: Benzinga Newsdesk | March 13, 2024 08:01am

AGAMREE® (vamorolone) a Novel Alternative Corticosteroid with Demonstrated Properties in Maintaining Efficacy and a Well-Tolerated Side Effect Profile

 

Available in the U.S. by Prescription for Patients Aged Two Years and Older

Catalyst Pathways® Program will Support AGAMREE Patients and Available to Help Ensure DMD Patients Affordable Access and Product Education

CORAL GABLES, Fla., March 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Catalyst") (NASDAQ:CPRX), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced the U.S. commercial launch of AGAMREE® (vamorolone) oral suspension 40 mg/mL for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ("DMD") in patients aged two years and older. Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") approval on October 26, 2023, AGAMREE is now available by prescription and dispensed throughout the United States through a specialty pharmacy network.

"Today, we proudly announced the U.S. commercial availability of AGAMREE, an innovative alternative steroid treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This significant milestone offers hope for improved quality of life for individuals living with this devastating rare disease, as current steroid treatment options often involve a significant side effect burden," stated Richard J. Daly, CEO of Catalyst. "With the potential to extend ambulation and mobility for patients, AGAMREE marks an important therapeutic advancement with the prospect of reshaping the treatment paradigm for this life-threatening condition. We are firmly positioned to leverage our well-established commercial capabilities for a successful U.S. launch and remain resolute in our mission to help ensure that all patients have access to this novel therapy. Our Catalyst Pathways, a personalized program, is readily available to assist Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients and their families with the one‐on‐one education and financial support they need, thereby enhancing the access and affordability of AGAMREE for every patient. We eagerly look forward to collaborating with healthcare providers to facilitate patient access, reinforcing our unwavering dedication to serving our patient communities."

Catalyst Pathways® Patient Assistance Program for AGAMREE® is a comprehensive patient support program that includes a dedicated, personalized support team that assists families throughout the AGAMREE treatment journey for eligible patients. For more information, caregivers and healthcare professionals can call 1-833-422-8259 or visit the Catalyst Pathways® website at www.yourcatalystpathways.com.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, DMD, the most common form of muscular dystrophy, is a rare and life-threatening neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive muscle dysfunction, ultimately leading to loss of ambulation, respiratory failure, and fatality. Current standard treatment for DMD involves corticosteroids, which often come with significant side effects. It is estimated that between 11,000 and 13,000 patients in the U.S. are affected by DMD, with approximately 70% of patients currently receiving a corticosteroid treatment. Steroids are expected to remain the backbone of therapy for DMD patients and dosed concomitantly with other therapies.

The FDA's approval of AGAMREE® was based on the data from the pivotal Phase 2b VISION-DMD study as supplemented with safety information collected from three open-label studies, including extension studies. In these trials, AGAMREE was administered at doses ranging from 2 to 6 mg/kg/day, extending for up to 48 months. Compared with current standard-of-care corticosteroids, this novel corticosteroid treatment exhibited comparable efficacy, with data suggesting a reduction in adverse events, notably related to bone health, growth trajectory, and improved behavior.

About AGAMREE® (vamorolone)

AGAMREE's unique mode of action is based on differential effects on glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors and modifying further downstream activity. As such, it is considered a novel corticosteroid with dissociative properties in maintaining efficacy that we hope has the potential to demonstrate comparable efficacy to steroids, with the potential for a better-tolerated side effect profile. This mechanism of action may allow AGAMREE to emerge as an effective alternative to the current standard of care corticosteroids in children, adolescents, and adult patients with DMD. In the pivotal VISION-DMD study, AGAMREE met the primary endpoint Time to Stand (TTSTAND) velocity versus placebo (p=0.002) at 24 weeks of treatment and showed a good safety and tolerability profile. The most commonly reported adverse events versus placebo from the VISION-DMD study were cushingoid features, psychiatric disorders, vomiting, weight increases, and vitamin D deficiency. Adverse events were generally of mild to moderate severity.

AGAMREE was granted U.S. FDA approval on October 26, 2023, and has been granted Orphan Drug Exclusivity (ODE) for DMD and New Chemical Entity Exclusivity (NCE) in the U.S., conferring seven years and 5 years of exclusivity, respectively, from the date of approval. AGAMREE also has granted pending patents that could provide protection until 2040. In Europe, it has received Promising Innovative Medicine (PIM) status from the UK MHRA for DMD.

Posted In: CPRX