Data from second Phase III study expected in the first half of 2010
Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN), a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company focused on orphan neuromuscular diseases, announced today that its US Phase III clinical trial evaluating Catena® for the treatment of Friedreich's Ataxia missed its primary endpoint as measured by the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS). The study also did not show statistical significance on the second neurological endpoint, the Friedreich's Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS). On both endpoints, the active treatment arms showed a consistent improvement over baseline and placebo, as seen in prior studies. However, due to a lower than expected effect size combined with the fact that patients on placebo improved unexpectedly, statistical significance could not be achieved in this study population. The safety results were consistent with published data suggesting that Catena® is safe and well tolerated at doses up to 2250 mg/day.
Read More: Santhera's US Phase III IONIA Trial in Friedreich's Ataxia Misses Primary Endpoint
