Acorda Presents Phase 1 Data on CVT-427 for Acute Treatment of Migraine at 58th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society

Business Wire: June 9, 2016 – ARDSLEY, NY, U.S.A. – Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced pharmacokinetic (PK) data from a phase 1 study of CVT-427, an inhaled formulation of zolmitriptan, resulting in increased bioavailability and faster absorption compared to oral and nasal administration of the same active ingredient in healthy adults. The data on CVT-427, an investigational agent under development for the acute treatment of migraines, will be presented on June 10, 2016, at the 58th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society, in San Diego, California.

“When surveyed, the majority of migraine sufferers said rapid pain relief is one of the most important factors influencing their medication preference,” said Rick Batycky, PhD, Acorda Therapeutics’ chief technology officer. “We’re encouraged by the findings of this PK study, which support advancing development of CVT-427 for the acute treatment of migraine.”

This phase 1, open-label, intrapatient, single ascending dose trial enrolled 21 healthy adults; 17 completed all treatments. Each subject first received successively, single doses of the zolmitriptan reference formulations, a 5 mg oral tablet, and a 5 mg nasal spray. Subjects then received four individual premetered doses of CVT-427 (0.825 mg [0.6 mg delivered to the lung], 1.65 mg [1.2 mg], 3.0 mg [2.4 mg], and 6.0 mg [4.8 mg] of zolmitriptan). There was a one or two day washout period between each administration.

The oral and nasal spray formulations had a median Tmax of 1.5 hours and 3.0 hours, respectively; all four dose levels of CVT-427 had a median Tmax of 0.17 hours.

The mean Cmax for the oral formulation was 8.7 ng/mL, and the nasal spray formulation was 8.1 ng/mL. The mean Cmax values for CVT-427 were 6.0 ng/mL (0.825 mg dose), 11.8 ng/mL (1.65 mg), 17.8 ng/mL (3.0 mg), and 35.0 ng/mL (6.0 mg).

The mean AUC0-24 (ng·hr/mL) values for the reference formulations were 49.0 for the oral and 50.8 for the nasal spray, whereas the mean AUC0-24 values for CVT-427 were 14.7 (0.825 mg dose), 27.3 (1.65 mg), 47.1 (3.0 mg), and 91.0 (6.0 mg). Coefficient of variation for AUC0-24 with reference products ranged from 37.6 to 38.4% compared with 26.7–29.9% for CVT-427, showing less variability.

PK parameters (including bioavailability) of the reference formulations observed in the trial matched published reports. The study found that CVT-427 had better bioavailability than the reference formulations with less variability in plasma concentration.

There were no serious adverse events, dose limiting toxicities, or study discontinuations due to adverse events (AEs) reported for CVT427. The most commonly reported treatment-emergent AEs for CVT-427 (≥10%) were cough (0.825 mg – 11%, 1.65 mg – 11%, 3.0 mg – 22%, 6.0 mg – 18%), chest discomfort (0.825 mg – 11%), headache (1.65 mg – 11%), and feeling hot (3.0 mg – 11%, 6.0 mg – 24%). Other than cough, single dose CVT-427 tolerability was generally consistent with the known safety profile of zolmitriptan.

“Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Zolmitriptan Administered via CVT-427, a Novel Pulmonary Delivery System,” (Poster #PF72LB) was presented on Friday, June 10, 1:15–2:30pm Pacific Time. Herbert R. Henney III, PharmD, vice president, clinical pharmacology for Acorda, presented the poster. This study was supported by Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.

More detailed information on the meeting can be found on the conference website: https://americanheadachesociety.org.

CVT-427 is an inhaled formulation of zolmitriptan that uses the company’s proprietary ARCUS® technology. Zolmitriptan belongs to a class of drugs known as triptans, which are a leading therapy for acute treatment of migraines. An estimated 36 million people in the United States, and over 40 million people in Europe, suffer from migraines.

Acorda’s proprietary ARCUS technology platform is a dry-powder pulmonary delivery system that has potential applications in multiple disease areas. This platform allows consistent and precise delivery of significantly larger doses of medication than are possible with conventional pulmonary systems. The ARCUS inhaler is breath-actuated, operated by the user simply breathing in.

The ARCUS technology has been used to successfully deliver more than one million doses to patients in clinical trials of various products. There are currently two clinical-stage programs using the ARCUS technology: CVT-301 (phase 3) is in development as a treatment for symptoms of OFF periods in Parkinson’s disease; CVT-427 (phase 1) is in development for the acute treatment of migraines. Acorda has an extensive patent portfolio relating to CVT-301, CVT-427, and the ARCUS technology, which covers aspects of the formulated drug product, the inhaler, the method of drug delivery, and manufacturing processes.

Founded in 1995, Acorda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies that restore function and improve the lives of people with neurological disorders.

Acorda has an industry-leading pipeline of novel neurological therapies addressing a range of disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, poststroke walking difficulties, migraine, and multiple sclerosis. Acorda markets three FDA-approved therapies, including AMPYRA® (dalfampridine) extended release tablets, 10 mg. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.acorda.com.