Addex’s Partner Discontinues ADX71149 development in Epilepsy
22 July 2024 - 3:00PM
Ad Hoc Announcement Pursuant to Art. 53
LR
Geneva, Switzerland, July 22, 2024 - Addex
Therapeutics (SIX and Nasdaq: ADXN), a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a portfolio of
novel small molecule allosteric modulators for neurological
disorders, announced today that its partner Janssen
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (now known as J&J Innovative Medicine)
has informed the company that it has discontinued development of
ADX71149 (JNJ-40411813) in epilepsy. The partnership between the
two companies remains ongoing while the full data set from the
Phase 2 study of ADX71149 (JNJ-40411813) as an adjunctive epilepsy
treatment is analyzed.
The decision follows top-line Phase 2 data announced on April
29, 2024, showing that adjunctive ADX71149 (JNJ-40411813)
administration in patients with focal onset seizures with
suboptimal response to levetiracetam or brivaracetam did not
achieve statistical significance for the primary endpoint of time
for patients to reach baseline seizure count when ADX71149 was
added to standard of care.
“Following the Phase 2 study results in epilepsy, this decision
was anticipated. We have had an excellent working relationship with
Janssen for twenty years and will continue to work diligently to
complete the analysis of the full Phase 2 data set to elucidate all
learnings from the study,” said Tim Dyer, CEO of Addex. “Once we
have that information in hand, we anticipate a decision on the
future of this asset.”
About the Study:ADX71149 is a selective
metabotropic glutamate subtype 2 (mGlu2) receptor positive
allosteric modulator (PAM). The multi-center Phase 2 study was
designed to assess the efficacy, safety, tolerability, and
pharmacokinetics of adjunctive ADX71149 administration in patients
with focal onset seizures with suboptimal response to levetiracetam
or brivaracetam. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate
the efficacy of ADX71149 in combination with levetiracetam or
brivaracetam using a time to baseline seizure count endpoint. Part
1 of the study evaluated the acute efficacy of ADX71149 over 4
weeks. Patients who did not reach their monthly baseline seizure
count in Part 1 continued double-blind treatment during Part 2
until they reached their monthly baseline seizure count or 8 weeks,
deemed the maintenance efficacy phase. More information on the
study can be found with Clinicaltrials.gov
identifier NCT04836559.
About Glutamate mGlu2 Receptors and
Epilepsy:Glutamate is the primary excitatory
neurotransmitter in the brain and plays a key role in the
initiation and spread of seizures. When activated, the mGlu2
receptor decreases the release of glutamate and consequently, helps
to maintain neurotransmitter balance. In the presence of
agonist-induced activation, positive allosteric modulation of mGlu2
receptors could result in the normalization of the excessive
glutamate release seen during a seizure. Epilepsy remains a
challenging unmet medical need, with a significant proportion of
the patient population struggling in their day-to-day management of
seizures.
About the Collaboration:Under the research
collaboration and license agreement, Addex granted Janssen
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. an exclusive worldwide license to develop and
commercialize mGlu2 PAM compounds. Addex is eligible for up to a
total of €109 million in success-based development and regulatory
milestone payments. In addition, Addex is eligible for low
double-digit royalties on net sales of compounds developed under
the agreement.
About Addex Therapeutics:Addex
Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company
focused on developing a portfolio of novel small molecule
allosteric modulators for neurological disorders. Addex’s lead drug
candidate, ADX71149 (mGlu2 positive allosteric modulator or PAM),
developed in collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., has
completed several Phase 2 clinical studies, including in
schizophrenia, anxious depression and, more recently, one in
epilepsy patients. The Company’s second clinical program,
dipraglurant (mGlu5 negative allosteric modulator or NAM), is under
evaluation for future development in dyskinesia associated with
Parkinson’s disease and post-stroke/TBI recovery. In Addex’s GABAB
PAM partnership with Indivior, multiple drug candidates are
advancing through clinical candidate selection for substance use
disorder. Under the agreement with Indivior, Addex is advancing an
independent GABAB PAM program for chronic cough. Addex also holds a
20% share in a private company, Neurosterix LLC which is advancing
a portfolio of allosteric modulator programs including M4PAM for
schizophrenia, mGlu7NAM for undisclosed psychiatric indications and
mGlu2NAM for mild neurocognitive disorders. Addex shares are listed
on the SIX Swiss Exchange and American Depositary Shares
representing its shares are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market,
and trade under the ticker symbol “ADXN” on each exchange. For more
information, visit www.addextherapeutics.com.
Contacts:
Tim DyerChief
Executive OfficerTelephone: +41 22 884 15
55PR@addextherapeutics.com |
Mike
SinclairPartner, Halsin Partners+44 (0)20 7318
2955msinclair@halsin.com |
Addex Forward Looking Statements:This press
release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended,
including statements about the intended use of proceeds of the
offering. The words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,”
“expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,”
“predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements,
although not all forward-looking statements contain these
identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this press
release, are based on management's current expectations and beliefs
and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and important
factors that may cause actual events or results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking
statements contained in this press release, including, without
limitation, uncertainties related to market conditions. These and
other risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail in
the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Addex Therapeutics’ Annual
Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed
with the SEC on April 18, 2024, the final prospectus supplement and
accompanying prospectus and other filings that Addex Therapeutics
may make with the SEC in the future. Any forward-looking statements
contained in this press release represent Addex Therapeutics’ views
only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as
representing its views as of any subsequent date. Addex
Therapeutics explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements.
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