Appointment of global CRO to support the US clinical development of Chronocort®
Phase III registration package expected to commence mid-2018
Diurnal Group plc (AIM: DNL), the specialty pharmaceutical company targeting patient needs in chronic endocrine (hormonal) diseases, today announces the appointment of the global contract research organisation (CRO), Worldwide Clinical Trials (Worldwide), as its preferred provider of clinical trial services, initially to support the US clinical development of Chronocort® in both congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and adrenal insufficiency (AI). Worldwide will conduct the US Phase III registration trial and follow-on study for Chronocort® for the treatment of CAH. Following recent progress in the Company’s discussions with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Diurnal expects to initiate the Phase III study around the middle of 2018. The Phase III study will recruit up to 150 patients with CAH, who will be randomised to either receive Chronocort® twice-daily or immediate-release hydrocortisone thrice-daily. Patients in the study will be treated for 12 months, with the primary endpoint of the study being the proportion of patients achieving biochemical control with Chronocort® or standard of care.
In addition, Diurnal is seeking to pave the way for future indication expansion opportunities with Chronocort® through the initiation of a Phase II proof-of-concept study in AI patients. Worldwide will also conduct this Phase II study, which is expected to commence around the end of 2018.
Dosed twice daily, Chronocort® provides a drug release profile that Diurnal believes mimics the body’s natural cortisol circadian rhythm, which current therapy is unable to replicate, and is designed to improve disease control for adults with CAH and AI. The US remains the second most important market for Diurnal’s late-stage pipeline focused on cortisol deficiency, with a market size for the treatment of CAH estimated at $110 million. The AI market is a much larger opportunity, with the US market estimated at $880 million.
Martin Whitaker, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Diurnal, commented:
“With its extensive experience in planning and recruiting studies in rare and orphan diseases, Worldwide is the ideal partner to support the US clinical development of Chronocort® for the treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and adrenal insufficiency. The US represents an estimated total market opportunity of approximately $1 billion for Chronocort® in these two disorders. We are looking forward to working with Worldwide as we commence the Phase III registration package in mid-2018.”
Peter Benton, President and Chief Operating Officer of Worldwide Clinical Trials, added:
“Worldwide is thrilled to partner with Diurnal in their quest to improve the lives of those who suffer from CAH and AI. When the scientific, medical, operational and regulatory experts at Worldwide bring their uncommon expertise in orphan and rare disease clinical research to bear against the unique challenges these patients and populations present, sponsors gain a significant level of flexibility and insight. This combination helps increase collaboration, improves data quality and reduces their overall development costs.”
For further information, please visit www.diurnal.co.uk or contact:
Diurnal Group plc +44 (0)20 3727 1000
Martin Whitaker, Chief Executive Officer
Richard Bungay, Chief Financial Officer
Numis Securities Ltd (Nominated Adviser) +44 (0)20 7260 1000
Nominated Adviser: Michael Meade, Paul Gillam, Freddie Barnfield
Corporate Broking: James Black
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited (Joint Broker) +44 (0) 20 7886 2500
Corporate Finance: Freddy Crossley
Corporate Broking: Tom Salvesen
FTI Consulting +44 (0)20 3727 1000
Simon Conway
Victoria Foster Mitchell
Notes to Editors
About Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an orphan condition caused by deficiency of adrenal enzymes, most commonly 21-hydroxylase. This enzyme is required to produce the adrenal steroid hormone, cortisol. The block in the cortisol production pathway causes the over-production of male steroid hormones (androgens), which are precursors to cortisol. The condition is congenital (inherited at birth) and affects both sexes. The cortisol deficiency and over-production of male sex hormones can lead to increased mortality, infertility and severe development defects including ambiguous genitalia, premature (precocious) sexual development and short stature. Sufferers, even if treated, remain at risk of death through an adrenal crisis.
Approximately two-thirds of CAH patients are estimated to have poor disease control, leading to elevated androgen levels. The condition is estimated to affect approximately 17,000 patients in the US, with over 400,000 in the rest of the world.
Current therapy for CAH uses a variety of generic steroids (hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and prednisolone) which, at best, adequately treat approximately one-third of CAH patients. Other therapies being developed are at an early stage of development and not expected to receive approval in the short-term.
Diurnal’s product, Chronocort®, has been granted Orphan Drug Designations in Europe and the US in the treatment of CAH, providing the potential to be granted market exclusivity for 10 years in Europe and seven years in the US post market authorisation.
About Adrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is a condition characterised by deficiency in cortisol, an essential hormone in regulating metabolism and the response to stress. The primary symptoms of AI are chronic fatigue and patients are at risk of adrenal crisis and death if they do not have adequate cortisol replacement. AI is either primary or secondary, with primary AI resulting from diseases intrinsic to the adrenal gland and secondary AI resulting from pituitary diseases where there is a failure of stimulation of the adrenal by the pituitary of the signalling hormone ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). AI is estimated to affect over four million patients globally.
Diurnal’s products, Alkindi® and Chronocort®, have been granted Orphan Drug Designations in the US for the treatment of AI. Chronocort® also benefits from Orphan Drug Designation for AI in Europe. These orphan drug designations mean Alkindi® and Chronocort® have the potential to be granted market and data exclusivity for seven years in the US and 10 years in Europe for Chronocort® post market authorisation.
About Chronocort®
Chronocort® is a modified release preparation of hydrocortisone that has been designed to mimic the circadian rhythm of cortisol when given in a twice-a-day “toothbrush” regimen (last thing at night before sleep and first thing in the morning on waking). The first planned indication for Chronocort® is CAH in adults.
Chronocort® has completed three Phase I trials in 2011, 2012 and 2015, a Phase II trial in CAH patients in 2014 in the US and is currently in a Phase III trial in Europe. This pivotal Phase III trial for Chronocort® in Europe is scheduled to complete in Q3 2018, with market authorisation in Europe expected in 2020. In addition, a Phase I NDA-enabling study is currently ongoing.
About Diurnal Group plc
Founded in 2004, Diurnal is a UK-based specialty pharma company developing high quality products for the global market for the life-long treatment of chronic endocrine conditions, including Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Adrenal Insufficiency. Its expertise and innovative research activities focus on circadian-based endocrinology to yield novel product candidates in the rare and chronic endocrine disease arena.
For further information about Diurnal, please visit www.diurnal.co.uk
About Worldwide Clinical Trials
Worldwide Clinical Trials employs more than 1,600 professionals around the world, with offices in North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, Russia and Asia. Founded by physicians committed to advancing medical science, Worldwide is out to change how the world experiences CROs – in the best possible way. From early phase and bioanalytical sciences through late phase and post-approval, we provide world-class, full-service drug development services. With infrastructure and talent spanning 60 countries, we execute predictable, successful studies with operational excellence across a range of therapeutic areas, including central nervous system, cardiovascular, metabolic, immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMID), oncology and rare diseases. We never compromise on science or safety. We’re never satisfied with the status quo. We’re the Cure for the Common CRO.
For more information, visit Worldwide.com.