Topaz Pharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Pivotal Phase 3 Trials of Ivermectin Topical Cream

HORSHAM, Pa., Dec. 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Topaz Pharmaceuticals Inc., a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced the completion of two Phase 3 clinical trials that studied the use of ivermectin topical cream as a potential treatment for head lice. These trials were conducted according to a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"Parents and caregivers are looking for safe and effective treatments for head lice," said Thomas Beck, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Topaz.  "Current treatment options are limited by safety, efficacy and convenience issues.  We believe there is an unmet need to provide a new option for the more than six million people, mostly school aged children who are impacted by lice each year in the US.  The completion of our two Phase 3 clinical trials is a critical milestone in our development of ivermectin topical cream as a potential head lice treatment and for Topaz, as we continue to move closer to realizing our vision of being a commercial-stage company."

Topaz plans to submit its new drug application (NDA) to the FDA in 2011.

About the Phase 3 Ivermectin Cream Program

More than 600 patients participated in the two randomized Phase 3 ivermectin topical cream studies sponsored by Topaz.  These studies compared 0.5% ivermectin cream with a vehicle control (placebo).  Either ivermectin topical cream or placebo was dispensed to clinical trial participants six months of age and older for application to dry hair and scalp.  The primary efficacy endpoint for these studies was achieving "lice free" status within approximately 24 hours of application and maintaining this status for at least 14 days after application.  Patients were also evaluated for safety and local tolerability.  These studies were conducted in follow-up to favorable Phase 2 clinical studies that were presented by researchers in July 2010 at the Society for Pediatric Dermatology annual meeting.

About Ivermectin

Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent.  Its antiparasitic mechanism of action is through binding selectively to certain ion channels present in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells but not present in mammals. The resulting increase in permeability of the cell membrane causes the death of certain parasites.  First developed from a soil bacterium, widespread oral use of ivermectin, under the brand name Mectizan®, began in 1987 in sub-Saharan Africa to control onchocerciasis (river blindness) in humans.  As of 2009, over 800 million doses of oral ivermectin had been administered as part of a river blindness eradication program.(1)  A novel topical form of ivermectin is currently under clinical investigation by Topaz as a potential therapy to treat head lice.

Impact of Head Lice

Head lice infestation is a common affliction that occurs throughout the world.(2,3)  It is estimated that 6-12 million infestations occur each year in the United States, with infestations typically affecting children between the ages of three and 11.(4)   The social and economic burden of head lice can be significant,(5,6,7) and may lead to social ostracism, cause parental anxiety and act as a source of economic loss through missed school days and caregiver time off work.  Children found to be infested with head lice may not be allowed to return to school due to local no-nit policies.(8)  Despite parents' best efforts to get rid of lice, current treatments are often ineffective, and safety and convenience issues have been associated with the available prescription treatments.

About Topaz Pharmaceuticals

Topaz Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments for the adult and pediatric markets. The company's lead investigational product is a topical cream formulation of ivermectin, under development for the treatment of head lice. The company has recently concluded two Phase 3 studies of ivermectin for this potential indication. For more information about Topaz Pharmaceuticals Inc., please visit www.topazpharma.com.

Mectizan® is a registered trademark of Merck & Company

SOURCE Topaz Pharmaceuticals Inc.