Castle Creek Pharmaceuticals Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for Diacerein 1% Ointment for Treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Aug. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Castle Creek Pharmaceuticals, LLC., a US-based company dedicated to delivering transformative therapies to patients with orphan dermatologic and other underserved conditions, today announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has designated as a Fast Track development program the investigation of diacerein 1%, ointment (CCP-020) for the treatment of epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS).

"Fast Track designation is an important milestone in our development program for CCP-020 and reinforces the critical unmet need for patients who are living with the risk of severe blistering and skin erosion associated with EBS," said Amir Tavakkol, PhD, executive vice president and chief development officer at Castle Creek Pharmaceuticals, LLC. "With no approved treatment available, patients may be unable to participate in many daily activities and often experience severe pain. Fast Track designation for CCP-020 brings new momentum to our goal to bring an effective treatment to people living with EBS in the U.S. and around the world."

Under the Fast Track designation, Castle Creek Pharmaceuticals, LLC. has the opportunity for priority review and more frequent interactions with the FDA throughout the CCP-020 development program. The FDA previously granted Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease eligibility to CCP-020 for the treatment of epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

About EB

EB is a rare genetic condition that leads to extremely fragile skin resulting in mild to severe blistering, skin erosion and peeling of the epidermis layers in response to minor injury. There are currently no approved treatment options for any form of EB. EBS is a subtype of EB.

About Diacerein

Diacerein is a slow-acting, small molecular weight compound of the class anthraquinone with potent anti-inflammatory properties. Diacerein and its active metabolite rhein have been shown to inhibit the in vitro and in vivo production and activity of IL-1β and other pro-inflammatory cytokines. CCP-020 is a formulation of diacerein, 1% ointment developed for topical application. Diacerein in the formulation is hydrolyzed to rhein in the epidermis and dermis following administration and is believed to block an inflammatory signaling pathway associated with EBS resulting in strengthening epidermal tissue and healing of skin blisters.

In a previously completed Phase 2 clinical trial that included 17 patients with EBS, 60% of patients treated with a diacerein cream formulation experienced at least a 40% reduction in blistering after four weeks of treatment, compared to 18% on vehicle.^i,ii In this study, adverse events (AE) occurred in 6 patients on diacerein versus 11 patients on vehicle. The most notable AEs were increase in blistering (1), pruritus (1) and skin infection (1). However, none of the listed events were considered treatment related or involved the treatment area.

About Castle Creek Pharmaceuticals

Castle Creek Pharmaceuticals (CCP), part of the Paragon Biosciences portfolio of innovative biotech companies, is a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare, serious or debilitating dermatologic conditions. The company has a robust and diversified pipeline of late-stage products that have the potential to transform lives. For more information, please visit www.castlecreekpharma.com.

Media contact:
Adam Daley
Berry & Company Public Relations
212-253-8881
[email protected]

ⁱ Wally et. al., Diacerein for the treatment of epidermolysis bullosa – a phase II randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind multi-center clinical trial, 25th EADV congress, Vienna, Austria 2016.

ⁱⁱ Total (%) patients with >40% reduction of blister numbers after two 4-week intervention with diacerein or its vehicle for all 17 patients during a 2-year cross-over trial.

SOURCE Castle Creek Pharmaceuticals

Related Links

http://www.castlecreekpharma.com