Collegium Announces Results of Chronic Pain Patient Survey - Confirms Significant Unmet Medical Need for a Differentiated, Abuse-Deterrent, Extended-Release Opioid

CANTON, Mass., April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative treatments for chronic pain, today announced the completion of a 1,021 patient survey, which consisted of patients with chronic pain currently on opioid medications. The survey was conducted by MedPanel, LLC, a specialized medical market insights firm. The objective of the survey was to understand patient attitudes and behaviors towards opioid medications and to assess patients' concerns related to currently available therapies for chronic pain. In addition, the survey assessed the percentage of patients with pain who have trouble swallowing pills and explored patient and physician awareness related to managing this important medical issue.     

Key findings from the survey highlight that opioid abuse and diversion are a significant concern for patients taking opioids for the treatment of chronic pain. Of all patients surveyed, 66% were concerned about social opioid abuse and 55% were concerned about becoming addicted. Furthermore, 36% of patients were concerned about someone taking their medication without their permission; 11% of patients had their medication stolen, most often from their home. When patients were asked, only 14% knew that there is an abuse-deterrent opioid in development. The majority of the patients surveyed (76%) indicated that they would be interested in switching to an analgesic medication similar to OxyContin®, but that is more abuse-deterrent.

The survey results confirmed that there is a significant unmet medical need for the treatment of patients with both chronic pain and dysphasia ("CPD"), a patient population consisting of 11 million people in the U.S. Of all patients surveyed, approximately 30% reported that they have trouble swallowing pills or do not like to swallow pills, yet only 19% of all patients had ever had their doctor ask them about their difficulties with swallowing. Furthermore, approximately 16% of patients who cannot or do not like to swallow pills either crush or grind their pills in order to facilitate swallowing. "Although all commercially available extended-release opioid products carry warnings related to product tampering (e.g., potential for fatal overdose if crushed), the majority of patients in the study (65%) were not aware that crushing or grinding changes the release characteristics of the medication, which has the potential to lead to a fatal overdose. This finding further demonstrates the need for an extended-release, abuse-deterrent opioid that can be sprinkled onto food or directly into the mouth or administered via enteral tube without compromising the ER properties of the analgesic," said Michael Heffernan, CEO of Collegium.   

"The patient survey results confirm that the oxycodone DETERx^® formulation may provide a patient benefit not available with other oral extended-release opioids, especially those that have abuse-deterrent technologies that make the tablets harder to crush. We will be publishing the full results of this study in the coming weeks," said Michael Heffernan.

About DETERx^® Technology

The DETERx^® drug delivery platform consists of a multi-particulate matrix formulation in a capsule. While developed primarily to provide abuse-deterrent properties to protect against common methods of tampering such as chewing, crushing, insufflation and extraction for IV injection, the multi-particulate design is expected to enable patients with difficulty swallowing to open the capsule and administer the contents on food or via a gastrostomy tube, while maintaining the extended-release properties of the product. DETERx^® technology can be used with drugs that are commonly abused such as opioids and amphetamines, as well as drugs that have narrow therapeutic windows that would benefit from protection against misuse such as breaking, crushing, grinding or dissolving the product. The formulation platform is covered by U.S. and international patents and patent applications. Oxycodone DETERx ® is the first of a number of product candidates using the DETERx^® platform.

About Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.

Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing a portfolio of products that incorporate its patent-protected DETERx^® formulation platform for the treatment of chronic pain. The DETERx^® oral drug delivery technology provides extended-release delivery, unique abuse-deterrent properties, and flexible dose administration options. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.collegiumpharma.com.

About MedPanel, LLC

MedPanel, LLC, based in Cambridge, MA, provides market insights to leading corporate and financial clients in the life science industry and corporate financial transaction advisory to emerging life science companies. Its seasoned research staff understands the unique complexities and types of decisions that the MedPanel Insights group supports. Its domain expertise, global network of experts, and proven online methods all combine to help our clients make better decisions at every stage of the product life cycle, from inception of an innovative idea to post-launch and beyond. MedPanel's team of experienced transaction advisors provide strategic advice and direction in guiding clients in achieving its financing, M&A, and strategic partnering objectives.

Contact:

Michael Heffernan, President
Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.
781-713-3722
[email protected]

SOURCE Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.