NEURELIS EXPANDS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ESTATE FOR VALTOCO®, A PATIENT-CENTRIC NASAL SPRAY FOR ACUTE TREATMENT OF EPISODES OF FREQUENT SEIZURE ACTIVITY
- Fifth patent combined with a growing body of clinical data demonstrate safety and effectiveness of VALTOCO in this patient population, enhancing potential to expand clinical and commercial value.
SAN DIEGO, April 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Neurelis, Inc., a neuroscience-based company dedicated to enhancing therapeutic benefits and addressing significant unmet needs in managing central nervous system (CNS) disorders, announced that it has secured the issuance of United States Patent No. 11,241,414 (the '414 Patent) for VALTOCO® (diazepam nasal spray) CIV for acute treatment of episodes of frequent seizure activity in adult and pediatric patients age six and older.
"Our approach to innovation seeks to improve patient outcomes with constant feedback from our patient community," said Craig Chambliss, President and Chief Executive Officer of Neurelis. "We continue to demonstrate this innovation through the issuance of the '414 patent and others under review at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. We remain optimistic about our ability to extend the exclusivity of VALTOCO beyond 2029."
More than 50 million people worldwide live with epilepsy and, despite the availability of chronic, daily oral medications to help manage their seizures, many patients continue to experience recurring breakthrough seizures. If left untreated, these seizures can significantly impact quality of life and can potentially cause damage to the brain. In the U.S., as many as 170,000 of these patients deal with acute episodes of frequent seizure activity, sometimes referred to as "seizure clusters" or ''acute repetitive seizures." As a therapy that can be both caregiver- and self-administered outside a medical setting to respond to these seizure emergencies, VALTOCO empowers patients and care partners to take a proactive role in managing their disease and improving their health outcomes.
"This additional patent for VALTOCO is a critical milestone that further memorializes our commitment in innovating patient-centric solutions in rare and broader CNS indications," said Enrique Carrazza, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Neurelis. "Combined with a robust and growing body of clinical evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of VALTOCO in the treatment of acute episodes of frequent seizure activity, this patent demonstrates our commitment and ability to overcome tough scientific challenges that are barriers to advancing care for patients with epilepsy."
About Neurelis
Neurelis, Inc., is a commercial-stage neuroscience company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics for the treatment of epilepsy and orphan neurologic disorders characterized by high unmet medical need. In 2020, the FDA approved Neurelis's VALTOCO® (diazepam nasal spray) as an acute treatment of intermittent, stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity (i.e., seizure clusters, acute repetitive seizures) that are distinct from an individual's usual seizure pattern in adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older. VALTOCO is a proprietary formulation of diazepam incorporating the science of INTRAVAIL®. Intravail's transmucosal absorption enhancement technology enables the noninvasive delivery of a broad range of protein, peptide and small-molecule drugs. In its approval of VALTOCO, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration also granted Neurelis Orphan Drug Exclusivity and recognized VALTOCO's intranasal route of administration as a clinically superior contribution to patient care over the previously approved standard-of-care treatment (a rectal gel formulation of diazepam). For more information on VALTOCO, please visit www.valtoco.com. In addition to VALTOCO, Neurelis is developing NRL-2 for intermittent use to control acute panic attacks, NRL-3 as a noninvasive acute therapy to stop seizures that have progressed to status epilepticus, and NRL-4 as a noninvasive rescue therapy to address the escalation of acute agitation symptoms associated with schizophrenia and bipolar 1 mania in adults. In addition, Neurelis is developing NRL-1049 (previously known as BA-1049), an investigational, pre-clinical stage small molecule Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, for the treatment of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMS), a rare disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). For more information on Neurelis, please visit www.neurelis.com. For the latest scientific information on VALTOCO, please visit www.neurelismedicalaffairs.com.
Important Safety Information about VALTOCO:
Indication
VALTOCO® (diazepam nasal spray) is indicated for the acute treatment of intermittent, stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity (ie, seizure clusters, acute repetitive seizures) that are distinct from a patient's usual seizure pattern in patients with epilepsy 6 years of age and older.
WARNING: RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS
- Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.
- The use of benzodiazepines, including VALTOCO, exposes users to risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death. Abuse and misuse of benzodiazepines commonly involve concomitant use of other medications, alcohol, and/or illicit substances, which is associated with an increased frequency of serious adverse outcomes. Before prescribing VALTOCO and throughout treatment, assess each patient's risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction.
- The continued use of benzodiazepines may lead to clinically significant physical dependence. The risks of dependence and withdrawal increase with longer treatment duration and higher daily dose. Although VALTOCO is indicated only for intermittent use, if used more frequently than recommended, abrupt discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of VALTOCO may precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life-threatening. For patients using VALTOCO more frequently than recommended, to reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue VALTOCO.
Contraindications: VALTOCO is contraindicated in patients with:
- Hypersensitivity to diazepam
- Acute narrow-angle glaucoma
Central Nervous System (CNS) Depression
Benzodiazepines, including VALTOCO, may produce CNS depression. Caution patients against engaging in hazardous activities requiring mental alertness, such as operating machinery, driving a motor vehicle, or riding a bicycle, until the effects of the drug, such as drowsiness, have subsided, and as their medical condition permits.
The potential for a synergistic CNS-depressant effect when VALTOCO is used with alcohol or other CNS depressants must be considered, and appropriate recommendations made to the patient and/or care partner.
Suicidal Behavior and Ideation
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including VALTOCO, increase the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior. Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or unusual changes in mood or behavior.
Glaucoma
Benzodiazepines, including VALTOCO, can increase intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. VALTOCO may only be used in patients with open-angle glaucoma only if they are receiving appropriate therapy. VALTOCO is contraindicated in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma.
Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions in Infants due to Benzyl Alcohol Preservative
VALTOCO is not approved for use in neonates or infants. Serious and fatal adverse reactions, including "gasping syndrome", can occur in neonates and low-birth-weight infants treated with benzyl alcohol-preserved drugs, including VALTOCO. The "gasping syndrome" is characterized by central nervous system depression, metabolic acidosis, and gasping respirations. The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which serious adverse reactions may occur is not known.
Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reactions (at least 4%) were somnolence, headache, and nasal discomfort.
Diazepam, the active ingredient in VALTOCO, is a Schedule IV controlled substance.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Neurelis, Inc. at 1-866-696-3873 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (www.fda.gov/medwatch).
Please read full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, for additional important safety information.
Contacts:
Neurelis:
Brittany Bradrick, Chief Financial Officer, +1 858 251 2135
Media:
Erich Sandoval, Finn Partners, + 1 917 497 2867
SOURCE Neurelis, Inc.
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