First in Class Once-Daily Dual Bronchodilator Ultibro® Breezhaler® (QVA149) Gains Positive CHMP Opinion for the Treatment of COPD

In the Phase III IGNITE clinical trial program, QVA149 is being investigated for the treatment of COPD patients as an inhaled, once-daily, fixed-dose combination of indacaterol maleate and glycopyrronium bromide. IGNITE is one of the largest international clinical trial programs in COPD comprising 11 studies in total (ILLUMINATE, SHINE, BRIGHT, ENLIGHTEN, SPARK, BLAZE, ARISE, BEACON, RADIATE, LANTERN, FLAME) with more than 10,000* patients across 52 countries^[3],[6]-[17]. The first eight studies (ILLUMINATE, SHINE, BRIGHT, ENLIGHTEN, SPARK, BLAZE, ARISE, BEACON) completed in 2012. The studies were designed to investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerability, lung function, exercise endurance, exacerbations, shortness of breath and quality of life in patients treated with QVA149.

Results from five of the Phase III IGNITE trials^[3],[6]-[9]supported the CHMP's positive opinion for QVA149 which demonstrated statistically significant improvements in bronchodilation versus treatments widely used as current standards of care^[1]. Data showed that QVA149 significantly improved bronchodilation compared to OL tiotropium 18 mcg, SFC 50 mcg/500 mcg, indacaterol maleate 150 mcg, glycopyrronium 50 mcg and placebo providing a rapid onset within five minutes, and sustained bronchodilation during a 24 hour period which was maintained for up to 26 weeks, along with symptomatic improvements^{[1],[3],[7],[8]}. These symptomatic improvements included breathlessness, exercise tolerance, rescue medication use and health-related quality of life^[3]-[6].

*Total refers to all 11 IGNITE studies.

About Seebri^® Breezhaler^®

NVA237 (glycopyrronium bromide; brand name: Seebri^® Breezhaler^® (EU), Seebri^® Inhalation Capsules (Japan); ("glycopyrronium")) is a novel inhaled long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA; also referred to as a long-acting anticholinergic) indicated as a maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with COPD^[18]. Glycopyrronium was exclusively licensed to Novartis in April 2005 by Sosei and its co-development partner Vectura. In Phase III studies (GLOW 1, 2 and 3) glycopyrronium demonstrated rapid improvements in lung function after first dose on Day 1 which was sustained for 24 hours and maintained over the 52 week study period compared with placebo. Glycopyrronium 50 mcg also significantly improved shortness of breath, health-related quality of life, exacerbation risk, and exercise endurance versus placebo^[19]-[21]. Glycopyrronium is approved in the EU, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and a number of other countries.

All Novartis inhaled COPD portfolio products are being developed for delivery via a single-dose dry powder inhaler (SDDPI) called the Breezhaler^® device which has low air flow resistance^[22], making it suitable for patients with airflow limitation^[23]. The Breezhaler^® device allows patients to hear, feel and see that they have taken the full dose correctly^[18].

Seebri®, Ultibro® and Breezhaler® are registered trademarks of Novartis.

About COPD

COPD is a progressive life-threatening disease that makes it hard to breathe, with symptoms that have a destructive impact on patients' function and quality of life^[24],[25]. It affects an estimated 210 million people worldwide and is projected to be the third leading cause of death by 2020^[25],[26]. COPD is often considered to be a disease of later years, but estimates suggest that 50% of those with COPD are now less than 65 years old, resulting in increases in absenteeism, premature retirement and reductions in workforce participation^[27].

About Sosei

Sosei is an international biopharmaceutical company anchored in Japan with a global reach. It practises a reduced risk business model by acquiring compounds from, and bringing compounds into, Japan through exploitation of its unique position within global markets.

For further information about Sosei, please visit http://www.sosei.com.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the discovery, development and commercialisation of products. Various risks may cause Sosei's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: adverse results in clinical development programmes; failure to obtain patent protection for inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop and commercialise products and services; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products and services resulting from development efforts; the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialisation activities; and product initiatives by competitors. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Reference:

1. Vogelmeier C et al. Once-daily QVA149 provides clinically meaningful improvements in lung function and clinical outcomes versus placebo, indacaterol, glycopyrronium, tiotropium and salmeterol/fluticasone in patients with COPD. [ATS abstract 40759; Session C45; Date: May 21, 2013 Time: 8:15 -10:45].
2. Decramer M et al. Safety and tolerability of QVA149, glycopyrronium and tiotropium in patients with severe to very severe COPD: the SPARK study. [ATS abstract 41616; Session A43; Date: May 19, 2013 Time:10:45-12:30].
3. Wedzicha JA et al. Analysis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations with the Dual Bronchodilator QVA149 Compared with Glycopyrronium and Tiotropium (SPARK): a Randomized, Double-blind, Parallel-group Study. Lancet Respir Med 2013 http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(13)70052-3/abstract [Accessed 18 July 2013]
4. Welte T et al. QVA149 once daily is safe and well tolerated in patients with COPD: the SHINE study. [ATS abstract 41616; Session A43; Date: May 19, 2013, 8:15-16.30].
5. Vogelmeier C et al. QVA149 once daily is safe and well tolerated in patients with COPD: the ILLUMINATE study. [ATS abstract 41633; Session A43; Date: May 19, 2013, 8:15-16.30].
6. Beeh K et al. QVA149 once daily improves exercise tolerance and lung function in patients with COPD: the BRIGHT study. [BTS Winter Meeting 2012, Poster presentation P191; Date: 6 December; Time: 16:00-17:30].
7. Vogelmeier CF et al. Efficacy and safety of once-daily QVA149 compared with twice-daily salmeterol/fluticasone in patients with COPD (ILLUMINATE): a randomised, double-blind, parallel group study. Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2013; 1 (1): 51-60.
8. Bateman ED et al. Dual bronchodilation with QVA149 versus single bronchodilator therapy: the SHINE study. European Respiratory Journal http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2013/05/30/09031936.00200212.full.pdf [Accessed 18 July 2013].
9. Dahl R, et al. Safety and efficacy of dual bronchodilation with QVA149 in COPD patients: The ENLIGHTEN study, Respiratory Medicine, 2013 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2013.05.016 [Accessed 19 July 2013]
10. Mahler D et al. Superior lung function with once-daily QVA149 translates into improvements in patient reported breathlessness compared with placebo and tiotropium in COPD patients: the BLAZE study. [ATS abstract 45308; Session C20; Date: May 21, 2013 Time: 8:15-10:45].
11. ClinicalTrials.gov, November 2012. Long Term Safety and Tolerability of QVA149 Versus Tiotropium in Japanese Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (ARISE). [Online] Available at: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01285492?term=%28ARISE%29&rank=4 . [Accessed 18 July 2013].
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14. ClinicalTrials.gov, n.d. A 26-week Treatment Randomized, Double-blind, Double Dummy, Parallel-group Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of QVA149 (Indacaterol / Glycopyrronium Bromide) Compared to Fluticasone/Salmeterol in Patients With Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. [Online]. Available at: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01709903?id=01709903&rank=1. [Accessed 18 July 2013].  
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17. ClinicalTrial.gov, n.d. A 52-week Treatment, Multi-center, Randomized, Double-blind, Double Dummy, Parallel-group, Active Controlled Study to Compare the Effect of QVA149 (Indacaterol Maleate / Glycopyrronium Bromide) With Salmeterol/Futicasone on the Rate of Exacerbations in Subjects With Moderate to Very Severe COPD (FLAME). [Online] Available at: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01782326?term=COPD+novartis+52&rank=2. [Accessed 18 July 2013].
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21. Beeh K et al. Once-daily NVA237 improves exercise endurance from first dose in patients with COPD: the GLOW3 trial. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2012;7:503-513.
22. Colthorpe P et al. Delivery characteristics of a low-resistance dry-powder inhaler used to deliver the long- acting muscarinic antagonist glycopyrronium. J Drug Assessment 2013;2:11-16.
23. Pavkov et al. Characteristics of a capsule based dry powder inhaler for the delivery of indacaterol. CMRO 2010; 26; 11:2527-2533. doi:10.1185/03007995.2010.518916.
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SOURCE Sosei Group Corporation