QRxPharma Results For Dual Opioid Pain Therapy Are Successful

QRxPharma announced initial Phase 3 efficacy results for Q8003IR, an immediate release dual-opioid product intended for the acute management of moderate to severe pain.

"Initial Phase 3 efficacy data demonstrated statistically significant analgesic activity at all doses tested and reinforces the potential clinical benefit and commercial value of QRxPharma's lead dual-opioid product," said Dr. John Holaday, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, QRxPharma. "We are pleased with this study outcome and believe that it demonstrates that the Company remains on target to complete clinical testing for Q8003IR, submit a New Drug Application (NDA) in 2009 and achieve its goal of product launch in 2010."

The double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of four different dosage regimens of Q8003IR, a fixed ratio morphine/oxycodone combination. 256 patients with moderate to severe pain following surgery (bunionectomy) completed the trial, and it was conducted at six US clinical research sites. The primary efficacy analysis compared the change in pain intensity scores over the 48 hr dosing period (SPID48) in patients receiving Q8003IR vs. placebo.

Among all patients receiving Q8003IR, approximately 50% reported good to excellent global improvement (vs. 13% for placebo) and demonstrated a strong dose-response effect (p<0.001) in reducing pain intensity scores [i.e. the sum of pain intensity difference over 48 hours relative to the first dose (SPID48)] and other measures of analgesic effect. Per treatment group, median doses received every 4 hours ranged from 3mg/2 mg to 9mg/6 mg of morphine/oxycodone.

The data further demonstrate that Q8003IR was generally well tolerated, with a low rate of patient withdrawal (2% to 12% depending on dose vs. 2% for placebo). In addition, there was minimal somnolence (2% to 8%) and changes to respiratory parameters (respiration rate, oxygen saturation) with no incidences of euphoria reported. Nausea and vomiting (usually mild) were the most common adverse events. Further analysis of side effect profiles is underway and these data will be available by late May 2008.

Q8003IR is a patent-protected combination of morphine and oxycodone which has been clinically shown to provide synergistic effects on pain relief with a significant reduction of total opioid dose and side effects.