-- Updated liver histology data from first 20 patients show
60% fibrosis improvement by at least 1 stage as early
as 24 weeks, data will be presented at AASLD Late Breaker
Presentations --
-- Statistically significant reductions in biomarkers
associated with liver fibrosis including ALT, AST, Fib-4 and ProC-3
was also observed in ~ 50 patients --
-- Results are an early indication that higher dose
of Aramchol could provide statistically and clinically meaningful
effect on fibrosis in the double-blind placebo controlled
regulatory part for submission of an NDA under Sub-part H--
Galmed's management team will host a conference call and webcast
to provide an update on current developments with respect to its
clinical programs for Aramchol™ including NASH Expert Insights on
the ongoing Open-Label Part of the ARMOR study, and to discuss
financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 Today @ 8.30am Eastern Time
TEL AVIV, Israel, Nov. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Galmed
Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Nasdaq: GLMD) ("Galmed" or the "Company"), a
clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company for liver, metabolic and
inflammatory diseases announced today results from histology and
biomarkers analyses in the ongoing Open-Label Part of the ARMOR
Phase 3 study.
Galmed previously announced a substantial effect on fibrosis
improvement based on histology, in the 16 first patients from the
ongoing Open-Label Part of the ARMOR study. New analyses of
biomarkers corroborate this effect showing statistically
significant reductions in biomarkers associated with liver fibrosis
including ALT, AST, Fib-4 and ProC-3. Reductions of a similar
magnitude are seen in a cohort of the first 20 patients for which
paired biopsy have been analyzed (Late breaker AASLD Cohort N=20)
and a cohort of 50 patients for which biomarker data was analyzed
(ARCON Cohort N=50) based on all available data (N=139).
Aramchol continues to show excellent safety and tolerability
profile. Data support that higher dose of Aramchol could provide
statistically and clinically meaningful effect on fibrosis in the
upcoming double-blind placebo controlled part for submission
of the ARMOR study to support an NDA under Sub-part H.
Results support discussions with FDA to potentially allow a
smaller and shorter double-blind placebo control histology-based
part to support regulatory submission of an NDA.
A summary of the results is presented below:
|
|
Late Breaker AASLD
Cohort 1 (N=20)
|
ARCON Cohort
2 (N~50)
|
|
visit
|
Change from
baseline 3
|
p
value
|
Change from
baseline 3
|
p
value
|
ALT
|
week 24
|
-20.88
|
<.0001
|
-16.44
|
<.0001
|
week 48
|
-20.05
|
<.0001
|
-17.43
|
<.0001
|
AST
|
week 24
|
-15.08
|
<.0001
|
-13.43
|
<.0001
|
week 48
|
-14.74
|
<.0001
|
-13.28
|
<.0001
|
FIB-4
|
week 24
|
-0.22
|
0.0006
|
-0.27
|
<.0001
|
week 48
|
-0.23
|
0.0012
|
-0.22
|
0.0006
|
PRO-C3
|
week 24
|
-8.83
|
0.0010
|
-9.68
|
<.0001
|
week 48
|
-13.79
|
0.0005
|
-13.00
|
<.0001
|
PRO-C3
%
|
week 24
|
-15.89
|
0.0106
|
-13.84
|
0.0077
|
week 48
|
-19.76
|
0.0294
|
-17.37
|
0.0192
|
>1 point in
fibrosis improvement
|
|
60%
|
|
|
|
1. Number of subjects in the AASLD cohort at week 24 and
week 48 respectively are; ALT 19 and 9, AST 19 and 9, FIB-4 19 and
9, PRO-C3 19 and 10
2. Number of subjects in the ACRON cohort with data at
week 24 and week 48 respectively are; ALT 61 and 18, AST 61 and 18,
FIB-4 56 and 18, PRO-C3 43 and 15
3. MMRM baseline adjusted analysis
4. ProC-3 were analyzed by Nordic Bioscience using an
improved methodology with higher sensitivity and specificity. Mean
Baseline 47.2 ug/L.
Prof. Vlad Ratziu, Professor of Hepatology, Sorbonne Université,
the ARMOR study co-principal investigator commented: "this high
rate of fibrosis reversal is very encouraging particularly since it
was confirmed by a very stringent pathological review that includes
3 pathologists reading slides according to a predefined protocol.
Moreover, it is backed by congruent changes in fibrosis biomarkers
and by a biochemical response in aminotransferases already
documented in the ARREST trial."
Allen Baharaff, President and CEO of Galmed commented
"Aramchol's direct effect on fibrosis is translated to clinical
efficacy on fibrosis improvement. Apparently, the magnitude
of the statistical and clinical effects is dose related. Once
elevating the dose, we are starting to see the full potential of
Aramchol to reduce liver fibrosis. We believe Aramchol at a higher
dose stands out as a leading compound for the treatment of liver
fibrosis."
A late-breaking poster presentation covering liver histology
data of the first 20 patients from the Open Label Part of the ARMOR
study will be presented at The Liver Meeting Digital Experience™
2021, the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study
of Liver Diseases (AASLD), which will be held from November
12-15, 2021.
Conference Call & Webcast:
Monday November 8, 2021,
8:30 AM ET
Toll Free: 1-877-425-9470
Toll/International: 1-201-389-0878
Israel Toll Free: 1 809 406 247
Conference ID: 13724243
Webcast: https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1511856&tp_key=e9490761d4
Replay Dial-In Numbers
Toll Free: 1-844-512-2921
Toll/International: 1-412-317-6671
Replay Pin Number: 13724243
Replay Start: Monday November 8, 2021, 11:30 AM ET
Replay Expiry: Monday November 22, 2021, 11:59 PM ET
Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is a clinical stage drug development
biopharmaceutical company for liver, metabolic and inflammatory
diseases. Our lead compound, Aramchol™, a backbone drug candidate
for the treatment of NASH and fibrosis is currently in a Phase 3
registrational study. We are also collaborating with the
Hebrew University in the development of
Amilo-5MER, a 5 amino acid synthetic peptide.
About ARMOR Study
ARMOR is a Phase 3 study comprised of two-parts, an open-label
part and a randomized, double-blind controlled, placebo part,
designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Aramchol in
approximately 200 sites in the U.S., Europe and Latin
America.
The first part, an open-label study, is designed to evaluate
treatment response kinetics, pharmacokinetics and safety of twice
daily administration of Aramchol 300mg in approximately 150
subjects with NASH and liver fibrosis stage 1-3 (F1 capped at 30
subjects), subjects with NASH who may or may not be overweight, and
subjects with NASH who may or may not have type 2 diabetes or be
pre-diabetic. Patients are randomized (1:1:1) into three groups
with post-baseline liver biopsy being performed at 24 weeks, 48
weeks, or 72 weeks, respectively. A second post-baseline liver
biopsy will be conducted after one year for subjects whose
post-baseline liver biopsy at week 24, 48 or 72 does not show at
least one stage improvement in fibrosis. The open label part
is being conducted at approximately 50 selected sites in the U.S.,
and around the world which have been less affected by the COVID-19
pandemic.
The second part, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
study, is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of twice
daily administration of Aramchol 300 mg to support regulatory
approval, with both a histology-based phase and a clinically-based
phase. As currently designed, a total of 2000 subjects with NASH
and liver fibrosis stage 2 and 3 who are overweight and are either
pre-diabetic or have type 2 diabetes are expected to be randomized
2:1 to receive Aramchol 300mg BID or matching placebo. In the
histology-based phase, we intend to treat 1000 subjects with
Aramchol or matching placebo for 72 weeks until the second biopsy.
The histology-based data is intended to serve as the basis for the
submission of a Sub-part H marketing authorization application
under regulatory provisions of accelerated/conditional approval.
The primary histology-based endpoint is NASH resolution without
worsening of fibrosis or fibrosis improvement without NASH
worsening. In the clinically-based phase, all subjects will
continue with the same treatment assignment for up to seven years
until study completion to confirm clinical efficacy. We may
announce end-of-study at the time when a total of 380 subjects have
experienced at least one pre-specified clinical event or at five
years from last subject randomization, whichever comes first. The
primary clinically-based endpoint is expected to be based on
clinical events including all-cause mortality, histological
progression to cirrhosis, MELD score >15, and hepatic
decompensation events (e.g., hepatic encephalopathy, variceal
bleeding, ascites).
Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release may include forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to,
statements relating to Galmed's objectives, plans and strategies,
as well as statements, other than historical facts, that address
activities, events or developments that Galmed intends, expects,
projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future.
These statements are often characterized by terminology such as
"believes," "hopes," "may," "anticipates," "should," "intends,"
"plans," "will," "expects," "estimates," "projects," "positioned,"
"strategy" and similar expressions and are based on assumptions and
assessments made in light of management's experience and perception
of historical trends, current conditions, expected future
developments and other factors believed to be appropriate.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance
and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in
such statements. Many factors could cause Galmed's actual
activities or results to differ materially from the activities and
results anticipated in forward-looking statements, including, but
not limited to, the following: the timing and cost of Galmed's
pivotal Phase 3 ARMOR trial, or the ARMOR Study or any other
pre-clinical or clinical trials; completion and receiving favorable
results of the ARMOR Study for Aramchol or any other pre-clinical
or clinical trial; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; regulatory
action with respect to Aramchol or any other product candidate by
the FDA or the EMA; the commercial launch and future sales of
Aramchol or any other future products or product candidates;
Galmed's ability to comply with all applicable post-market
regulatory requirements for Aramchol or any other product candidate
in the countries in which it seeks to market the product; Galmed's
ability to achieve favorable pricing for Aramchol or any other
product candidate; Galmed's expectations regarding the commercial
market for NASH patients or any other indication; third-party payor
reimbursement for Aramchol or any other product candidate; Galmed's
estimates regarding anticipated capital requirements and Galmed's
needs for additional financing; market adoption of Aramchol or any
other product candidate by physicians and patients; the timing,
cost or other aspects of the commercial launch of Aramchol or any
other product candidate; the development and approval of the use of
Aramchol or any other product candidate for additional indications
or in combination therapy; and Galmed's expectations regarding
licensing, acquisitions and strategic operations. More detailed
information about the risks and uncertainties affecting Galmed is
contained under the heading "Risk Factors" included in Galmed's
most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on
March 18, 2021, and in other filings
that Galmed has made and may make with the SEC in the future. The
forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made
as of the date of this press release and reflect Galmed's current
views with respect to future events, and Galmed does not undertake
and specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
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