Zydus Lifesciences completes enrolment for EPICS III Phase 2b/3 trial evaluating Saroglitazar Mg for Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Ahmedabad: Zydus Lifesciences Limited, a discovery-driven, global lifesciences company, has announced that it has completed
enrolment of Phase 2b/3 EPICS III trial of Saroglitazar Mg in patients with Primary Biliary
Cholangitis (PBC).
PBC is a rare, progressive autoimmune disease which gradually destroys the bile ducts,
resulting in an accumulation of bile in the liver which can result in fibrosis, cirrhosis, the need
for liver transplantation or death. PBC disproportionately affects women, with 1 in 1,000
women over the age of 40 being afflicted, 9 times the rate for men. PBC is characterized by
increases in biochemical markers, especially alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and liver
transaminases. Clinical symptoms include pruritus (itching) and fatigue, both of which can be
severe. PBC is a life-long condition and only medications can be used to manage and slow its
progression.
Saroglitazar Mg is a potent and selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and
gamma dual agonist. Results of phase 2, prospective multicentre randomized double-blind,
placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Saroglitazar Mg in
patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (EPICS) was presented earlier at the Liver Meeting 2020, the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
(AASLD) [ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03112681], and has been published in the ‘Journal
of Hepatology’.
gamma dual agonist. Results of phase 2, prospective multicentre randomized double-blind,
placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Saroglitazar Mg in
patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (EPICS) was presented earlier at the Liver Meeting 2020, the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
(AASLD) [ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03112681], and has been published in the ‘Journal
of Hepatology’.
Overall Principal Investigator for Saroglitazar Mg global development programme, Professor
Naga Chalasani, David W. Crabb Chair in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana
University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA lauded the Zydus team and investigators
across 3 countries for achieving this milestone in a record time. The results from this pivotal
trial holds potential to greatly improve the treatment choices available for this difficult to treat
and rare liver disorder.
Naga Chalasani, David W. Crabb Chair in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana
University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA lauded the Zydus team and investigators
across 3 countries for achieving this milestone in a record time. The results from this pivotal
trial holds potential to greatly improve the treatment choices available for this difficult to treat
and rare liver disorder.
The EPICS-III Phase 2(b)/3 trial is led by Lead Principal Investigator Prof Raj Vuppalanchi.
The late-stage clinical program with Saroglitazar Mg EPICS III trial is now fully enrolled and
will assess the efficacy and safety in patients with PBC who are uncontrolled on the usual first
line PBC treatment [ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05133336].
The late-stage clinical program with Saroglitazar Mg EPICS III trial is now fully enrolled and
will assess the efficacy and safety in patients with PBC who are uncontrolled on the usual first
line PBC treatment [ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05133336].
Prof Raj mentioned that “Patients with PBC often look for treatments that not only improve
liver health but also alleviate associated symptoms like itching and fatigue ultimately
enhancing overall quality of life. There is growing optimism that Saroglitazar Mg at optimal
dosage will address these needs with better efficacy, safety and tolerability compared to
existing options. Both patients and medical community are eagerly awaiting the outcomes of
this trial. I have strong hope that Saroglitazar Mg will establish itself as a primary therapy,
significantly improving the daily lives of individuals suffering with PBC.”
liver health but also alleviate associated symptoms like itching and fatigue ultimately
enhancing overall quality of life. There is growing optimism that Saroglitazar Mg at optimal
dosage will address these needs with better efficacy, safety and tolerability compared to
existing options. Both patients and medical community are eagerly awaiting the outcomes of
this trial. I have strong hope that Saroglitazar Mg will establish itself as a primary therapy,
significantly improving the daily lives of individuals suffering with PBC.”
Speaking on the development, Chairman, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., Mr. Pankaj Patel, said that,
“The conclusion of enrolment marks an important milestone for the for EPICS III Phase 2b/3
trial and we would like to thank all our clinical collaborators and patients. There is a high need
for new treatment options to reduce the risk of disease progression in patients living with PBC
and we are looking forward to working with patient advocacy groups.”
“The conclusion of enrolment marks an important milestone for the for EPICS III Phase 2b/3
trial and we would like to thank all our clinical collaborators and patients. There is a high need
for new treatment options to reduce the risk of disease progression in patients living with PBC
and we are looking forward to working with patient advocacy groups.”
Saroglitazar Mg is an investigational compound in the USA, and is yet to be approved by the
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA).
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA).
The
USFDA has granted ‘Orphan Drug Designation’ and ‘Fast Track designation’ to Saroglitazar
Mg for the treatment of patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). Fast Track is a process
of the USFDA which expedites the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet
medical need. A drug that receives Fast Track designation is eligible for Accelerated Approval
and Priority Review, if the relevant criteria are met. The European Medicines Agency (EMA)
has designated ‘Saroglitazar Magnesium’ with Orphan status for Treatment of Primary Biliary
Cholangitis. Orphan drug designation provides eligibility for certain development incentives,
regulatory fee exemptions, seven-year marketing exclusivity upon USFDA approval and a 10-
year period of market exclusivity if the treatment is eventually approved by EMA.
USFDA has granted ‘Orphan Drug Designation’ and ‘Fast Track designation’ to Saroglitazar
Mg for the treatment of patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). Fast Track is a process
of the USFDA which expedites the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet
medical need. A drug that receives Fast Track designation is eligible for Accelerated Approval
and Priority Review, if the relevant criteria are met. The European Medicines Agency (EMA)
has designated ‘Saroglitazar Magnesium’ with Orphan status for Treatment of Primary Biliary
Cholangitis. Orphan drug designation provides eligibility for certain development incentives,
regulatory fee exemptions, seven-year marketing exclusivity upon USFDA approval and a 10-
year period of market exclusivity if the treatment is eventually approved by EMA.
Read also: Zydus Lifesciences bags USFDA nod for Dapsone Gel for acne treatment
Facebook Comments
