SAN DIEGO, July 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otonomy, Inc. (Nasdaq:OTIC), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics for diseases and disorders of the ear, today announced that its Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for the approval of OTIPRIO® as a treatment of acute otitis externa (AOE) has been accepted for filing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and been assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of March 2, 2018. The acceptance of the sNDA indicates that the application is sufficiently complete to permit a substantive review by the FDA.
“We are pleased to receive confirmation of the sNDA filing acceptance and PDUFA action date which is consistent with our expectations and previous investor communications,” said David A. Weber, Ph.D., president and CEO of Otonomy. “If approved within the standard review period, Otonomy anticipates a commercial launch of OTIPRIO for this second indication, which is primarily treated by physicians in the office setting, prior to the peak summer season for AOE.”
The sNDA is supported by positive results from a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of OTIPRIO in 262 pediatric and adult patients with AOE. This single administration trial of OTIPRIO met its primary endpoint showing a statistically significant increase in clinical cure rate compared to sham (no treatment) at Day 8 (p<0.001). OTIPRIO also demonstrated a statistically significant increase in clinical cure rate compared to sham at all other time points assessed including Day 4 (p=0.021), Day 15 (p<0.001) and Day 29 (p<0.001), and was well-tolerated.
About Acute Otitis Externa
Acute otitis externa (AOE), also known as swimmer’s ear, is a common condition involving infection and inflammation of the external ear canal typically caused by bacterial infection. According to medical claims data, there are nearly 4 million episodes of AOE each year in the United States. Symptoms usually appear within a few days of swimming and include itchiness, redness, swelling, pain and pus draining from the infected ear. Antibiotic ear drops are considered the standard of care treatment for AOE with the typical regimen requiring several administrations to the affected ear each day for 7 days.
About OTIPRIO
OTIPRIO (ciprofloxacin otic suspension) is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with bilateral otitis media with effusion undergoing tympanostomy tube placement. OTIPRIO is administered by a physician as a single 0.1 mL (6 mg) intratympanic administration into each affected ear, following suctioning of the middle ear effusion. The thermosensitive suspension exists as a liquid at or below room temperature and gels when warmed. In two Phase 3 trials, a single intraoperative administration of OTIPRIO demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the cumulative proportion of study treatment failures compared to tubes alone (p-value <0.001).
Important Safety Information for OTIPRIO
Contraindications: OTIPRIO is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to ciprofloxacin, to other quinolones, or to any of the components of OTIPRIO.
Warnings and Precautions - Potential for Microbial Overgrowth: OTIPRIO may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible bacteria and fungi. If such infections occur, institute alternative therapy.
Adverse Reactions: Adverse reactions (incidence at least 3%) that occurred in two Phase 3 trials with OTIPRIO vs sham were: nasopharyngitis (5% vs 4%), irritability (5% vs 3%), and rhinorrhea (3% vs 2%).
Use in Specific Populations - Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness of OTIPRIO in infants below six months of age have not been established.
Full prescribing information can be found at www.OTIPRIO.com.
About Otonomy
Otonomy is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics for diseases and disorders of the ear. OTIPRIO® (ciprofloxacin otic suspension) is approved in the United States for use during tympanostomy tube placement surgery in pediatric patients, an sNDA has been accepted for filing by the FDA for acute otitis externa (AOE) and a successful End-of-Phase 2 meeting has been completed with the FDA for acute otitis media with tympanostomy tubes (AOMT). OTIVIDEX™ is a steroid in development for the treatment of Ménière's disease and other balance and hearing disorders. Two Phase 3 trials in Ménière's disease patients are ongoing, AVERTS-1 in the United States and AVERTS-2 in Europe, with AVERTS-1 results expected in the third quarter of 2017 and AVERTS-2 results expected by the end of 2017. In addition, a Phase 2 trial of OTIVIDEX is underway in patients at risk for cisplatin-induced hearing loss. OTO-311 is an NMDA receptor antagonist for the treatment of tinnitus that has completed a Phase 1 clinical safety trial with a Phase 2 trial expected to be initiated in the second half of 2017. A fourth program targeting sensorineural hearing loss including age-related hearing loss is in preclinical development. Otonomy’s proprietary formulation technology utilizes a thermosensitive gel and drug microparticles to enable single dose treatment by a physician. For additional information please visit www.otonomy.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or the future financial or operating performance of Otonomy. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, the timing of the commercial launch of OTIPRIO for the treatment of AOE, if approved, the timing of Phase 3 results for OTIVIDEX and the timing of a Phase 2 clinical trial for OTO-311. Otonomy's expectations regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: Otonomy's limited operating history and its expectation that it will incur significant losses for the foreseeable future; Otonomy's ability to obtain additional financing; Otonomy's dependence on the commercial success of OTIPRIO and the regulatory success and advancement of additional product candidates, such as OTIVIDEX and OTO-311, and label expansion indications for OTIPRIO; the uncertainties inherent in the clinical drug development process, including, without limitation, Otonomy's ability to adequately demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its product candidates, the nonclinical and clinical results for its product candidates, which may not support further development, and challenges related to patient enrollment in clinical trials; Otonomy's ability to obtain regulatory approval for its product candidates; side effects or adverse events associated with Otonomy's product candidates; competition in the biopharmaceutical industry; Otonomy's dependence on third parties to conduct nonclinical studies and clinical trials; the timing and outcome of hospital pharmacy and therapeutics reviews and other facility reviews; the impact of coverage and reimbursement decisions by third-party payors on the pricing and market acceptance of OTIPRIO; Otonomy's dependence on third parties for the manufacture of OTIPRIO and product candidates; Otonomy's dependence on a small number of suppliers for raw materials; Otonomy's ability to protect its intellectual property related to OTIPRIO and its product candidates in the United States and throughout the world; expectations regarding potential market size, opportunity and growth; Otonomy's ability to manage operating expenses; implementation of Otonomy's business model and strategic plans for its business, products and technology; and other risks. Information regarding the foregoing and additional risks may be found in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Otonomy's Annual Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 4, 2017, and Otonomy's future reports to be filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Otonomy as of the date hereof. Otonomy disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.