CORAL GABLES, Fla., Dec. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Catalyst) (Nasdaq: CPRX), a commercial-stage, patient-centric biopharmaceutical company focused on in-licensing, developing, and commercializing novel high-quality medicines for patients living with rare diseases, today announced that its collaboration partner DyDo Pharma ("DyDo") has initiated a Phase 3 registrational study in Japan to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Catalyst's FIRDAPSE® (amifampridine) 10 mg tablets for the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome ("LEMS").
"We are pleased with the important progress being made by DyDo as we advance on our shared commitment of bringing a novel treatment option to LEMS patients in Japan," said Patrick McEnany, CEO and Chairman of Catalyst. "The initiation of this Phase 3 program marks an important milestone towards our goal to expand the global footprint of FIRDAPSE for the treatment of LEMS. Currently, there are no approved treatments for this rare autoimmune neuromuscular disorder in Japan, and we believe FIRDAPSE has the potential to provide a meaningful new therapy option to patients living with this disease. We appreciate the collaborative effort of our partnership and look forward to continuing to support DyDo in the clinical advancement of FIRDAPSE."
Catalyst entered into a sub-license agreement with DyDo to develop and commercialize FIRDAPSE in Japan in June 2021. Under the terms of the agreement, Catalyst will provide clinical and commercial supply to DyDo and technical support to obtain regulatory approval for the product from the Japanese regulatory authorities. DyDo is responsible for the development and commercialization of the product in Japan pending regulatory approval, and Catalyst will be entitled to development and sales milestones and revenue for clinical and commercial supply of the product.
About FIRDAPSE® (amifampridine) Tablets 10 mg
FIRDAPSE® (amifampridine) Tablets 10 mg is an oral, nonspecific, voltage-dependent, potassium (K+) channel blocker that causes depolarization of the presynaptic membrane and slows or inhibits repolarization. This action results in the opening of slow voltage-dependent calcium (Ca2+) channels, allowing for a subsequent influx of Ca2+. In turn, it induces the exocytosis of synaptic vesicles containing Acetylcholine (ACh) to release more ACh into the synaptic cleft, enhancing neuromuscular transmission and providing for improved muscle function. FIRDAPSE was granted orphan drug designation by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan and has previously been approved for use in the United States, Europe, and Canada for the treatment of adults with LEMS.
About Catalyst Pharmaceuticals
Catalyst Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage, patient-centric biopharmaceutical company focused on in-licensing, developing, and commercializing novel high-quality medicines for patients living with rare diseases. With exceptional patient focus, Catalyst is committed to developing a robust pipeline of cutting-edge, first- or best-in-class medicines for other rare diseases. Catalyst's New Drug Application for FIRDAPSE® (amifampridine) Tablets 10 mg for the treatment of adults with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome ("LEMS") was approved in 2018 by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration ("FDA"), and FIRDAPSE is commercially available in the United States as a treatment for adults with LEMS. Further, Canada's national healthcare regulatory agency, Health Canada, approved the use of FIRDAPSE for the treatment of adult patients in Canada with LEMS.
About DyDo Pharma
DyDo Pharma is the rare disease pharmaceutical wholly owned subsidiary of DyDo Group Holdings. DyDo Group Holdings, Inc. operates through the following segments: Domestic Beverage Business, International Beverage Business, Pharmaceutical-related Business, Food Business, and Other Businesses. The Domestic Beverage Business accounts for more than 70% of total sales, and beverages are sold through vending machines that are widely prevalent in Japan. The company was founded on January 27, 1975, and is headquartered in Osaka, Japan.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause Catalyst's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. A number of factors, including (i) whether DyDo Pharma's clinical trial in Japan will be successful; (ii) whether FIRDAPSE® will ever be approved for commercialization in Japan; and (iii) those factors described in Catalyst's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2020 and its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), could adversely affect Catalyst. Copies of Catalyst's filings with the SEC are available from the SEC, may be found on Catalyst's website, or may be obtained upon request from Catalyst. Catalyst does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date.
