FDA accepts Sucampo's sNDA for Lubiprostone for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has announced that the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for lubiprostone (8 mcg, oral gel capsules, twice daily) for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) has been accepted for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals currently anticipates a decision from the FDA in the second quarter of 2008.

Lubiprostone, a chloride channel activator with a novel mechanism of action, was developed by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals. The 24-mcg formulation of the drug (AMITIZA(R)) is approved for the treatment of Chronic Idiopathic Constipation in adults and is marketed for this indication in the United States by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.

"The FDA's decision to accept our sNDA submission for review is an important step in filling an unmet medical need for patients with the debilitating disease of IBS-C," said Ryuji Ueno, M.D., Ph.D., Ph.D., founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals. "IBS-C has a significant impact on millions of Americans and, if approved, lubiprostone may offer a valuable new treatment option for people living with this condition."

Approximately 58 million Americans have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with IBS-C accounting for approximately one-third of these cases. IBS-C symptoms include abdominal pain and discomfort associated with defecation or a change in bowel habits with features of disordered defecation.

About lubiprostone (8 mcg) and its supplemental New Drug Application

The sNDA, filed with the FDA on June 29, 2007, was based on a clinical study program that included two Phase 3, multi-center, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trials involving 1,171 adults, followed by one long-term, open-label safety and efficacy extension trial involving 522 adults diagnosed with IBS-C. In the two Phase 3 trials, patients received lubiprostone 8 mcg twice daily or placebo twice daily over a 12-week period. Patients receiving lubiprostone were nearly twice as likely to achieve overall relief that was statistically significant compared to those receiving placebo (17.9% vs. 10.1%; P=0.001). Individually, each study showed lubiprostone's efficacy over placebo for overall relief (P=0.009 and P=0.031). In the combined studies, secondary endpoints included abdominal discomfort/pain, stool consistency, straining, constipation severity and quality of life; these endpoints showed statistically significant improvement in patients receiving lubiprostone vs. placebo. The long-term extension trial demonstrated that the efficacy of lubiprostone continued through the open-label period, with increasing overall improvement to the end of the 52-week program.

In the two Phase 3 pivotal trials, lubiprostone and placebo groups showed a similar incidence of serious adverse events (1% in both the lubiprostone and placebo groups) and related adverse events (22% in lubiprostone vs. 21% in the placebo group). The most common treatment-related adverse events (>5% of patients) were nausea (8% vs. 4%, respectively), diarrhea (6% vs. 4%, respectively) and abdominal pain (4% vs. 5%, respectively).

About Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)

IBS is a chronic functional bowel disorder in which abdominal discomfort or pain is associated with defecation or a change in bowel habit and with features of disordered defecation. IBS is further sub-classified into IBS with constipation, IBS with diarrhea and mixed IBS, depending upon stool consistency. Patients with IBS-C have hard or lumpy stools, but unlike patients with chronic constipation the frequency of bowel movements is not part of the diagnostic criteria.

It is the temporal relationship of pain, bowel habit and stool characteristics that is the most prominent feature of IBS-C. The hypersensitivity of the gastrointestinal system of individuals with IBS-C makes them more prone to experience the effects of even mild symptoms associated with defecation or a change in bowel habit. In contrast to chronic constipation, the treatment of IBS-C is directed toward the improvement of the dominant symptoms (abdominal discomfort/pain and stool consistency) rather than increasing the frequency of bowel movements.

About AMITIZA(R) (lubiprostone 24 mcg) Twice Daily for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

AMITIZA (24 mcg, oral gel capsules, twice daily) is indicated for the treatment of Chronic Idiopathic Constipation in adults. AMITIZA should not be used in patients with a known gastrointestinal obstruction. Patients with symptoms suggestive of mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction should be evaluated to confirm the absence of such an obstruction prior to initiating AMITIZA treatment.

The safety of AMITIZA in pregnancy has not been evaluated in humans. In guinea pigs, lubiprostone has been shown to have the potential to cause fetal loss. AMITIZA should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Women who could become pregnant should have a negative pregnancy test prior to beginning therapy with AMITIZA and should be capable of complying with effective contraceptive measures. Patients taking AMITIZA may experience nausea. If this occurs, concomitant administration of food with AMITIZA may reduce symptoms of nausea.

AMITIZA should not be administered to patients that have severe diarrhea. Patients should be aware of the possible occurrence of diarrhea during treatment. If the diarrhea or nausea becomes severe, patients should consult their health professional.

In clinical trials for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (24 mcg, oral gel capsules, twice daily), the most common adverse reaction was nausea (29%). Other adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 4% of patients) included diarrhea (12%), headache (11%), abdominal pain (8%), abdominal distension (6%) and flatulence (6%).