Otsuka and Lundbeck’s Rexulti (brexpiprazole) has become the first pharmacological treatment to be approved in the US for agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the companies’ supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA).
Agitation is a common neuropsychiatric symptom in Alzheimer’s dementia and one of the most complex and stressful aspects of caring for people living with the condition.
Makoto Inoue, President and Representative Director of Otsuka, commented: “Today marks a major milestone for patients, caregivers, and families navigating the complexities of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Otsuka Pharmaceutical will continue its efforts to engage and provide options for those impacted by this devastating condition.”
Reduction in agitation symptoms
The FDA previously granted priority review for the sNDA, a designation for a drug application that represents a significant improvement in the safety and/or effectiveness of the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of a serious medical condition.
The submission was based on two Phase III studies that evaluated the frequency of agitation symptoms in patients with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease based on the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) total score.
The primary endpoint was a change in agitation symptom frequency (CMAI total score) from baseline at Week 12 in both studies. Brexpiprazole patients with agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease achieved a 31% greater reduction from baseline in frequency of agitation symptoms vs. placebo.
Overall, the data showed brexpiprazole as being well-tolerated with a low incidence of discontinuations, and with a safety profile consistent with the known safety profile of brexpiprazole in other indications.
Deborah Dunsire, CEO and President, Lundbeck, said: “We look forward to offering this first FDA-approved treatment option to address this significant unmet need for patients. We are grateful to the patients and caregivers who participated in these important trials.”
