Exhibit 99.1
Aurinia to Expand Renal Franchise with Novel Indications and Launches Development Program for Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome
Company to Initiate Clinical Trials for Treatment of FSGS, MCD, and Dry Eye in 2018 with Data Readouts in Second Half of 2018
R&D Day Featuring KOLs in Nephrology and Ophthalmology Will be Webcast Today at 8:30a.m. ET in New York
VICTORIA, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 20, 2017--Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AUPH / TSX: AUP) (Aurinia) today announced plans to expand its voclosoprin renal franchise to include focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease (MCD). Additionally, Aurinia announced plans to evaluate its proprietary nanomicellar voclosporin ophthalmic solution (VOS) for the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca or dry eye syndrome (DES). The advancement of these new indications, in addition to lupus nephritis (LN), represents an expansion of the company’s strategy, pipeline and commercial opportunities.
A Phase II proof of concept clinical trial for voclosporin in FSGS and MCD patients will be initiated in the first half of 2018. FSGS and MCD affect nearly 150,000 patients globally, accounting for almost 50% of patients with Nephrotic Syndrome (NS). The prevalence of FSGS and MCD is increasing through improved diagnosis, and it has been shown that the control of proteinuria is important for long-term survival of these patients. Interim data readouts are anticipated in the second half of 2018.
Aurinia also plans to begin a Phase IIa tolerability study of VOS versus the standard of care for the treatment of DES by the second quarter of 2018, with data available in the second half of 2018. Calcineurin inhibitors are a mainstay in the treatment for DES, and the goal of this program is to develop a best-in-class treatment option.
Aurinia’s Phase III clinical study (AURORA) for the treatment of LN is on track to complete enrollment in the second half of 2018, with 113 clinical trial sites active around the globe. Additionally, under voclosporin’s fast-track designation, Aurinia intends to utilize a rolling New Drug Application (NDA) process, with the first module being submitted in the second half of 2018.
“Our clinical data in LN demonstrated that voclosporin profoundly decreased proteinuria, which is also an important disease marker for FSGS and MCD. Furthermore, voclosporin appears to demonstrate a more predictable pharmacology and an improved lipid and metabolic profile over legacy calcineurin inhibitors, which have shown efficacy in treating autoimmune disorders similar to those we are targeting,” said Neil Solomons, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals. “The topical formulation, VOS, has shown evidence of efficacy in our partnered canine studies and in a human Phase I study, supporting its development in DES.”
“With the AURORA trial in LN now well underway, we’re poised to enter the next phase of development for Aurinia. By leveraging our expertise and the unique profile of voclosporin to pursue these novel indications, we hope to bring new treatment options to patients where significant unmet medical need remains,” said Richard Glickman, L.L.D., CEO and Chairman of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals. “Furthermore, we believe our pipeline expansion has the potential to create significant value for shareholders.”
Aurinia believes its current financial resources are sufficient to fund all existing programs, the announced new programs, and operations into 2020.
R&D Day webcast
Members of the Aurinia leadership team and
external key opinion leaders will provide insights for voclosporin in LN
and the new indications at an R&D Day, being held today at 8:30 a.m.
Eastern Time in New York, NY and via webcast at http://ir.auriniapharma.com/ir-calendar.
About FSGS, MCD and NS
NS is a collection of symptoms that
indicate kidney damage, including: large amounts of protein in urine;
low levels of albumin and higher than normal fat and cholesterol levels
in the blood, and edema. Similar to lupus nephritis, early clinical
response and reduction of proteinuria is thought to be critical to
long-term kidney health. Aurinia is focused specifically on FSGS, a
lesion characterized by persistent scarring identified by biopsy and
proteinuria and on MCD, a kidney disease in which large amounts of
protein are lost in the urine. FSGS and MCD both are causes of NS and
characterized by high morbidity. Currently, there are no approved
therapies for FSGS and MCD in the United States and the European Union.
About DES
DES, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a chronic
disease in which a lack of moisture and lubrication on the eye’s surface
results in irritation and inflammation of the eye. DES is a
multifactorial, heterogeneous disease estimated to affect greater than
20 million people in the United States.
About LN
LN in an inflammation of the kidney caused by
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and represents a serious progression
of SLE. SLE is a chronic, complex and often disabling disorder and
affects more than 500,000 people in the United States (mostly women).
The disease is highly heterogeneous, affecting a wide range of organs &
tissue systems. It is estimated that as many as 60 percent of all SLE
patients will develop clinical LN requiring treatment. Unlike SLE, LN
has straightforward disease outcomes (measuring proteinuria) where an
early response correlates with long-term outcomes. In patients with LN,
renal damage results in proteinuria and/or hematuria and a decrease in
renal function as evidenced by reduced estimated glomerular filtration
rate (eGFR), and increased serum creatinine levels. LN is debilitating
and costly and if poorly controlled, LN can lead to permanent and
irreversible tissue damage within the kidney, resulting in end-stage
renal disease (ESRD), thus making LN a serious and potentially
life-threatening condition.
About Voclosporin
Voclosporin, an investigational drug, is a
novel and potentially best-in-class calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) with
clinical data in over 2,400 patients across indications. Voclosporin is
an immunosuppressant, with a synergistic and dual mechanism of action.
By inhibiting calcineurin, voclosporin blocks IL-2 expression and T-cell
mediated immune responses, and stabilizes the podocyte in the kidney. It
has been shown to have a more predictable pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic relationship, an increase in potency, an altered
metabolic profile and potential for flat dosing compared to legacy CNIs.
Aurinia anticipates that upon regulatory approval, patent protection for
voclosporin will be extended in the United States and certain other
major markets, including Europe and Japan, until at least October 2027
under the Hatch-Waxman Act and comparable laws in other countries and
until April 2028 with anticipated pediatric extension.
About VOS
VOS is an aqueous, preservative free nanomicellar
solution containing 0.2% voclosporin intended for use in the treatment
of DES. Studies have been completed in rabbit and dog models, and a
single Phase 1 has also been completed in healthy volunteers and
patients with DES. VOS has IP protection until 2031. In April 2017,
Aurinia announced an agreement granting Merck Animal Health (MAH)
worldwide rights to develop and commercialize (VOS) for the treatment of
DES in dogs. MAH previously conducted proof of concept research in dogs
suffering from DES, which affects one out of every 22 dogs.
About Aurinia
Aurinia is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical
company focused on developing and commercializing therapies to treat
targeted patient populations that are suffering from serious diseases
with a high unmet medical need. The company is currently developing
voclosporin, an investigational drug, for the treatment of LN, FSGS, MCD
and DES. The company is headquartered in Victoria, BC and focuses its
development efforts globally. For further information, see our website
at www.auriniapharma.com.
Forward Looking Information Disclaimer
Certain of the statements made in this press release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable United States securities law. These forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to statements or information with respect to: voclosporin being potentially a best-in-class CNI with robust intellectual property exclusivity; the timing for Aurinia initiating a Phase II clinical trial for voclosporin in FSGS and MCD patients; the timing for interim data readouts for the Phase II clinical trial for FSGS and MCD patients; the timing for commencement of a Phase IIa tolerability study of VOS; the timing for data availability for the Phase IIa tolerability study; the anticipated commercial potential of voclosporin for the treatment of LN, NS, FSGS, DES and other autoimmune diseases; that the expansion of the renal franchise could create significant value for shareholders; that Aurinia’s current financial resources are sufficient to fund all existing programs, the announced new programs and operations into 2020;. When used in these marketing materials, the words “anticipate”, “will”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “target”, “plan”, “goals”, “objectives”, “may” and other similar words and expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information.
We have made numerous assumptions about the forward-looking statements and information contained herein, including among other things, assumptions about: the market value for the LN program; that another company will not create a substantial competitive product for Aurinia’s LN business without violating Aurinia’s intellectual property rights; the burn rate of Aurinia’s cash for operations; the costs and expenses associated with Aurinia’s clinical trials; the planned studies achieving positive results; Aurinia being able to extend its patents on terms acceptable to Aurinia; and the size of the LN market. Even though the management of Aurinia believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information will prove to be accurate.
Forward-looking information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Aurinia to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the following: the market for the LN business may not be as estimated; Aurinia may have to pay unanticipated expenses; estimated costs for clinical trials may be underestimated, resulting in Aurinia having to make additional expenditures to achieve its current goals; Aurinia not being able to extend its patent portfolio for voclosporin; and competitors may arise with similar products.
Although we have attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and information, there may be other factors that cause actual results, performances, achievements or events to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Also many of the factors are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
Except as required by law, Aurinia will not update forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is qualified by this cautionary statement. Additional information related to Aurinia, including a detailed list of the risks and uncertainties affecting Aurinia and its business can be found in Aurinia’s most recent Annual Information Form available by accessing the Canadian Securities Administrators’ System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) website at www.sedar.com or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Electronic Document Gathering and Retrieval System (EDGAR) website at www.sec.gov/edgar.
CONTACT:
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Investors:
Celia
Economides
VP, Corporate & Public Affairs
ceconomides@auriniapharma.com
or
Media:
Christopher
Hippolyte, 212-364-0458
Christopher.hippolyte@inventivhealth.com