Transcept Pharmaceuticals Expects a CRL on its Intermezzo NDA from the FDA

Intermezzo, the four-hour go-back-to-sleep drug, will have to wait. Transcept Pharmaceuticals TSPT announced today that it expects to receive a Complete Response Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration "FDA" regarding the resubmitted New Drug Application "NDA" for Intermezzo® (zolpidem tartrate sublingual tablet) on or before July 14, 2011, the PDUFA date assigned by the FDA for completion of the Intermezzo® NDA review. The FDA issues a Complete Response Letter to indicate that the review cycle for an NDA is complete and that the application is not ready for approval. The Intermezzo® NDA seeks approval to market Intermezzo® for use as needed for the treatment of insomnia when a middle of the night awakening is followed by difficulty returning to sleep. This update from Transcept is based on a teleconference with the FDA held earlier today during which the FDA expressed continued concerns about the safety profile of Intermezzo® based on information in the resubmitted NDA. Until Transcept receives the anticipated Complete Response Letter, the company has limited information as to the full extent of FDA concerns. After the Complete Response Letter is received, Transcept will announce additional information on the content of the letter and the company's plans for the future regulatory development of Intermezzo®.