UPDATE: Chelsea Therapeutics Receives Complete Response Letter from Food and Drug Administration for Northera Capsules

Chelsea Therapeutics International CHTP announced Wednesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a complete response letter regarding the new drug application for Northera Capsules. The application, which was filed on September 28, 2011, seeks approval for the treatment of symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (known as Neurogenic OH or NOH) in patients with primary autonomic failure (Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy and pure autonomic failure), dopamine beta hydroxylase deficiency and non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy and was supported by the highly statistically significant (p=0.003) outcome of Study 301. The complete response letter includes the request by the FDA that Chelsea submit data from an additional positive study to support efficacy demonstrated in Study 301 along with the recommendation that such a study be designed to demonstrate durability of effect over a 2- to 3-month period. While the FDA did not make reference to the Company's ongoing Study 306, a 10-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating Northera in patients with symptomatic neurogenic OH associated with Parkinson's disease, Chelsea believes that data from this trial could potentially meet the criteria for clinical efficacy and durability of effect data identified in the Complete Response Letter. Notably, the complete response letter did not identify any outstanding concerns. In addition to the clinical requests, the FDA indicated that additional bioequivalence work would be needed to support the approval of a 300mg capsule that Chelsea was considering making commercially available to complement availability of the 100mg and 200mg capsules utilized in Chelsea's clinical program, but would not required this for approval of the NDA. While Chelsea was not able to engage in active labeling discussions with the FDA and certain sections will be subject to the completion and review of additional data submitted, the Agency did provide draft recommendations to several sections of the labeling submitted for Northera. Most notable was the narrowing of symptomatic benefits claim to emphasize dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling faint or "feeling like you might black out" as the clinical benefit associated with Northera treatment. Further, the FDA has, at this time, made a preliminary recommendation to include a black box warning related to supine hypertension. However, the letter indicates that such a boxed warning could be reconsidered if suitable data demonstrating a lack of severe hypertension in a fully prone position versus the 30-degree head-up tilt, the standard of care and criteria used in the Chelsea clinical program, were provided. Chelsea plans to request a meeting with the FDA to review the Agency's comments, clinical trial recommendations and to help determine appropriate next steps toward securing approval of Northera. "Chelsea is dedicated to improving the lives of patients with symptomatic Neurogenic OH," commented Dr. Simon Pedder, president and CEO of Chelsea Therapeutics. "We believe there continues to be an important unmet medical need in addressing the symptoms associated with Neurogenic OH and remain committed to working with the FDA to determine the appropriate next steps required to bring a much needed new therapy to the market as quickly as possible." Chelsea will host a conference call with investors on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.