Alkermes PLC Announces Completion Of Patient Enrollment In Phase 2 Study Of ALKS 3831, A Novel, Broad-Spectrum Oral Antipsychotic

Alkermes plc

today announced completion of patient enrollment in a phase 2 study of ALKS 3831, an investigational, novel, oral, broad-spectrum atypical antipsychotic medicine in development for the treatment of schizophrenia. ALKS 3831 is composed of samidorphan, a novel, potent mu-opioid antagonist, in combination with the established antipsychotic drug, olanzapine. The double-blind, active-controlled, dose-ranging study will assess ALKS 3831's efficacy, safety and tolerability in the treatment of schizophrenia and its attenuation of weight gain, compared with olanzapine. Weight gain is a common and clinically relevant metabolic side effect of atypical antipsychotic medications. Clinical studies have demonstrated that olanzapine has one of the highest incidences and greatest amounts of weight gain among widely prescribed atypical antipsychotics.1 This double-blind, olanzapine-controlled phase 2 study randomized 309 patients at multiple centers in the U.S. and Europe. Alkermes expects topline results from the 12-week, double-blind treatment period of this phase 2 study in early 2015. The double-blind treatment period will be followed by an additional 12-week period in which all patients will receive ALKS 3831. “There is a clear and compelling clinical rationale for developing an antipsychotic with the efficacy of olanzapine and a safety profile that addresses the negative health impact of weight gain associated with olanzapine,” said Elliot Ehrich, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Alkermes. “This clinical study of ALKS 3831 is designed to evaluate the efficacy of ALKS 3831 in the treatment of schizophrenia and its ability to attenuate olanzapine-associated weight gain. We are pleased to have now completed enrollment and look forward to reporting the results from this study early next year.” This study is the first of two studies in the ALKS 3831 phase 2 clinical program. The second phase 2 study was initiated in June 2014 and is designed to evaluate ALKS 3831 for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia and alcohol use. Alcohol use complicates the clinical course of more than one-third of patients with schizophrenia,2 a population that is commonly excluded from clinical trials and is often undertreated. Phase 2 Study Design This phase 2, double-blind, active-controlled, dose-ranging study is designed to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of ALKS 3831, as well as evaluate the impact of ALKS 3831 on weight and other metabolic factors in comparison to olanzapine in adult patients with schizophrenia. In the study, following a one-week oral lead-in of olanzapine, patients are randomly assigned to olanzapine or three different doses of ALKS 3831 for a period of 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week period in which all patients will receive ALKS 3831.