Miss for Jazz Pharma Phase III trial in Japan of cannabidiol

Ireland-headquartered Jazz Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: JAZZ) last week announced disappointing top-line results from the Phase III open-label, single-arm trial in Japan evaluating the safety and efficacy of cannabidiol oral solution (marketed as Epidiolex/Epidyolex globally) as an adjunctive treatment for seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome (DS) or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

Jazz noted that the trial did not meet the primary efficacy endpoint of a pre-specified percentage change in indication-associated seizure frequency during the treatment period (up to 16 weeks) compared to baseline in Japanese pediatric patients; however, numeric improvements were observed in the primary and several secondary endpoints. No new safety signals were observed in the trial.

"We are confident in the overall clinical profile of Epidyolex, which has been established in five Phase III clinical trials in more than 900 patients. We believe the totality of the Epidyolex global data, including the findings from this trial, supports advancement of the program in Japan," said Dr Rob Iannone, executive vice president, global head of research and development of Jazz Pharmaceuticals.