Auspex leaps on positive results from Phase III trial of SD-809 in Huntington's chorea

Movement disorder biopharma specialist Auspex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ASPX) has announced positive top-line data from its Phase III trial of SD-809, with the news causing the firm's shares to almost double to $49.82 in mid-morning trading today.

The drug was being evaluated for potential use in the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington’s disease. It met the primary efficacy endpoint and showed significant improvements in patients, while clinical global impressions of change and quality of life were observed. It also showed a positive safety and tolerability profile, causing low rates of depression, sleepiness and anxiety.

Auspex also announced results from an analysis of the completed four-week Switch portion of the study, which also has an ongoing long-term safety component. Data from the study show that patients who switched from the current standard of care, tetrabenazine, to SD-809 maintained chorea control at both week one and week four.