Otsuka licenses pre-Phase III topical atopic dermatitis treatment to Medimetriks

Mid-sized Japanese drugmaker Otsuka Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4768) has inked a licensing deal with independent US drugmaker Medimetriks Pharmaceuticals, granting Medimetriks exclusive development and commercialization rights for OPA-15406 in the USA and Puerto Rico.

The agreement also provides manufacturing rights.  OPA-15406 is a topical, non-steroidal phosphodiesterase IV (PDE-4) inhibitor, a new treatment class for atopic dermatitis.

In a Phase II clinical trial, OPA-15406 demonstrated clinically significant results versus placebo and appeared to be safe and well tolerated.  Specifically, OPA-15406 achieved a statistically-significant effect on the primary endpoint versus vehicle control, thereby identifying a therapeutic benefit of the compound as measured by improvement in IGA score (Investigators Global Assessment) and percentage change in EASI scores (Eczema Area and Severity Index).  OPA-15406 was also associated with improvements in patient-reported outcomes, most notably rapid and sustained itch relief.  OPA-15406 reduced inflammation in affected skin by inhibiting production of cytokines and chemical mediators that are believed to cause the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis.