RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: RGRX) ("the Company" or "RegeneRx"), a clinical-stage drug development company focused on tissue protection, repair and regeneration, today announced the outcome of discussions between its U.S. joint venture, ReGenTree LLC, and the FDA regarding the results of the completed phase 3 clinical trial (ARISE-2) and the future development requirements for a New Drug Application ("NDA") submission of RGN-259, a novel drug candidate to treat dry eye syndrome.
"Although the FDA is requiring an additional phase 3 trial (ARISE-3) to further demonstrate efficacy in both signs and symptoms of dry eye in a larger patient population, all safety data from ARISE-1 and ARISE-2 were accepted by the FDA, no additional nonclinical efficacy and safety studies are required by the FDA, and the Company's chemistry and manufacturing control plans for the drug substance and drug product were considered complete and acceptable for NDA submission. ReGenTree is now planning to initiate the ARISE-3 trial this year," according to Mr. Won Yang, ReGenTree's president and chief executive officer.
"We are pleased that we are moving forward with development of RGN-259 for dry eye and that our partner has effectively completed the comprehensive and expensive ancillary work required for an NDA, including the numerous toxicology, stability and manufacturing studies required to bring a new drug to the market," stated J.J. Finkelstein, RegeneRx's president and chief executive officer.
The ReGenTree team will attend the upcoming ARVO (The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology) 2018 annual meeting to be held on April 29-May 3 in the U.S. to work with key opinion leaders as well as meet with potential strategic partners.
About RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
RegeneRx is focused on the development of novel therapeutic peptides, including Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) and its constituent fragments, for tissue and organ protection, repair and regeneration. RegeneRx currently has three drug candidates in clinical development for ophthalmic, cardiac and dermal indications, three active strategic licensing agreements in the U.S., China, and Pan Asia (Korea, Japan, and Australia, among others), and has patents and patent applications covering its products in many countries throughout the world.
RegeneRx, through its U.S joint venture, ReGenTree LLC, recently completed patient enrollment and treatment in its second Phase 3 clinical trial in approximately 600 patients with dry eye syndrome, reported positive clinical results with no safety issues. ReGenTree is also conducting a 46-patient Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) targeted for completion in 2018. Additionally, RGN-259 is being developed in patients with dry eye syndrome in Asia through RegeneRx's two Asian partnerships. RGN-259 has been designated an orphan drug in the U.S. for the treatment of NK.
RGN-352, the Company's Tβ4-based injectable formulation, is a Phase 2-ready drug candidate designed to be administered systemically to prevent and repair cardiac damage resulting from heart attacks and central nervous system tissue disorders such as peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injuries such as stroke.
RGN-137, also designated an orphan drug in the U.S., is the Company's Tβ4-based dermal gel formulation that is being developed for epidermolysis bullosa, a rare skin condition. The Company's licensee, GtreeBNT, is sponsoring a phase 3 clinical trial in the U.S. and is expected to initiate the study in 2018.
About ReGenTree, LLC
ReGenTree is a U.S. joint venture company owned by GtreeBNT Co., Ltd, and RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. specifically to develop RGN-259 in the U.S.A. and Canada for ophthalmic indications. ReGenTree licensed the rights to RGN-259 from RegeneRx in 2015. Thus far, ReGenTree has completed two Phase 3 studies in the U.S. for dry eye which are ARISE-1 (Phase 2/3) and ARISE-2 (Phase 3). In addition to dry eye, the company is currently conducting a Phase 3 study for neurotrophic keratopathy (NK), an orphan indication in ophthalmology. ...
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