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Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Initiates CONNECT-FX, a Pivotal Clinical Trial of ZYN002 in Fragile X Syndrome
Study will Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Transdermally-Delivered Cannabidiol (CBD) in Children and Adolescents with Fragile X Syndrome
Top Line Results Expected in Second Half of 2019
Zynerba to host conference call and webcast today at
“We are excited to initiate CONNECT-FX, the first-of-its-kind clinical study evaluating transdermally-delivered ZYN002 as a treatment for the debilitating behaviors associated with Fragile X syndrome,” said
The CONNECT-FX study is a multi-national randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 14-week study that will assess the efficacy and safety of ZYN002 for the treatment of children and adolescents with FXS. Approximately 200 male and female patients with Fragile X syndrome, confirmed with the full mutation of the FMR1 gene, will be enrolled at approximately 20 clinical sites in
“Children with Fragile X syndrome are dramatically impacted by this genetic condition and its debilitating behavioral and emotional challenges, including anxiety, social withdrawal, irritability, inattention and aggression,” said
Conference call information
Zynerba management will host a live conference call and webcast today at 8:30 am Eastern Time to discuss the initiation of CONNECT-FX. The call can be accessed by dialing (866) 573-0180 (U.S. and
About Fragile X syndrome
Fragile X syndrome is a rare genetic developmental disability that is the leading known cause of both inherited intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, affecting 1 in 3,600 to 4,000 males and 1 in 4,000 to 6,000 females. It is the most common inherited intellectual disability in males and a significant cause of intellectual disability in females. It is caused by a mutation in the Fragile X Mental Retardation gene (FMR1) located on the X chromosome and leads to dysregulation of the endocannabinoid pathway including the reduction in endogenous cannabinoids (2-AG and anandamide). The disorder negatively affects synaptic function, plasticity and neuronal connections, and results in a spectrum of intellectual disabilities and behavioral symptoms, such as social avoidance and irritability. In the US, there are about 71,000 patients suffering with FXS.
About Our Technology
Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds that occur naturally in the human body and in the Cannabis plant and interact with numerous signaling systems and receptors in the central nervous system, giving them wide potential therapeutic application. The two primary cannabinoids contained in Cannabis are cannabidiol, or CBD, and ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Clinical and preclinical data support the potential for CBD in treating epilepsy and Fragile X syndrome. Zynerba is developing therapeutic medicines that utilize innovative transdermal technologies that, if successful, may allow for sustained and controlled delivery of therapeutic levels of CBD. Transdermal delivery of cannabinoids may have benefits over oral dosing because it allows the drug to be absorbed through the skin directly into the bloodstream. This avoids first-pass liver metabolism, potentially enabling lower dosage levels of active pharmaceutical ingredients with a higher bioavailability and improved safety profile. Transdermal delivery also avoids the gastrointestinal tract, lessening the opportunity for GI related adverse events and the potential degradation of CBD by gastric acid into THC, which may be associated with unwanted psychoactive effects. Using an established pharmaceutical process for manufacturing, Zynerba replicates the CBD found in the Cannabis plant. We believe that this will allow us to meet stringent global regulatory agencies’ standards while ensuring that we can efficiently supply the amount of product required to meet the demand of the markets that we are targeting.
About ZYN002
Zynerba’s ZYN002 CBD gel is the first and only pharmaceutically-produced CBD formulated as a patent-protected permeation-enhanced transdermal gel and is being studied in children and adolescents with Fragile X syndrome and developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, and in adult epilepsy patients with focal seizures. ZYN002 is a clear, permeation-enhanced gel that is designed to provide controlled drug delivery transdermally with once- or twice-daily dosing.
About
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from the Company’s current expectations. Management’s expectations and, therefore, any forward-looking statements in this press release could also be affected by risks and uncertainties relating to a number of other factors, including the following: the Company’s cash and cash equivalents may not be sufficient to support its operating plan for as long as anticipated; the Company’s ability to obtain additional funding to support its clinical development programs; the results, cost and timing of the Company’s clinical development programs, including any delays to such clinical trials relating to enrollment or site initiation; clinical results for the Company’s product candidates may not be replicated or continue to occur in additional trials and may not otherwise support further development in a specified indication or at all; actions or advice of the
Investor Contacts
484.581.7489
robertsw@zynerba.com
Source: Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Inc.