Corium Launches Innovative ADHD Treatment AZSTARYS™ (serdexmethylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate) in the U.S. for Patients Age 6 Years and Older

BOSTON, July 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Corium, Inc., a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company leading the development and commercialization of novel central nervous system (CNS) therapies, announces that the innovative AZSTARYS (serdexmethylphenidate [SDX] and dexmethylphenidate [d-MPH]), is now available in the U.S.  for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in patients aged 6 years and older.

AZSTARYS, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2021, is the first and only product containing SDX, an extended-release oral prodrug of d-MPH. AZSTARYS is available as a once-daily oral capsule in three doses.  Corium, a wholly-owned portfolio company of Gurnet Point Capital (GPC), will lead the U.S. commercialization of AZSTARYS.

AZSTARYS, classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as a Schedule II therapy, includes a combination of 70 percent extended-release prodrug of d-MPH SDX (Schedule IV) and 30 percent immediate-release d-MPH (Schedule II).

The Prescribing Information for AZSTARYS includes a Boxed Warning stating CNS stimulants, including AZSTARYS, other methylphenidate-containing products, and amphetamines, have a high potential for abuse and dependence.

"The launch of AZSTARYS provides patients with ADHD, their caregivers, and their clinicians with a first-of-its-kind treatment that offers both rapid and extended ADHD symptom improvement because of the dual action of its formulation using the prodrug SDX with IR MPH," said Perry J. Sternberg, President and CEO of Corium. "Corium's extensive ADHD and commercialization expertise will help ensure a successful AZSTARYS launch, and I'm incredibly proud of our team for reaching this milestone, a significant inflection point in Corium's journey to become a leader in the CNS space."

"The availability of the first medicine to use the novel prodrug SDX expands the therapeutic options that families and their physicians can consider when deciding the most suitable ADHD symptom management treatment for children. This innovative therapy is especially significant when considering the onset and duration of its sustained therapeutic effects, which as a clinician and researcher, I know to be important properties in the development of treatments to meet the unmet medical needs of this community," said Greg Mattingly, M.D., St. Charles Psychiatric Associates. 

AZSTARYS will be available in three once-daily dosage strengths of SDX/d-MPH:  26.1/5.2 mg, 39.2/7.8 mg, and 52.3/10.4 mg, providing dosing flexibility to meet the needs of each patient. Corium will offer programs to support patients, providers, and health systems through CoriumCares ^TM. CoriumCares representatives can support patients through access and reimbursement information and copay assistance enrollment and eligibility. More information is available by calling 1-800-910-8432.

First and only ADHD treatment with SDX, a d-MPH oral prodrug 
As a prodrug, SDX is specifically designed to be chemically inactive until after absorption via the gastrointestinal tract, where SDX is converted to d-MPH that by design is gradually released throughout the day. The result is a treatment that provides symptom control both rapidly with the d-MPH and for an extended duration with SDX.

AZSTARYS, a Schedule II therapy, includes a combination of 70 percent extended-release prodrug of d-MPH SDX (Schedule IV) and 30 percent immediate-release d-MPH (Schedule II). Based on an eight-factor analysis of the abuse potential, legitimate medical use, and dependence liability of SDX, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concluded that "SDX is related in action and effect to the schedule IV substance phentermine, and can therefore be expected to have a similar potential for abuse." However, in its report, HHS affirmed that "in clinical studies, SDX demonstrated a lower potential for abuse when compared to d-MPH."

AZSTARYS Clinical Study Efficacy and Safety Data

AZSTARYS was evaluated in a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, laboratory classroom phase 3 study in 150 children aged 6 to 12 years diagnosed with ADHD (NCT03292952). The results of this study were presented in January 2021 at the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders Annual Meeting.  In this study, AZSTARYS significantly improved ADHD symptoms with a single dose, as measured by the primary endpoint, the change from baseline in Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, and Pelham Rating Scale – Combined (SKAMP-C) scores averaged over a 13-hour laboratory classroom day. As ADHD symptoms improve, SKAMP-C scores decline.

In the study, the improvements significantly differed for children treated with AZSTARYS compared to those receiving a placebo, with an average SKAMP-C score reduction of -5.4 points more in the AZSTARYS group [95% CI: (-7.1, -3.7). Adverse events (AEs) occurring more frequently in the ASZTARYS group (in 2 percent or more of the participants) compared to the placebo group were headache (5.4 vs. 1.3 percent, AZSTARYS and placebo respectively), upper abdominal pain (4.1 vs. 1.3 percent), insomnia (2.7 vs. 1.3 percent), and pharyngitis (sore throat) (2.7 vs. 0 percent). No serious AEs were reported in this study. 

Commonly reported (5 percent or more of the MPH group and at least twice the rate of the placebo group) adverse reactions from placebo-controlled trials of methylphenidate products include: decreased appetite, decreased weight, nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, affect lability, irritability, dizziness, increased blood pressure, and tachycardia.

About ADHD
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopment disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inability to pay attention or hyperactivity with impulsive behaviors or both, which interferes with functioning or development. ADHD usually is diagnosed during childhood but often continues into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active. In the United States, an estimated 6.1 million children have received an ADHD diagnosis, including 2.4 million aged 6 to 11 years.

Indication and Important Safety Information for AZSTARYS
AZSTARYS is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in patients aged 6 years and older.

WARNING: AZSTARYS is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep AZSTARYS in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse.  Selling or giving away AZSTARYS may harm others and is against the law.

Tell your healthcare provider if you or your child have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.

Who should not take AZSTARYS?
Do not take AZSTARYS if you or your child are:

• allergic to serdexmethylphenidate, methylphenidate, or any of the ingredients in AZSTARYS.
• taking or have stopped taking within the past 14 days a medicine used to treat depression called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).

Serious problems can occur while taking AZSTARYS. Tell your healthcare provider:

• if you or your child have heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems. Sudden death has occurred in people with heart problems or defects taking stimulant medicines. Sudden death, stroke and heart attack have happened in adults taking stimulant medicines. Your doctor should check you or your child carefully for heart problems before starting AZSTARYS. Since increases in blood pressure and heart rate may occur, the doctor should regularly check these during treatment. Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room if you or your child have any signs of heart problems such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking AZSTARYS.
• if you or your child have mental (psychiatric) problems, or a family history of suicide, bipolar illness, or depression. New or worse behavior and thought problems or new or worse bipolar illness may occur. New psychotic symptoms (such as seeing or hearing things that are not real, believing things that are not true, being suspicious) or new manic symptoms may occur. Call your healthcare provider right away if there are any new or worsening mental symptoms or problems during treatment.
• if you or your child develop painful and prolonged erections (priapism), seek medical help right away. Priapism has occurred with methylphenidate (AZSTARYS). Because priapism can cause long-lasting damage, it should be checked by a healthcare professional right away
• if you or your child have circulation problems in fingers and toes (called peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud's phenomenon). Fingers or toes may feel numb, cool, painful, sensitive to temperature, and/or change color from pale, to blue, to red. Call your healthcare provider right away if any signs of unexplained wounds appear on fingers or toes while taking AZSTARYS.
• if your child is having slowing of growth (height and weight); Your child should have his or her height and weight checked often while taking AZSTARYS.
• if you or your child are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if AZSTARYS may harm your unborn baby.
• if you or your child are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. AZSTARYS passes into breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take AZSTARYS.

What are possible side effects of AZSTARYS?
The most common side effects of AZSTARYS include:

These are not all the possible side effects of AZSTARYS. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What is AZSTARYS?
AZSTARYS is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant prescription medicine for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in people 6 years of age and older. AZSTARYS may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in people with ADHD.

For additional safety information, click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide and discuss with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

About Corium
Corium, Inc. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company that is leading the development and commercialization of novel central nervous system (CNS) therapies that provide clinicians with important new treatment options for patients, their families, and their caregivers. In November 2018, all of Corium's outstanding stock was acquired by an affiliate of Gurnet Point Capital. For further information, please visit www.corium.com.

Corium President and CEO is Perry J. Sternberg, a biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry leader with more than 25 years of commercial experience across a wide range of therapeutic areas, including ADHD in diverse markets. Prior to joining Corium, Mr. Sternberg served a dual role at Shire Plc (Shire) as the Head of U.S. Commercial for seven therapeutic area business units, as well as the Chief Commercial Officer/Head of the Neuroscience Division, before the acquisition of Shire by Takeda Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited in early 2019.

About Gurnet Point Capital
Gurnet Point Capital is a unique healthcare fund founded by Ernesto Bertarelli and led by Chris Viehbacher, who, together, have decades of expertise in an industry for which they share a passion, both as Chief Executives and as investors. With an initial allocation of $2 billion, GPC is investing long-term capital and supporting entrepreneurs in building a new generation of companies. Based in Cambridge, MA, its remit is global, encompassing life sciences and medical technologies. The fund invests across all stages of product development through to commercialization and does so with an approach that is a hybrid of venture and private equity investing strategies. www.gurnetpointcapital.com

Contact:
Corium, Inc.
Lindsey Reichelt
lreichelt@coriumintl.com
224-508-5298

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SOURCE Corium, Inc.