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Pharma Tech Outlook | Friday, May 14, 2021
The Saturn-2 trial is a randomized, regulated, multicenter, double-masked trial investigating the safety and efficacy of TP-03, lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25 percent, in adults with Demodex blepharitis similar to the Saturn-1 trial.
FREMONT, CA: Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to concentrate on unmet needs and apply proven science and new technology to revamp treatment for patients, starting with eye care, announced that enrollment in Saturn-2, its second pivotal trial evaluating the company’s novel investigational treatment, TP-03, in patients with Demodex blepharitis, has begun. Demodex blepharitis, which is caused by Demodex mite infestations, could affect up to 25 million Americans. TP-03 is a topical ophthalmic formulation of lotilaner, a well-studied anti-parasitic agent that is intended to destroy Demodex mites. Tarsus has recently completed full enrollment for the Saturn-1 pivotal study, which enrolled 421 patients and is scheduled to report topline results in July.
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“We are pleased to complete first patient visits in Saturn-2, our second pivotal trial of TP-03 in Demodex blepharitis,” said Bobak Azamian, M.D., Ph.D., President, and Chief Executive Officer, Tarsus. “Fully enrolling the Saturn-1 trial in a timely manner underscores patients significant need for a safe and effective therapy, and we look forward to sharing the topline results this July. Demodex blepharitis can have a major impact on patients as evidenced by the Atlas study of participants pre-screened for Saturn-1. We are committed to progressing TP-03 with the goal of potentially providing the first FDA-approved drug treatment for this disease.”
Demodex blepharitis is a common ocular condition characterized by inflammation of the eyelid rim, redness, and ocular discomfort. It is frequently ignored or misdiagnosed. The disease is associated with substantial clinical, functional, and psychosocial pressures, with the Atlas report recently reporting that the disease adversely affects the majority of patients’ daily lives (80%). There is currently no FDA-approved treatment for the disease.
The Saturn-2 trial is a randomized, regulated, multicenter, double-masked trial investigating the safety and efficacy of TP-03, lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25 percent, in adults with Demodex blepharitis similar to the Saturn-1 trial. The proportion of patients who achieve collarette cure, identified as 0 to 2 eyelashes with collarettes, is the trial’s primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints entail the eradication of Demodex mites and the proportion of patients accomplishing a cure relying on a composite of collarette cure and erythema cure (eyelid redness). The firm anticipates enrolling approximately 418 participants in Saturn-2, who will be given TP-03 or a vehicle twice daily for 42 days.
Tarsus has completed four Phase 2 clinical trials of TP-03 in Demodex blepharitis, all of which reached their endpoints with no serious adverse effects or medication discontinuation. The success of these trials influenced the design of the pivotal trials Saturn-1 and Saturn-2. We expect the Saturn-1 and Saturn-2 trials results to support the submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for TP-03 to treat Demodex blepharitis.
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