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Allergan plc a leading global pharmaceutical company, announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a Positive Opinion for TRUBERZI® (eluxadoline) in the European Union.4 TRUBERZI® is an oral medication that relieves the main symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS-D) in adults.1 In two pivotal trials, TRUBERZI® significantly reduced two of the most bothersome symptoms of IBS-D, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, with sustained relief demonstrated over six months1,2. TRUBERZI® was generally well tolerated with the most common side effects being nausea, constipation, and abdominal pain1,2.
“With this positive decision for TRUBERZI®, Allergan is one step closer to bringing this innovative medication to IBS-D patients across Europe who are in desperate need of new treatment options,” said David Nicholson, Chief R&D Officer, Allergan. “Once approved, TRUBERZI® will join CONSTELLA® (linaclotide) as the only licensed prescription medications proven to treat bothersome symptoms of IBS-D and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) respectively. Offering these effective treatment options to physicians and their patients underscores Allergan’s commitment to helping address unmet needs in gastrointestinal diseases.”
IBS is common worldwide, with an estimated global prevalence of around 11%.5,6 Around one third of IBS patients are estimated to have IBS-D.7 In a pan-European survey, it is estimated that approximately 3.5 million people (1.4% of the population) across western European countries have IBS-D (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK).8 IBS is associated with a high economic burden in terms of direct medical costs and intangible social costs.9 In the European Union, total costs (direct and intangible social costs) are estimated to be between €700–€1600 per person per year,10 but the true economic and human impact of managing IBS is widely underestimated.11-14
“IBS-D can severely affect patient quality of life and in some cases it can be very debilitating. In the absence of effective medications, doctors and patients have had few options available beyond over-the-counter medicines, as well as diet and lifestyle modifications,” said Prof. Jan Tack, Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Leuven, Belgium. “TRUBERZI® has the potential to become the only licensed treatment for IBS-D in Europe providing a valuable, evidence-based treatment option for patients.”
The CHMP is the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and recommends medicines for Marketing Authorisation across the 28 member states of the European Union. The final decision from the European Commission is expected within a few months. If approved, Allergan anticipate launching this new product in Europe during 2017, following successful negotiations with the relevant national payer and reimbursement groups.
About TRUBERZI®
TRUBERZI® (eluxadoline) is a twice daily, oral medication indicated for use in adults suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS-D).1 TRUBERZI® has a novel dual mechanism of action and acts on both agonist-antagonist opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract.1 TRUBERZI® effectively targets multiple symptoms of IBS-D, such as pain, diarrhoea, urgency and bloating.1,2 TRUBERZI® is already licensed in the U.S. as VIBERZI™.
About Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhoea (IBS-D)
IBS-D is a functional bowel disorder characterised by chronic abdominal pain and frequent diarrhoea. The exact causes of IBS-D are unknown but symptoms are thought to result from a disturbance in the way the gastrointestinal tract and nervous system interact.
IBS-D can be debilitating and there are limited therapeutic options for managing the chronic symptoms. IBS-D is associated with economic burden in direct medical costs and intangible social costs, such as work absenteeism and lost productivity, along with decreased patient quality of life.8,12-15
About Allergan
Allergan plc headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a unique, global pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model – Growth Pharma. Allergan is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercialising innovative branded pharmaceuticals, high-quality generic and over-the-counter medicines and biologic products for patients around the world.
Allergan markets a portfolio of best-in-class products that provide valuable treatments for the central nervous system, eye care, medical aesthetics, gastroenterology, women’s health, urology, cardiovascular and anti-infective therapeutic categories, and operates the world’s third-largest global generics business, providing patients around the globe with increased access to affordable, high-quality medicines. Allergan is an industry leader in research and development, with one of the broadest development pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry and a leading position in the submission of generic product applications globally.
With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives.
References
Truberzi® Summary of Product Characteristics, July 2016
Lembo AJ, et al. Eluxadoline for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea. N Engl J Med 2016; 374:242-253
European Medicines Agency website. Available at: http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/partners_and_networks/general/general_content_000219.jsp [last accessed: July 2016]
Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) Meeting. European Medicines Agency, London, UK 22 July 2016. Positive opinion decision available at: http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/news_and_events/news/2016/07/news_detail_002571.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058004d5c1
Canavan C, et al. The epidemiology of irritable bowel syndrome. Clin Epidemiol 2014;6:71-80.
Lovell RM, et al. Global prevalence of and risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012;10(7):712–21.
Spiller R, Aziz Q, Creed F, Emmanuel A, Houghton L, Hungin P, et al. Guidelines on the irritable bowel syndrome: mechanisms and practical management. Gut. 2007;56(12):1770-98.
Allergan Data on File INT/0207/2016d June 2016
Canavan C, et al. Review article: the economic impact of the irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2014;40(9):1023–34.
Ricci, J-F. Irritable bowel syndrome: a comparison of the economic (direct and indirect) burden in four European countries. Gut 2002;51(Suppl 3):Abstract 107.
Lacy BE, et al. Bowel Disorders. Gastroenterology 2016;150:1393–1407
Camilleri M, et al. Economic burden of irritable bowel syndrome proposed strategies to control expenditures. Pharmacoeconomics 2000;(17)4:331–8.
Cash B, et al. Total Costs of IBS: Employer and Managed Care Perspective. Am J Manag Care 2005 Apr;11(1 Suppl):S7–16.
Volmer T, et al. Cost of illness studies may largely underestimate the cost of diseases with unmet medical need such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Value Health 1999;2(5):399–399.
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