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BackgroundIndividuals with tardive dyskinesia (TD) who completed a long-term study (KINECT 3 or KINECT 4) of valbenazine (40 or 80 mg/day, once-daily for up to 48 weeks followed by 4-week washout) were enrolled in a subsequent study (NCT02736955) that was primarily designed to further evaluate the long-term safety of valbenazine.MethodsParticipants were initiated at 40 mg/day (following prior valbenazine washout). At week 4, dosing was escalated to 80 mg/day based on tolerability and clinical assessment of TD; reduction to 40 mg/day was allowed for tolerability. The study was planned for 72 weeks or until termination due to commercial availability of valbenazine. Assessments included the Clinical Global Impression of Severity-TD (CGIS-TD), Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ), and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).ResultsAt study termination, 85.7% (138/161) of participants were still active. Four participants had reached week 60, and none reached week 72. The percentage of participants with a CGIS-TD score ≤2 (normal/not ill or borderline ill) increased from study baseline (14.5% [23/159]) to week 48 (64.3% [36/56]). At baseline, 98.8% (158/160) of participants rated their prior valbenazine experience with a PSQ score ≤2 (very satisfied or somewhat satisfied). At week 48, 98.2% (55/56) remained satisfied. Before week 4 (dose escalation), 9.4% of participants had ≥1 TEAE. After week 4, the TEAE incidence was 49.0%. No TEAE occurred in ≥5% of participants during treatment (before or after week 4).ConclusionsValbenazine was well-tolerated and persistent improvements in TD were found in adults who received once-daily treatment for >1 year.

Introduction Valbenazine is a novel vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia in adults. Objective Using data from double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, analyses were conducted to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of once-daily valbenazine in patients with a psychiatric disorder who developed tardive dyskinesia after exposure to a dopamine-blocking medication. Methods Data were pooled from three 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials: KINECT (NCT01688037), KINECT 2 (NCT01733121), and KINECT 3 (NCT02274558). Data from the 42-week valbenazine extension period of KINECT 3 were also analyzed. Outcomes of interest included cardiovascular-related treatment-emergent adverse events, vital sign measurements, and electrocardiogram parameters. Results The pooled safety population included 400 participants (placebo, n = 178; valbenazine 40 mg/day, n = 110; valbenazine 80 mg/day, n = 112). A history of cardiac disorders was present in 11.8% of participants, and 74.3% were taking a concomitant medication with known potential for QT prolongation. Mean changes from baseline to week 6 in supine vital signs and QTcF (Fridericia correction) were as follows for placebo, valbenazine 40 mg/day, and valbenazine 80 mg/day, respectively: systolic blood pressure (0.2, − 2.1, − 1.8 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (− 0.1, − 1.6, − 1.2 mmHg), heart rate (− 1.7, − 2.2, − 1.7 bpm), QTcF interval (1.2, 1.1, 2.1 ms); all p > 0.05 for valbenazine vs. placebo. No statistically significant differences were observed between placebo and valbenazine in cardiovascular-related, treatment-emergent adverse events. No notable additional effects on cardiovascular outcomes were found with up to 48 weeks of valbenazine treatment. Conclusions Results from double-blind, placebo-controlled trials showed no apparent difference between valbenazine and placebo on cardiovascular outcomes. No additional cardiovascular risk was detected during a longer extension study with valbenazine.

Tardive dyskinesia is a persistent movement disorder induced by dopamine receptor blockers, including antipsychotics. Valbenazine (NBI-98854) is a novel, highly selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitor that demonstrated favorable efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia in phase 2 studies. This phase 3 study further evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of valbenazine as a treatment for tardive dyskinesia.This 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or a mood disorder who had moderate or severe tardive dyskinesia. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to once-daily placebo, valbenazine at 40 mg/day, or valbenazine at 80 mg/day. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline to week 6 in the 80 mg/day group compared with the placebo group on the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) dyskinesia score (items 1-7), as assessed by blinded central AIMS video raters. Safety assessments included adverse event monitoring, laboratory tests, ECG, and psychiatric measures.The intent-to-treat population included 225 participants, of whom 205 completed the study. Approximately 65% of participants had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and 85.5% were receiving concomitant antipsychotics. Least squares mean change from baseline to week 6 in AIMS dyskinesia score was -3.2 for the 80 mg/day group, compared with -0.1 for the placebo group, a significant difference. AIMS dyskinesia score was also reduced in the 40 mg/day group (-1.9 compared with -0.1). The incidence of adverse events was consistent with previous studies.Once-daily valbenazine significantly improved tardive dyskinesia in participants with underlying schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or mood disorder. Valbenazine was generally well tolerated, and psychiatric status remained stable. Longer trials are necessary to understand the long-term effects of valbenazine in patients with tardive dyskinesia.

Introduction Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a persistent and potentially disabling movement disorder associated with prolonged antipsychotic exposure. Compared to younger patients, older patients have a higher risk of TD and may develop symptoms earlier during antipsychotic treatment. Valbenazine, a novel and highly selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor, is approved to treat TD in adults of all ages, with no dose adjustment required for older patients. The long-term effects of valbenazine on TD were evaluated in KINECT 4 (NCT02405091), an open-label study in which participants received up to 48 weeks of once-daily treatment with valbenazine. Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) data from this study were analyzed post hoc to evaluate treatment responses in older (≥55 to 85 years) and younger (18 to Methods KINECT 4 included participants who met the following criteria: ages 18 to 85 years; DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or mood disorder; neuroleptic-induced TD for ≥3 months prior to screening; stable psychiatric status (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score Results Of 163 participants in the safety/efficacy population, 103 (63.2%) had an available AIMS assessment at Week 48. At Week 48, the percentages of patients who met the criteria for minimal response (≥10% AIMS total score improvement from baseline) or clinically meaningful (≥30% improvement) response were similar between the older and younger subgroups (≥55 years; Conclusions After 48 weeks of treatment with once-daily valbenazine, >95% of all KINECT 4 participants (older and younger) had a minimal AIMS total score response (≥10% improvement), >90% had a clinically meaningful response (≥30% improvement), and >80% had a robust response (≥50% improvement). Older patients seemed more likely than younger patients to achieve a maximal response, including 100% improvement, although these results may be limited by smaller sample sizes. Shift analyses based on AIMS item scores were supportive of AIMS total score responses. Together, the results presented in this post hoc analysis suggest that valbenazine is an appropriate long-term treatment for both older and younger adults with TD. This research was funded by: This study was sponsored by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND Valbenazine is approved to treat tardive dyskinesia (TD) in adults. KINECT 4 (NCT02405091) was conducted to explore the long-term effects of once-daily valbenazine in patients with TD. METHODS/PROCEDURES The study included a 48-week, open-label treatment period and 4-week washout. Dosing was initiated at 40 mg/d, with escalation to 80 mg/d at week 4 based on efficacy and tolerability. Standard safety methods were applied, including treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) reporting. Valbenazine effects on TD were assessed using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), Clinical Global Impression of Change-TD, and Patient Global Impression of Change. FINDINGS/RESULTS After week 4

Study Objective:Valbenazine (VBZ) is a highly selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor approved for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia (TD), a persistent and potentially disabling movement disorder associated with prolonged antipsychotic exposure. Post hoc response and shift analyses were conducted using Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) data from KINECT 4 (NCT02405091), a long-term open-label study in which participants received up to 48 weeks of open-label treatment with once-daily VBZ (40 or 80 mg).Methods:KINECT 4 included participants who met the following criteria: ages 18 to 85 years; DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or mood disorder; neuroleptic-induced TD for ≥3 months prior to screening; stable psychiatric status (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score Results:103 participants had an available AIMS assessment at Week 48 (40 mg, n=20; 80 mg, n=83 [including 9 with a dose reduction]). At Week 48, 94.2% of participants had ≥30% total AIMS score improvement (40 mg, 90.0%; 80 mg, 95.2%) and 86.4% had ≥50% improvement (40 mg, 90.0%; 80 mg, 85.5%). The percentage of participants meeting the remaining AIMS response thresholds ranged from 9.7% (for 100% response) to 97.1% (for ≥10% response). In participants who had an AIMS item score ≥3 at baseline, shifts to a score ≤2 at Week 48 were as follows: 100% for lips, upper extremities, and lower extremities (VBZ 40 mg and 80 mg). Shift rates for the remaining regions were as follows (40 mg, 80 mg): face (100% [9/9], 96.9% [31/32]), jaw (100% [10/10], 97.6% [40/41]), tongue (100% [11/11], 97.9% [47/48]), trunk (87.5% [7/8], 88.9% [16/18]).Conclusions:After 48 weeks of treatment with once-daily VBZ (40 or 80 mg), >85% of KINECT 4 participants had a clinically meaningful AIMS response (≥30% total score improvement), a robust AIMS response (≥50% total score improvement), or an AIMS shift (from item score ≥3 at baseline to score ≤2 at Week 48). These results suggest that VBZ is an appropriate long-term treatment for many adults with TD.Funding Acknowledgements:This study was sponsored by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

BACKGROUND: Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a persistent and debilitating movement disorder associated with prolonged antipsychotic use. Valbenazine (VBZ), a highly selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor approved for the treatment of TD in adults, has been evaluated in 2 prior long-term studies (KINECT 3 extension, KINECT 4). Participants who completed KINECT 3 or KINECT 4 were eligible to participate in the current rollover study (NCT02736955). Data from this study were analyzed to evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of once-daily VBZ in adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (SCHZ subgroup). METHODS: Key eligibility criteria included: age 18 to 85 years; completion of KINECT 3 extension or KINECT 4; maintenance medications for psychiatric disorders at stable doses; Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score

BackgroundPatients treated with antipsychotics, regardless of psychiatric diagnosis, are at risk for developing tardive dyskinesia (TD), a potentially debilitating drug-induced movement disorder. Valbenazine (INGREZZA; VBZ) is a novel vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor approved to treat TD in adults. Data from KINECT 4 (NCT02405091) were analyzed to evaluate the long-term effects of VBZ in adults with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (SZD) or mood disorder (MD) and moderate or severe TD.MethodsKINECT 4 included open-label treatment (48weeks) followed by washout (4weeks). Entry requirements included: moderate or severe TD, qualitatively assessed at screening by a blinded, external reviewer; DSM diagnosis of SZD or MD; psychiatric stability (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score ResultsOf 163 participants in the analyses, 103 completed the study. Adverse events (n=26) was the most common reason for discontinuation. Analyses included 119 participants with SZD (40mg=37; 80mg=76; 80/40mg=6) and 44 with MD (40mg=8; 80mg=31; 80/40mg=5). At Wk48, mean improvements from BL in AIMS total score were: SZD (40mg, –10.1; 80mg,–10.7); MD (40mg, 10.2; 80mg: –11.6). AIMS total scores at Wk52 (end of washout) indicated a return toward BL levels. Compared to SZD, the MD subgroup had a higher incidence of any TEAE (84% vs 61% [all doses]) but fewer TEAEs leading to discontinuation (7% vs 18%). Urinary tract infection was the most common TEAE in the MD subgroup (18%); somnolence and headache were most common in the SZD subgroup (7% each). Psychiatric status remained stable from BL to Wk48: SZD (PANSS positive, –0.7, PANSS negative, –0.6; CDSS, –0.7); MD (MADRS, –0.3; YMRS, –0.3). Most participants (95%) had no change in C-SSRS score during the study.ConclusionSustained and clinically meaningful TD improvements were observed with VBZ, regardless of primary psychiatric diagnosis. VBZ was generally well tolerated and no notable changes in psychiatric status were observed.Funding Acknowledgements: Supported by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

ObjectiveValbenazine (VBZ) is a novel vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor approved to treat tardive dyskinesia (TD) in adults. It has been evaluated in 2 long-term studies (KINECT 3, KINECT 4) in which participants received VBZ (40 or 80mg) for up to 48weeks. This long-term rollover study (NCT02736955) was conducted to evaluate global TD improvement and patient satisfaction with once-daily VBZ.MethodsKey eligibility criteria: age 18 to 85 years; completion of KINECT 3 or KINECT 4; maintenance medications (for schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or mood disorder) at stable doses; Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score Results160 participants with available data were included in analyses (40mg =35; 80mg =117; 80/40mg =8); 138 were receiving treatment when VBZ became commercially available. The percentages of participants who completed visits at Wks 12, 24, 36, and 48 were 96.3%, 78.1%, 56.9% and 35.0%, respectively. Few reached Wk 60 (n=4) or Wk 72 (n=0) due to commercial availability. The percentage of participants with CGIS-TD score ≤2 (“normal, not at all ill” or “borderline ill”) increased from baseline (before restarting VBZ) (40mg, 5.7%; 80mg, 18.1%) to Wk 48 (40mg , 41.7%; 80mg , 74.4%). At baseline, almost all participants rated their prior VBZ experience with a PSQ score ≤2 (“very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied”) (40mg , 100%, 80mg , 99.1%). Similar results were seen at the Wk 48 visit, with most participants continuing to express satisfaction with VBZ (40mg , 100%; 80mg , 97.4%).ConclusionsA clinician-based global assessment indicated ongoing, meaningful TD improvements in adults who received once-daily VBZ in the current study. In participants treated for >1 year, continued patient satisfaction rates with VBZ were high.Funding Acknowledgements: Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

PurposeElagolix is a novel, oral GnRH antagonist that dose-dependently suppresses estradiol levels. This study evaluated safety and efficacy of elagolix vs. leuprorelin acetate (LA) and placebo in women with endometriosis-associated pain.MethodsIn this multicenter, double-blind study, women with laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis were randomized to oral elagolix 150 or 250 mg once daily, placebo or 3.75 mg LA intramuscularly (i.m.) monthly for 12 weeks. Placebo and LA patients were re-randomized to elagolix, and elagolix patients continued treatment for another 12 weeks.ResultsBaseline demographics were similar among groups (mean age 31.7 years). Significantly greater reductions in monthly mean pelvic pain compared with placebo (pConclusionsBoth elagolix and LA reduced endometriosis-associated pain for up to 24 weeks of treatment and were associated with generally acceptable safety profiles in this study. Based on relatively small changes from baseline to week 12 in BMD, elagolix may offer a potential long-term treatment option for endometriosis-associated pain in affected women. Larger clinical studies with elagolix are warranted.Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00797225.

Background Valbenazine, a highly selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitor, is approved for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. This is the first report of long-term effects in adults with tardive dyskinesia. Methods Participants with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or a mood disorder who completed the 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled period of KINECT 3 were eligible to enter the 42-week valbenazine extension (VE) period and subsequent 4-week washout period. The extension phase was conducted from December 16, 2014, to August 3, 2016. Participants who received placebo and entered the VE period were re-randomized 1:1 to valbenazine 80 or 40 mg while others continued valbenazine at the KINECT 3 dose. Safety assessments included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and scales for suicidal ideation/behavior, treatment-emergent akathisia or parkinsonism, and psychiatric symptoms. Efficacy assessments included the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) and Clinical Global Impression of Change-Tardive Dyskinesia (CGI-TD). Results 198 participants entered the VE period, 124 (62.6%) completed treatment (week 48), and 121 (61.1%) completed the follow-up visit after washout (week 52). During the VE period, 69.2% of participants had ≥ 1 TEAE, 14.6% had a serious TEAE, and 15.7% discontinued due to a TEAE. During washout, 13.1% of participants experienced a TEAE. No apparent risk for suicidal ideation or behavior was found. Long-term valbenazine treatment did not appear to induce or worsen akathisia or parkinsonism. Participants generally remained psychiatrically stable during the study. AIMS and CGI-TD measures indicated sustained tardive dyskinesia improvement, with scores returning toward baseline after 4 weeks of valbenazine washout. Conclusions The long-term safety and tolerability of valbenazine were generally favorable, and maintenance of treatment effect was apparent with both doses during this long-term study. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02274558.

Background: Valbenazine is a novel and highly selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor that is being evaluated for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia (TD), a persistent movement disorder resulting from exposure to antipsychotics or other dopamine receptor blocking agents (DRBAs). The efficacy of valbenazine in treating TD was demonstrated in a Phase 3 clinical trial (KINECT 3; NCT02274558), which included subjects with underlying schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder or mood disorder. Further analyses of data from that trial were conducted to explore the efficacy of valbenazine across diagnostic subgroups.

This randomized double-blind study, with 24-week treatment and 24-week posttreatment periods, evaluated the effects of elagolix (150 mg every day, 75 mg twice a day) versus subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) on bone mineral density (BMD), in women with endometriosis-associated pain (n = 252). All treatments induced minimal mean changes from baseline in BMD at week 24 (elagolix 150 mg: −0.11%/−0.47%, elagolix 75 mg: −1.29%/−1.2%, and DMPA-SC: 0.99%/−1.29% in the spine and total hip, respectively), with similar or less changes at week 48 (posttreatment). Elagolix was associated with improvements in endometriosis-associated pain, assessed with composite pelvic signs and symptoms score (CPSSS) and visual analogue scale, including statistical noninferiority to DMPA-SC in dysmenorrhea and nonmenstrual pelvic pain components of the CPSSS. The most common adverse events (AEs) in elagolix groups were headache, nausea, and nasopharyngitis, whereas the most common AEs in the DMPA-SC group were headache, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, and mood swings. This study showed that similar to DMPA-SC, elagolix treatment had minimal impact on BMD over a 24-week period and demonstrated similar efficacy on endometriosis-associated pain.

Introduction Older adults have an increased risk of developing tardive dyskinesia (TD), a persistent and often debilitating movement disorder that is associated with antipsychotic treatment. Valbenazine is currently approved to treat TD in adults of all ages, with no dose adjustment required for older patients. Valbenazine has been evaluated in 2 long-term Phase III studies (KINECT 3, KINECT 4) in which adults with TD (18 to 85 years) received once-daily treatment (40 or 80 mg) for up to 48 weeks. Completers from these studies were eligible to enter a long-term, open-label rollover study (NCT02736955) in which global improvements and patient satisfaction were assessed. Data from the rollover study were analyzed post hoc to further investigate the long-term effects of valbenazine in participants categorized by age ( Methods Completers from KINECT 3 or KINECT 4 were re-initiated at 40 mg following washout of prior valbenazine treatment. Dose was escalated after 4 weeks to 80 mg based on tolerability and clinical assessment of TD. Reduction to 40 mg was allowed if 80 mg was not tolerated; participants unable to tolerate 40 mg were discontinued from the study. The study was designed to include 72 weeks of treatment, but few participants reach Week 60 and none reach Week 72 because valbenazine became commercially available. Both doses of valbenazine (40 and 80 mg) were pooled. Analyses were conducted at Week 48 and end-of-treatment (EOT), based on the last available post-baseline value. Assessments included the Clinical Global Impression of Severity-TD (CGIS-TD: range, 1 [normal/not at all ill] to 7 [extremely ill]) and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ: range, 1 [very satisfied] to 5 [very dissatisfied]). All outcomes were analyzed descriptively in age subgroups (younger, Results The study included 51 younger participants (mean age, 47.9 years; range, 34-54 years) and 109 older participants (mean age, 62.5 years; range, 55-83 years). A total of 56 participants reached the Week 48 visit ( Conclusions A clinician-based global assessment indicated ongoing, meaningful TD improvements with once-daily valbenazine in both younger and older adults. Patient satisfaction rates remained high, even in patients treated for >1 year. These results, along with the safety results presented separately at this meeting, indicate that valbenazine is an effective long-term treatment for TD. This research was funded by This research was fully funded by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

Objective The aim of this study was to estimate the efficacy of elagolix, an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, for the treatment of endometriosis-associated pelvic pain. Methods This was a phase II, randomized, placebo-controlled parallel group study conducted at 37 US centers, consisting of an 8-week double-blind period followed by a 16-week open-label period. Patients were 137 women aged 18 to 49, with laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis and moderate to severe nonmenstrual pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea, who were administered elagolix 150 mg daily or placebo. The primary outcomes of the study were the daily assessment of dysmenorrhea, nonmenstrual pelvic pain and dyspareunia using a modified Biberoglu-Behrman scale. Results During the double-blind period, there were significantly greater mean reductions from baseline to week 8 in dysmenorrhea (-1.13 ± 0.11 vs. −0.37 ± 0.11, pConclusion Elagolix effectively reduced endometriosis-associated pelvic pain over a 24-week period and was well-tolerated.

OBJECTIVEThis randomized, four-arm, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging phase 2 trial was conducted to determine whether repeated subcutaneous injections of the altered peptide ligand, NBI-6024, designed to inhibit autoreactive T-cells, improves β-cell function in patients with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSA total of 188 patients, aged 10–35 years, with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes were randomly assigned for a treatment consisting of the subcutaneous administration of placebo or 1, 0.5, or 0.1 mg NBI-6024 at baseline, weeks 2 and 4, and then monthly until month 24. Fasting, peak, and area under the curve (AUC) C-peptide concentrations during a 2-h mixed-meal tolerance test were measured at 3-month intervals during treatment. Immune function parameters (islet antibodies and CD4 and CD8 T-cells) were also studied.RESULTSThe mean peak C-peptide concentration at 24 months after study entry showed no significant difference between the groups treated with 0.1 mg (0.59 pmol/ml), 0.5 mg (0.57 pmol/ml), and 1.0 mg NBI-6024 (0.48 pmol/ml) and the placebo group (0.54 pmol/ml). Fasting, stimulated peak, and AUC C-peptide concentrations declined linearly in all groups by ∼60% over the 24-month treatment period. The average daily insulin needs at month 24 were also comparable between the four groups. No treatment-related changes in islet antibodies and T cell numbers were observed.CONCLUSIONSTreatment with altered peptide ligand NBI-6024 at repeated doses of 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg did not improve or maintain β-cell function.

Parenteral administration of peptide GnRH analogs is widely used in clinical practice for the suppression of pituitary gonadotropins. NBI-42902 is an orally available, high-affinity nonpeptide antagonist of the human GnRH receptor.The objective was to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and inhibitory effects on gonadotropin secretion of NBI-42902 in postmenopausal women.This was a phase I, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose study with sequential dose escalation.Fifty-six healthy, postmenopausal women were included. FSH levels were greater than 40 IU/liter, and body mass index was within 20% of ideal values for all subjects.Subjects were administered 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, or 200 mg NBI-42902 as an oral solution.Safety, tolerability, and serum LH and FSH concentrations were evaluated.NBI-42902 was well tolerated. Serum LH concentrations rapidly declined, and dose-dependent suppression was observed. Maximal change from baseline LH concentrations ranged from -19 +/- 5% in the 5-mg group to -55 +/- 2% in the 150-mg group. Suppression of FSH was less pronounced (-15 to -22% of baseline). NBI-42902 was rapidly absorbed after oral administration with a terminal elimination half-life ranging from 2.7 +/- 0.3 to 4.8 +/- 0.8 h. A clear relationship between plasma NBI-42902 concentrations and LH suppression was evident.Dose-dependent LH suppression was achieved by oral administration of a nonpeptide GnRH antagonist suggesting that compounds such as NBI-42902 may enable adjustable gonadotropin suppression as part of novel treatment strategies for benign gynecological conditions.

Background: Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a persistent and potentially disabling movement disorder resulting from exposure to dopamine receptor-blocking agents (DRBAs), such as antipsychotics. Valbenazine is a novel and highly selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor that is being evaluated for the treatment of TD and other movement disorders. Clinical studies include a Phase 3 trial of valbenazine in adults who had TD and underlying schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder or mood disorder (KINECT 3; NCT02274558). The primary end point of this trial was met as demonstrated by a significant difference between valbenazine 80 mg/day and placebo for the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) dyskinesia total score (Items 1–7) change from baseline. Additional analyses of AIMS data from this trial were conducted to assess treatment response in subjects with TD. Methods: In this 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, subjects were randomized 1:1:1 to once-daily treatment with valbenazine 80 mg, valbenazine 40 mg, or placebo. Treatment response was defined as ≥50% reduction in the AIMS total score. AIMS responders were analyzed by study visit (Weeks 2, 4, and 6) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population and in subgroups categorized by underlying psychiatric diagnosis (schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder or mood disorder). Numbers needed to treat (NNTs) were calculated for AIMS responders (valbenazine vs placebo) at Week 6. Significance testing was not conducted in the subgroups. Results: At Week 6 in the ITT population (N = 225), AIMS responder rates were significantly higher with valbenazine than with placebo: 80 mg, 40.0% (P < .0001; NNT = 4); 40 mg, 23.8% (P = .0200; NNT=7); placebo, 8.7%. Treatment with valbenazine 80 mg versus placebo also resulted in significantly higher responder rates at Week 2 (23.4% vs 5.3%, P = .0016) and Week 4 (28.8% vs 9.7%, P = 0.0039). Subjects treated with valbenazine 40 mg also had higher response rates at Week 2 (14.3% vs 5.3%) and Week 4 (15.6% vs 9.7%) relative to placebo-treated subjects, but the differences were not statistically significant. In subjects with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (n = 148) or mood disorder (n = 77), AIMS responder rates were higher with valbenazine than placebo at all study visits. The highest responder rates were found at Week 6 and similar in the schizophrenia subgroup (80 mg, 40.9%, NNT = 4; 40 mg, 26.2%, NNT = 6; placebo, 9.3%) and mood subgroup (80 mg, 38.5%, NNT = 4; 40 mg, 19.0%, NNT=9; placebo, 7.7%). Conclusion: These study results, based on a rigorous definition of treatment response, indicate that substantial TD improvements occurred more frequently with valbenazine than placebo in adults diagnosed with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder or mood disorder. A significant difference between the 80-mg dose and placebo for the AIMS response was observed as early as 2 weeks of treatment.

Peptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists are widely used to suppress the reproductive endocrine axis in women with endometriosis, fibroids, and other nonmalignant reproductive hormone-dependent disease states. Unlike treatment of sex-steroid-dependent tumors, management of endometriosis and fibroids does not require complete gonadal suppression; reduction of estrogen to low levels is sufficient. This phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, sequential dose escalation study evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and effect of single dose and 7-day doses of elagolix, a novel, orally available nonpeptide GnRH antagonist on gonadotropins and estrogen in healthy premenopausal women. The study subjects were 55 healthy, regularly cycling women ranging between 18 and 39 years. Of these, 30 participated in and completed the single-dose escalation phase of this study (the first study arm) and 25 participated in and 24 completed the multiple dose-escalation phase of this study (the second study arm). Cohorts in the first study arm received a single dose of elagolix (25, 50, 100, 200, or 400 mg) or placebo. Of the 25 women in the second study arm, 18 were given once-daily doses of elagolix (50, 100, or 200 mg) or placebo for 7 days, and 7 received 100 mg or placebo twice daily for 7 days. Initial administration was at 7 ± 1 days after onset of menses. Serum concentrations of LH, FSH, and estradiol were determined by validated methods. Elagolix was well tolerated during both the single-dose and multiple-dose escalation for 7 days. No clinically significant adverse events occurred in any of the cohorts. Oral bioavailability was rapid and serum levels of the gonadotropins declined quickly. Circulating LH was suppressed more than FSH. In the first study arm, estradiol was suppressed by 24 hours in all cohorts receiving at least 50 mg/day. In the second study arm, elagolix maintained low estradiol levels (17 ± 3 to 68 ± 46 pg/mL) throughout the 7 day treatment in most cohorts during the late follicular phase. Drug effects were rapidly reversed after discontinuation. These data show that an oral nonpeptide GnRH antagonist, elagolix, can achieve dose-related pituitary and gonadal suppression in premenopausal women and may prove to be useful for management of nonmalignant reproductive hormone-dependent disease states.