Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. announced that data from the second of two pivotal dalfampridine extended release tablets phase 3 clinical trials in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) were published in the October 2010 edition of Annals of Neurology. The study, which included 239 participants at 39 leading MS centres in the US and Canada, demonstrated that a significantly greater proportion of people with MS taking dalfampridine extended release tablets had a consistent improvement in walking speed compared to those receiving placebo tablets (42.9 per cent vs. 9.3 per cent; p < 0.0001).

“Data from this Phase 3 clinical trial involving 239 people with MS confirmed prior study results that a statistically significant proportion of those who receive dalfampridine extended release tablets experience a consistent improvement in their walking speed, and that this improvement is clinically meaningful,” said the paper's lead author Andrew Goodman, MD, director of the Multiple Sclerosis Centre at the University of Rochester Medical Center1.

Ampyra (dalfampridine) extended release tablets, 10 mg was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 22, 2010 as a treatment to improve walking in people with MS. This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed.

“Walking is an essential function of daily life. Published surveys have shown that over 60 per cent of MS patients have walking impairment at any given time, and that people with MS cite walking impairment as one of the most upsetting aspects of their disease. Ampyra is the only therapy approved to improve walking in MS, and it can provide a significant benefit for those who respond to treatment,” said Ron Cohen, MD, president and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics. “Since the launch of Ampyra in March 2010, we have been gratified by the positive feedback we have received from patients, as well as their family members and health care providers. We are continuing to work with these communities to provide information about the appropriate use of Ampyra.”

Primary data from this clinical trial were first presented at the 2008 European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) annual meeting. Data from this study are included in the approved package insert for Ampyra (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg.

A significantly greater proportion of people taking dalfampridine (42.9 per cent vs. 9.3 per cent) were classified as “Timed Walk Responders,” defined as subjects with a faster walking speed in at least three of the four on-drug clinical visits compared to the fastest walking speed during five off-drug visits, as measured by the Timed 25-Foot Walk. The average increase in walking speed over the 9-week treatment period compared to baseline was 24.7 per cent for the Timed Walk Responders in the drug group vs. 7.7 per cent for the placebo group; the increase in speed was maintained across the entire treatment period and seen across all four major types of MS.

In addition, the study measured improvement in leg strength using the Lower Extremity Manual Muscle Test (LEMMT). There was an improvement seen in the dalfampridine Timed Walk Responders (p=0.028) compared to placebo. The mean improvement among dalfampridine Timed Walk Non-responders was not significantly different from either the dalfampridine Timed Walk Responder or placebo groups.

The study included several validation measures in order to assess the clinical meaningfulness of consistently improved walking speed (i.e. the Timed Walk Response). The 12-Item MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12) was used as the primary measure to validate the clinical meaningfulness of the Timed Walk Response. The MSWS-12 is a self-rated scale in which the patient rates the extent to which their MS has affected 12 activities related to walking over the preceding two weeks, There was a significantly greater average improvement from baseline among Timed Walk Responders compared to Non-responders (p<0.001).

A Subject Global Impression (SGI) and a Clinician Global Impression (CGI) were used as secondary validation measures. Significant improvements were seen on these measures among Timed Walk Responders compared to Timed Walk Non-responders.

In this study, adverse events were largely consistent with the safety profile observed in previous studies of dalfampridine extended release tablets in people with MS. Eight patients, including four from each treatment group (3.3 per cent dalfampridine, 3.4 per cent placebo) withdrew from the study due to adverse events. There was one reported seizure-related event in the placebo group (complex partial seizure) and no seizure-related events reported in the dalfampridine group.

Following is a list of adverse events reported in the clinical trial that occurred in greater than 5 per cent of patients taking dalfampridine (percentages represent the dalfampridine treatment group vs. the placebo group): urinary tract infection (17.5 per cent vs. 8.4 per cent), falls (11.7 per cent vs. 16.8 per cent), insomnia (10.0 per cent vs. 1.7 per cent), headache (9.2 per cent vs. 0.8 per cent), asthenia (8.3 per cent vs. 4.2 per cent), dizziness (8.3 per cent vs. 4.2 per cent), nausea (8.3 per cent vs. 0.8 per cent), back pain (5.8 per cent vs. 2.5 per cent), balance disorder (5.8 per cent vs. 1.7 per cent), upper respiratory tract infection (5.8 per cent vs. 6.7 per cent), arthralgia (5.0 per cent vs. 4.2 per cent), nasopharyngitis (5.0 per cent vs. 4.2 per cent) and paresthesia (5.0 per cent vs. 1.7 per cent).

The double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dalfampridine in improving walking ability in people with MS. The study randomized 239 patients between 18 and 70 years old with a definite diagnosis of MS and some degree of walking disability. The study was open to people with all types of MS, including primary-progressive, secondary-progressive, relapsing-remitting and progressive-relapsing. Participants were permitted to remain on a stable regimen of their current medications, including immunomodulators, such as interferons. Subjects were randomized to 9 weeks of treatment with dalfampridine (n=120) or placebo (n=119), a 1:1 ratio of drug to placebo.

Ampyra can cause seizures; the risk of seizures increases with increasing Ampyra doses. Ampyra is contraindicated in patients with a prior history of seizure. Discontinue Ampyra use if seizure occurs.

Ampyra is contraindicated in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment (CrClless-than or equal to 50 mL/min); the risk of seizures in patients with mild renal impairment (CrCl 51-80 mL/min) is unknown, but Ampyra plasma levels in these patients may approach those seen at a dose of 15 mg twice daily, a dose that may be associated with an increased risk of seizures; estimated CrCl should be known before initiating treatment with Ampyra.

Ampyra is being developed and commercialized in the United States by Acorda Therapeutics, and by Biogen Idec in markets outside the US based on a licensing agreement with Acorda. It is manufactured globally by Elan based on a supply agreement with Acorda. Ampyra is now available by prescription in the United States.

Acorda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing therapies for multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and related nervous system disorders. The company is commercializing and marketing Ampyra (dalfampridine) extended release tablets, 10 mg, in the Unites States.