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NuPathe Inc. (NASDAQ: PATH): FDA Approval of the Zecuity

NuPathe Inc. (PATH) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Zecuity™ (sumatriptan iontophoretic transdermal system) for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.

Zecuity is a single-use, battery-powered patch that actively delivers sumatriptan, the most widely prescribed migraine medication, through the skin. Zecuity provides relief of both migraine headache pain and migraine-related nausea (MRN).

Zecuity was approved based upon an extensive development program with phase 3 trials that included 800 patients using more than 10,000 Zecuity patches. In these trials, Zecuity was proven safe and effective at treating migraine and relieving its cardinal symptoms (headache pain, migraine-related nausea and sensitivity to light and sound) two hours after patch activation.

In the phase 3 pivotal study, twice as many patients treated with Zecuity achieved freedom from headache pain at two hours compared with placebo (18% and 9%, respectively). Additionally, 53% of patients treated with Zecuity achieved relief from headache pain and 84% were nausea free at two hours (29% and 63%, respectively, with placebo). The incidence of triptan-associated adverse events known as “atypical sensations” and “pain and other pressure sensations” was 2% each in Zecuity-treated patients. The most common (greater than 5%) side effects of Zecuity were application site pain, tingling, itching, warmth and discomfort.

Scientists believe two distinct advantages exist for the transdermal patch in contrast to oral medication. First, NuPathe’s Zecuity has been shown to circumvent migrane-related nausea, or MRN, because the medication is delivered directly to the target site. Secondly, in using the transdermal patch, patients are able to avoid the variability in gastrointestinal absorption which allows for a more consistent response to the medication.

Armando Anido, CEO of NuPathe, commented:

The approval of Zecuity represents a major milestone for NuPathe and migraine sufferers. As the first and only FDA-approved migraine patch, we believe Zecuity will be a game-changing treatment option for millions of migraine patients, especially those with migraine-related nausea. We thank the patients and physicians who participated in our clinical trials as well as our employees for their support throughout the development of Zecuity. We now intensify our focus to securing commercial partners and preparing for the launch of Zecuity expected in the fourth quarter of this year.