Preliminary Findings From Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient Survey Reveal Strong Interest in Needle-Free Self-Injection

Survey Finds RA Patients' Willingness to Accept Prescriptions for Self-Injected Medication Substantially Increases if Needle-Free Option Available


COLUMBUS, Ohio and SAN DIEGO, Nov. 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Battelle, the world's largest independent research and development organization and Zogenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZGNX), a pharmaceutical company commercializing and developing differentiated products through unique drug delivery systems, today reported preliminary findings from a survey of over 300 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients regarding adoption of self-injectable medications. While only 53 percent of RA patients are likely to accept a prescription for a self-injected therapy that number increases to 70 percent if a needle-free option were offered. This represents a significant 30 percent shift in patient acceptance of self-injected medication.

Patient adoption of injectable drug therapies such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) and adherence to prescribed dosing regimens are critical to addressing disease progression and quality of life. Although recent advances in therapy for RA are promising, there remains no cure and patients require lifetime therapy.

The purpose of the survey was to understand factors that influence preference, adoption of and adherence to injectable drug therapies, and how the availability of both standard needle and syringe therapies and novel needle-free alternatives impact a patient's willingness to use injectable therapy.

"The ability to increase adoption and adherence to medication in any capacity can significantly help to improve patient outcomes. We encourage drug developers to consider all drug delivery alternatives which could improve adoption, adherence, and persistence with drug therapy," said Virginia Ladd, president of the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association. The association was not involved in the survey.

Other important survey findings indicate that self-injectable needle-free delivery systems may provide important patient options for therapies:

  • Nearly half (45 percent) of patients report being needle-phobic (8 percent extremely, 14 percent very, and 23 percent somewhat), indicating "needle-free" delivery could be an alternative
  • More than 20 percent would not consider using a medication that required self-injection

In-depth details regarding the patient survey will be presented by Zogenix at Injectable Drug Delivery 2013, March 5-6 in London, England. Zogenix and Battelle are co-developing and co-marketing Zogenix's DosePro® needle-free injection technology for pharmaceutical delivery. For more information about DosePro®, please visit www.DosePro.com. For more information on licensing opportunities using the DosePro®, contact Battelle at 1-800-201-2011 or healthlifesciences@battelle.org.

About RA

Approximately 1.3 million Americans are living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disorder that typically affects the small joints in hands and feet. RA affects the lining of joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. As an autoimmune disorder, RA occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's tissues. Symptoms of RA rheumatoid arthritis can cause whole body fevers and fatigue. The condition is more common in women than in men and generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and preventing joint damage.

About DosePro®

The DosePro system is a first-in-class, easy-to-use drug delivery system designed for self-administration of a pre-filled, single dose of sterile liquid drug, subcutaneously, without a needle. The platform is currently used by Zogenix's first commercial product, SUMAVEL DosePro®, and its investigational candidate, ReldayTM. The Company believes that DosePro offers several benefits to patients compared to other subcutaneous needle-based delivery methods, and that it has the potential to become a preferred delivery option for patients and physicians. These benefits include less anxiety or fear due to the lack of a needle, easier disposal without the need for a sharps container, no risk of needle stick injury or contamination, an easy-to-use three step administration process, no need to fill the device prior to use, reliable performance, discreet use and portability. In several clinical trials and market research studies, DosePro has been shown to be preferred by patients over conventional needle-based systems.

About Zogenix

Zogenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZGNX), with offices in San Diego and Emeryville, California, is a pharmaceutical company commercializing and developing products for the treatment of central nervous system disorders and pain. Zogenix's first commercial product, SUMAVEL® DosePro® (sumatriptan injection) Needle-free Delivery System, was launched in January 2010 for the acute treatment of migraine and cluster headache. Zogenix's lead investigational product candidate, Zohydro™ ER (hydrocodone bitartrate) is an oral, extended-release formulation of various strengths of hydrocodone, without acetaminophen, intended for administration every 12 hours for around the clock management of moderate to severe chronic pain. Zogenix's second DosePro investigational product candidate, Relday™, is a proprietary, long-acting injectable formulation of risperidone for the treatment of schizophrenia. In May 2012, Zogenix submitted to the FDA a New Drug Application for Zohydro ER and an Investigational New Drug Application for Relday. The FDA assigned a PDUFA target action date of March 1, 2013 for the Zohydro ER NDA.

For additional information, please visit www.zogenix.com.

SUMAVEL®, DosePro®, ReldayTM and ZohydroTM are trademarks of Zogenix, Inc.

About Battelle

As the world's largest independent research and development organization, Battelle provides innovative solutions to the world's most pressing needs through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management; National Security; Health and Life Sciences; and Energy, Environment and Material Sciences. It advances scientific discovery and application by conducting $6.5 billion in global R&D annually through contract research, laboratory management and technology commercialization. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle oversees 22,000 employees in more than 130 locations worldwide, including seven national laboratories which Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and a nuclear energy lab in the United Kingdom.

Battelle also is one of the nation's leading charitable trusts focusing on societal and economic impact, and actively supporting and promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.



            

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