Celgene reported results of its Phase III POSTURE study evaluating Otezla, the company’s oral, selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis. The Otezla arms did not achieve statistically significant improvement versus placebo for the primary endpoint, the percentage of patients who achieve an ASAS (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society) 20 response at week 16. However, in a prespecified analysis, meaningful efficacy was observed at week 24 in a large subset of patients with early-stage disease. Evaluation of the efficacy results is ongoing.
An independent data monitoring committee recommended that the study proceed unchanged, based on an assessment of the safety and efficacy data at week 24. According to the protocol, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data will be collected in a subgroup of subjects at week 52 and at additional time points, and radiographs will be taken on all study patients at week 104 and at additional time points.
The safety and tolerability data observed in the POSTURE study are consistent with previously reported Phase II data in ankylosing spondylitis, as well as six Phase III studies of Otezla in psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis. No new safety signals were observed.
“We are encouraged by these preliminary results, especially in patients with shorter disease duration and based on our evaluation and learnings from POSTURE, we plan to initiate another Phase III trial pending further data analysis, including the 52-week MRI data,” said Scott Smith, global head of inflammation & immunology at Celgene. “Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, debilitating disease, and despite advances over the last 15 years, there remains significant unmet need for a safe, effective oral therapy, especially for patients early in the progression of their disease.”
