Xeris Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Findings From the Outpatient Portion of a Phase 2 Proof-of-Concept Study of Its Developmental Ready-to-Use (RTU) Glucagon in Patients at Risk of Postprandial Hypoglycemia Following Bariatric Surgery
Rebound hypoglycemia observed in the placebo arm with oral glucose tablet use; No rebound hypoglycemia observed in the RTU glucagon treatment arm
This was a Phase 2 prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind proof-of-concept study that included an in-clinic stage followed by a 12-week outpatient stage. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive RTU glucagon or placebo during two separate meal challenges in an in-clinic stage crossover design, and then enter a parallel design outpatient stage where they were assigned to an investigational product for 12 weeks. In this study, subjects self-administered a mini dose (300 µg) of RTU glucagon or placebo when they experienced hypoglycemia symptoms (e.g., anxiety, nausea, sweating, tremors, palpitations), and blood glucose response was measured after the study drug is self-administered. In situations where hypoglycemia (blood glucose ≤ 70 mg/dl) is present at mini-dosing or continues after treatment, oral glucose tabs were recommended in addition to the study drug. For more information, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03770637
Results from the 12 subject, 12-week outpatient stage recorded more than 200 postprandial hypoglycemia episodes across both treatment arms. Subjects frequently experienced postprandial episodes within 90-120 minutes after finishing meals and were able to successfully self-administer RTU glucagon during these events. Similar to the in-clinic stage, the sole use of a 300 µg RTU glucagon was adequate to restore or maintain normal blood glucose levels within 15 minutes of administration and maintained up to 120 minutes. During episodes when blood sugar was >70mg/dL at drug dosing, RTU glucagon and placebo were comparable in maintaining blood sugar within normal levels, and RTU glucagon did not elicit hyperglycemia. During episodes when blood sugar was <70 mg/dL at drug dosing and without the use of glucose tabs, RTU glucagon successfully restored blood glucose levels to normal levels (blood sugar ≥70 mg/dL) within 15 minutes, at a higher frequency when compared to placebo (91% versus 73%). When failures were observed, subjects in both treatment arms exhibited near-normal counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia, sufficient to avoid severe hypoglycemia.
Subjects’ use of glucose tablets, both during and after drug dosing as a follow-on rescue, was observed only within the placebo treatment arm. In this placebo arm, glucose tablet use during postprandial hypoglycemia episodes resulted in rebound hypoglycemia (29.4%). Rebound hypoglycemia was not observed in the RTU glucagon treatment arm.
Treatment emergent adverse events with RTU glucagon were comparable to placebo, including negligible injection site reactions. The most common related AE was nausea (16.7%) and vomiting (8.3%) that was mild in severity and self-limited. RTU glucagon (300 μg) appears safe and well tolerated, and no serious adverse events occurred.
“Post-bariatric hypoglycemia (PBH) is a rare complication of bariatric surgery that can significantly diminish the quality of life for those affected. Once diagnosed, the goal of PBH treatment is to reduce the frequency and severity of hypoglycemic events after meals. However, managing PBH is complex because patients often fail dietary intervention and we do not have effective pharmacotherapy,” said Dr.
“We are encouraged by the results of the completed proof-of-concept PBH study. The first half of this study demonstrated the utility of liquid, stable, ready-to-use glucagon in conditions beyond rescue for severe hypoglycemia, and demonstrating safety and effectiveness in situations that require self-administration by the patient,” said
About Post-Bariatric Hypoglycemia (PBH)
Approximately 200,000 weight loss (bariatric) surgeries are performed annually in
About Glucagon
Glucagon is a metabolic hormone secreted by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels by causing the liver to rapidly convert glycogen (the stored form of glucose) into glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream. Glucagon and insulin are two critical hormones in a glycemic control system that keep blood glucose at the right level in healthy individuals. In people with diabetes who are dependent on insulin, this control system is disrupted, and insulin must be injected to avoid high levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia). The opposite effect, or low blood glucose (hypoglycemia), is also prevalent in this population due to dysregulated glucagon secretion. Severe hypoglycemia is a serious condition and can lead to seizures, coma, potential brain injury and, if untreated, death.
Glucagon is the standard of care for treating severe hypoglycemia. According to the
About
Xeris (Nasdaq: XERS) is a specialty pharmaceutical company delivering innovative solutions to simplify the experience of administering important therapies that people rely on every day around the world. With a novel technology platform that enables ready-to-use, room-temperature stable formulations of injectable and infusible therapies, the company is advancing a portfolio of solutions in various therapeutic categories, including its first commercial product, Gvoke™. Its proprietary XeriSol™ and XeriJect™ formulation technologies have the potential to offer distinct advantages over conventional product formulations, including eliminating the need for reconstitution, enabling long-term, room-temperature stability, significantly reducing injection volume, and eliminating the requirement for intravenous (IV) infusion. With Xeris’ technology, new product formulations are designed to be easier to use by patients, caregivers, and health practitioners and help reduce costs for payers and the healthcare system.
Xeris is headquartered in
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