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Karuna (KRTX) Posts Upbeat Safety Data on Schizophrenia Drug
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Karuna Therapeutics announced positive results from a phase Ib study evaluating the effect of its lead candidate, KarXT, on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in adults with schizophrenia.
The primary endpoint of the study was a change in 24-hour average ambulatory systolic blood pressure following eight weeks of treatment with KarXT. Data from the study showed that KarXT demonstrated a mean change of -0.59 mmHg, with the upper bound being 1.60 mmHg. For changes in blood pressure to be clinically meaningful, the change has to be at least 3mmHg per FDA guidance.
The above results demonstrate that KarXT was not associated with sustained increases in blood pressure in schizophrenia patients. It further substantiates the existing clinical data from the EMERGENT program, providing more definitive proof of the cardiovascular safety profile of KarXT in treating schizophrenia.
Year to date, shares of Karuna have lost 14.3% compared with the industry’s 22.5% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The above results will form part of the 120-day safety update to the new drug application (“NDA”) filed with the FDA in September seeking approval for KarXT to treat schizophrenia in adults. If approved, management expects a commercial launch in second-half 2024.
The NDA is supported by data from the EMERGENT program, which consists of three completed studies –- one phase II study (EMERGENT-1) and two phase III studies (EMERGENT-2 and EMERGENT-3). Data from the EMERGENT program has shown that treatment with Kar-XT addresses schizophrenia symptoms without the common side effects of current treatment options.
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by recurring episodes of psychosis and requiring long-term treatments with antipsychotic drugs. While the current standard-of-care antipsychotic treatments primarily work by inhibiting dopamine and serotonin receptors, they also carry many debilitating side effects. KarXT works by preferentially stimulating M1 and M4 muscarinic receptors in CNS. A stimulation in these receptors demonstrated improvements in psychosis and cognition.
Apart from schizophrenia, Karuna Therapeutics is developing KarXT as a potential treatment for dementia-related psychosis (DRP). The company initially focused on developing KarXT for treating psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), one of the most prevalent subtypes of DRP, as part of the ADEPT clinical program. Two studies in the ADEPT program are ongoing, with a third study expected to start before this year’s end. The top-line data from these studies are expected by 2025.
Acadia Pharmaceuticals’ loss estimates for 2023 have narrowed from 41 cents to 34 cents per share in the past 60 days. During the same period, the estimates for 2024 earnings per share have risen from 52 cents to 90 cents. Year to date, Acadia Pharmaceuticals’ shares have gained 38.6%.
Acadia Pharmaceuticals beat earnings estimates in two of the last four quarters while missing the mark on the other two occasions, witnessing an earnings surprise of 20.69% on average. In the last reported quarter, ACAD reported an earnings surprise of 6.98%.
In the past 60 days, estimates for Allogene Therapeutics’ 2023 loss per share have narrowed from $2.25 to $2.13. During the same period, the estimates for 2024 loss per share have improved from $2.22 to $2.05. Shares of ALLO are down 55.3% in the year-to-date period.
Earnings of Allogene Therapeutics beat estimates in three of the last four quarters while meeting the mark on one occasion, witnessing an average earnings surprise of 9.87%. In the last reported quarter, Allogene’s earnings beat estimates by 30.19%.
AnaptysBio’s loss estimate has narrowed from $6.57 to $6.21 per share in the past 60 days. During the same period, the loss estimates per share for 2024 have narrowed from $6.93 to $6.24. Shares of ANAB have lost 54.0% in the year-to-date period.
The earnings of AnaptysBio beat estimates in two of the last four quarters while missing the mark on the other two occasions, posting a negative average earnings surprise of 6.48%. AnaptysBio’s earnings beat estimates by 18.02%.
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Karuna (KRTX) Posts Upbeat Safety Data on Schizophrenia Drug
Karuna Therapeutics announced positive results from a phase Ib study evaluating the effect of its lead candidate, KarXT, on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in adults with schizophrenia.
The primary endpoint of the study was a change in 24-hour average ambulatory systolic blood pressure following eight weeks of treatment with KarXT. Data from the study showed that KarXT demonstrated a mean change of -0.59 mmHg, with the upper bound being 1.60 mmHg. For changes in blood pressure to be clinically meaningful, the change has to be at least 3mmHg per FDA guidance.
The above results demonstrate that KarXT was not associated with sustained increases in blood pressure in schizophrenia patients. It further substantiates the existing clinical data from the EMERGENT program, providing more definitive proof of the cardiovascular safety profile of KarXT in treating schizophrenia.
Year to date, shares of Karuna have lost 14.3% compared with the industry’s 22.5% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The above results will form part of the 120-day safety update to the new drug application (“NDA”) filed with the FDA in September seeking approval for KarXT to treat schizophrenia in adults. If approved, management expects a commercial launch in second-half 2024.
The NDA is supported by data from the EMERGENT program, which consists of three completed studies –- one phase II study (EMERGENT-1) and two phase III studies (EMERGENT-2 and EMERGENT-3). Data from the EMERGENT program has shown that treatment with Kar-XT addresses schizophrenia symptoms without the common side effects of current treatment options.
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by recurring episodes of psychosis and requiring long-term treatments with antipsychotic drugs. While the current standard-of-care antipsychotic treatments primarily work by inhibiting dopamine and serotonin receptors, they also carry many debilitating side effects. KarXT works by preferentially stimulating M1 and M4 muscarinic receptors in CNS. A stimulation in these receptors demonstrated improvements in psychosis and cognition.
Apart from schizophrenia, Karuna Therapeutics is developing KarXT as a potential treatment for dementia-related psychosis (DRP). The company initially focused on developing KarXT for treating psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), one of the most prevalent subtypes of DRP, as part of the ADEPT clinical program. Two studies in the ADEPT program are ongoing, with a third study expected to start before this year’s end. The top-line data from these studies are expected by 2025.
Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. Price
Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. price | Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. Quote
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Karuna currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Some better-ranked stocks in the overall healthcare sector include Acadia Pharmaceuticals (ACAD - Free Report) , Allogene Therapeutics (ALLO - Free Report) and AnaptysBio (ANAB - Free Report) , all carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Acadia Pharmaceuticals’ loss estimates for 2023 have narrowed from 41 cents to 34 cents per share in the past 60 days. During the same period, the estimates for 2024 earnings per share have risen from 52 cents to 90 cents. Year to date, Acadia Pharmaceuticals’ shares have gained 38.6%.
Acadia Pharmaceuticals beat earnings estimates in two of the last four quarters while missing the mark on the other two occasions, witnessing an earnings surprise of 20.69% on average. In the last reported quarter, ACAD reported an earnings surprise of 6.98%.
In the past 60 days, estimates for Allogene Therapeutics’ 2023 loss per share have narrowed from $2.25 to $2.13. During the same period, the estimates for 2024 loss per share have improved from $2.22 to $2.05. Shares of ALLO are down 55.3% in the year-to-date period.
Earnings of Allogene Therapeutics beat estimates in three of the last four quarters while meeting the mark on one occasion, witnessing an average earnings surprise of 9.87%. In the last reported quarter, Allogene’s earnings beat estimates by 30.19%.
AnaptysBio’s loss estimate has narrowed from $6.57 to $6.21 per share in the past 60 days. During the same period, the loss estimates per share for 2024 have narrowed from $6.93 to $6.24. Shares of ANAB have lost 54.0% in the year-to-date period.
The earnings of AnaptysBio beat estimates in two of the last four quarters while missing the mark on the other two occasions, posting a negative average earnings surprise of 6.48%. AnaptysBio’s earnings beat estimates by 18.02%.