MindMed Announces Business Update and Anticipated Milestones for 2024
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Insights
The recent update on MindMed's clinical development programs, particularly the Phase 2b data for MM-120 in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), presents a significant milestone in the field of neuropsychiatric drug development. The reported 7.6-point reduction on the Hamilton Anxiety rating scale (HAM-A) indicates a substantial therapeutic effect, notably surpassing the efficacy typically observed with current GAD treatments. This could potentially lead to a paradigm shift in managing GAD, given the unmet need for more effective and faster-acting anxiolytic medications.
From a commercial standpoint, the progression to a Phase 3 clinical program for MM-120 suggests confidence in the drug's potential and may attract investor interest. However, it is imperative to consider the rigorous nature of Phase 3 trials and the FDA's stringent requirements for safety and efficacy before approval. The market opportunity for MM-120 could be substantial, considering the prevalence of GAD and the potential for label expansion into other psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, the company's strategic focus and resource allocation toward this program will be critical, especially as they discontinue the sub-perceptual dose regimen for ADHD following a lack of efficacy.
The clinical trial results for MindMed's MM-120 have significant implications for investors, as positive Phase 2b outcomes often lead to increased market valuation due to the reduced risk profile of the drug candidate. The effect size (Cohen's d=0.88) reported for MM-120 is particularly noteworthy as it suggests a strong treatment effect, which may translate into a competitive advantage in the GAD market. Financially, the drug's advancement into later-stage trials will likely increase R&D expenditures, but this is balanced by the potential for a high return on investment if the drug gains FDA approval and captures market share.
Investors should also monitor the planned pharmacokinetics bridging study for the MM-120 ODT formulation, as successful outcomes could strengthen the company's intellectual property position and extend market exclusivity. However, the discontinuation of development for the ADHD indication may be seen as a prudent decision to conserve resources for more promising projects. The initiation of Phase 1 trials for MM-402 in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) introduces a new variable into the company's portfolio, which could diversify potential revenue streams but also adds to the risk profile.
The initiation of Phase 3 clinical trials for a novel therapeutic agent like MM-120 is a critical juncture in the drug development process. The success of MM-120 in Phase 2b trials for GAD not only demonstrates clinical efficacy but also provides a foundation for the design of Phase 3 studies. These studies will need to confirm the efficacy and safety in a larger patient population and over a longer duration. The company's strategic planning, including an End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA, is a crucial step in aligning with regulatory expectations and addressing any potential concerns prior to Phase 3 initiation.
Furthermore, the one-year follow-up study of lysergide in anxiety disorders will be important in evaluating the long-term efficacy and safety, which is a critical aspect of chronic treatments like those for GAD. The discontinuation of the ADHD program based on the proof-of-concept study results allows the company to allocate resources effectively, which is a common and necessary strategy in pharmaceutical development to ensure the most promising candidates are prioritized.
-- Recently announced statistically significant and clinically meaningful topline Phase 2b data for MM-120 in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) position for multiple data readouts and catalysts throughout 2024 including initiation of Phase 3 clinical program --
-- Proof-of-Concept study evaluating repeated sub-perceptual dose (20 μg) of lysergide in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) did not meet primary endpoint; no further development activities planned for sub-perceptual dose regimen --
-- Phase 1 Single Ascending Dose Study of MM-402 in Healthy Participants initiated in Q4 2023 --
“Our strong progress in 2023 culminated in the delivery of statistically and clinically significant topline results for our lead program (MM-120) in our Phase 2b study of GAD. These positive results reinforce our scientific understanding of the mechanism of action for MM-120 and emphasize the critical role we believe the perceptual effects of MM-120 play in driving clinical outcomes,” said Rob Barrow, Chief Executive Officer and Director of MindMed. “We are excited to enter 2024 with an enhanced focus on our lead program. In 2024, we plan to continue working diligently and efficiently to advance our MM-120 program into Phase 3, bringing us one step closer to potentially providing a new treatment option to the millions of patients suffering from GAD. We anticipate several key data milestones for our MM-120 program in 2024, including full 12-week results for MM-120 in GAD, results from our Phase 1 pharmacokinetics bridging study to support advancement of our MM-120 ODT formulation into pivotal clinical trials and additional results from our collaborator University Hospital Basel’s one-year follow-up study of lysergide in anxiety disorders. We will be working closely with the FDA to finalize our Phase 3 development program for MM-120 in GAD and expect to hold our End-of-Phase 2 meeting with FDA in the first half of the year with initiation of our Phase 3 clinical program in the second half of the year.”
Business Update
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MindMed's management team will participate in the BIO Partnering at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in
San Francisco that is being held from January 8-11, 2024. - The Company expects to host an analyst and investor day in the first half of 2024, at which the Company plans for its senior management, a physician expert and other leading key opinion leaders to provide an update on the Company’s lead development program MM-120 and discuss the treatment landscape, potential market and commercial opportunity for MM-120 in GAD and other psychiatric disorders.
Development Program Updates and Anticipated Milestones
MM-120 (lysergide D-tartrate)
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): In December 2023, the Company announced statistically significant and clinically meaningful topline 4-week results from the 198-patient Phase 2b dose-optimization study of MM-120 for the treatment of GAD.
- MM-120 100 µg – the dose achieving the highest level of clinical activity – demonstrated a 7.6-point reduction on the Hamilton Anxiety rating scale (HAM-A) compared to placebo at Week 4 (-21.3 MM-120 vs. -13.7 placebo; p<0.0004; Cohen’s d effect size=0.88), which is more than double the effect sizes seen with the current standards of care1.
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Clinical response (
50% or greater improvement in HAM-A) at Week 4 was achieved in78% of participants treated with MM-120 (100 µg or 200 µg) compared to31% for placebo. -
Clinical remission (HAM-A ≤ 7) at Week 4 was achieved in
50% of participants treated with MM-120 100 µg.
- The Company plans to share topline 12-week results from the Phase 2b study by the end of the first quarter of 2024, and present full results at a scientific meeting in 2024.
- The Company intends to share results in the first quarter of 2024 from its pharmacokinetics bridging study of the MM-120 Zydis® orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) formulation, its intended commercial formulation of MM-120 formulation that may enhance intellectual property and market protection with a potentially differentiated biopharmaceutical profile.
- The Company plans to hold an End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA in the first half of 2024 and expects to initiate its Phase 3 clinical program in the second half of 2024.
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One-year follow-up data from a Phase 2 placebo-controlled investigator-initiated clinical trial of lysergide in the treatment of anxiety disorders is anticipated in 2024. This study was conducted by the Company’s collaborators at University Hospital Basel (UHB) in
Switzerland .
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): The Company’s 53-patient Phase 2a proof-of-concept trial in ADHD was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of repeated sub-perceptual dose (20 μg) lysergide administration and did not meet its primary endpoint. In conjunction with the findings from our study of MM-120 in GAD, we believe that these results support the critical role of perceptual effects of MM-120 in mediating a clinical response. The Company intends to continue prioritizing development of its MM-120 program in GAD and other psychiatric indications, using the single perceptual dose (100 μg or greater) regimen that has shown strong positive results in numerous studies.
MM-402 (R(-)-MDMA) for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- The Company initiated its first clinical trial of MM-402 (R(-)-MDMA), a single-ascending dose study in adult healthy volunteers in Q4 2023. This Phase 1 study is intended to characterize the tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of MM-402 and will enable further clinical studies to characterize the effects of repeated daily doses of MM402 and the exploration of early signs of efficacy in the ASD population.
- In October 2023, the Company presented results from a MM-402 nonclinical study in a model of ASD, titled “MM-402 demonstrates better efficacy than S(+)-3,4-MDMA or (±)-3,4-MDMA in Fmr1 knockout mice, an animal model of autism spectrum disorder” at the 36th Annual European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress.
- UHB is currently conducting a Phase 1 investigator-initiated trial of R(-)-MDMA, S(+)-MDMA and R/S-MDMA in healthy adult volunteers. This trial is designed to assess the tolerability, pharmacokinetics and acute subjective, physiological and endocrine effects of the three molecules. The Company anticipates topline results to be presented in the first half of 2024.
About MM-120
Lysergide is a synthetic tryptamine belonging to the group of classic, or serotonergic, psychedelics, which acts as a partial agonist at human serotonin-2A (5-hydroxytryptamine-2A [5-HT2A]) receptors. MindMed is developing MM-120 (lysergide D-tartrate), the tartrate salt form of lysergide, for GAD and other psychiatric indications.
About MM-402
MM-402 is our proprietary form of R(-)-MDMA (rectus-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), which we are developing for the treatment of core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). MDMA is a synthetic molecule that is often referred to as an empathogen because it is reported to increase feelings of connectedness and compassion. Preclinical studies of R(-)-MDMA demonstrate its acute pro-social and empathogenic effects, while its diminished dopaminergic activity suggest that it has the potential to exhibit less stimulant activity, neurotoxicity, hyperthermia and abuse liability compared to racemic MDMA or the S(+)-enantiomer.
About MindMed
MindMed is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel product candidates to treat brain health disorders. Our mission is to be the global leader in the development and delivery of treatments that unlock new opportunities to improve patient outcomes. We are developing a pipeline of innovative drug candidates, with and without acute perceptual effects, targeting the serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine systems.
MindMed trades on NASDAQ under the symbol MNMD and on the Canadian NEO Exchange under the symbol MMED.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release related to the Company constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and are prospective in nature. Forward-looking information is not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "will", "may", "should", "could", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "potential" or "continue", or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding anticipated upcoming milestones, trials and studies; results and timing of and reporting of topline data from clinical trials, the potential benefits of the Company’s product candidates; potential additional psychiatric indications for MM-120; the timing of a potential End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA; and the Company’s expectations to publish data from the Phase 2b trial for MM-120 in a peer-reviewed publication and present such data at a scientific meeting in 2024. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information, including history of negative cash flows; limited operating history; incurrence of future losses; availability of additional capital; compliance with laws and regulations; difficulty associated with research and development; risks associated with clinical trials or studies; heightened regulatory scrutiny; early stage product development; clinical trial risks; regulatory approval processes; novelty of the psychedelic inspired medicines industry; as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to herein and the risks described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023 under headings such as "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements," and "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and other filings and furnishings made by the Company with the securities regulatory authorities in all provinces and territories of
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1 Source: RB Hidalgo, J Psychopharmacol. 2007 Nov;21(8):864-72.
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Source: Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc.
FAQ
What is the latest corporate update from Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD)?
What are the key milestones anticipated for MM-120 program in 2024?
What are the plans for MM-120 program in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
What were the results of the Phase 2a proof-of-concept trial in ADHD?
What is the latest development in the MM-402 (R(-)-MDMA) program for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
