Talicia® Launched in the United Arab Emirates

Rhea-AI Summary

RedHill Biopharma has launched Talicia, the first approved low-dose rifabutin-containing combination treatment for H. pylori, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This launch triggers RedHill's eligibility for additional potential milestone payments, minimum sales payments, and tiered royalties up to mid-teens on net sales.

Talicia is now available by prescription to treat adults with H. pylori infection in the UAE, where 41% of the population is affected. The drug is designed to address the declining effectiveness of clarithromycin-based therapies, which have shown eradication rates as low as 32% in patients with resistant H. pylori strains.

As the leading branded first-line therapy prescribed by U.S. gastroenterologists for H. pylori treatment, Talicia's launch in the UAE represents a significant step in addressing this major public health concern and expanding RedHill's global market presence.

Positive

• Launch of Talicia in UAE triggers potential milestone payments and royalties for RedHill
• Talicia is the leading branded first-line therapy for H. pylori treatment prescribed by U.S. gastroenterologists
• Addresses a significant medical need with 41% of UAE population infected by H. pylori
• Talicia's efficacy is not impacted by patient obesity or diabetic status, unlike clarithromycin-based treatments

Negative

• None.

Insights

Pharmaceutical Industry Analyst

The launch of Talicia in the UAE marks a significant milestone for RedHill Biopharma. This expansion into a new market with a high H. pylori infection rate of 41% presents a substantial growth opportunity. The trigger of additional milestone payments and royalties could positively impact RedHill's financial outlook.

Talicia's position as the leading branded first-line therapy in the U.S. gastroenterology market bodes well for its potential success in the UAE. The high failure rates of existing clarithromycin-based therapies (68.5% eradication rate, dropping to 32% for resistant strains) create a clear market need that Talicia can address.

Investors should monitor Talicia's market penetration in the UAE and any subsequent international expansions, as these could be key drivers for RedHill's future revenue growth and profitability.

Global Health Expert

The introduction of Talicia in the UAE is a significant development in the fight against H. pylori, a widespread bacterial infection affecting over 50% of the world's adult population. With the UAE's infection rate at 41%, this launch addresses a critical public health need.

Talicia's unique formulation, including low-dose rifabutin, offers a promising alternative to failing clarithromycin-based therapies. This is particularly important given the declining effectiveness of traditional treatments, especially in patients with resistant H. pylori strains or comorbidities like obesity and diabetes.

The global health community should closely watch Talicia's performance in the UAE, as successful outcomes could pave the way for wider adoption in other regions with high H. pylori prevalence, potentially improving global gastric health outcomes.

RedHill's Talicia, the first approved low-dose rifabutin-containing all-in-one combination treatment for H. pylori, is now available on prescription to treat adults with H. pylori infection in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The commercial launch of Talicia triggers RedHill's eligibility for additional potential milestone payments, minimum sales payments and tiered royalties up to mid-teens on net sales

Talicia is the leading branded first-line therapy prescribed by U.S. gastroenterologists^[1] for the treatment of H. pylori, a bacterial infection that affects 41% of the UAE population^[2] and over 50% of the world's adult population^[3]

RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RedHill Biopharma Ltd. (Nasdaq: RDHL) ("RedHill" or the "Company"), a specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced the launch of Talicia (omeprazole magnesium, amoxicillin and rifabutin)^[4] in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – making it available by prescription to treat adults with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. The commercial launch of Talicia in the UAE triggers RedHill's eligibility for additional potential milestone payments, minimum sales payments and tiered royalties up to mid-teens on net sales. Talicia is the first approved low-dose rifabutin-containing all-in-one combination product in the UAE specifically designed to treat H. pylori. 

 

"We are delighted with the commercial launch of Talicia in the UAE, bringing this important medicine to patients in the region," said Rick Scruggs, President, RedHill Biopharma Inc. & Chief Commercial Officer. "As one of the strongest risk factors for gastric cancer, H. pylori is a major public health concern. With 41% of the UAE population infected by H. pylori and the alarming failure rates of clarithromycin-based therapies^[5],[6], there is a significant medical need for a highly effective first-line H. pylori therapy. Our efforts to make Talicia available to patients in more countries continue as we work to explore additional opportunities with existing and potential partners."

Clarithromycin-based triple therapy continues to wane in effectiveness. A 2021 study demonstrated only 68.5% eradication with traditional clarithromycin-based triple therapy, which declined further to 32% in patients harboring resistant H. pylori organisms^[7]. Clarithromycin-based treatment efficacy can also be negatively impacted by patient obesity or diabetic status, neither of which impact Talicia's safety or efficacy, according to data from post-approval post-hoc analysis^[8],[9].

About H. pylori
H. pylori is a bacterial infection that affects approximately 35%^[10] of the U.S. population, with an estimated two million patients treated annually^[11]. Worldwide, more than 50% of the population has H. pylori infection, which is classified by the WHO as a Group 1 carcinogen. It remains the strongest known risk factor for gastric cancer^[12] and a major risk factor for peptic ulcer disease^[13] and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma^[14]. More than 27,000 Americans are diagnosed with gastric cancer annually^[15]. Eradication of H. pylori is becoming increasingly difficult, with current therapies failing in approximately 25-40% of patients who remain H. pylori-positive due to high resistance of H. pylori to antibiotics – especially clarithromycin – which is still commonly used in standard combination therapies^[16].

About Talicia 
Talicia is the only low-dose rifabutin-based therapy approved for the treatment of H. pylori infection and is designed to address the high resistance of H. pylori bacteria seen with other antibiotics. The high rates of H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin have led to significant rates of treatment failure with clarithromycin-based therapies and are a strong public health concern, as highlighted by the ACG, FDA and the World Health Organization (WHO) in recent years.

Talicia is a novel, fixed-dose, all-in-one oral capsule combination of two antibiotics (amoxicillin and rifabutin) and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) (omeprazole). In November 2019, Talicia was approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of H. pylori infection in adults. In the pivotal Phase 3 study, Talicia demonstrated 84% eradication of H. pylori infection in the intent-to-treat (ITT) group vs. 58% in the active comparator arm (p<0.0001). Minimal to zero resistance to rifabutin, a key component of Talicia, was detected in RedHill's pivotal Phase 3 study. Further, in an analysis of data from this study, it was observed that subjects who were confirmed adherent^[17] to their therapy had response rates of 90.3% in the Talicia^® arm vs. 64.7% in the active comparator arm^[18].    
Talicia is eligible for a total of eight years of U.S. market exclusivity under its Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation and is also covered by U.S. patents which extend patent protection until 2034 with additional patents and applications pending and granted in various territories worldwide.

TALICIA: INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Talicia is a three-drug combination of omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, a penicillin-class antibacterial, and rifabutin, a rifamycin antibacterial­­, indicated for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults. 
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Talicia and other antibacterial drugs, Talicia should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria. 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 
Talicia contains omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), amoxicillin, a penicillin-class antibacterial and rifabutin, a rifamycin antibacterial. It is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of these medications, any other components of the formulation, any other beta-lactams or any other rifamycin.
Talicia is contraindicated in patients receiving rilpivirine-containing products.
Talicia is contraindicated in patients receiving delavirdine or voriconazole.
Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with omeprazole, amoxicillin and rifabutin.
Drug-induced enterocolitis syndrome (DIES) has been reported with use of amoxicillin, a component of Talicia.
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)) have been reported with rifabutin, amoxicillin, and omeprazole. Additionally, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) has been reported with rifabutin.
Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis has been observed in patients taking PPIs and penicillins.
Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents and may range from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis.
Talicia may cause fetal harm. Talicia is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Talicia may reduce the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives. An additional non-hormonal method of contraception is recommended when taking Talicia.
Talicia should not be used in patients with hepatic impairment or severe renal impairment.
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been reported in patients taking PPIs. These events have occurred as both new onset and exacerbation of existing autoimmune disease.
The most common adverse reactions (≥1%) were diarrhea, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, chromaturia, rash, dyspepsia, oropharyngeal pain, vomiting, and vulvovaginal candidiasis.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact RedHill Biopharma INC. at 1-833-ADRHILL (1-833-237-4455) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.  
Full prescribing information for Talicia is available at www.Talicia.com

About RedHill Biopharma
RedHill Biopharma Ltd. (Nasdaq: RDHL) is a specialty biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on gastrointestinal and infectious diseases. RedHill promotes the gastrointestinal drugs Talicia^®, for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in adults^[19], and Aemcolo^®, for the treatment of travelers' diarrhea in adults^[20]. RedHill's key clinical late-stage development programs include: (i) opaganib (ABC294640), a first-in-class oral broad-acting, host-directed SPHK2 selective inhibitor with potential for pandemic preparedness, targeting multiple indications with a U.S. government collaboration for development for Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS), a Phase 2/3 program for hospitalized COVID-19, and a Phase 2 program in oncology; (ii) RHB-107 (upamostat), an oral broad-acting, host-directed, serine protease inhibitor with potential for pandemic preparedness is in late-stage development as a treatment for non-hospitalized symptomatic COVID-19, with non-dilutive external funding covering the entirety of the RHB-107 arm of the 300-patient Phase 2 adaptive platform trial, and is also targeting multiple other cancer and inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases; (iii) RHB-102, with potential UK submission for chemotherapy and radiotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, positive results from a Phase 3 study for acute gastroenteritis and gastritis and positive results from a Phase 2 study for IBS-D; (iv) RHB-104, with positive results from a first Phase 3 study for Crohn's disease; and (v) RHB-204, a Phase 3-stage program for pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease.

More information about the Company is available at www.redhillbio.com / twitter.com/RedHillBio. 

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and may discuss investment opportunities, stock analysis, financial performance, investor relations, and market trends. Such statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the intended use of net proceeds from the offering, may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words and include statements regarding the risk that the Company will not comply with the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market ("Nasdaq") to remain listed for trading on Nasdaq, the addition of new revenue generating products, out-licensing of the Company's development pipeline assets, timing of opaganib's development for Acute Radiation Syndrome, non-dilutive development funding from RHB-107 and its inclusion in a key platform study. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control and cannot be predicted or quantified, and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, market and other conditions, the risk that the addition of new revenue generating products or out-licensing transactions will not occur; the risk that acceptance onto the RNCP Product Development Pipeline will not guarantee ongoing development or that any such development will not be completed or successful; the risk that the FDA does not agree with the Company's proposed development plans for opaganib for any indication, the risk that observations from preclinical studies are not indicative or predictive of results in clinical trials; the risk that the FDA pre-study requirements will not be met and/or that the Phase 3 study of RHB-107 in COVID-19 outpatients will not be approved to commence or if approved, will not be completed or, should that be the case, that we will not be successful in obtaining alternative non-dilutive development funding for RHB-107, the risk that HB-107's late-stage development for non-hospitalized COVID-19 will not benefit from the resources redirected from the terminated RHB-204 Phase 3 study, that the Phase 2/3 COVID-19 study for RHB-107 may not be successful and, even if successful, such studies and results may not be sufficient for regulatory applications, including emergency use or marketing applications, and that additional COVID-19 studies for opaganib and RHB-107 are likely to be required, as well as risks and uncertainties associated with the risk that the Company will not successfully commercialize its products; as well as risks and uncertainties associated with (i) the initiation, timing, progress and results of the Company's research, manufacturing, pre-clinical studies, clinical trials, and other therapeutic candidate development efforts, and the timing of the commercial launch of its commercial products and ones it may acquire or develop in the future; (ii) the Company's ability to advance its therapeutic candidates into clinical trials or to successfully complete its pre-clinical studies or clinical trials or the development of a commercial companion diagnostic for the detection of MAP; (iii) the extent and number and type of additional studies that the Company may be required to conduct and the Company's receipt of regulatory approvals for its therapeutic candidates, and the timing of other regulatory filings, approvals and feedback; (iv) the manufacturing, clinical development, commercialization, and market acceptance of the Company's therapeutic candidates and Talicia®; (v) the Company's ability to successfully commercialize and promote Talicia® and Aemcolo®; (vi) the Company's ability to establish and maintain corporate collaborations; (vii) the Company's ability to acquire products approved for marketing in the U.S. that achieve commercial success and build its own marketing and commercialization capabilities; (viii) the interpretation of the properties and characteristics of the Company's therapeutic candidates and the results obtained with its therapeutic candidates in research, pre-clinical studies or clinical trials; (ix) the implementation of the Company's business model, strategic plans for its business and therapeutic candidates; (x) the scope of protection the Company is able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering its therapeutic candidates and its ability to operate its business without infringing the intellectual property rights of others; (xi) parties from whom the Company licenses its intellectual property defaulting in their obligations to the Company; (xii) estimates of the Company's expenses, future revenues, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; (xiii) the effect of patients suffering adverse experiences using investigative drugs under the Company's Expanded Access Program; (xiv) competition from other companies and technologies within the Company's industry; and (xv) the hiring and employment commencement date of executive managers. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 8, 2024. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any written or oral forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

Category: Commercial

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1334141/RedHill_Biopharma_Logo.jpg

Company contact:
Adi Frish
Chief Corporate & Business Development
Officer
RedHill Biopharma
adi@redhillbio.com
+972-54-6543-112

[1] IQVIA XPO Data on file
[2] Khoder G, Muhammad JS, Mahmoud I, Soliman SSM, Burucoa C. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and Its Associated Factors among Healthy Asymptomatic Residents in the United Arab Emirates. Pathogens. 2019;8(2):44. Published 2019 Apr 1. doi:10.3390/pathogens8020044
[3] Hooi JKY et al. Global Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Gastroenterology 2017; 153:420-429.
[4] Talicia^® (omeprazole magnesium, amoxicillin and rifabutin) is indicated for the treatment of H. pylori infection in adults. For full prescribing information see: www.Talicia.com.
[5] Savoldi, A., et al., Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in Helicobacter pylori: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis in World Health Organization Regions. Gastroenterology, 2018. 155(5): p. 1372-1382 e17.
[6] Park, J.Y., et al., Helicobacter pylori Clarithromycin Resistance and Treatment Failure Are Common in the USA. Dig Dis Sci, 2016. 61(8): p. 2373-2380.
[7] Chey, W.D., et al., Vonoprazan Triple and Dual Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection in the United States and Europe: Randomized Clinical Trial. Gastroenterology, 2022. 163(3): p. 608-619.
[8] Diabetes Data on File
[9] Kao, J.Y., Helicobacter pylori eradication by low-dose rifabutin triple therapy (RHB-105) is unaffected by high body mass index. GastroHep, 2021. 3(7): p. 426-434.
[10] Hooi JKY et al. Global Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Gastroenterology 2017; 153:420-429.
[11] IQVIA Custom Study for RedHill Biopharma, 2019
[12] Lamb A et al. Role of the Helicobacter pylori–Induced inflammatory response in the development of gastric cancer. J Cell Biochem 2013;114.3:491-497.
[13] NIH – Helicobacter pylori and Cancer, September 2013.
[14] Hu Q et al. Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and Helicobacter pylori infection: a review of current diagnosis and management. Biomarker research 2016;4.1:15.
[15] National Cancer Institute, Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER).
[16] Malfertheiner P. et al. Management of Helicobacter pylori infection - the Maastricht IV/ Florence Consensus Report, Gut 2012;61:646-664; O'Connor A. et al. Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection 2015, Helicobacter 20 (S1) 54-61; Venerito M. et al. Meta-analysis of bismuth quadruple therapy versus clarithromycin triple therapy for empiric primary treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. Digestion 2013;88(1):33-45.
[17] Defined as the PK population which included those subjects in the ITT population who had demonstrated presence of any component of investigational drug at visit 3 (approx. day 13) or had undetected levels drawn >250 hours after the last dose.
[18] The pivotal Phase 3 study with Talicia^® demonstrated 84% eradication of H. pylori infection with Talicia^® vs. 58% in the active comparator arm (ITT analysis, p<0.0001).
[19] Talicia® (omeprazole magnesium, amoxicillin and rifabutin) is indicated for the treatment of H. pylori infection in adults. For full prescribing information see: www.Talicia.com.
[20] Aemcolo^® (rifamycin) is indicated for the treatment of travelers' diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli in adults. For full prescribing information see: www.Aemcolo.com.

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SOURCE RedHill Biopharma Ltd.

FAQ

What is Talicia and what has RedHill Biopharma (RDHL) announced about it?

Talicia is the first approved low-dose rifabutin-containing combination treatment for H. pylori. RedHill Biopharma (RDHL) has announced its launch in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), making it available by prescription to treat adults with H. pylori infection.

How does the launch of Talicia in the UAE affect RedHill Biopharma's (RDHL) financials?

The commercial launch of Talicia in the UAE triggers RedHill Biopharma's (RDHL) eligibility for additional potential milestone payments, minimum sales payments, and tiered royalties up to mid-teens on net sales.

What percentage of the UAE population is affected by H. pylori, according to RedHill Biopharma's (RDHL) announcement?

According to RedHill Biopharma's (RDHL) announcement, 41% of the UAE population is affected by H. pylori infection.

How effective are clarithromycin-based therapies for H. pylori compared to Talicia, as mentioned in RedHill Biopharma's (RDHL) press release?

The press release mentions that a 2021 study showed only 68.5% eradication with traditional clarithromycin-based triple therapy, which declined to 32% in patients with resistant H. pylori organisms. In contrast, Talicia's efficacy is not impacted by factors that negatively affect clarithromycin-based treatments.