Seelos Therapeutics Announces Receipt of Minutes from its End of Phase II Meeting with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Highlighting Modifications to the Primary and Secondary Endpoints of its Phase II Study of SLS-002

Rhea-AI Summary

Seelos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEEL) plans to continue potential partnership discussions and proceed to Phase III with SLS-002 in Adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) at Imminent Risk of Suicide. The FDA agreed that the primary endpoint in a Phase III trial could be the change from baseline in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score at Day 16, giving Seelos further confidence for its Phase III development of SLS-002.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

The progression of Seelos Therapeutics' SLS-002 into Phase III trials for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with imminent risk of suicide is a significant milestone in the field of psychopharmacology. The alteration of the primary endpoint to the change from baseline in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score at Day 16 reflects a strategic regulatory decision that aligns with the observed clinical efficacy and may enhance the robustness of the trial's outcomes. The MADRS is a widely recognized scale for assessing depressive symptoms and its use as a primary endpoint is standard in clinical trials for antidepressants.

From a research perspective, the reported p-values from the Phase II study indicate a statistically significant treatment effect, which is promising for the potential of SLS-002. However, it is important to note that statistical significance does not always translate into clinical significance. The clinical community will be looking for improvements in effect size and real-world patient outcomes in Phase III. Additionally, the shift to a later timepoint for the primary endpoint may suggest a focus on sustained therapeutic effects rather than immediate relief, which could be more meaningful for long-term patient management.

Financial Analyst

Investors will closely monitor Seelos Therapeutics' progress as the company's move into Phase III trials could be a pivotal event for its valuation. The successful negotiation with the FDA and the positive Phase II data could potentially lead to increased investor confidence and, consequently, a positive impact on the company's stock price. However, the inherent risks of clinical trials, especially in the challenging area of central nervous system disorders, must be considered.

Phase III trials are typically more extensive and expensive than previous phases and their outcomes are critical for FDA approval. Investors should be aware that the costs associated with this phase could affect the company's financials in the short term. In the long term, should SLS-002 receive FDA approval, it could address a significant unmet need in the treatment of MDD with imminent risk of suicide and potentially lead to substantial revenue for Seelos.

Furthermore, the specificity of the treatment population—adults with MDD at imminent risk of suicide—indicates a targeted approach that could lead to a specialized market niche. While this might limit the overall market size, it also suggests less competition and the possibility of premium pricing strategies if the drug is commercialized.

Economist

The advancement of SLS-002 into Phase III trials by Seelos Therapeutics could have broader economic implications, particularly in the healthcare sector. Mental health disorders, such as MDD, are associated with substantial economic burden due to direct healthcare costs and indirect costs related to lost productivity and disability. An effective treatment for MDD with imminent risk of suicide could reduce these economic costs significantly.

Moreover, the societal impact of improving mental health treatment options cannot be overstated. Reducing the incidence of suicide through effective pharmacological interventions would have a positive ripple effect on the economy by preserving the workforce and reducing the strain on social services and healthcare systems. Therefore, the potential success of SLS-002 could contribute to both microeconomic (individual company success and stock performance) and macroeconomic (overall economic health and reduced healthcare expenditure) benefits.

• Company plans to continue its previously announced potential partnership discussions and expects to proceed to Phase III with SLS-002 in Adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) at Imminent Risk of Suicide

NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Seelos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEEL) ("Seelos"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies for central nervous system disorders and rare diseases, today announced the receipt of minutes from its End of Phase II Meeting with the FDA. 

In the meeting minutes, the FDA agreed that the primary endpoint in a Phase III trial could be the change from baseline in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score at Day 16, rather than the 24-hour timepoint that was selected in the Phase II SLS-002-201 study. The key secondary endpoint could be the change from baseline at 24 hours on the suicidality scale. This agreement with the FDA gives Seelos further confidence for its Phase III development of SLS-002 as data in the Phase II study showed clinically significant treatment differences from placebo on both the Day 16 MADRS (p-value: 0.012) and the 24-hour Sheehan- Suicidality Tracking Scale (S-STS) (p-value: 0.008).

"We are very excited about the potential that SLS-002 has to address the unmet need of acute suicidality. We are working to design one robust Phase III trial that has the potential to demonstrate a statistically persuasive effect utilizing agreed FDA endpoints," said Raj Mehra, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Seelos.

"We want to thank the FDA for this collaborative discussion and look forward to future discussions on the modifications for the Phase III protocol that align with what SLS-002 previously demonstrated in the Phase II study," said Tim Whitaker, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Seelos. "We also want to again thank all of the study participants and study sites who helped us gather important data in the Phase II study. This will help us refine the potential Phase III study. We also look forward to participating in the U.S. Department of Defense's (DOD) adaptive platform trial to evaluate treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)."

In 2022 there were 49,449 suicides in the U.S. and unfortunately, the medical community still lacks an FDA-approved therapeutic to treat the symptoms of suicidality. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2020, suicides and non-fatal self-harm cost the U.S. over $500 billion in medical and work-loss costs, value of statistical life, and quality of life costs. Suicidal patients who present suicidal ideation and behavior symptoms at an emergency department can be held in the emergency department for several days while awaiting an inpatient psychiatric bed.

If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide, please seek immediate medical help, go to your nearest emergency room, or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

About SLS-002

SLS-002 is intranasal racemic ketamine with two investigational new drug applications for the treatment of Acute Suicidal Ideation and Behavior in Major Depressive Disorder and in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. SLS-002 was originally derived from a Javelin Pharmaceuticals, Inc./Hospira, Inc. program with 16 clinical studies involving approximately 500 subjects. Seelos looks to address an unmet need for a therapy to treat suicidality in the U.S. with SLS-002. Traditionally, anti-depressants have been used in this setting but many of the existing treatments are known to contribute to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts in some circumstances, and if they are effective, it often takes weeks for the full therapeutic effect to be manifested. Based on information gathered from the databases of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, there were more than 1,000,000 visits to emergency rooms for suicide attempts in 2019 in the U.S. alone. Experimental studies suggest ketamine has the potential to be a rapid, effective treatment for refractory depression and suicidality.

About Seelos Therapeutics

Seelos Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and advancement of novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs for the benefit of patients with central nervous system (CNS) disorders and other rare diseases. The Company's robust portfolio includes several late-stage clinical assets targeting indications including Acute Suicidal Ideation and Behavior (ASIB) in MDD, PTSD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), as well as early-stage programs in Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.

For more information, please visit our website: http://seelostherapeutics.com, the content of which is not incorporated herein by reference.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release, which are not historical in nature, constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, among others, those regarding the Phase II study of SLS-002, statements regarding SLS-002's prospects and potential, statements regarding any potential market opportunity for SLS-002, statements regarding any planned meetings and discussions with the FDA, statements regarding any potential partnerships and discussions related thereto, statements regarding the Company's expectations to proceed to a Phase III trial for SLS-002 in adults with MDD and the protocol, trial design and endpoints for any such trial and the Company's participation in the DOD's PTSD platform trial. These statements are based on Seelos' current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Risks associated with Seelos' business and plans described herein include, but are not limited to, the risk of not successfully executing its preclinical and clinical studies, not being able to move forward with the development of SLS-002 after the anticipated end of Phase II meeting with the FDA, and not gaining marketing approvals for SLS-002 and/or its other product candidates; the risk that prior clinical results may not be replicated in future studies and trials (including the risk that the results from the prior studies of SLS-002 may not be replicated or may be materially different from the results of Part 2 of the Phase II study of SLS-002); the risks that clinical study results may not meet any or all endpoints of a clinical study and that any data generated from such studies may not support a regulatory submission or approval; the risks associated with the implementation of Seelos' business strategy; the risks related to raising capital to fund its development plans and ongoing operations; the risks related to Seelos' current stock price; as well as other factors expressed in Seelos' periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know whether our expectations will prove correct. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, even if subsequently made available by us on our website or otherwise. We do not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Contact Information:

Anthony Marciano
Chief Communications Officer
Seelos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEEL)
300 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(646) 293-2136
anthony.marciano@seelostx.com
https://seelostherapeutics.com/
https://twitter.com/seelostx
https://www.linkedin.com/company/seelos

Mike Moyer Managing Director
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
250 West 55th St., Suite 3401
New York, NY 10019
(617) 308-4306
mmoyer@lifesciadvisors.com

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SOURCE Seelos Therapeutics, Inc.

FAQ

What is Seelos Therapeutics, Inc.'s ticker symbol?

Seelos Therapeutics, Inc.'s ticker symbol is SEEL.

What is the primary endpoint in the Phase III trial for SLS-002?

The primary endpoint in the Phase III trial for SLS-002 is the change from baseline in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score at Day 16.

What is the key secondary endpoint in the Phase III trial for SLS-002?

The key secondary endpoint in the Phase III trial for SLS-002 is the change from baseline at 24 hours on the suicidality scale.

What data showed clinically significant treatment differences from placebo in the Phase II study for SLS-002?

Data in the Phase II study showed clinically significant treatment differences from placebo on both the Day 16 MADRS (p-value: 0.012) and the 24-hour Sheehan- Suicidality Tracking Scale (S-STS) (p-value: 0.008).