Better Health, Brighter Future
Canada approval represents Shire’s first international market authorization for Xiidra
outside of the United States.
Cambridge, MA – January 3, 2018 – Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPG) announced today that Xiidra® (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5%), a twice-daily eye drop solution indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease in adults,1 has been approved in Canada, marking the first international approval for the treatment outside of the U.S. Xiidra is the first new prescription medication for dry eye disease to be approved in Canada in seven years,2 providing patients with an effective treatment option for this common eye disease.3
Dry eye disease is one of the most prevalent conditions seen by eye care professionals and may affect up to 29 per cent of Canadians.4 The condition significantly affects vision-related quality of life and may impact activities such as reading, using computers, driving and watching television.5
“Many Canadians aren’t aware of the chronic nature of dry eye disease, and the potential impact it can have on their eye health,” says Dr. W. Bruce Jackson, an ophthalmologist specializing in cornea and external disease with a special or primary interest in ocular surface disease and dry eye disease. “The approval of Xiidra in Canada gives patients a new option to address both the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.”
The approval of Xiidra is supported by the largest development program globally to-date for an investigational-stage dry eye disease therapy, consisting of five clinical trials with more than 2,500 patients. In four safety and efficacy studies, Xiidra improved symptoms as measured by patient-reported eye dryness score (EDS), and in three of the four studies improved the objective signs of dry eye disease (measured using corneal staining).6
“Xiidra is Shire’s entry into the eye care market, and represents our commitment to ophthalmics,” said Howard B. Mayer, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Research and Development, Shire. “It’s important that we successfully deliver innovative treatments for patients worldwide, so we’re pleased to now be able to make Xiidra available in Canada.”
Xiidra will be available for patients in Canada in early 2018.
Xiidra in Clinical Trials
A larger reduction in eye dryness score (EDS) favouring Xiidra was observed in all four efficacy studies at week six and week 12. In two clinical trials, symptom improvement was noted at two, six and 12 weeks. A long-term safety study randomized to either Xiidra (n=220) or placebo (n=111) over 360 days found Xiidra to be generally well-tolerated with no serious treatment-emergent ocular adverse events.7
The most common ocular adverse reactions were eye irritation (18%), eye pain (13%) and instillation site reactions (12%). The majority of ocular adverse reactions were mild and transient in nature. The most common non-ocular adverse reaction was altered taste sensation (dysgeusia) (14%).8
About Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease affects almost one-third of the population globally9 and may significantly affect vision-related quality of life and activities such as reading and using computers.10 The symptoms of dry eye disease include scratchiness, stinging, stringy mucus in or around the eyes, blurry vision and excess tearing.11
Dry eye disease is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface that is often chronic and may be progressive.12 Eye care professionals can diagnose dry eye disease based on patient reported symptoms as well as signs which can be objectively evaluated through various tests.13 Management options may include the use of non-prescription and prescription treatments.14
About Xiidra
In Canada, Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5%) is a sterile, preservative-free prescription eye drop used to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.15
Xiidra works by blocking the interaction between two types of proteins that can cause inflammation in dry eye disease.16
Xiidra is currently approved in the United States. Please refer to local labelling at www.shire.com.
Important Safety Information
The most common side effects of Xiidra include irritation where the drops are applied to the eyes and altered taste sensation (dysgeusia). To help avoid eye injury or contamination of the solution, do not touch the container tip to your eye or any surface. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using Xiidra and wait for at least 15 minutes before placing them back in your eyes.
Xiidra is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to the drug or to any ingredient in the formulation or component of the container. For a complete listing, see the Dosage Forms, Composition and Packaging section of the Product Monograph.
Shire’s Commitment to Ophthalmics
Shire officially entered into ophthalmics with the acquisition of SARcode Bioscience in 2013. Shire's multi-faceted approach to discovery, development, and delivery in both rare diseases and specialty conditions includes our efforts to address unmet needs in eye care.
Shire's ophthalmics franchise has been driven by a combination of strategic acquisitions and organic growth, and is focused on continuing to expand the portfolio to include treatment options for anterior and posterior segment eye conditions. In close to four years, acquisitions including SARcode followed by Foresight Biotherapeutics helped bolster Shire's early-, mid- and late-stage ophthalmics pipeline. As a result of a collaborative license agreement with Parion Sciences Inc., Shire is developing SHP-659 (formerly P-321), another investigational candidate for the treatment of dry eye disease in adults. Shire’s ophthalmics pipeline also includes investigational candidates in infectious conjunctivitis and glaucoma.
*Xiidra is a trademark or registered trademark of SARcode Bioscience Inc., a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Shire plc.
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About Shire
Shire is the global leader in serving patients with rare diseases. We strive to develop best-in-class therapies across a core of rare disease areas including hematology, immunology, genetic diseases, neuroscience, and internal medicine with growing therapeutic areas in ophthalmics and oncology. Our diversified capabilities enable us to reach patients in more than 100 countries who are struggling to live their lives to the fullest.
We feel a strong sense of urgency to address unmet medical needs and work tirelessly to improve people’s lives with medicines that have a meaningful impact on patients and all who support them on their journey.
About Shire Pharma Canada ULC
Shire Pharma Canada ULC is a subsidiary of Shire. Our Canadian office is located in Toronto, Ontario. For more information, please visit: www.shirecanada.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements included herein that are not historical facts, including without limitation statements concerning future strategy, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, the anticipated timing of clinical trials and approvals for, and the commercial potential of, inline or pipeline products, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. In the event such risks or uncertainties materialize, Shire’s results could be materially adversely affected. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:
a further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in Shire’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Shire’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, in each case including those risks outlined in “ITEM 1A: Risk Factors”, and in Shire’s subsequent reports on Form 8-K and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings, all of which are available on Shire’s website.
All forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. Except to the extent otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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