Benzinga | May 6, 2021 04:52PM EDT

Tarsus Pharma Reports Initiation Of Saturn-2 Pivotal Phase 3 Trial Evaluating Safety, Efficacy Of TP-03 For Treatment Of Demodex Blepharitis

Demodex blepharitis may affect up to 25 million Americans and result in significant clinical, functional and psychosocial burden for patients

Saturn-2 trial design similar to Saturn-1, first pivotal trial for TP-03

Topline data from Saturn-1 expected this July

IRVINE, Calif., May 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:TARS), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to focus on unmet needs and apply proven science and new technology to revolutionize treatment for patients, starting with eye care, today announced that it has commenced enrollment in Saturn-2, its second pivotal trial evaluating the company's novel investigational treatment, TP-03, in patients with Demodex blepharitis. Up to 25 million Americans may be affected by Demodex blepharitis, which is caused by an infestation of Demodex mites. TP-03 is a topical ophthalmic formulation of lotilaner, a well-characterized anti-parasitic agent designed to target and eradicate Demodex mites. Tarsus also recently completed full enrollment for the Saturn-1 pivotal trial, with 421 patients; topline results of the trial are expected to be announced this July.

Demodex blepharitis is a common, yet often overlooked or misdiagnosed, ocular disease that is characterized by inflammation of the eyelid margin, redness and ocular irritation. The disease is associated with significant clinical, functional and psychosocial burdens, with the recently presented Atlas study revealing that the majority of patients (80%) say the disease negatively affects their daily life. Currently, there is no FDA-approved therapy for the disease.

"We are pleased to complete first patient visits in Saturn-2, our second pivotal trial of TP-03 in Demodex blepharitis," said Bobak Azamian, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Tarsus. "Fully enrolling the Saturn-1 trial in a timely manner underscores patients' significant need for a safe and effective therapy, and we look forward to sharing the topline results this July. Demodex blepharitis can have a major impact on patients as evidenced by the Atlas study of participants pre-screened for Saturn-1. We are committed to progressing TP-03 with the goal of potentially providing the first FDA-approved drug treatment for this disease."

The Saturn-2 trial has a similar design to Saturn-1, and is a randomized, controlled, multicenter, double-masked trial studying the safety and efficacy of TP-03, lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25%, in adults with Demodex blepharitis. The trial's primary endpoint is the proportion of patients achieving collarette cure, defined as 0 to 2 eyelashes with collarettes. Secondary endpoints include the eradication of Demodex mites and the proportion of patients achieving a cure based on a composite of collarette cure and erythema cure (eyelid redness). We expect Saturn-2 to enroll approximately 418 participants who will administer TP-03 or vehicle twice daily for 42 days.

Tarsus has completed four Phase 2 clinical trials of TP-03 in Demodex blepharitis, all of which met their respective endpoints with no significant adverse events nor any events leading to treatment discontinuation. The positive results from these trials guided the design of the Saturn-1 and Saturn-2 pivotal trials. If the Saturn-1 and Saturn-2 trials are positive, we expect they will support the submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for TP-03 for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.