Benzinga | Oct 21, 2021 12:12PM EDT

Horizon Therapeutics Highlights Newly-Published Data On Long-Term Efficacy For Co.'s TEPEZZA For Thyroid Eye Disease In 'Ophthalmology'

-- Comprehensive OPTIC-X trial results published in Ophthalmology, including new long-term follow-up data --

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Horizon Therapeutics plc (NASDAQ:HZNP) today announced additional data supporting the long-term efficacy of TEPEZZA for the treatment of TED. Data were published in Ophthalmology. TEPEZZA is the first and only medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of TED -- a serious, progressive and potentially vision-threatening rare autoimmune disease.1

Comprehensive results from the OPTIC-X open-label extension clinical trial were published in Ophthalmology -- including new long-term data for people with longer disease duration. As previously reported, 89% (33/37) of patients who received placebo in OPTIC and went on to receive TEPEZZA in OPTIC-X became proptosis responders (average reduction of -3.5 mm). These patients had median duration of TED for 12.9 months versus 6.3 months in those treated with TEPEZZA in OPTIC. New data in this publication show a high rate of maintained response at Week 48 (27 weeks after last dose): 90.6% for proptosis (29/32); 91.7% for overall response (22/24); 95.2% for a Clinical Activity Score (CAS) of 0 or 1 (20/21); and 85.7% for diplopia (12/14). There were no new safety concerns in either OPTIC-X or the OPTIC off-treatment follow-up period, including patients who received additional TEPEZZA treatment in OPTIC-X.

"Given the rare nature of Thyroid Eye Disease, it can take several months or years to get diagnosed -- making it particularly encouraging to see that even those who have had the disease for a longer period of time can still have a sustained response to TEPEZZA," said Jeffrey W. Sherman, M.D., FACP, executive vice president, chief medical officer, Horizon. "Thyroid Eye Disease can take a significant toll on people who are living with the disease, affecting them both physically and emotionally. Through ongoing research, we will continue to deepen our understanding of the longevity of response to TEPEZZA, which is important to both people with TED and physicians."

Longer-term follow-up results from the OPTIC Phase 3 clinical trial were also shared at the 90th Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) earlier this month. Of the OPTIC patients who received TEPEZZA and completed the 48-week follow-up, 90% (18/20) received no additional therapy as of Week 120. One patient received TEPEZZA 16 months after the last dose and one had eyelid surgery a year after the last dose. OPTIC non-responders (TEPEZZA n=5; placebo n=36) or those who flared (TEPEZZA n=9; placebo n=1) during the OPTIC follow-up period were treated for the first time or retreated with TEPEZZA in the OPTIC-X open-label extension clinical trial.

"Findings from this extended follow-up period reinforce previously-reported data showing that the majority of people treated with TEPEZZA have a sustained response," said Terry J. Smith, M.D., Michigan Medicine Eye Plastic, Facial Cosmetic & Orbital Surgery, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Medical School, and senior study author. "This is the longest period of follow-up data we have for TEPEZZA and it can play an important role in helping physicians determine when in the disease course to optimally prescribe the medicine for their patients."