GTX-104: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) – Intravenous Infusion

• Clinical stage: PK bridging study results expected 1H‘22; Start of Phase 3 safety study expected 2H’22*
• Product Description: Novel aqueous nanoparticle formulation of water insoluble nimodipine, that enables a continuous peripheral IV infusion for rapid and enhanced bioavailability. Acasti believes GTX-104 can potentially improve the management of hypotension and vasospasm in SAH patients, thereby improving patient outcomes and potentially preventing death and/or reduce long-term disability.
• Disease Target: SAH is a rare and life-threatening medical emergency in which bleeding occurs over the surface of the brain in the subarachnoid space between the brain and skull. A primary cause of such hemorrhage is rupture of an aneurysm or ballooning of a weakened blood vessel wall. Notably, 10-15% of SAH patients currently die before reaching hospital and 20% of admitted patients die in hospital².
• Target Market: SAH affects approximately 50,000 patients per year in the U.S.³ with an estimated addressable market of over $300 million⁴. Nimodipine, the current standard of care for SAH, is only available as an oral capsule and a liquid solution in the U.S., making drug delivery very difficult particularly when a patient is unconscious. Oral nimodipine also has suboptimal absorption when administered through the gut⁵, making control of hypotension difficult.

PK Study Data

Superior Value Proposition

GTX-101: Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) - Topical Spray

• Clinical Stage: Single Dose and Multiple Ascending Dose** study results are expected 2H’22; and the start of Phase 2 is expected 2H’22.
• Product Description: A novel, topical bio-adhesive film-forming spray of bupivacaine for the treatment of PHN, which could provide significant benefits over the current standard of care which includes oral gabapentin, lidocaine patches, topical pain medications and opioids, including greater convenience, and faster onset and longer duration of action, and GTX-101 is a non-narcotic and not prone to abuse. GTX-101’s metered-dose of bupivacaine spray forms a thin bio-adhesive topical film on the surface of the patient’s skin, which enables a touch-free, non-greasy application. No skin sensitivity was reported in a Phase 1 study.
• Disease Target: PHN is a persistent and often debilitating neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage from the varicella zoster virus (shingles). PHN pain varies from mild to excruciating in severity, and may persist for months and even years, adversely impacting quality of life and leading to social withdrawal and depression. As a result, PHN is often cited as the leading cause of suicide in chronic pain patients over the age of 70⁹.
• Target market: GTX-101 represents an attractive alternative to prescription lidocaine patches and topical pain medications with a total addressable US market of $2.5 billion.  The initial target market, PHN, affects approximately 130,000 patients per year in the U.S.¹⁰ with an estimated addressable market of approximately $200 million⁴. Current treatment of PHN most often consists of oral gabapentin and lidocaine patches, and refractory cases may be prescribed opioids to address persistent pain. Current lidocaine patches used for PHN are suboptimal, as these patches are difficult to use; 40% of patients experience insufficient pain relief, the analgesic effect could take up to 2 weeks, and many patients suffer from skin sensitivity and irritation⁴. Unlike oral gabapentin and lidocaine patches, Acasti believes that the biphasic delivery mechanism of GTX-101 has the potential for rapid onset and continuous pain relief with regular use¹¹.