FDA Approves Tavaborole [Kerydin] Topical Solution for Onychomycosis of the Toenails

Last Updated on July 16, 2014 by Joseph Gut – thasso

July 15, 201 4 –  Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc on July 8, 2014, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the New Drug Application for Kerydin (tavaborole) topical solution, 5%, the first oxaborole antifungal approved for the topical treatment of onychomycosis of the toenails. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail and nail bed that affects approximately 35 million people in the United States, according to Podiatry Today.

“Onychomycosis is one of the most common diseases diagnosed and treated by podiatrists. Historically, a large number of patients with onychomycosis would choose not to treat their infection,” said Warren Joseph, D.P.M., lower extremity Infectious Diseases consultant at Roxborough Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “With the approval of Kerydin, physicians can now offer patients a safe, effective and easy-to-use topical treatment for their onychomycosis of the toenail, which I think will be well-received by patients.”

“I am very excited about the release of this therapy for an infection that is very difficult to treat,” said Boni Elewski, M.D., Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs and Professor of Dermatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “Kerydin will offer patients a new, safe and effective treatment option for onychomycosis.”

“Kerydin was designed to be convenient for patients to use and has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of the fungal infection, thus allowing growth of new uninfected nail,” said Vince Ippolito, Chief Commercial Officer of Anacor Pharmaceuticals. “In market research conducted by Anacor, Kerydin’s product profile was received with great enthusiasm by the participating physicians and we believe this response demonstrates the need for a safe topical treatment for onychomycosis of the toenails.”

About Kerydin (tavaborole) topical solution, 5%

Kerydin (tavaborole) topical solution, 5%, is the first oxaborole antifungal agent developed for the topical treatment of onychomycosis of the toenails due to Trichophyton rubrum or Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Kerydin is a clear, colorless, alcohol-based solution applied with a dropper to the infected toenail once daily for 48 weeks. Debridement of the nail is not required during the treatment period. Due to its topical application, Kerydin has low systemic absorption and has not demonstrated systemic side effects.

The efficacy and safety of Kerydin was evaluated in two multicenter, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled trials. Kerydin or vehicle was applied once daily for 48 weeks in subjects with 20% to 60% clinical involvement of the target toenail, without dermatophytomas or lunula (matrix) involvement. A total of 1194 subjects (795 Kerydin, 399 Vehicle) 18 to 88 years of age, participated in these two trials. Efficacy assessments were made at 52 weeks following a 48-week treatment period.

The primary efficacy endpoint was “Complete Cure” at Week 52. “Complete Cure” is defined as “Completely Clear Nail” (0% clinical involvement of the target toenail) plus “Mycological Cure” (negative KOH wet mount and negative fungal culture). In the first trial, 6.5% of subjects treated with Kerydin reached the primary endpoint, compared to 0.5% of subjects treated with vehicle. In the second trial, 9.1% of subjects treated with Kerydin reached the primary endpoint, compared to 1.5% of subjects treated with vehicle.

Secondary endpoints in the pivotal trials included “Complete or Almost Complete Cure” (less than or equal to 10% affected target toenail area involved plus “Mycological Cure”) and “Mycological Cure.” 15.3% and 17.9% of patients treated with Kerydin achieved “Complete or Almost Complete Cure” compared to 1.5% and 3.9% of patients treated with vehicle in the first and second trials, respectively. 31.1% and 35.9% of patients treated with Kerydin achieved “Mycological Cure” compared to 7.2% and 12.2% of patients treated with vehicle in the first and second trials, respectively.

Common adverse reactions occurring in at least 1% of subjects treated with Kerydin included application site exfoliation, ingrown toenail, application site erythema, and application site dermatitis. For information on dosage and administration, adverse reactions and other important safety and prescribing information please visit the page on Kerydin, under the Pipeline tab on our website at www.anacor.com.

About Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a progressive, recurring fungal infection of the nail and nail bed. According to Podiatry Today, approximately 35 million people in the United States have onychomycosis, but only 5-6 million have been diagnosed by a physician