Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive RenaZorb® Phase 1 Clinical Data Demonstrating Robust Activity in Easy-to-Swallow Pill Formulation

HENDERSON, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in hematology and oncology, today announced positive, statistically significant data from the Company’s Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of RenaZorb® (also referred to as SPI-014) in healthy volunteers. RenaZorb is an orally available, lanthanum-based nanotechnology compound with potent phosphate-binding properties that is being developed for the potential treatment of hyperphosphatemia (high phosphate levels in the blood) in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). The Phase 1 clinical findings showed that (1) RenaZorb is well-tolerated up to the maximum administered dose of 6000 mg/day, showing no serious adverse events, low systemic exposure, and no discontinuations of therapy, (2) RenaZorb resulted in statistically significant reductions in daily urinary phosphorous excretions at all four dose levels (1500 mg/day, 3000 mg/day, 4500 mg/day and 6000 mg/day) compared to placebo.

“The first clinical data for RenaZorb show effective phosphate lowering in a convenient, easy-to-swallow pill formulation, which we believe can address substantially the poor compliance associated with current therapies”

"The first clinical data for RenaZorb show effective phosphate lowering in a convenient, easy-to-swallow pill formulation, which we believe can address substantially the poor compliance associated with current therapies,” stated Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “Because of the higher phosphate-binding capacity of RenaZorb compared to current products, as shown in in vitro studies, we believe this allows us to offer lower dosing and a smaller, patient-friendly tablet size. Based on the current progress of our clinical program, we are planning for Phase 2 testing and also are seeking a licensing partner outside of the U.S., in particular, in Japan and other countries in Asia.”

The double-blind, dose-ranging, Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers was designed to evaluate the safety, PK and the phosphate-binding capacity of RenaZorb. The primary endpoint is safety and tolerability. Secondary endpoints are pharmacokinetics (measurements of serum lanthanum levels) and phosphate binding capacity (capacity to bind phosphorous ingested with food, evaluated by comparing the difference in urine and fecal phosphorus levels measured before and after RenaZorb dosing). The study enrolled 32 healthy volunteers into four sequential dose cohorts of eight subjects each. Six subjects were randomly assigned to receive RenaZorb and two subjects to receive placebo within each cohort. RenaZorb was taken orally three times a day within 15 minutes after meals in all four cohorts (1500 mg/day, 3000 mg/day, 4500 mg/day and 6000 mg/day).

About RenaZorb®

RenaZorb, or SPI-014, is formulated as an orally available tablet of lanthanum-based nanotechnology with highly potent phosphate-binding properties for the potential treatment of hyperphosphatemia (high phosphate levels in the blood) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hyperphosphatemia in Stage 5 CKD, also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), can lead to significant bone disease (including pain and fractures), secondary hyperparathyroidism and cardiovascular disease, and is independently associated with increased mortality. Currently marketed therapies for treating hyperphosphatemia account for sales estimated at $1 billion worldwide and include binders that are polymer-based, lanthanum-based, and aluminum/calcium-based phosphate binders. According to the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), over the last 20 years, the number of patients with ESRD in the US has grown 4-fold. In 2010, there were an estimated 594,374 patients with ESRD.

About Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals is a leading biotechnology company focused on acquiring, developing, and commercializing drug products, with a primary focus in oncology and hematology. Spectrum and its affiliates market three oncology drugs ─ FUSILEV^® (levoleucovorin) for Injection in the U.S.; FOLOTYN^® (pralatrexate injection), also marketed in the U.S.; and ZEVALIN^® (ibritumomab tiuxetan) Injection for intravenous use, for which the Company has worldwide marketing rights. Spectrum's strong track record in in-licensing and acquiring differentiated drugs, and expertise in clinical development have generated a robust, diversified, and growing pipeline of product candidates in advanced-stage Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies. More information on Spectrum is available at www.sppirx.com.

Forward-looking statement — This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to our business and its future, including certain company milestones, Spectrum's ability to identify, acquire, develop and commercialize a broad and diverse pipeline of late-stage clinical and commercial products, leveraging the expertise of partners and employees around the world to assist us in the execution of our strategy, and any statements that relate to the intent, belief, plans or expectations of Spectrum or its management, or that are not a statement of historical fact. Risks that could cause actual results to differ include the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates may not prove safe or effective, the possibility that our existing and new applications to the FDA and other regulatory agencies may not receive approval in a timely manner or at all, the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates, if approved, may not be more effective, safer or more cost efficient than competing drugs, the possibility that our efforts to acquire or in-license and develop additional drug candidates may fail, our lack of sustained revenue history, our limited marketing experience, our dependence on third parties for clinical trials, manufacturing, distribution and quality control and other risks that are described in further detail in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not plan to update any such forward-looking statements and expressly disclaim any duty to update the information contained in this press release except as required by law.

SPECTRUM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.^®, FUSILEV^®, FOLOTYN^®, RenaZorb^®, and ZEVALIN^® are registered trademarks of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its affiliates. REDEFINING CANCER CARE^™ and the Spectrum Pharmaceuticals logos are trademarks owned by Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.