Eton Pharmaceuticals Announces Availability of Orphan Drug ALKINDI® SPRINKLE (hydrocortisone) in the United States

• ALKINDI® SPRINKLE is now exclusively available through AnovoRx Specialty Pharmacy. To support patient access to ALKINDI® SPRINKLE, Eton has established the Eton Cares Program®.
  
  

DEER PARK, Ill., Nov. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc (Nasdaq: ETON), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative treatments for rare pediatric diseases, today announced the full availability of ALKINDI® SPRINKLE for sale and distribution in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ALKINDI® SPRINKLE (hydrocortisone) oral granules as replacement therapy for Adrenocortical Insufficiency (AI) in children under 17 years of age. ALKINDI® SPRINKLE is the first and only FDA-approved granular hydrocortisone formulation for the treatment of adrenocortical insufficiency specifically designed for use in children.

ALKINDI® SPRINKLE will be available exclusively through AnovoRx, a specialty pharmacy dedicated to serving patients with rare and chronic conditions. AnovoRx will administer the Eton Cares Program in partnership with Eton Pharmaceuticals. The program will complete prescription fulfillment, insurance benefits investigation, educational support, aid qualified patients to obtain financial assistance along with other services designed to help patients access treatment. To enroll patients in the program and prescribe ALKINDI® SPRINKLE, clinicians will need to complete a patient referral form available at .

“ALKINDI® SPRINKLE is a very welcome treatment option for children who, for over 60 years, were forced to rely on adult-strength hydrocortisone to treat adrenocortical insufficiency,” said Mitchell Geffner MD, co-director, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) Comprehensive Care Clinic and Professor of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California. “Low-dose options, as low as 0.5 mg, allow for more accurate and individualized dosing for patients.”



The FDA approval of ALKINDI® SPRINKLE was supported by six clinical studies, including the first and only interventional Phase III study of oral hydrocortisone for Pediatric AI in neonates to children under eight years of age. ALKINDI SPRINKLE achieved significant increases in cortisol levels from baseline (P<0.0001) and was found to be well tolerated with no serious adverse events. Prior to the approval of ALKINDI® SPRINKLE, oral hydrocortisone was only FDA-approved in tablet formulations of 5 mg and stronger. Many pediatric patients require significantly lower doses and the flexibility of precision titration. ALKINDI® SPRINKLE will be available in 0.5-mg, 1-mg, 2-mg, and 5-mg strengths, allowing clinicians greater flexibility to individualize dosing based on each patient’s needs in accordance with the instructions for dosage and administration.



About Pediatric Adrenocortical Insufficiency

Pediatric adrenocortical Insufficiency (AI) is a relatively rare disease characterized by an inability to synthesize and release cortisol, and sometimes aldosterone. When due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), the most common form of pediatric AI, there will also be excessive androgens (resulting in masculinized external genitalia in affected females and, without proper treatment, the potential for precocious puberty, premature growth termination, and short stature in both sexes). Patients with primary or central (secondary and tertiary) AI lack appropriate levels of cortisol in their system. Diminished cortisol in the system may result in deadly consequences such as adrenal crisis. To survive, patients with AI must replace the missing cortisol daily. Eton estimates that pediatric AI affects between 5,000 and 11,000 children in the United States.



About ALKINDI SPRINKLE

ALKINDI® SPRINKLE is an immediate-release oral hydrocortisone granule preparation that has been specifically designed to meet the dosing needs of pediatric patients with adrenocortical insufficiency. Prior to ALKINDI® SPRINKLE’s approval, parent caregivers have had to cut or split higher-strength hydrocortisone tablets to achieve the lower doses required for small children, which could result in inaccurate dosing. ALKINDI® SPRINKLE is manufactured using commercially proven technology in four strengths: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg and 5 mg, to give greater dosing flexibility to clinicians. Taste-masking excipients that are acceptable for pediatric use eliminate the bitter taste of hydrocortisone. ALKINDI® SPRINKLE has a shelf -life of three years at ambient temperature and does not require refrigeration.

Indications and Usage

ALKINDI® SPRINKLE is a corticosteroid indicated as replacement therapy in pediatric patients with adrenocortical insufficiency.



Important Safety Information



Contraindications

ALKINDI® SPRINKLE is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to hydrocortisone or to any of the ingredients in ALKINDI® SPRINKLE. Anaphylactic reactions have occurred in patients receiving corticosteroids.



Warning and Precautions

• Adrenal Crisis: Undertreatment or sudden discontinuation of therapy may lead to adrenal insufficiency, adrenal crisis, and death. Adrenal crisis may also be induced by stress events such as infections or surgery. Increase the dose during periods of stress. Switch patients who are vomiting, severely ill, or unable to take oral medications to parenteral corticosteroid formulations.
  
  
  
  
• Infections: Excessive doses may increase the risks of new infections or exacerbation of latent infections with any pathogen, including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or helminthic. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infections. Treat all infections seriously and initiate stress-dosing of corticosteroids early.
  
  
  
  
• Growth Retardation: Long-term use in excessive doses may cause growth retardation. Use the minimum dosage of ALKINDI® SPRINKLE to achieve the desired clinical response and monitor the patient’s growth.
  
  
  
  
• Cushing Syndrome Due to Use of Excessive Doses of Corticosteroids: Prolonged use with supraphysiologic doses may cause Cushing syndrome. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome every 6 months; pediatric patients under one year of age may require more frequent monitoring.
  
  
  
  
• Decrease in Bone Mineral Density: Corticosteroids decrease bone formation and increase bone resorption which may lead to inhibition of bone growth and development of osteoporosis. Use the minimum dosage of ALKINDI® SPRINKLE to achieve desired clinical response.
  
  
  
  
• Psychiatric Adverse Reactions: Use may be associated with severe psychiatric adverse reactions such as euphoria, mania, psychosis with hallucinations, and delirium or depression. Symptoms typically emerge within a few days or weeks of starting the treatment. Most reactions resolve after either dose reduction or withdrawal, although specific treatment may be necessary. Monitor patients for behavioral and mood disturbances during treatment. Instruct caregivers and/or patients to seek medical advice if psychiatric symptoms develop.
  
  
  
  
• Ophthalmic Adverse Reactions: Cataracts, glaucoma, and central serous chorioretinopathy have been reported with prolonged use of high doses. Monitor patients for blurred vision or other visual disturbances and, if they occur, refer them to an ophthalmologist.
  
  
  
  
• Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions: Increased risk in patients with certain gastrointestinal disorders. Signs and symptoms may be masked.
  
  

Adverse Reactions



The most common adverse reactions from corticosteroids include fluid retention, alteration in glucose tolerance, elevation in blood pressure, behavioral and mood changes, and increased appetite and weight gain.



About Eton Pharmaceuticals

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative treatments for rare pediatric diseases. Eton is primarily focused on hospital injectable and pediatric rare disease products. The company currently owns or receives royalties from three FDA-approved approved products, including ALKINDI® SPRINKLE, Biorphen®, and Alaway® Preservative Free, and has six additional products that have been submitted to the FDA.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements associated with the expected ability of Eton to undertake certain activities and accomplish certain goals and objectives. These statements include but are not limited to statements regarding Eton’s business strategy, Eton’s plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates, the safety and efficacy of Eton’s product candidates, Eton’s plans and expected timing with respect to regulatory filings and approvals, and the size and growth potential of the markets for Eton’s product candidates. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "will," "goal," "potential," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Eton’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks associated with the process of discovering, developing, and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such drugs. These and other risks concerning Eton’s development programs and financial position are described in additional detail in Eton’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Eton undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Company Contact:

David Krempa



612-387-3740