manufacturing and control program. Submission to the FDA of a BLA for marketing the product includes, among other things, reports of the outcomes and full data sets of the clinical trials, and proposed labeling and packaging for the product. In addition, the satisfactory completion of an FDA inspection of the manufacturing facility or facilities at which the product is produced is required to assess compliance with FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations, to assure that the facilities, methods and controls are adequate to ensure the product’s identity, potency, quality and purity.
About the Micronized dHACM vs. Saline in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee Trial
This trial, the first randomized clinical study of a micronized dehydrated Human Amnion/Chorion Membrane (mdHACM) Injection in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA), is a Phase 2B, prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial of the mdHACM injection as compared to saline placebo injection in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Trial enrollment was planned to include 466 patients between the ages of 21 to 80 years, with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis defined as grade 1 to 3 on the Kellgren Lawrence grading scale and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain score greater than 45. Due to a lower-than-expected number of study participant dropouts, and with an adequate number of patients meeting the required time in study to assess the primary endpoint, the final number randomized will be 447 patients.
The primary efficacy endpoints include change from baseline in VAS at 90 days, change from baseline in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index at 90 days, and incidence of related Adverse Events (AEs), Serious Adverse Events (SAEs), and Unanticipated Adverse Events at 365 days. Secondary endpoints include: change from baseline in VAS at 180 days and change from baseline in WOMAC at 180 days. The WOMAC Index has become a standard study metric in KOA studies and its use has been extensively validated.
The blinded efficacy visits for this study are complete, with the 12-month safety visit follow up as requested by FDA scheduled to compete in October 2021. The Company intends to initiate a Phase 3 study of mdHACM injection in the treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis in Q3 2021, after an end of Phase 2 meeting with FDA, and planning for this effort is underway.
About Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most common joint disease – millions of adults experience pain and decreased quality of life every day because of joint destruction caused by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is responsible for a staggering public health and economic impact: more than 242 million people worldwide currently suffer from symptomatic OA of the knee and hip; 45% of all people have a lifetime risk of developing OA of the knee; and OA is responsible for $71 billion in lost earnings annually in the U.S. Although knee replacement is an option for those with advanced knee arthritis, it carries significant risks, and current treatment algorithm, including oral anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, and hyaluronic acid injections, are limited in the amount of relief it can provide. Anti-inflammatories have negative cardiovascular effects and injected steroids cause further joint degeneration.
About the Micronized dHACM Injectable for the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis Trial
This study is a Phase 3, prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial of micronized dehydrated Human Amnion Chorion Membrane (mdHACM) injection as compared to saline placebo injection in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. The trial enrolled 277 patients between the ages of 21 and 79 years, with an investigator-confirmed diagnosis of plantar fasciitis for greater than or equal to one month (30 days) and less than or equal to 18 months. Patients were required to have a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Pain scale of greater than or equal to 45 mm at randomization and be receiving conservative treatment for greater than or equal to 1 month (30 days), including any of the following modalities: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE); stretching exercises; NSAIDs or orthotics. The primary endpoints are change in VAS for Pain at 90 Days and incidence of related adverse events at 180 days, serious adverse events and unanticipated events during the first 12 months post-injection. Secondary endpoints include self-reported responses to the Foot Function Index – Revised (FFI-R) at 90 days.