Aradigm receives QIDP designation for its inhaled antibiotic candidate, Pulmaquin

May 20 2014

Aradigm Corporation (OTC BB: ARDM.OB) (the "Company") today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated the Company's lead inhaled antibiotic candidate, Pulmaquin®, as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP).

The QIDP designation, granted for treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (non-CF BE) patients with chronic lung infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, will make Pulmaquin eligible to benefit from certain incentives for the development of new antibiotics provided under the Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now Act (GAIN Act). These incentives include priority review and eligibility for fast-track status. Further, if ultimately approved by the FDA, Pulmaquin is eligible for an additional five-year extension of Hatch-Waxman exclusivity.

The Phase III clinical program for Pulmaquin in non-CF BE consists of two worldwide, double-blind, placebo-controlled pivotal trials (ORBIT-3 and ORBIT-4) that are identical in design except for a pharmacokinetics sub-study to be conducted in one of the trials. Each trial will enroll approximately 255 patients into a 48-week double blind period consisting of 6 cycles of 28 days on treatment with Pulmaquin or placebo plus 28 days off treatment, followed by a 28-day open label extension in which all participants will receive Pulmaquin (total treatment duration approximately one year). The superiority of Pulmaquin vs. placebo during the double blind period will be evaluated in terms of the time to first pulmonary exacerbation (primary endpoint), while key secondary endpoints include the reduction in the number of pulmonary exacerbations and improvements in the quality of life measures. Lung function will be monitored as a safety indicator.

"We are very pleased that the FDA has granted QIDP designation to Pulmaquin," said Igor Gonda, Chief Executive Officer of Aradigm Corporation. "Persistent lung infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a key factor related to the poor quality of life and untimely death in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients. The QIDP designation will accelerate the advancement of Pulmaquin development as a potential treatment for these patients."