With the recent approval and commercial launch of MYCAPSSA®, Chiasma delivers the first and only oral somatostatin analog to treat acromegaly. The research showed 58% of patients maintained normal IGF-1 levels with the new oral medication. So, for the lucky patients for which this drug works, it’s bye-bye needles! The new capsules are meant to be taken twice daily one hour before a meal or at least two hours after a meal.
This has been a long road for Chiasma, who was prepared to market MYCAPSSA® almost four years ago when the FDA, to the surprise of many, required an additional study. It’s remarkable that Chiasma stuck to it, believed in the drug, and moved forward. Regardless of the bumpy road, we are thrilled with the news and hope many patients benefit from this new medication. Congratulations to the team that made it happen!
Here’s what to read to learn more about MYCAPSSA®.
This article by Kimberly Bjugstad, Ph.D. recently published in EndocrineWeb and highlighted on PWN, is a good overview of the study and how it will affect the treatment of acromegaly. The discussion also focuses on how oral therapies for acromegaly solve some of the logistical problems of treatment.
Chiasma has made available (in the US only for now) a personalized and comprehensive patient services program called CAPS and published an extensive website at mycapssa.com, where you can find more details, download patient informational brochures as well as an excellent doctor discussion guide.
Chiasma is also undertaking a cohort study named “Macro Registry” – The Management of acromegaly registry (clever acronym) to better understand the acromegaly burden. This is a study designed to learn more about your medical condition to better understand how it affects your life. Stay tuned for more on this. In the meantime, if you’d like to get more details, you can go to macroregistry.com or email info@macroregistry.com. We’ll have more information on the Macro Registry and provide a discussion and opinions on online consumer/patient panel research in general. Stay tuned for that!
And there is more good news on the pill front.
In addition to Chiasma’s MYCAPSSA®, San Diego, California based, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, is on a development path for several nonpeptide oral medications for acromegaly, Cushing’s, neuroendocrine tumors, and hyperinsulinemias. Phase 3 trials for the acromegaly drug PALTUSOTINE® will begin in the first half of 2021, according to the company’s website.
If you want to learn more about these medications’ development, click here to listen to our podcast series “The Journey to a New Drug.”
And stay tuned for an upcoming podcast with Chiasma team members as they share their experiences in the development of MYCAPSSA®.
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