Contracture

VEN-201 wouldn't cure Dupuytren's contracture but could be used to keep it from reaching a point where more drastic measures are necessary.  The surgeons who treat it call it “the most common crippling hand disease you’ve never heard of”: Dupuytren's contracture, an incurable, sometimes painful disorder where cords of fibrotic tissue build up in the hand, causing the fingers to bend toward the palm.  “It’s so prevalent, but it hides in plain sight,” Kurt Harrington, a biotech industry veteran and founder of San Diego-based Ventoux Biosciences, told Fierce Biotech Research in an interview. About 5% of people in the U.S. have the disease, most of them over the age of 50. Harrington himself developed it much younger: Now in his 50s, his first symptoms showed up in his 30s. He’s since had multiple rounds of surgery and radiation to keep the condition at bay.  Those treatments and a drug called Xiaflex, marketed by Endo International, are the only therapies available to patients. Now, Ventoux is positioning itself to add another option. On March 12, the company announced that its lead candidate, a commercially available drug that the biotech has repurposed and renamed VEN-201, successfully reduces skin fibrosis in mice. Ventoux also revealed that it has launched a fundraising round to take the drug—the identity of which the biotech will not yet reveal—from preclinical research to a first-in-human study.  “It sounds corny, but I formed this company to literally try and make a difference,” Harrington said. He’s not the only one in his family who stands to benefit: His father has the disease, too, and just underwent his eighth surgery.  The results announced by Ventoux came from experiments on mouse models of scleroderma, a skin condition mechanistically similar to Dupuytren’s that causes tight, hard nodules to form in the skin. Daily injections of VEN-201 into the animals’ fibrotic tissue cut down on its thickness and the density of the collagen within it, as well as tissue remodeling overall, relative to untreated mice.  VEN-201 is a small molecule that already has FDA approval for other conditions; it has been used in more than 90 countries for over 20 years, according to the company. Ventoux is in the process of patenting it for use in Dupuytren’s and hasn’t yet disclosed the name of the repurposed drug. (If all goes according to plan, it’ll do so later this year, Harrington said.) There are at least three or four potential targets that it could be affecting, and previous research shows that it has some antifibrotic activity in other disease models, Ventoux Chief Scientific Officer Ken Lipson, Ph.D., explained.  While the mouse model used in the study is far from a mirror image of Dupuytren’s, “it’s encouraging that we have been able to reproduce or confirm that the agent that we’re going to be using does show some antifibrotic activity,” he said.  Ventoux was completely self-funded until last November, when Harrington began fundraising among friends and family. To take their proof-of-concept drug from animals to humans, he’s hoping to raise between $1.2 million and upward of $1.5 million from investors. He believes that the prevalence of the condition not just in the U.S. but in European countries combined with a relatively unsaturated market make developing treatments for Dupuytren's a good bet.  “We routinely say that in the U.S. and Europe alone, there’s over 40 million patients,” he said. “The market is extremely big.”  Harrington’s resume includes stints at AstraZeneca, Biogen and leadership roles at smaller startups with exits. While working at Biogen as a senior marketing manager, he was part of the team that launched the rheumatoid arthritis drug Rituxan in partnership with Roche's Genentech. That experience gave him the insight to draw comparisons between the market for rheumatoid arthritis drugs and for those that could treat Dupuytren’s.  “When you think about rheumatoid arthritis and the number of treatments for RA, there’s three or four different classes of drugs and upwards of 16 medications. Many of them are disease-modifying drugs,” Harrington said. “There are zero disease-modifying drugs for Dupuytren’s and yet it has three and a half times the prevalence of RA.”  While Dupuytren’s isn’t life-threatening, the ramifications can be serious. Surgery, radiation and Xiaflex only stop symptoms for a while, meaning patients will inevitably have to have more treatment as it progresses. They sometimes resort to amputation to keep from going through the cycle over and over again.  “It’s one of the more common reasons for elective amputation,” Harrington said. “They just get so at the end of their rope that there’s nothing else, and their fingers are almost in the way.”  Harrington is clear that VEN-201 will not be a cure for Dupuytren's. However, unlike the other options, he hopes it can be used to keep the disease from reaching a point where more drastic measures are necessary.  “If we can have something available early on to help patients and slow the disease down, it’ll be wonderful,” he said. 

DUBLIN, Jan. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Endo International plc (OTC: ENDPQ) announced today that the peer-reviewed Journal of Hand Surgery Global Open published Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum for the Treatment of Dupuytren Disease: A Delphi-Based Consensus Study.1 Consensus-based study findings among expert hand surgeons indicate that XIAFLEX® (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) has a wide-ranging application for the appropriate treatment of Dupuytren's contracture in patients with varying degrees of disease severity and functional impairment. Results from the published research indicate a high level of consensus for using XIAFLEX for the treatment of one- or two-finger metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint contractures, most one- or two-finger proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contractures, and most combined MP and PIP joint contractures. "Healthcare providers and patients can choose among multiple surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for Dupuytren's disease, and without established guidelines, the process for sorting through those choices can be overwhelming," said Dr. Gary M. Pess, a hand and upper extremity surgeon and lead author of the study. "This study provides insight from experienced hand surgeons about using XIAFLEX to treat varying degrees of Dupuytren's contracture." Dupuytren's disease is a heterogenous fibroproliferative condition of the palmar fascia characterized by the development of fascial nodules and cords that may result in digital contracture affecting hand function.2,3 XIAFLEX is a nonsurgical treatment option for Dupuytren's contracture when a "cord" can be felt composed of two purified collagenases that work to break down collagen when injected into fibrous tissue.4 About the Report Researchers used a modified Delphi method employing three successive, blinded online survey rounds to capture the clinical expertise of panelists and determine if consensus could be reached regarding the use of XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture.1 In Round 1, 22 real-world case scenarios were used to determine the panelists' recommendations for using XIAFLEX to treat metacarpophalangeal (MP) and/or proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contractures involving a single finger or 2 fingers, with varying degrees of contracture and clinical severity. Each scenario presented a distinct contracture(s) with a series of statements to evaluate the impact of patient- or disease-related features (e.g., age, recurrence, risk of anesthesia, Dupuytren diathesis, poor-quality skin, and post-fasciectomy scarring) on the clinical decision to use XIAFLEX. Researchers captured responses using either yes/no responses or a 5-point Likert scale ("strongly agree," "agree," "deficient information," "disagree," and "strongly disagree"). Level of agreement for each statement was determined, with a consensus threshold of ≥66.7% for agreement ("strongly agree" and "agree") or disagreement ("strongly disagree" and "disagree"). Round 2 included statements that did not meet the ≥66.7% threshold for consensus in round 1 and scenarios that explored the "impact of patient decision" (e.g., patient declines open surgical procedure). Statements were rated as described for round 1. Round 3 reassessed the statements that did not reach consensus in round 2 and explored the clinical decision-making process using an open-ended response methodology. Of the 33 hand surgeons who were invited based on their expertise and experience with treatment for Dupuytren's contracture, 22 agreed to participate in the survey; 20 completed round 1 of the survey, and 19 completed rounds 2 and 3. Overall, 80% had practiced medicine for at least 15 years, and all had completed a fellowship in hand surgery. Ninety percent were board-certified hand surgeons. Consensus-based study findings among expert hand surgeons point to wide-ranging application of XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture for patients with varying degrees of disease severity and functional impairment. WHAT IS XIAFLEX®? XIAFLEX is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with Dupuytren's contracture when a "cord" can be felt. It is not known if XIAFLEX is safe and effective in children under the age of 18. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR XIAFLEX Do not receive XIAFLEX if you have had an allergic reaction to collagenase clostridium histolyticum or any of the ingredients in XIAFLEX, or to any other collagenase product. See the end of the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in XIAFLEX. XIAFLEX can cause serious side effects, including: Tendon rupture or ligament damage. Receiving an injection of XIAFLEX may cause damage to a tendon or ligament in your hand and cause it to break or weaken. This could require surgery to fix the damaged tendon or ligament. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have trouble bending your injected finger (towards the wrist) after the swelling goes down or you have problems using your treated hand after your follow-up visit Nerve injury or other serious injury of the hand. After finger procedures, some people developed tears in the skin (lacerations), and local skin and soft-tissue necrosis (death of skin cells). Some lacerations and necrosis required skin grafting, or other surgery including amputation. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get numbness, tingling, increased pain, or tears in the skin (laceration) in your treated finger or hand after your injection or after your follow-up visit Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. Severe allergic reactions can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX because it contains foreign proteins. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction after an injection of XIAFLEX: hives swollen face breathing trouble chest pain low blood pressure dizziness or fainting Fainting. Fainting (passing out) or near fainting can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX, especially following finger procedures If you have dizziness or feel faint after receiving XIAFLEX, lie down until the symptoms go away. Increased chance of bleeding. Bleeding or bruising at the injection site can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a problem with your blood clotting. XIAFLEX may not be right for you. Before receiving XIAFLEX, tell your healthcare provider if you have had an allergic reaction to a previous XIAFLEX injection, or have a bleeding problem or any other medical conditions. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using XIAFLEX with certain other medicines can cause serious side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take medicines to thin your blood (anticoagulants). If you are told to stop taking a blood thinner before your XIAFLEX injection, your healthcare provider should tell you when to restart the blood thinner. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are unsure. The most common side effects with XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture include: swelling of the injection site or the hand bruising or bleeding at the injection site pain or tenderness of the injection site or the hand swelling of the lymph nodes (glands) in the elbow or armpit itching breaks in the skin redness or warmth of the skin pain in the armpit Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects with XIAFLEX. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Click for full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide. About Endo Endo (OTC: ENDPQ) is a specialty pharmaceutical company committed to helping everyone we serve live their best life through the delivery of quality, life-enhancing therapies. Our decades of proven success come from passionate team members around the globe collaborating to bring treatments forward. Together, we boldly transform insights into treatments benefiting those who need them, when they need them. Learn more at or connect with us on LinkedIn. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain information in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any applicable Canadian securities legislation including, but not limited to, the statements by Dr. Pess, any statements relating to product efficacy, potential treatments or indications, therapeutic outcomes or treatment responses, and any statements that refer to expected, estimated or anticipated future results or that do not relate solely to historical facts. Statements including words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "plan," "will," "may," "look forward," "intend," "guidance," "future," "potential" or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this communication reflect the Company's current views as of the date of this communication about its plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to it and on assumptions it has made. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from current expectations based on a number of factors, including, among other things, the outcome of the Company's contingency planning and restructuring activities; the timing, impact or results of any pending or future litigation, investigations, proceedings or claims, including opioid, tax and antitrust related matters; any actual or contingent liabilities; settlement discussions or negotiations; the Company's liquidity, financial performance, cash position and operations; the risks and uncertainties associated with chapter 11 proceedings; the time, terms and ability to complete a chapter 11 plan of reorganization or to pursue an alternative emergence transaction; the risk that the Company's chapter 11 cases may be converted to cases under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code; the adequacy of the capital resources of the Company's businesses and the difficulty in forecasting the liquidity requirements of the operations of the Company's businesses; the unpredictability of the Company's financial results; the Company's ability to discharge claims in chapter 11 proceedings; negotiations with the holders of the Company's indebtedness and its trade creditors and other significant creditors; the risks and uncertainties with performing under the terms of the restructuring support agreement and any other arrangement with lenders or creditors while in chapter 11 proceedings; the performance, including the approval, introduction, and consumer and physician acceptance of new products and the continuing acceptance of currently marketed products; and the Company's ability to obtain and successfully manufacture, maintain and distribute a sufficient supply of products to meet market demand in a timely manner. The Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required to do so by law. Additional information concerning risk factors, including those referenced above, can be found in press releases issued by the Company, as well as the Company's public periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and with securities regulators in Canada, including the discussion under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. References Pess G, et al. J Hand Surg Online. 2023; 1-8. Warwick D, et al. Int. J Clin Rheumatol. 2012;7(3):309-323. Warwick D. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2017;42(7):665-672. XIAFLEX® (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) for injection, for intralesional use [package insert]. Malvern, PA: Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. SOURCE Endo International plc

DUBLIN, Jan. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Endo International plc (OTC: ENDPQ) announced today that two new presentations related to Dupuytren's contracture and XIAFLEX® (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) were shared during the American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS) annual meeting. Endo provided funding through an investigator-initiated research grant. "This medical knowledge presented at the AAHS annual meeting may help healthcare providers treat patients with Dupuytren's contracture and, hopefully, improve patient outcomes," said Dr. Jason Nydick, an orthopedic hand surgeon at Florida Orthopaedic Institute in Tampa, Florida and lead investigator of the studies. "The results related to the effective treatment of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint with XIAFLEX are particularly noteworthy." The two new Endo-supported research presentations are below: Clinical Effectiveness of Splinting After Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum Injection for Dupuytren's Contracture Authors: Craig Dent, MS; Nino Coutelle, MD; Meera Gill, DO; Peter Simon, PhD; Jason Nydick, DO Investigator-initiated research funding grant provided by Endo Clinical Outcomes of Collagenase Injections in Management of Dupuytren's Contracture of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Authors: Craig Dent, MS; Nino Coutelle, MD; Andrew Moore, MD; Matthew Nester, BS; Peter Simon, PhD; Jason Nydick, DO Investigator-initiated research funding grant provided by Endo About Dupuytren's Contracture DC is a lifelong condition that may get worse over time. It's caused by a buildup of collagen in the hand, which forms a rope-like cord that pulls fingers toward the palm so they can't be straightened. As DC progresses, it may become difficult for individuals to use their hand(s) for daily tasks and activities. WHAT IS XIAFLEX®? XIAFLEX is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with Dupuytren's contracture when a "cord" can be felt. It is not known if XIAFLEX is safe and effective in children under the age of 18. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR XIAFLEX Do not receive XIAFLEX if you have had an allergic reaction to collagenase clostridium histolyticum or any of the ingredients in XIAFLEX, or to any other collagenase product. See the end of the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in XIAFLEX. XIAFLEX can cause serious side effects, including: Tendon rupture or ligament damage. Receiving an injection of XIAFLEX may cause damage to a tendon or ligament in your hand and cause it to break or weaken. This could require surgery to fix the damaged tendon or ligament. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have trouble bending your injected finger (towards the wrist) after the swelling goes down or you have problems using your treated hand after your follow-up visit Nerve injury or other serious injury of the hand. After finger procedures, some people developed tears in the skin (lacerations), and local skin and soft-tissue necrosis (death of skin cells). Some lacerations and necrosis required skin grafting, or other surgery including amputation. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get numbness, tingling, increased pain, or tears in the skin (laceration) in your treated finger or hand after your injection or after your follow-up visit Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. Severe allergic reactions can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX because it contains foreign proteins. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction after an injection of XIAFLEX: hives swollen face breathing trouble chest pain low blood pressure dizziness or fainting Fainting. Fainting (passing out) or near fainting can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX, especially following finger procedures If you have dizziness or feel faint after receiving XIAFLEX, lie down until the symptoms go away. Increased chance of bleeding. Bleeding or bruising at the injection site can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a problem with your blood clotting. XIAFLEX may not be right for you. Before receiving XIAFLEX, tell your healthcare provider if you have had an allergic reaction to a previous XIAFLEX injection, or have a bleeding problem or any other medical conditions. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using XIAFLEX with certain other medicines can cause serious side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take medicines to thin your blood (anticoagulants). If you are told to stop taking a blood thinner before your XIAFLEX injection, your healthcare provider should tell you when to restart the blood thinner. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are unsure. The most common side effects with XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture include: swelling of the injection site or the hand bruising or bleeding at the injection site pain or tenderness of the injection site or the hand swelling of the lymph nodes (glands) in the elbow or armpit itching breaks in the skin redness or warmth of the skin pain in the armpit Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects with XIAFLEX. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Click for full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide. About Endo Endo (OTC: ENDPQ) is a specialty pharmaceutical company committed to helping everyone we serve live their best life through the delivery of quality, life-enhancing therapies. Our decades of proven success come from passionate team members around the globe collaborating to bring treatments forward. Together, we boldly transform insights into treatments benefiting those who need them, when they need them. Learn more at or connect with us on LinkedIn. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain information in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any applicable Canadian securities legislation including, but not limited to, the statements by Dr. Nydick, any statements relating to product efficacy, potential treatments or indications, therapeutic outcomes or treatment responses, and any statements that refer to expected, estimated or anticipated future results or that do not relate solely to historical facts. Statements including words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "plan," "will," "may," "look forward," "intend," "guidance," "future," "potential" or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this communication reflect the Company's current views as of the date of this communication about its plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to it and on assumptions it has made. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from current expectations based on a number of factors, including, among other things, the outcome of the Company's contingency planning and restructuring activities; the timing, impact or results of any pending or future litigation, investigations, proceedings or claims, including opioid, tax and antitrust related matters; any actual or contingent liabilities; settlement discussions or negotiations; the Company's liquidity, financial performance, cash position and operations; the risks and uncertainties associated with chapter 11 proceedings; the time, terms and ability to complete a chapter 11 plan of reorganization or to pursue an alternative emergence transaction; the risk that the Company's chapter 11 cases may be converted to cases under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code; the adequacy of the capital resources of the Company's businesses and the difficulty in forecasting the liquidity requirements of the operations of the Company's businesses; the unpredictability of the Company's financial results; the Company's ability to discharge claims in chapter 11 proceedings; negotiations with the holders of the Company's indebtedness and its trade creditors and other significant creditors; the risks and uncertainties with performing under the terms of the restructuring support agreement and any other arrangement with lenders or creditors while in chapter 11 proceedings; the performance, including the approval, introduction, and consumer and physician acceptance of new products and the continuing acceptance of currently marketed products; and the Company's ability to obtain and successfully manufacture, maintain and distribute a sufficient supply of products to meet market demand in a timely manner. The Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required to do so by law. Additional information concerning risk factors, including those referenced above, can be found in press releases issued by the Company, as well as the Company's public periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and with securities regulators in Canada, including the discussion under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. SOURCE Endo International plc