Osteoarthritis

Results from 68-week study of 407 adults with obesity and moderate knee osteoarthritis showed semaglutide 2.4 mg significantly reduced body weight, knee osteoarthritis-related pain, and improved physical function1 Obesity is a major risk factor of knee osteoarthritis development and disease progression2-4 Semaglutide is not approved in the U.S. for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis PLAINSBORO, N.J., Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The New England Journal of Medicine published results from Novo Nordisk's STEP 9 phase 3 clinical trial that studied semaglutide 2.4 mg compared to placebo as an adjunct to lifestyle modifications in reducing body weight and knee osteoarthritis-related pain in adults with obesity, and a clinical and radiologic diagnosis of moderate knee osteoarthritis, and pain that is at least moderately severe.1 According to the published trial, semaglutide met the study's primary endpoints and was superior to placebo in significantly reducing body weight and knee osteoarthritis-related pain, as measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score. In addition, the trial met a key confirmatory secondary endpoint of improving patients' physical function.1 In patients with a mean baseline body weight of 239.5 pounds, semaglutide led to a –13.7% mean change from baseline in body weight at week 68 versus –3.2% with placebo ([95% confidence interval (CI) –12.3, –8.6]; P<0.001). Semaglutide also led to a mean change from baseline (70.9) in the WOMAC pain score of –41.7 at week 68 versus –27.5 with placebo ([95% CI –20.0, –8.3]; P<0.001). WOMAC is a 24-item patient-reported questionnaire that assesses clinically important symptoms of pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA).1,5 A greater improvement in physical functioning scores was also observed from baseline at week 68 among trial participants taking semaglutide versus placebo (mean change: 12.0 versus 6.5 points [95% CI 3.1, 8.0], P<0.001]) as measured by the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36v2).1 Obesity is considered a major risk factor for the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis, a common type of osteoarthritis that can lead to chronic pain and reduced mobility.2-4 Obesity contributes to the development of knee osteoarthritis through increased mechanical stress on weight-bearing joints, metabolic factors, and obesity-related inflammation.2,3 "Obesity-related knee osteoarthritis is a progressive condition that can lead to pain and stiffness of the knee and impair critical daily functions such as walking or moving around. The risk of developing the condition is more than four times higher in people with obesity. Weight reduction along with physical activity is often a recommended approach to managing painful symptoms, but adherence can be challenging," said lead study author Henning Bliddal, MD, M.Sci., The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. "There is a significant need for non-surgical and sustainable treatment options for those living with obesity-related osteoarthritis. The STEP 9 trial aimed to provide rigorous evidence as to how semaglutide may help these people." The study implemented a targeted approach to safety data collection, with investigators recording only serious adverse events (SAEs), adverse events (AEs) leading to treatment discontinuation, AEs requiring invasive knee procedures, medication error, acute pancreatitis, COVID-19, and pregnancy or pregnancy-related AEs.1 AEs leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 6.7% of patients in the semaglutide group and 3.0% of patients in the placebo group. The most common AEs leading to treatment discontinuation were gastrointestinal disorders (2.2% of patients in the semaglutide group and 0% of patients in the placebo group) and neoplasms (benign, malignant, and unspecified) (semaglutide, 1.9%; placebo, 1.5%). The incidence of SAEs was similar in both groups (semaglutide, 10.0%; placebo, 8.1%).1 STEP 9 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial of 407 adults aged ≥18 years with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) and a clinical diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis per American College of Rheumatology criteria with moderate radiographic changes (Kellgren–Lawrence grade 2 or 3) in the target knee. Participants also had pain due to knee osteoarthritis, with a WOMAC pain score ≥40 out of 100 at randomization.1 "Obesity is a complex metabolic disease associated with multiple co-morbid conditions, including knee osteoarthritis," said Anna Windle, PhD, Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Medical and Regulatory Affairs, Novo Nordisk. "The STEP 9 results are encouraging and provide important information about the effect of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, on knee osteoarthritis outcomes in people with obesity. We look forward to working with regulatory authorities on next steps based on these findings." About obesity Obesity is a serious chronic, progressive, and misunderstood disease that requires long-term management.6-8 One key misunderstanding is that this is a disease of just lack of willpower, when in fact there is underlying biology that may impede people with obesity from losing weight and keeping it off.6,7 Obesity is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, social determinants of health, and the environment.9 The prevalence of overweight and obesity is a public health issue that has severe cost implications to healthcare systems.10,11 In the U.S., about 40% of adults live with obesity.12 About the STEP 9 trial (semaglutide 2.4 mg) STEP 9 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of semaglutide 2.4 mg versus placebo as an adjunct to lifestyle modifications (counseling on a reduced-calorie diet and physical activity) in reducing body weight and knee osteoarthritis-related pain in patients with obesity and a clinical and radiologic diagnosis of moderate knee osteoarthritis, and pain that is at least moderately severe.1 Participants were randomized 2:1 to receive once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg or placebo for 68 weeks, followed by 7 weeks' off-treatment follow-up. There was a 16-week dose escalation to allow for adjustment to therapy (gastrointestinal adverse reactions). The study randomized participants between October 2021 and March 2022.1 All endpoints were measured from baseline to week 68. The primary endpoints were the percentage change in body weight and change in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score.1 The trial enrolled 407 adults and was conducted in 11 countries at 61 investigator sites.1 Semaglutide is not approved for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Safety and efficacy are not established, and there is no guarantee that semaglutide will become commercially available for this use under clinical investigation. About Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company that's been making innovative medicines to help people with diabetes lead longer, healthier lives for more than 100 years. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to drive change to help people defeat other serious chronic diseases such as obesity, rare blood, and endocrine disorders. We remain steadfast in our conviction that the formula for lasting success is to stay focused, think long-term, and do business in a financially, socially, and environmentally responsible way. With U.S. headquarters in New Jersey and commercial, production, and research facilities in seven states plus Washington DC, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 8,000 people throughout the country. For more information, visit novonordisk-us.com, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. References Bliddal H, Bays H, Czernichow S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Persons with Obesity and Knee Osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med. 2024; 391:1573-83. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Arthritis risk factors. Last accessed: September 2024. Available at . World Health Organization. Osteoarthritis. Last accessed: October 2024. Available at: . Nedunchezhiyan U, Varughese I, Sun AR, et al. Obesity, inflammation, and immune system in osteoarthritis. Front Immunol. 2022;13:907750. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.907750. ClinicalTrials.gov. Research study looking at how well semaglutide works in people suffering from obesity and knee osteoarthritis. Last accessed: October 2024. Available at: . Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, et al. Perceptions of barriers to effective obesity care: results from the national action study. Obesity. 2018;26(1):61-69. Bray GA, Kim KK, Wilding JPH; World Obesity Federation. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation. Obes Rev. 2017;18(7):715-723. Garvey WT, Mechanick JI, Brett EM, et al. American association of clinical endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for medical care of patients with obesity. Endocr Pract. 2016;22 (Suppl 3):1-203. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Causes of obesity. Last accessed: October 2024. Available at: . World Obesity Federation. World Obesity Atlas 2023. Last accessed: October 2024. Available at: . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Why it matters. Last accessed: October 2024. Available at: . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity and Severe Obesity Prevalence in Adults: United States, August 2021–August 2023. Last accessed October 2024. Available at: . © 2024 Novo Nordisk All rights reserved. US24SEMO01198 October 2024 SOURCE NOVO NORDISK INC. WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grace Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRCE) (Grace Therapeutics or the Company), a late-stage, biopharma company advancing GTx-104, its novel injectable formulation of nimodipine that addresses high unmet medical needs for a rare disease, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), today announced it will host a virtual key opinion leader (KOL) event on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 2:00 PM ET. To register, click here. The event will feature Abhishek Ray, MD (University Hospitals) and Andrew Webb, PharmD, BCCCP (Massachusetts General Hospital), who will discuss the high unmet medical need and current treatment landscape for patients suffering from aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (aSAH), a rare and life-threatening medical emergency. A live question and answer session will follow the formal presentations. About Abhishek Ray, MD Abhishek Ray, MD, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified neurological surgeon at University Hospitals and Associate Professor of neurological surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He specializes in caring for people with cerebrovascular disease (brain aneurysms, stroke, AVMs), pituitary tumors and meningiomas, and in minimally invasive techniques to treat degenerative spine disease. In neurological surgery, there are often multiple ways to treat a single problem, and Dr. Ray is committed to providing each patient with an individualized care plan to optimize results. In 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, he was selected by his peers to be included in Cleveland Magazine’s list of Top Doctors. After completing his undergraduate degree in biological systems engineering at the University of California – Davis, Dr. Ray went back to his hometown to attend medical school at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City, Kansas, where he was elected to be an ambassador of the school and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He then went on to complete neurological surgery residency at University Hospitals/Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where he also completed fellowship training in neuro-interventional surgery. Dr. Ray stayed on as faculty at UH/Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine to advance neurosurgical education there. He created a unique and comprehensive neurological surgery elective for second-year medical students, of which he is now the course director. He has been an instructor at national skull base courses for neurosurgical residents and fellows and has served as editor of the neuro-interventional section of CNS Nexus, an online library of neurosurgical cases to better prepare trainees for the operating room. About Andrew Webb, PharmD, BCCCP Andrew Webb, PharmD, BCCCP, is a board-certified neurocritical care clinical pharmacy specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and serves as adjunct clinical faculty at Northeastern University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. His clinical and research interests include subarachnoid hemorrhage, status epilepticus, traumatic brain injury, and optimizing the medical management of neurocritically ill patients and his clinical practice is on the multidisciplinary neurocritical care team at MGH’s 22-bed neurosciences intensive care unit. Dr. Webb is originally from Rhode Island and completed his undergraduate studies and Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island. He then completed his pharmacy practice residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN followed by residency in critical care at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. Dr. Webb serves on the MGH Comprehensive Stroke Center Quality Taskforce and the MGH Neurology Quality Assurance and Committee on Patient Safety, focusing on improving the quality, safety, and effectiveness of medication therapy in stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and other neurologic conditions. He is active in the Neurocritical Care Society, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and Society for Critical Care Medicine and serves on several committees within these organizations related to critical care and neurology practice, research, and education. He has lectured regionally and nationally on the pharmacotherapy of subarachnoid hemorrhage, status epilepticus, and the unique challenges of pharmacotherapy in neurocritical care. About aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (aSAH) aSAH is bleeding over the surface of the brain in the subarachnoid space between the brain and the skull, which contains blood vessels that supply the brain. A primary cause of such bleeding is the rupture of an aneurysm. Approximately 70% of aSAH patients experience death or dependence, and more than 30% die within one month of hemorrhage. Approximately 50,000 patients in the United States are affected by aSAH per year, based on market research. Outside of the United States, annual cases of aSAH are estimated at approximately 60,000 in the European Union, and approximately 150,000 in China. About the Grace Therapeutics Asset Portfolio GTx-104 is a clinical stage, novel, injectable formulation of nimodipine being developed for intravenous (IV) infusion in aSAH patients to address significant unmet medical needs. The unique nanoparticle technology of GTx-104 facilitates aqueous formulation of insoluble nimodipine for a standard peripheral IV infusion. GTx-104 provides a convenient IV delivery of nimodipine in the Intensive Care Unit potentially eliminating the need for nasogastric tube administration in unconscious or dysphagic patients. Intravenous delivery of GTx-104 also has the potential to lower food effects, drug-to-drug interactions, and eliminate potential dosing errors. Further, GTx-104 has the potential to better manage hypotension in aSAH patients. GTx-104 has been administered in over 150 healthy volunteers and was well tolerated with significantly lower inter- and intra-subject pharmacokinetic variability compared to oral nimodipine. The addressable market in the United States for GTx-104 is estimated to be about $300 million, based on market research. GTx-102 is a novel, concentrated oral-mucosal spray of betamethasone intended to improve neurological symptoms of Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T), for which there are currently no FDA-approved therapies. GTX-102 is a stable, concentrated oral spray formulation comprised of the gluco-corticosteroid betamethasone that, together with other excipients can be sprayed conveniently over the tongue of the A-T patient and is rapidly absorbed. The further development of GTx-102 has been deprioritized in favor of our focus on development of GTx-104. It is also possible that we may license or sell our GTx-102 drug candidate. GTx-101 is a non-narcotic, topical bio-adhesive film-forming bupivacaine spray designed to ease the symptoms of patients suffering with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). GTx-101 is administered via a metered-dose of bupivacaine spray and forms a thin bio-adhesive topical film on the surface of the patient’s skin, which enables a touch-free, non-greasy application. It also comes in convenient, portable 30 ml plastic bottles. Unlike oral gabapentin and lidocaine patches, we believe that the biphasic delivery mechanism of GTx-101 has the potential for rapid onset of action and continuous pain relief for up to eight hours. No skin sensitivity was reported in a Phase 1 trial. The further development of GTx-101 has been deprioritized in favor of our focus on development of GTx-104. It is also possible that we may license or sell our GTx-101 drug candidate. About Grace Therapeutics Grace Therapeutics is a late-stage biopharma company with drug candidates addressing rare and orphan diseases. Grace Therapeutics’s novel drug delivery technologies have the potential to improve the performance of currently marketed drugs by achieving faster onset of action, enhanced efficacy, reduced side effects, and more convenient drug delivery. Grace Therapeutics’s lead clinical assets have each been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA, which provides seven years of marketing exclusivity post-launch in the United States, and additional intellectual property protection with over 40 granted and pending patents. Grace Therapeutics’s lead clinical asset, GTx-104, is an intravenous infusion targeting aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (aSAH), a rare and life-threatening medical emergency in which bleeding occurs over the surface of the brain in the subarachnoid space between the brain and skull. For more information, please visit: www.gracetx.com. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results of Grace Therapeutics to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements which explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements containing the terms "believes," "belief," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimates", "potential," "should," "may," "will," "plans," "continue", "targeted" or other similar expressions to be uncertain and forward-looking. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The forward-looking statements in this press release, including statements regarding the timing of a data readout from the Company’s Phase 3 STRIVE-ON safety trial of GTx-104, the timing of the Company’s planned NDA submission with the FDA in connection with the Company's Phase 3 STRIVE-ON safety trial, GTx-104’s commercial prospects; the size of the addressable market for GTx-104, the Company’s beliefs regarding the potential benefits of GTx-104, including GTx-104's potential to bring enhanced treatment options to patients suffering from aSAH, and the anticipated benefits and future development, license or sale of the Company's other drug candidates are based upon Grace Therapeutics'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, including, without limitation: (i) the success and timing of regulatory submissions of the Phase 3 STRIVE-ON safety trial for GTx-104; (ii) regulatory requirements or developments and the outcome and timing of the proposed NDA application for GTx-104; (iii) changes to clinical trial designs and regulatory pathways; (iv) legislative, regulatory, political and economic developments; and (v) actual costs associated with Grace Therapeutics's clinical trials as compared to management's current expectations. The foregoing list of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risk factors detailed in documents that have been and are filed by Grace Therapeutics from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulators. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Grace Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by applicable securities laws. For more information, please contact: Grace Therapeutics Contact: Prashant KohliChief Executive OfficerTel: 609-322-1602Email: info@gracetx.com www.gracetx.com Investor Relations: LifeSci AdvisorsMike MoyerManaging DirectorPhone: 617-308-4306Email: mmoyer@lifesciadvisors.com

Nes-Ziona, Israel, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enlivex Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq: ENLV, the “Company”), a clinical-stage macrophage reprogramming immunotherapy company, today announced that the Japanese Patent Office issued a notice of allowance for patent application number 2022-512861 titled “THERAPEUTIC APOPTOTIC CELLS FOR TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS”. Once issued, the resulting patent will provide Enlivex with added intellectual property (IP) protection through at least 2040. The Company expects that this new patent will be formally issued in Japan by the end of the second quarter of 2025. Oren Hershkovitz, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Enlivex, commented, “this notice of allowance demonstrates our commitment to protecting Allocetra’s™ commercial opportunities in key geographies around the world. We also believe that it highlights the successful execution of our global IP strategy. Going forward, we will continue to pursue multiple layers of patent protection in key global markets as we work to develop Allocetra™ as a next generation cell therapy for osteoarthritis, which is an unmet medical need that currently has poor treatment alternatives.” ABOUT KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS1 Osteoarthritis is by far the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 32.5 million Americans and more than 300 million individuals worldwide. About half of knees with ACL injuries develop osteoarthritis within 5 to 15 years. 78 million Americans are projected to have osteoarthritis by the year 2040. Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis is particularly prevalent and disabling, with 40% of men and 47% of women developing knee osteoarthritis in their lifetimes. Osteoarthritis accounts for over one million hospitalizations annually in the United States, primarily for total joint replacement. The burden of osteoarthritis is enormous, and the need for treatments that reduce pain and attendant disability for persons with osteoarthritis is critical. There are currently no medications approved by either the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA) that have been demonstrated to arrest, slow or reverse progression of structural damage in the joint. ABOUT ENLIVEX Enlivex is a clinical stage macrophage reprogramming immunotherapy company developing Allocetra™, a universal, off-the-shelf cell therapy designed to reprogram macrophages into their homeostatic state. Resetting non-homeostatic macrophages into their homeostatic state is critical for immune system rebalancing and resolution of life-threatening conditions. For more information, visit https://enlivex.com/. ENLIVEX CONTACT Shachar Shlosberger, CFO Enlivex Therapeutics, Ltd. shachar@enlivexpharm.com INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT Dave Gentry, CEO RedChip Companies Inc. 1-407-644-4256 ENLV@redchip.com Safe Harbor Statement: This press release contains forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words such as “expects,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “may,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “should,” “would”, “could,” “intends,” “estimates,” “suggests,” “has the potential to” and other words of similar meaning, including statements regarding the timing and receipt of intellectual property protection for ALLOCETRATM programs and market opportunities for ALLOCETRATM programs. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may affect Enlivex’s business and prospects, including the risks that Enlivex may not succeed in generating any revenues or developing any commercial products; that the products in development may fail, may not achieve the expected results or effectiveness and/or may not generate data that would support the approval or marketing of these products for the indications being studied or for other indications; that ongoing studies may not continue to show substantial or any activity; and other risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The results of clinical trials in humans may produce results that differ significantly from the results of clinical and other trials in animals. The results of early-stage trials may differ significantly from the results of more developed, later-stage trials. The development of any products using the ALLOCETRATM product line could also be affected by a number of other factors, including unexpected safety, efficacy or manufacturing issues, additional time requirements for data analyses and decision making, the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation, the impact of competitive products and pricing and the impact of patents and other proprietary rights held by competitors and other third parties. In addition to the risk factors described above, investors should consider the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors discussed in Enlivex’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required under applicable law. 1 Source: The Arthritis Foundation; Disease modification in osteoarthritis; pathways to drug approval, Katz et. Al., Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open (2) (2020)