Theratechnologies Reports on Positive
Body Image Parameters at the International
AIDS Conference

 

Montréal, Canada – August 4, 2008 – Theratechnologies (TSX:TH) today announced positive data related to body image for patients treated with tesamorelin in both its first and confirmatory Phase 3 clinical trials, in two poster presentations at the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, Mexico. Body image parameters are considered an important secondary endpoint and a clinical benefit of both Phase 3 studies. The Company will also sponsor a symposium entitled “Body Fat Changes and Metabolic Complications in the General Population and in HIV” at the Conference.

First Phase 3 Trial: Body Image Parameters at 52 Weeks

The first poster was authored by Dr. Ralph Turner, Vice President and Senior Research Investigator of Phase V Technologies, and collaborators, and describes the new positive results of the body image parameters for the first Phase 3 study at 52 weeks. The poster is entitled, “Long-term Impact of Tesamorelin (TH9507), a Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor Analogue, on Body Image Parameters in HIV-Infected Patients with excess Abdominal Fat” (poster Number: THPE0810). Patients who continue treatment with 2mg of tesamorelin for a total of 52 weeks in the first Phase 3 study experienced sustained improvements in belly and body appearance distress as well as patient-reported belly profile (p<0.05 compared to baseline). Alternatively, improvements in these parameters seen at Week 26 of treatment were lost in patients who were crossed over to placebo at Week 26. As was observed with visceral adipose tissue (VAT), the primary endpoint of the study, improvements in belly image, an important secondary endpoint and a clinical benefit of the study, were sustained for those patients treated over a 52-week period.  Phase V Technologies is an independent company responsible for evaluating body image parameters in Theratechnologies' pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials.

Confirmatory Phase 3 Trial: Body Image Parameters at 26 Weeks

The second poster was authored by Dr. Julian Falutz, Director, HIV Metabolic Clinic, Montreal General Hospital, Assistant Professor, McGill University Medical School, and Lead Investigator for Canada and reviews the positive confirmatory Phase 3 results, previously disclosed by the Company, for patients treated with 2mg of tesamorelin over 26 weeks. The poster is entitled, “Results from the 26-Week Confirmatory, Phase 3 Trial of Tesamorelin (TH9507), a Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor Analogue, in HIV Patients with Excess Abdominal Fat: A Multi-center, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study with 404 Randomized Patients” (poster Number: LBPE1156). The poster reviews the positive top-line previously disclosed data regarding efficacy and safety of tesamorelin. As a summary, VAT significantly decreased without affecting SAT, belly image was significantly improved, and improvements were seen in triglyceride levels without affecting glucose parameters. These positive data confirm previous Phase 3 data suggesting that tesamorelin may be beneficial for the treatment of HIV patients with lipohypertrophy.

HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy

Caused by several factors including the antiviral drug regimen and the virus itself, HIV-associated lipodystrophy is characterized by body composition changes, dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance. The changes in body composition include excess visceral fat accumulation and loss of subcutaneous fat in the limbs and in the face. Excess VAT and its concomitant metabolic profile have recently been shown to be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in HIV patients. There is currently no approved treatment available for HIV-associated lipodystrophy, a serious condition that can stigmatize patients and discourage HIV treatment adherence.