Alexza Initiates AZ-104 (Staccato(R) Loxapine) Phase 2b Clinical Trial in Patients With Migraine...( MOUNTAIN VIEW Calif. Jan. 20 /- A...),Health

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXA) announced today that it has initiated a Phase 2b clinical trial with AZ-104 (Staccato loxapine) in patients with migraine headaches. AZ-104 is a lower-dose version of AZ-004 (Staccato loxapine), Alexza's lead product candidate that is in late Phase 3 clinical development for the acute treatment of agitation in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The Company has previously announced positive results in two Phase 3 trials of AZ-004 and expects to submit a New Drug Application for AZ-004 in early 2010. AZ-104 and AZ-004 are being developed through Symphony Allegro, a product development partnership formed between Alexza and Symphony Capital, LLC.

The AZ-104 Phase 2b clinical trial is an outpatient, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, single-dose, placebo-controlled study in approximately 360 patients who have migraines, with or without aura. Three doses will be evaluated in the clinical trial, placebo and two doses of AZ-104 (1.25 and 2.5 mg). The primary efficacy endpoint for the trial is headache pain relief at 2 hours post-dose, using the standard 4-point rating scale (International Headache Society). Secondary efficacy endpoints for the trial include pain relief and other symptom assessments at various time points. Safety evaluations will also be made throughout the clinical trial period.

"We previously announced initial results with AZ-104 in an in-clinic setting, showing its positive effect treating pain and other key symptoms of migraine headache," said Thomas B. King, Alexza President and CEO. "We believe the potential value of the non-invasive nature and rapid onset of pharmacological action provided by our Staccato system is well-suited for migraine pain relief in the outpatient set
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