On July 20th, 2023, Palvella Therapeutics announced the top-line results from their Phase 3 study of QTORIN™ 3.9% rapamycin anhydrous gel aimed at treating Pachyonychia Congenita (PC). The study did not demonstrate a significant treatment effect on the primary endpoint, which was the Patient Global Assessment of Activities Difficulty. This measure evaluates the difficulty patients face in performing daily activities on their feet, compared to a placebo.
Despite the lack of efficacy in the primary endpoint, QTORIN™ rapamycin was well-tolerated by participants. There were no withdrawals due to drug-related adverse events, and no serious adverse events were reported. The most common adverse events were mild to moderate infections and infestations, such as nasopharyngitis, COVID-19, and upper respiratory tract infections.
Palvella Therapeutics plans to conduct further analysis of the Phase 3 VAPAUS study results and share these findings with key stakeholders, including the PC Project, physicians, and scientists. However, based on the current results, the company has decided not to pursue additional clinical studies or commercial preparation activities for QTORIN™ rapamycin in treating PC.
This outcome is disappointing for the PC community, especially for those who participated in the trials and hoped for a positive result. The PC Project expressed gratitude towards the trial participants and the Palvella team for their dedication and efforts. The collaboration has provided valuable insights into clinical trials and PC, which will benefit future research endeavors.
The PC Project continues to support and fund innovative research aimed at finding effective treatments for PC. With ongoing clinical trials and potential new treatments on the horizon, the organization encourages registry patients to participate in future trials. The commitment to advancing PC research and finding a cure remains strong, with the community's support and the dedication of researchers and physicians worldwide.
