Awakn Life Sciences Corp. is advancing its AWKN-002 program for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) following a productive Pre-Investigational New Drug (Pre-IND) meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has signaled support for the continued development of AWKN-002, a proprietary oral thin film (OTF) formulation of esketamine designed for sublingual and buccal administration, in combination with structured alcohol education, for the treatment of moderate to severe AUD. The company anticipates submitting an IND application in the second half of 2025, with a Phase 2b trial application expected in the first half of 2026.
FDA's Guidance and Development Strategy
The Pre-IND meeting, held on December 16, 2024, allowed Awakn to discuss its IND development plan and receive FDA guidance on nonclinical and clinical study requirements. The FDA's constructive feedback included confirmation that no additional clinical data are required before initiating a Phase 2b trial in patients with moderate to severe AUD. This decision streamlines the path forward for AWKN-002, potentially accelerating its availability to patients in need.
Regulatory Pathway and Market Exclusivity
The FDA also agreed that AWKN-002 can be reviewed under the 505(b)(2) New Drug Application (NDA) approval pathway. This pathway allows the use of data from an approved esketamine product to support the development of AWKN-002 for AUD treatment, provided a scientific bridge between the two products is established. If successful, AWKN-002 could be granted up to 5 years of market exclusivity in the U.S. for the treatment of AUD, assuming its patents are granted and recognized.
Management Perspectives
Anthony Tennyson, CEO of Awakn, expressed satisfaction with the Pre-IND meeting outcome, stating, "The FDA's support for our development strategy, particularly their confirmation that we can proceed to Phase 2b once a suitable scientific bridge to the product has been established, marks a significant milestone for Awakn. This feedback provides us with a clear and efficient path forward in the development of AWKN-002, a novel treatment for AUD, an area of substantial unmet medical need."
Prof. David Nutt, Chief Research Officer of Awakn, added, "The FDA's recognition of our development strategy, and their willingness to support progression to Phase 2b, further validates the potential of AWKN-002 as a therapeutic for AUD. We look forward to continuing our work to bring this promising treatment to patients in need."
About Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic, relapsing brain health disorder characterized by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over drinking, and negative emotional states when not using alcohol. It affects approximately 29 million adults in the US, with an estimated 40 million affected in the US and key European markets. Current treatment success rates are low, with up to 75% of patients relapsing within 12 months, highlighting the significant unmet medical need. The economic cost of AUD in the US is estimated at $249 billion.
