New Post-Hoc Analysis Supports YOSPRALA™ Efficacy And Safety In Previous Heart Attack Patients Who Need Daily Aspirin Therapy To Prevent A Second Cardiovascular Event

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Nov. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Aralez Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ARLZ) (TSX: ARZ) ("Aralez" or the "Company") today announced new data for YOSPRALA™, a recently FDA-approved prescription fixed-dose combination of aspirin, an anti-platelet agent, and omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), demonstrated significantly lower rates of gastric and duodenal ulcers compared to aspirin alone among patients with a history of myocardial infarction at risk for secondary cardiovascular events and gastrointestinal problems related to aspirin therapy at the annual American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. The study, titled "Efficacy and Safety of PA32540 (Enteric-Coated Aspirin 325 mg and Immediate-Release Omeprazole 40 mg) in Patients With a History of Myocardial Infarction: Analyses From Two Phase 3 Clinical Trials," found that YOSPRALA 325 mg / 40 mg was associated with significantly lower rates of gastric ulceration compared to 325 mg of enteric-coated aspirin (2.3% vs 7.5%; p=0.020) in these patients. Treatment with YOSPRALA was also associated with lower rates of duodenal ulcers (2.3% vs 9.5%; p=0.002) compared to enteric-coated aspirin in this population. Safety results in this population were comparable with the entire study population. "Treatment guidelines continue to support daily aspirin therapy as a critically important agent in the prevention of secondary cardiovascular events, but gastrointestinal symptoms prompt many patients to discontinue their treatment, which may leave them open to significant risk," said Paul A. Gurbel, MD, Director of Cardiovascular Research and Director of Inova Center for Thrombosis Research and Drug Development, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Falls Church, VA. "Results of this analysis demonstrate that patients at risk for aspirin-associated gastric ulcerations with a history of myocardial infarction may derive a tolerability benefit from this fixed-dose, coordinated delivery formulation of aspirin and prescription-strength omeprazole, which may allow patients to be more compliant with potentially life saving aspirin therapy." YOSPRALA received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval on September 14, 2016 for the treatment of patients who require aspirin for secondary prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and who are at risk of developing aspirin associated gastric ulcers. Study MethodologyThis post-hoc analysis examined a subset of 411 patients from two similarly-designed double-blind Phase 3 clinical studies who were taking aspirin for prevention of a second heart attack. The goal was to determine if YOSPRALA reduces the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) side effects that may cause patients to curtail or discontinue their daily aspirin therapy. The primary efficacy endpoint was the cumulative proportion of patients who developed endoscopically determined gastric ulceration throughout six months of treatment. In the study overall, participants were adults with established cardiovascular disease who had been taking 325 mg of aspirin daily for at least three months for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events and were expected to continue daily aspirin therapy for at least six months. All patients were at risk for aspirin-associated gastric ulceration, defined as either being at least 55 years of age or 18 to 54 years old with a documented history of gastric or duodenal ulcer within five years before study enrollment. Endoscopy was performed at baseline, and after one, three and six months of treatment. "The evidence for daily aspirin therapy in secondary prevention is well supported in the literature, as is the risk patients may face if they discontinue aspirin treatment," said James Tursi, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Aralez Pharmaceuticals. "Literature supports an approximate three-fold increase in the risk of having, or dying from, a major adverse cardiac event if at-risk patients stop taking their aspirin1. By reducing the risk of developing gastric ulcers, YOSPRALA may help patients stay on aspirin therapy so they receive the cardio-protective benefits they need."  Aspirin: A "Gold Standard" for Secondary PreventionUp to an estimated 26.2 million adults in the U.S. are at risk for secondary CV events. The occurrence of secondary CV events among people with heart disease continues to be a significant problem in the U.S. Patients who have experienced a heart attack have an elevated CV risk within the first six years2 of that first event, equating to an estimated 200,000 Americans a year who go on to have a second heart attack.3 Recent guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association affirm the importance of daily aspirin therapy. Daily aspirin therapy, however, may cause gastrointestinal symptoms and damage, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric ulcers and even gastrointestinal bleeding, through both direct and indirect mechanisms. Unfortunately, these events can happen regardless of dose or ASA formulation, such as enteric-coating or buffering. About YOSPRALA™YOSPRALA is a combination of enteric-aspirin (81 mg or 325 mg), an anti-platelet agent, surrounded by immediate-release omeprazole (40 mg), a proton pump inhibitor, indicated for patients who require aspirin for secondary prevention of CV and cerebrovascular events and who are at risk of developing aspirin-associated gastric ulcers. The aspirin component of YOSPRALA is indicated for reducing the combined risk of death and nonfatal stroke in patients who have had ischemic stroke or transient ischemia of the brain due to fibrin platelet emboli; reducing the combined risk of death and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with a previous MI or unstable angina pectoris; and reducing the combined risk of MI and sudden death in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris. It is also indicated for use in patients who have undergone revascularization procedures − coronary artery bypass graft or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty − when there is a pre-existing condition for which aspirin is already indicated. The omeprazole component of YOSPRALA is indicated for decreasing the risk of developing aspirin associated gastric ulcers in patients at risk for developing aspirin-associated gastric ulcers due to age (≥ 55) or documented history of gastric ulcers. YOSPRALA is not for use as the initial dose of aspirin therapy during onset of acute coronary syndrome, acute MI or before percutaneous coronary intervention. YOSPRALA was evaluated in clinical studies for the reduction of gastric ulcers. It was not evaluated for the reduction of GI bleeding and therefore has not been shown to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding due to aspirin. YOSPRALA is not interchangeable with the individual components of aspirin and omeprazole. Important Safety InformationYou should take YOSPRALA (aspirin and omeprazole) exactly as prescribed, at the lowest dose possible and for the shortest time needed. Do not stop taking YOSPRALA without talking with your doctor. Stopping YOSPRALA suddenly could increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Do not take YOSPRALA if you are allergic to aspirin, omeprazole, or any of the ingredients in YOSPRALA. Do not take YOSPRALA if have a medical condition with severe shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, coughing or wheezing (asthma), sneezing, runny nose or itchy nose (rhinitis), and growths inside of your nose or sinuses (nasal polyps). Do not take YOSPRALA if you are allergic to any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Do not take YOSPRALA if you are taking a medicine that contains rilpivirine such as EDURANT®, COMPLERA®, or ODEFSEY®. YOSPRALA should not be used in children. Tell your doctor if you have unexpected bleeding, if you bleed more than usual, or if your bleeding lasts longer than is normal for you, such as increased bruising or more frequent nose bleeds after taking YOSPRALA. Tell your doctor if you have stomach problems while taking or after you stop taking YOSPRALA. Stop taking YOSPRALA and call your doctor right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms: black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain. Avoid heavy alcohol use (3 or more drinks daily) during treatment with YOSPRALA. YOSPRALA contains aspirin and omeprazole. Before taking YOSPRALA, tell your doctor if you take: aspirin, or any prescription or over-the-counter medicines containing aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)clopidogrel bisulphate (PLAVIX®). You should not take clopidogrel bisulphate (PLAVIX®) if you take YOSPRALA.ticagrelor (BRILINTA®). If your doctor prescribes YOSPRALA for you, you should not take YOSPRALA that contains the 325/40 mg strength dose.Kidney problems may happen at any time during treatment with YOSPRALA. Call your doctor if you have a decrease in the amount that you urinate, have blood in your urine, changes in urination, swelling, skin rash or itching, or your breath smells like ammonia. YOSPRALA can cause diarrhea caused by an infection (Clostridium difficile) in your intestines. Call your doctor if you have watery stools or stomach pain that does not go away. You may or may not have a fever. Bone fractures (hip, wrist, or spine) in people who take multiple daily doses of proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-containing medicines like YOSPRALA for a long period of time (a year or longer) may occur. Certain types of lupus erythematosus may happen or get worse in people who already have lupus and who take PPI medicines, including YOSPRALA. Call your doctor right away if you have joint pain or a rash on your cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun. Liver problems may happen during treatment with YOSPRALA. Tell your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of liver problems, including: yellowing of your skin or your eyes, stomach-area (abdominal) pain and swelling, itchy skin, and dark (tea-colored) urine. Low vitamin B12 levels in your body can happen in people who have taken a PPI medicine, such as omeprazole, for a long time (more than 3 years). Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of low vitamin B12 levels, including: shortness of breath, lightheadedness, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, pale skin, feeling tired, mood changes, and tingling or numbness. Low magnesium levels in your body can happen in people who have taken YOSPRALA for at least 3 months. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of low magnesium levels, including: seizures, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, jitteriness, muscle aches or weakness, and spasms of hands, feet or voice. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing, talk to your doctor before taking YOSPRALA. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with YOSPRALA. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, anti-cancer drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. YOSPRALA may affect how other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how YOSPRALA works. This can cause serious side effects. Especially tell your doctor if you are taking: a medicine that contains rilpivirine (EDURANT®, COMPLERA®, ODEFSEY®)clopidogrel bisulphate (PLAVIX®)ticagrelor (BRILINTA®)St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)rifampin (RIMACTANE, RIFATER®, RIFAMATE®, RIFADIN®)methotrexate (OTREXUP, RASUVO, TREXALL)YOSPRALA is not interchangeable with the individual components of aspirin and omeprazole. The most common side effects of YOSPRALA include: indigestion or heartburn and stomach-area pain, nausea, diarrhea, growths (polyps) in your stomach, and chest pain behind the breastbone, for example, with eating.The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk about YOSPRALA with your pharmacist or other health care providers. The product information can be found at www.YOSPRALA.com or 1-866-207-6592.Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. For full prescribing information and additional important safety information, please visit: www.YOSPRALA.com. About Aralez Pharmaceuticals Inc.Aralez Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ARLZ and TSX: ARZ) is a global specialty pharmaceutical company focused on delivering meaningful products to improve patients' lives while creating shareholder value by acquiring, developing and commercializing products primarily in cardiovascular, pain and other specialty areas. Aralez's Global Headquarters is in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, its U.S. Headquarters is planned to be in Princeton, NJ and the Irish Headquarters is in Dublin, Ireland. More information about Aralez can be found at www.aralez.com.