What exactly is the Technosphere® Platform?

One of the largest organs in your body are the lungs. Picture the size of a full tennis court and that is roughly the surface area of both lungs in a typical adult. Running through those lungs are airways whose total length measures 1,500 miles – that’s the distance between Chicago and Las Vegas, New York to Albuquerque, and Los Angeles to Nashville.

Simply put, the lungs create a wonderful platform for effective drug delivery. MannKind’s Technosphere technology recognizes this and provides the distinct advantage of rapid, deep lung drug delivery. The effect is similar to intravenous delivery (I.V.; within a vein) and has the added benefit of bypassing the liver which can be especially helpful in reducing systemic side effects.

Examining it closer, it helps to look at inhalation, air flow travel, and the exhale. When you breathe in, air is drawn into the lung and flows down curving, narrowing airways that end in the air sacs or alveoli. When air is exhaled, the flow is reversed. Between the end of an inhalation and the start of exhalation, the air in the lung is stationary. To reach the deep lung, inhaled particles must be carried by the air stream and have enough momentum to continue through the stationary air to collide with the lung surface.

Particles that can reach the lung have aerodynamic diameters between 0.5 µm and 5-6 µm (1 µm is 1 micro-meter or about 0.00004 inches). Particles that are larger than 6 µm will leave the air stream and hit the back of your mouth and throat; smaller than 0.5 µm wouldn’t have the ability to reach the lungs and would simply get exhaled.

“The average Technosphere particle is about 2-2.5 µm which is in the middle of the respirable range,” explains Marshall Grant, PhD, MSc, Executive Director, Clinical Pharmacology & Research for MannKind Corporation. “The particle size distribution is a major reason Technosphere powders are highly efficient in delivering drug to the lungs than other dry powder inhalers (DPIs).”

The Technosphere particles in FDA-approved Afrezza® (insulin human) Inhalation Powder and Tyvaso DPI™ (treprostinil) Inhalation Powder are manufactured by different processes and possess different characteristics. But both are made up of small crystals of FDKP (fumaryl diketopiperazine), MannKind’s proprietary molecule. FDKP provides high solubility and fast dissolution at physiologic pH – and more importantly – can crystallize and form particles in the range appropriate for optimum delivery to the lungs.

When Technosphere powder reaches the lung surface, the FDKP and drug dissolve. The FDKP is then rapidly cleared from the lung into systemic circulation. The FDKP is not metabolized, but rather excreted primarily in the urine. Another value of Technosphere powders has been their versatility – they are compatible with a wide range of doses with different types of drugs.

MannKind’s Technosphere powders are delivered into the lung’s airstream via an inhalation device or DPI (dry powder inhaler). The breath-powered inhalers (Dreamboat® being the most common version) provide excellent delivery efficiency and are proven to deliver up to 70% of the dry-powder dose deep into the lungs. Our DPI are designed to be simple, easy to use and discreet. For patients, imagine having a drug in the convenient form of an inhaler that fits in the palm of your hand. This approach allows patients to not only take control of their health but do it while going about their day and enjoying life more humann.

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NTM Lung Disease on the Rise

“I cough every morning upon waking, so I don’t feel rested.” “Imagine not being able to breathe.” “Anxiety ruins everything about you – it’s not a normal life.” “You just exist from day to day and week to week.” These are a sampling of comments about the most bothersome symptoms from living with Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) shared in a study from NTM Info & Research, Inc. The statements are unfortunately typical and those with NTM often have unpredictable day-to-day health functioning and reduced quality of life.

NTM lung disease is a serious infection that is caused by bacteria that are common in the environment and can cause lung damage. The reality is that we are all exposed to these bacteria in our day-to-day lives – more than 120 species of mycobacteria have been identified. These common bacteria exist in water and soil particles that are in the air, wet places like hot tubs, steamy bathrooms, dishwashers, and even the dewy ground we walk on at the park. But not everyone is at risk of getting NTM lung disease just because they are exposed.

Those predisposed often have underlying conditions such as asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis, which makes them prone to NTM infection. NTM is not considered to be contagious. Women over the age of 65 make up the majority of those impacted, with a predominance in those of Caucasian and Asian descent.

A rare disease, NTM can often be difficult to diagnose. Many will experience coughing, fatigue, weight loss and shortness of breath – all of which are common with other lung disease symptoms and other conditions like tuberculosis. With NTM, symptoms often worsen, and that is a marker not to be ignored.

It is estimated that some 86,000 individuals are living with NTM lung diseases, and it is on the rise growing 8% each year. Coastal regions including Gulf States have higher rates of infection accounting for 70% of annual NTM cases.

While no cure is available, treatments to manage NTM are available. Treatment for NTM involves antibiotic and multidrug regimens with duration lasting from months to years with tolerability and adverse reactions to treatment which often leads to a lack of adherence to therapy.

There is a valuable need to develop medicines that are well tolerated and effective that lends to consistent patient use and alleviates symptoms of NTM lung disease. MannKind continues to progress MNKD-101 (Clofazimine) for the treatment of NTM.

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Release Details

MannKind Announces Positive Clinical Data for AFREZZA; Both AFFINITY Phase 3 Studies Meet Primary Endpoints

08/14/13
PDF Version
MannKind Announces Positive Clinical Data for AFREZZA; Both AFFINITY Phase 3 Studies Meet Primary Endpoints

VALENCIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 14, 2013-- MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq:MNKD) today announced that it will hold a conference call at 4:00 pm (EDT) today to discuss preliminary results from Study 171 and Study 175, two Phase 3 clinical studies of AFREZZA® (insulin human [rDNA origin]) Inhalation Powder, an investigational, ultra rapid-acting mealtime insulin therapy administered using MannKind’s next-generation (Gen2) inhaler (also known as the Dreamboat™ inhaler).

Highlights of Study 171

In patients with type 1 diabetes, AFREZZA, compared to insulin aspart, showed:

  • Non-inferior decreases in A1c levels;
  • Significantly less hypoglycemia;
  • Significant decreases in fasting blood glucose levels; and
  • Significant weight advantage.

In addition, the changes in pulmonary function observed in the AFREZZA-Gen2 group were no different than those observed in an AFREZZA treatment group that utilized MannKind’s first-generation (MedTone) inhaler.

Highlights of Study 175

In patients with type 2 diabetes treated with oral therapy, AFREZZA, compared to oral therapy alone, showed:

  • Superior reductions in A1c levels;
  • Significantly more patients reached A1c target levels;
  • Reduced postprandial glucose excursions; and
  • No significant difference in the incidence of severe hypoglycemia.

These preliminary results are subject to further analysis. More detailed preliminary results are included in separate releases that accompany this announcement.

“We are pleased that both Phase 3 studies met their primary efficacy endpoints and that Study 171 also achieved its other main objective of demonstrating comparability between the Gen2 and MedTone inhalers,” stated Alfred Mann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MannKind Corporation. “The positive results of Study 171 and Study 175 will form the basis of an amendment to our new drug application for AFREZZA, which we expect to submit to the Food and Drug Administration early in the fourth quarter of this year.”

Conference Call

MannKind will host a conference call to discuss the second quarter financial results and recent clinical trial results at 4:00 PM (Eastern Time) on August 14, 2013. Presenting from the Company will be its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Alfred Mann; President and Chief Operating Officer, Hakan Edstrom; Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Matthew Pfeffer; and Senior Vice President, Clinical Sciences, Robert Baughman.

To participate in the live call by telephone, please dial (800) 447-0521 or (847) 413-3238 and use the participant passcode: 34087263. Those interested in listening to the conference call live via the Internet may do so by visiting the Company's website at http://www.mannkindcorp.com.

A telephone replay of the call will be accessible for approximately 14 days following completion of the call by dialing (888) 843-7419 or (630) 652-3042 and use the participant passcode: 3408 7263#. A replay will also be available on MannKind's website for 14 days.

About AFREZZA®

AFREZZA® is a novel, ultra rapid-acting mealtime insulin therapy being developed by MannKind Corporation for the treatment of adult patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes for the control of hyperglycemia. It is a drug-device combination product, consisting of AFREZZA Inhalation Powder, pre-metered into single-use cartridges, and a light, discreet and easy-to-use inhaler. Administered at the start of a meal, AFREZZA dissolves immediately upon inhalation and delivers insulin quickly to the bloodstream. Peak insulin levels are achieved within 12 to 14 minutes of administration, effectively mimicking the release of meal-time insulin observed in healthy individuals, but which is absent in patients with diabetes.

About MannKind Corporation

MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq: MNKD) focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products for patients with diseases such as diabetes. Its lead product candidate, AFREZZA®, has completed Phase 3 clinical trials. MannKind maintains a website at www.mannkindcorp.com to which MannKind regularly posts copies of its press releases as well as additional information about MannKind. Interested persons can subscribe on the MannKind website to e-mail alerts that are sent automatically when MannKind issues press releases, files its reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission or posts certain other information to the website.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements related to the results of clinical studies and the timing of regulatory submissions, that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intend," "will," "goal," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory feedback or completing and analyzing the results of clinical studies, completion of further statistical analysis of the results of these studies, whether the data from these two studies will satisfy all requirements of the Food and Drug Administration and will be sufficient to support approval of the amended new drug application for AFREZZA, the timing of regulatory review and decisions, MannKind’s ability to manage its existing cash resources or raise additional cash resources, stock price volatility and other risks detailed in MannKind's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and MannKind undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Source: MannKind Corporation

MannKind Corporation
Matthew Pfeffer
Chief Financial Officer
661-775-5300
mpfeffer@mannkindcorp.com