Sorrento (SRNE) Gets FDA Fast Track Tag for Back Pain Product
Sorrento Therapeutics’ SRNE subsidiary Scilex Holding Company recently received Fast Track designation from the FDA for investigational drug and device product candidate SP-103 (lidocaine topical system) for the treatment of lower back pain (“LBP”).
SP-103 is built on data from Scilex’s FDA-approved flagship pain program, Ztlido 1.8%. SP-103 is a non-opioid triple-strength, non-aqueous lidocaine topical system being evaluated for LBP. SP-103 and Scilex’s flagship pain product Ztlido 1.8% share the same adhesive drug delivery formulation and manufacturing technology.
In May, Sorrento-owned Scilex received an FDA clearance to initiate a double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II study of SP-103 (lidocaine topical system) 5.4% for acute LBP. The company intends to complete the ongoing study by the first quarter of 2023. Based on the phase II results, the phase III study of the candidate will be planned.
According to a report by the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), the most common type of pain reported by patients in the United States is LBP. It is estimated that nearly 25% of adults in the United States suffer from acute LBP. The target market for SP-1-03 has a global market potential of reaching $10 billion by 2026.
Presently, there are no approved medicines specifically indicated for acute LBP. If approved, SP-103 can become the first FDA-approved lidocaine topical product for acute LBP. Since the target market represents a significant opportunity, the approval should bring in significant revenues for the company.
Post the announcement of the news, the stock price of Sorrento surged by 5.67% during market hours on Aug 31. However, Sorrento shares have declined 55.9% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s decline of 24%.
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Apart from SP-103, the company’s pain portfolio consists of its FDA-approved Ztlido 1.8% for relieving pain associated with post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).
It is also developing Resiniferatoxin (“RTX”), a naturally occurring and ultra-potent transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 agonist to reduce long-lasting noxious chronic pain symptoms. The company intends to develop RTX as a multi-indication franchise asset and is preparing the candidate for its pivotal studies evaluating it for pain associated with cancer ad moderate to severe osteoarthritis pain.
To further strengthen its pain portfolio, Scilex entered into an agreement to acquire Ancora Medical, a privately held medical technology company.
The acquisition will add Ancora’s FDA-approved key asset, its Nerve Block Catheter Set, indicated for surgical pain management during pre-operative, perioperative and postoperative periods associated with general and orthopedic surgery.
Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. Price
Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. price | Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. Quote
Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider
Currently, SRNE has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better stocks in the same sector are Immunocore IMCR, Sutro Biopharma STRO and Vascular Biogenics VBLT, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.
Immuncore’s loss per share estimates for 2022 have narrowed from $2.62 to $1.34 in the past 30 days. The same for 2023 has narrowed from $2.90 to $1.78 in the same time frame.
Earnings of Immunocore missed estimates in two of the trailing four quarters and beat the same on the remaining two occasions. The average earnings surprise for IMCR is 33.28%.
Sutro’s loss per share estimates for 2022 have improved from $3.33 to $2.23 in the past 30 days. The same for 2023 has narrowed from $3.43 to $2.81 in the same time frame.
Earnings of Sutro beat estimates in two of the trailing four quarters were in line in one and missed the same on the remaining occasion. The average negative earnings surprise for STRO is 1.13%.
Vascular Biogenics’ loss per share estimates for 2022 improved from 51 cents to 49 cents in the past 30 days. The same for 2023 has widened from 46 cents to 47 cents in the same time frame.
Earnings of VBLT beat estimates in two of the trailing four quarters and missed the same on the remaining two occasions. The average negative earnings surprise for VBLT is 10.16%.
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