Insmed Announces Positive Topline Results from Phase 3b ENCORE Study of ARIKAYCE® (Amikacin Liposome Inhalation Suspension) in Patients with MAC Lung Disease
—The Study Met Primary and All Multiplicity-Controlled Secondary Culture Conversion Endpoints, Demonstrating Statistically Significant and Clinically Meaningful Improvements in Respiratory Symptom Score and Culture Conversion Rates—
—In the Second Half of 2026,
—Insmed to Host Investor Conference Call on
Topline efficacy results from the ENCORE study are as follows:
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ARIKAYCE 590 mg plus |
Placebo plus |
Treatment p-value |
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Primary Endpoint |
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Change from Baseline in |
17.77 points |
14.66 points |
3.11 points, p=0.0299* |
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Multiplicity-Controlled Secondary Endpoints |
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Culture Conversion by |
87.8 % |
57.0 % |
30.8%, p<0.0001* |
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Culture Conversion by |
84.7 % |
61.3 % |
23.3%, p<0.0001* |
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Culture Conversion by |
82.4 % |
55.6 % |
26.8%, p<0.0001* |
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Durable Culture |
76.2 % |
47.6 % |
28.6%, p<0.0001* |
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Change from Baseline in |
-5.07 |
-4.27 |
-0.81, p=0.2900 |
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*Statistically significant |
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"These results are an exciting win for patients living with MAC lung disease and a powerful validation of ARIKAYCE's ability to deliver real clinical benefit as part of a multidrug treatment regimen," said
With these results,
"These groundbreaking results show that patients may have significant clinical benefit from including ARIKAYCE as part of their multidrug treatment earlier in their MAC lung disease journey," said
The safety profile was consistent with the known safety profile of ARIKAYCE, and no new safety signals were observed. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurring in 10% or more of patients in a treatment arm and higher in the ARIKAYCE arm compared to the active comparator arm were in line with expectations. Overall TEAEs were as follows:
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ARIKAYCE 590 mg plus |
Placebo plus azithromycin |
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Any TEAE, n (%) |
209 (98.1) |
206 (97.2) |
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Severe TEAE, n (%) |
32 (15.0) |
22 (10.4) |
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Serious TEAE, n (%) |
30 (14.1) |
24 (11.3) |
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TEAE Leading to Death, n (%) |
1 (0.5) |
1 (0.5) |
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TEAE Leading to |
31 (14.6) |
18 (8.5) |
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TEAEs ≥10% and Higher in |
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|
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Dysphonia, n (%) |
125 (58.7) |
18 (8.5) |
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Cough, n (%) |
70 (32.9) |
31 (14.6) |
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Fatigue, n (%) |
37 (17.4) |
24 (11.3) |
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Dyspnea, n (%) |
35 (16.4) |
12 (5.7) |
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Nausea, n (%) |
33 (15.5) |
27 (12.7) |
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Headache, n (%) |
27 (12.7) |
25 (11.8) |
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n = number of patients with at least 1 event |
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Among TEAEs of special interest, only bronchospasm (n=49, 23.0% vs n=25, 11.8%) and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (n=5, 2.3% vs n=0) occurred in notably more patients receiving ARIKAYCE than patients in the comparator arm. Comparable rates between treatment arms were observed for ototoxicity (n=55, 25.8% vs n=48, 22.6%), exacerbation of underlying pulmonary disease (n=23, 10.8% vs n=21, 9.9%), hemoptysis (n=22, 10.3% vs n=22, 10.4%), neuromuscular disorders (n=5, 2.3% vs n=6, 2.8%), and nephrotoxicity (n=1, 0.5% vs n=0). No death was considered related to ARIKAYCE or placebo. The treatment discontinuation rate was 18.3% in the ARIKAYCE arm and 11.8% in the comparator arm. Study completion rates were 90.6% in the ARIKAYCE arm and 93.4% in the comparator arm.
Conference Call
A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately one hour after its completion through March 30, 2026, by dialing (800) 770-2030 (
About the Phase 3b ENCORE Study
ENCORE was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3b study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ARIKAYCE plus multidrug therapy in diagnosed patients with a new occurrence of MAC lung infection who have not received antibiotics. Among enrolled patients, 82.4% were experiencing their first MAC infection, while this was the second or third infection for 17.6% of patients. Patients were screened and enrolled at 177 sites globally, and a total of 425 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive once-daily regimens of either ARIKAYCE plus multidrug therapy (azithromycin 250 mg + ethambutol 15 mg/kg; n=213) or placebo (inhaled empty liposome control) plus multidrug therapy (azithromycin 250 mg + ethambutol 15 mg/kg; n=212) for 12 months. Patients then discontinued all study treatments and remained in the trial for three months for the assessment of durability of culture conversion.
The primary endpoint is change from baseline in Respiratory Symptom Score at Month 13 based on eight items from the Quality of Life – Bronchiectasis (QoL-B) Respiratory Domain. The multiplicity-controlled secondary endpoints are the proportion of patients achieving culture conversion by Months 6, 12, and 13, and durable culture conversion at Month 15, and change from baseline in PROMIS Fatigue T-score at Month 13. The
About MAC Lung Disease
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease is a rare and serious disease that can significantly increase morbidity and mortality. Patients with MAC lung disease can experience a range of symptoms that often worsen over time, including chronic cough, dyspnea, fatigue, fever, weight loss, and chest pain. In some cases, MAC lung disease can cause severe, even permanent damage to the lungs, and can be fatal. MAC lung disease is an emerging public health concern worldwide with significant unmet need.
About ARIKAYCE
ARIKAYCE® is approved in
About PARI Pharma and the Lamira
®
Nebulizer System
ARIKAYCE is delivered by a novel inhalation device, the Lamira® Nebulizer System, developed by PARI. Lamira® is a quiet, portable nebulizer that enables efficient aerosolization of ARIKAYCE via a vibrating, perforated membrane. Based on PARI's 100-year history working with aerosols, PARI is dedicated to advancing inhalation therapies by developing innovative delivery platforms to improve patient care.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR ARIKAYCE IN THE
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WARNING: RISK OF INCREASED RESPIRATORY ADVERSE REACTIONS |
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ARIKAYCE has been associated with an increased risk of respiratory adverse reactions, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, hemoptysis, bronchospasm, and exacerbation of underlying pulmonary disease that have led to hospitalizations in some cases. |
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (reported as allergic alveolitis, pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease, allergic reaction to ARIKAYCE) was reported at a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus background regimen (3.1%) compared to patients treated with a background regimen alone (0%). Most patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis discontinued treatment with ARIKAYCE and received treatment with corticosteroids. If hypersensitivity pneumonitis occurs, discontinue ARIKAYCE and manage patients as medically appropriate.
Hemoptysis has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Hemoptysis was reported at a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus background regimen (17.9%) compared to patients treated with a background regimen alone (12.5%). If hemoptysis occurs, manage patients as medically appropriate.
Bronchospasm has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Bronchospasm (reported as asthma, bronchial hyperreactivity, bronchospasm, dyspnea, dyspnea exertional, prolonged expiration, throat tightness, wheezing) was reported at a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus background regimen (28.7%) compared to patients treated with a background regimen alone (10.7%). If bronchospasm occurs during the use of ARIKAYCE, treat patients as medically appropriate.
Exacerbations of underlying pulmonary disease has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Exacerbations of underlying pulmonary disease (reported as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), infective exacerbation of COPD, infective exacerbation of bronchiectasis) have been reported at a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus background regimen (14.8%) compared to patients treated with background regimen alone (9.8%). If exacerbations of underlying pulmonary disease occur during the use of ARIKAYCE, treat patients as medically appropriate.
Anaphylaxis and Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious and potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported in patients taking ARIKAYCE. Signs and symptoms include acute onset of skin and mucosal tissue hypersensitivity reactions (hives, itching, flushing, swollen lips/tongue/uvula), respiratory difficulty (shortness of breath, wheezing, stridor, cough), gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain), and cardiovascular signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis (tachycardia, low blood pressure, syncope, incontinence, dizziness). Before therapy with ARIKAYCE is instituted, evaluate for previous hypersensitivity reactions to aminoglycosides. If anaphylaxis or a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue ARIKAYCE and institute appropriate supportive measures.
Ototoxicity has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Ototoxicity (including deafness, dizziness, presyncope, tinnitus, and vertigo) were reported with a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus background regimen (17%) compared to patients treated with background regimen alone (9.8%). This was primarily driven by tinnitus (7.6% in ARIKAYCE plus background regimen vs 0.9% in the background regimen alone arm) and dizziness (6.3% in ARIKAYCE plus background regimen vs 2.7% in the background regimen alone arm). Closely monitor patients with known or suspected auditory or vestibular dysfunction during treatment with ARIKAYCE. If ototoxicity occurs, manage patients as medically appropriate, including potentially discontinuing ARIKAYCE.
Nephrotoxicity was observed during the clinical trials of ARIKAYCE in patients with MAC lung disease but not at a higher frequency than background regimen alone. Nephrotoxicity has been associated with the aminoglycosides. Close monitoring of patients with known or suspected renal dysfunction may be needed when prescribing ARIKAYCE.
Neuromuscular Blockade: Patients with neuromuscular disorders were not enrolled in ARIKAYCE clinical trials. Patients with known or suspected neuromuscular disorders, such as myasthenia gravis, should be closely monitored since aminoglycosides may aggravate muscle weakness by blocking the release of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Aminoglycosides can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Aminoglycosides, including ARIKAYCE, may be associated with total, irreversible, bilateral congenital deafness in pediatric patients exposed in utero. Patients who use ARIKAYCE during pregnancy, or become pregnant while taking ARIKAYCE should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.
Contraindications: ARIKAYCE is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any aminoglycoside.
Most Common Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions in Trial 1 at an incidence ≥5% for patients using ARIKAYCE plus background regimen compared to patients treated with background regimen alone were dysphonia (47% vs 1%), cough (39% vs 17%), bronchospasm (29% vs 11%), hemoptysis (18% vs 13%), ototoxicity (17% vs 10%), upper airway irritation (17% vs 2%), musculoskeletal pain (17% vs 8%), fatigue and asthenia (16% vs 10%), exacerbation of underlying pulmonary disease (15% vs 10%), diarrhea (13% vs 5%), nausea (12% vs 4%), pneumonia (10% vs 8%), headache (10% vs 5%), pyrexia (7% vs 5%), vomiting (7% vs 4%), rash (6% vs 2%), decreased weight (6% vs 1%), change in sputum (5% vs 1%), and chest discomfort (5% vs 3%).
Drug Interactions: Avoid concomitant use of ARIKAYCE with medications associated with neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and ototoxicity. Some diuretics can enhance aminoglycoside toxicity by altering aminoglycoside concentrations in serum and tissue. Avoid concomitant use of ARIKAYCE with ethacrynic acid, furosemide, urea, or intravenous mannitol.
Overdosage: Adverse reactions specifically associated with overdose of ARIKAYCE have not been identified. Acute toxicity should be treated with immediate withdrawal of ARIKAYCE, and baseline tests of renal function should be undertaken. Hemodialysis may be helpful in removing amikacin from the body. In all cases of suspected overdosage, physicians should contact the
LIMITED POPULATION: ARIKAYCE® is indicated in adults, who have limited or no alternative treatment options, for the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease as part of a combination antibacterial drug regimen in patients who do not achieve negative sputum cultures after a minimum of 6 consecutive months of a multidrug background regimen therapy. As only limited clinical safety and effectiveness data for ARIKAYCE are currently available, reserve ARIKAYCE for use in adults who have limited or no alternative treatment options. This drug is indicated for use in a limited and specific population of patients.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on achieving sputum culture conversion (defined as 3 consecutive negative monthly sputum cultures) by Month 6. Clinical benefit has not yet been established. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
Limitation of Use
:
ARIKAYCE has only been studied in patients with refractory MAC lung disease defined as patients who did not achieve negative sputum cultures after a minimum of 6 consecutive months of a multidrug background regimen therapy. The use of ARIKAYCE is not recommended for patients with non-refractory MAC lung disease.
Patients are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1‑800‑FDA‑1088. You can also call the Company at 1-844-4-
Please see Full Prescribing Information.
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Contact:
Investors:
Vice President, Investor Relations
(646) 812-4030
investor.relations@insmed.com
Media:
Vice President, Corporate Communications
(862) 842-6819
media@insmed.com
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