A.P. Pharma Resubmits New Drug Application For APF530, A Product Candidate For The Prevention Of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea And Vomiting

A.P. Pharma, Inc. (OTCBB: APPA), a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has resubmitted its New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its lead product candidate, APF530, for the prevention of acute- and delayed-onset chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). A.P. Pharma expects confirmation of acceptance from the FDA and a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date within the next few weeks. The Company anticipates a six-month review by FDA.

“The resubmission of the APF530 NDA is a pivotal milestone for A.P. Pharma and brings this important therapeutic option one step closer to cancer patients suffering from CINV," said John B. Whelan, A.P. Pharma’s president and chief executive officer. "Now that we have resubmitted the NDA, our focus will shift to pre-marketing and pre-commercialization activities in anticipation of potential FDA approval of APF530."

About CINV

Prevention and control of nausea and vomiting, or emesis, are very important in the treatment of cancer patients. The majority of patients receiving chemotherapy will experience some degree of emesis if not prevented with an antiemetic, typically administered just prior to chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy treatments can be classified as moderately emetogenic, meaning that 30% to 90% of patients experience CINV, or highly emetogenic, meaning that more than 90% of patients experience CINV, if they do not receive an antiemetic. Acute-onset CINV occurs within the first 24 hours following chemotherapy treatment. Delayed-onset CINV occurs more than 24 hours after treatment and may persist for several days. Prevention of CINV is important because the distress caused by CINV can severely disrupt patient quality of life and can lead some patients to delay or discontinue chemotherapy.

About APF530

A.P. Pharma's lead product, APF530, is in development for the prevention of both acute-onset and delayed-onset chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). APF530 contains the 5-HT3 antagonist, granisetron, formulated in the Company's proprietary Biochronomer™ drug delivery system, which allows therapeutic drug levels to be maintained for five days with a single subcutaneous injection. Intravenous and oral formulations containing granisetron are approved for the prevention of acute-onset CINV, but not delayed-onset CINV. Granisetron was selected because it is widely prescribed by physicians based on a well-established record of safety and efficacy.

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