ANI Pharmaceuticals Announces Presentation of New Preclinical Data

Rhea-AI Summary

ANI Pharmaceuticals presented new preclinical data for Purified Cortrophin Gel at EULAR 2025 Congress, demonstrating promising results in treating murine collagen-induced arthritis. The study showed that repository corticotropin injection (RCI) significantly reduced joint swelling and inflammatory cytokine response in mice, particularly at the 400 U/kg dose, without causing additional bone loss. The research, led by experts from UC San Diego and UC Davis, supports ANI's commitment to understanding their product's mechanism of action. Cortrophin Gel is currently indicated for short-term administration as adjunctive therapy in rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Positive

• Preclinical data showed significant dose-dependent reduction in joint swelling
• Treatment at 400 U/kg dose decreased inflammatory response without causing additional bone loss
• Research conducted by leading experts from prestigious institutions

Negative

• Study limited to preclinical mouse model data only
• Multiple safety warnings and contraindications for the drug
• Potential serious adverse reactions including fluid retention, osteoporosis, and hypertension

Insights

Pharmaceutical Research Analyst

Positive preclinical data shows Cortrophin Gel reduces inflammation in arthritis without bone loss, potentially expanding clinical applications.

The new preclinical data for ANI Pharmaceuticals' Cortrophin Gel demonstrates significant dose-dependent effects in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis. The repository corticotropin injection (RCI) showed efficacy in attenuating joint swelling and improving clinical scores compared to control groups, with optimal results at the higher 400 U/kg dose. What's particularly noteworthy is that the treatment reduced inflammatory cytokine response without disrupting immunoglobulin G formation or causing additional bone loss.

This research provides valuable insights into Cortrophin Gel's mechanism of action in inflammatory conditions. Already FDA-approved for rheumatoid arthritis, this data strengthens the scientific foundation for its current indication while potentially supporting expanded applications. The involvement of distinguished researchers from UC San Diego and UC Davis adds credibility to these findings.

From a development perspective, this research represents part of ANI's broader commitment to building scientific evidence for their commercial products. Rather than simply marketing their existing approval, they're investing in understanding how their medication works. This approach typically enhances physician confidence, potentially translating to increased prescription rates and market share in the competitive inflammatory disease space.

While these are preclinical results that require confirmation in human studies, they represent a positive incremental advancement in understanding Cortrophin Gel's therapeutic profile and mechanism of action.

The Use of Purified Cortrophin® Gel in Murine Collagen-Induced Arthritis Mouse Model presented as a poster at the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2025 Congress

PRINCETON, N.J., June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ANI or the Company) (Nasdaq: ANIP) today announced new preclinical data on the use of Purified Cortrophin Gel (repository corticotropin injection USP) (Cortrophin Gel) in a mouse model of murine collagen-induced inflammatory arthritis.

“In a preclinical model of murine collagen-induced arthritis, repository corticotrophin injection attenuated joint swelling in mice, and decreased inflammatory cytokine response without causing additional bone turnover, as compared to controls,” said Mary Pao, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of Rare Disease at ANI. “These data further expand our understanding of Cortrophin Gel’s mechanism of action.”

The effect of repository corticotropin injection (RCI, an equivalent to Cortrophin Gel in this model), when used as monotherapy, was evaluated using a mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model to assess the inflammatory response and bone damage. Following CIA induction, mice received subcutaneous RCI (40 or 400 U/kg twice daily), or vehicle control. RCI treatment had a significant dose dependent effect on attenuating CIA-induced joint swelling and clinical scores at both doses when compared to vehicle with the greatest effect at the 400 U/kg dose. Additionally, RCI treatment at the 400 U/kg dose resulted in a reduction in inflammatory cytokine response, but no disruption in immunoglobulin G formation and no additive bone loss.

This research was led by Maripat Corr, MD, Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA and Nancy Lane, MD, Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Rheumatology at the University of California Sacramento, Davis, CA.

“The data for Cortrophin Gel presented at EULAR is part of a broader program demonstrating ANI’s commitment to scientific and clinical research for our products. We are proud to collaborate with leading scientists and clinicians on studies designed to better understand our products, in the hopes of helping patients,” said Nikhil Lalwani, President and Chief Executive Officer at ANI.

The data was presented in a poster session at the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2025 Congress being held June 11-14, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain.

Presentation Title: Repository corticotropin injection (RCI) attenuates inflammatory response in a pre-clinical murine collagen-induced arthritis model
Session Title: Poster Tour II; Basic Poster Tours: New Molecules on the Horizon in Spondylarthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Presentation #: POS0014
Presentation Time: Wednesday, 11 June: 15:54-16:00 CEST
Lead Author: Maripat Corr, MD

The abstract and poster are available online at https://congress.eular.org/.

Indication

Cortrophin Gel is a prescription medicine that is injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly. It is indicated for:

• Short-term administration as an adjunctive therapy during an acute episode or exacerbation in rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
  
  

Important Safety Information

Contraindications

• Cortrophin Gel is contraindicated for intravenous administration.
• Cortrophin Gel is contraindicated in patients who have any of the following conditions: scleroderma; osteoporosis; systemic fungal infections; ocular herpes simplex; recent surgery; history of or the presence of a peptic ulcer; congestive heart failure; hypertension; primary adrenocortical insufficiency; adrenocortical hyperfunction; or sensitivity to proteins derived from porcine sources.
  
  

Warnings and Precautions

• Infections: Corticotropin therapy may increase susceptibility to infections and may mask the symptoms of infections.
• Adrenal insufficiency: Prolonged corticotropin therapy can increase the potential for adrenal insufficiency after withdrawal of the medication. Adrenal insufficiency may be minimized by gradually reducing the corticotropin dosage. Hormone therapy should be reinstituted if stressful situations arise during discontinuation.
• Elevated blood pressure, salt and water retention, and hypokalemia: Corticotropin can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium or calcium.
• Masking symptoms of other diseases: Corticotropin may only suppress signs and symptoms of chronic disease without altering the natural course of disease.
• Psychiatric reactions: Psychic derangements may appear when corticotropin is used, ranging from euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, and depression to psychosis. Existing conditions may be aggravated.
• Ophthalmic reactions: Prolonged use of corticotropin may produce posterior subcapsular cataracts and glaucoma with possible damage to the optic nerves.
• Immunogenicity potential: Prolonged administration of Cortrophin Gel may increase the risk of hypersensitivity reactions. Neutralizing antibodies with chronic administration may lead to loss of endogenous ACTH and Cortrophin Gel activity.
• Vaccination: Patients should not be vaccinated against smallpox while on corticotropin therapy. Other immunizations should be undertaken with caution due to possible neurologic complications and lack of antibody response.
• Use in patients with hypothyroidism and cirrhosis: There is an enhanced effect in patients with hypothyroidism and in those with cirrhosis.
• Use in patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity: Closely observe for reactivation of the disease.
• Comorbid diseases: Corticotropin should be used with caution in patients with diabetes, abscess, pyogenic infections, diverticulitis, renal insufficiency, and myasthenia gravis.
• Growth and development: Carefully observe growth and development of infants and children on prolonged corticotropin therapy.
• Acute gouty arthritis: Treatment of acute gouty arthritis should be limited to a few days. Conventional concomitant therapy should be administered during corticotropin treatment and for several days after it is stopped.
• Drug interactions: Aspirin should be used cautiously with corticotropin in hypoprothrombinemia.
• Pregnancy: Since fetal abnormalities have been observed in animals, Cortrophin Gel should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
  
  

Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions for Cortrophin Gel include fluid or sodium retention; muscle weakness; osteoporosis; peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage; injection site reactions; impaired wound healing; hypertension; convulsions; headache; development of Cushingoid state; suppression of growth in children; and weight gain. These are not all the adverse reactions reported with Cortrophin Gel.

Please see full Prescribing Information.

About ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANIP) is a diversified biopharmaceutical company committed to its mission of “Serving Patients, Improving Lives" by developing, manufacturing, and commercializing innovative and high-quality therapeutics. The Company is focused on delivering sustainable growth through its Rare Disease business, which markets novel products in the areas of ophthalmology, rheumatology, nephrology, neurology, and pulmonology; its Generics business, which leverages R&D expertise, operational excellence, and U.S.-based manufacturing; and its Brands business. For more information, visit www.anipharmaceuticals.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains not only historical information, but also forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events, including statements regarding the benefits of the acquisition of Alimera Sciences. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “shall,” “would” other words of similar meaning, derivations of such words and the use of future dates. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: the ability of our approved products, including Cortrophin Gel, ILUVIEN and YUTIQ, to achieve commercialization at levels of market acceptance that will continue to allow us to achieve profitability; our ability to complete or achieve any, or all of the intended benefits of acquisitions and investments, including the acquisition of Alimera, in a timely manner or at all; the limitation of our cash flow as a result of the indebtedness and liabilities incurred from the acquisition of Alimera; the risks that our acquisitions and investments, including the acquisition of Alimera, could disrupt our business and harm our financial position and operating results; delays and disruptions in production of our approved products, increased costs and potential loss of revenues if we need to change suppliers due to the limited number of suppliers for our raw materials, active pharmaceutical ingredients, expedients, and other materials; delays and disruptions in production of our approved products as a result of our reliance on single source third party contract manufacturing supply for certain of our key products, including Cortrophin Gel, ILUVIEN and YUTIQ; delays or failure in obtaining and maintaining approvals by the FDA of the products we sell; changes in policy or actions that may be taken by the FDA, United States Drug Enforcement Administration and other regulatory agencies, and the focus of the current U.S. presidential administration, including among other things, drug recalls, regulatory approvals, facility inspections and potential enforcement actions; risks that we may face with respect to importing raw materials and delays in delivery of raw materials and other ingredients and supplies necessary for the manufacture of our products from both domestic and overseas sources due to supply chain disruptions or for any other reason, including increased costs due to tariffs; the ability of our manufacturing partners to meet our product demands and timelines; the impact of changes or fluctuations in exchange rates; our ability to develop, license or acquire, and commercialize new products; our obligations in agreements under which we license, develop or commercialize rights to products or technology from third parties and our ability to maintain such licenses; the level of competition we face and the legal, regulatory and/or legislative strategies employed by our competitors to prevent or delay competition from generic alternatives to branded products; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; the impact of legislative or regulatory reform on the pricing for pharmaceutical products; the impact of any litigation to which we are, or may become, a party; our ability, and that of our suppliers, development partners, and manufacturing partners, to comply with laws, regulations and standards that govern or affect the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; our ability to maintain the services of our key executives and other personnel; and general business and economic conditions, such as inflationary pressures, geopolitical conditions including but not limited to the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, conflicts related to the attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, and the effects and duration of outbreaks of public health emergencies. More detailed information on these and additional factors that could affect the Company’s actual results are described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release and are based on the Company’s current beliefs, assumptions, and expectations. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Relations:
Lisa M. Wilson, In-Site Communications, Inc.
T: 212-452-2793
E: lwilson@insitecony.com

FAQ

What were the key findings of ANI Pharmaceuticals' Cortrophin Gel study presented at EULAR 2025?

The study showed that Cortrophin Gel significantly reduced joint swelling and inflammatory cytokine response in mice with collagen-induced arthritis, particularly at the 400 U/kg dose, without causing additional bone loss.

What is the current indication for ANIP's Cortrophin Gel?

Cortrophin Gel is indicated for short-term administration as adjunctive therapy during acute episodes or exacerbation in rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Who led the research for ANI Pharmaceuticals' Cortrophin Gel study?

The research was led by Dr. Maripat Corr from UC San Diego and Dr. Nancy Lane from UC Davis.

What are the main contraindications for Cortrophin Gel (ANIP)?

Cortrophin Gel is contraindicated for intravenous use and in patients with conditions including scleroderma, osteoporosis, systemic fungal infections, ocular herpes simplex, recent surgery, peptic ulcer, congestive heart failure, and hypertension.

What dosages of Cortrophin Gel were tested in the ANIP preclinical study?

The study tested subcutaneous RCI doses of 40 U/kg and 400 U/kg administered twice daily, with the 400 U/kg dose showing the greatest effect.