ENCORE success positions Insmed (Nasdaq: INSM) to seek ARIKAYCE label expansion
Insmed Incorporated reported positive topline results from its Phase 3b ENCORE study of ARIKAYCE in patients with newly diagnosed MAC lung infection not previously treated with antibiotics. ARIKAYCE plus multidrug therapy improved Respiratory Symptom Score at Month 13 by 17.77 points versus 14.66 with placebo, a 3.11‑point advantage (p=0.0299), and achieved culture conversion by Month 6 in 87.8% of patients versus 57.0% with placebo. By Month 15, a significantly greater proportion of ARIKAYCE patients maintained durable culture conversion, and overall study completion exceeded 90% in both arms, with a safety profile consistent with known risks such as dysphonia, cough and bronchospasm. These results fulfill the U.S. FDA post‑marketing requirement, and Insmed plans a supplemental NDA in the second half of 2026 to seek U.S. label expansion and conversion of ARIKAYCE’s existing refractory indication to traditional approval, as well as a parallel submission to Japan’s PMDA.
Positive
- Phase 3b ENCORE trial met primary and all key secondary endpoints, with ARIKAYCE plus multidrug therapy showing statistically significant improvements in Respiratory Symptom Score and culture conversion versus placebo in newly diagnosed MAC lung disease.
- High culture conversion and durability, including 87.8% culture conversion by Month 6 versus 57.0% with placebo and significantly higher durable conversion at Month 15, strengthens ARIKAYCE’s efficacy package in MAC lung disease.
- FDA post‑marketing requirement fulfilled with a large, global study of 425 patients, supporting Insmed’s plan to file a supplemental NDA in the U.S. and a parallel submission to Japan’s PMDA in the second half of 2026 for label expansion and traditional approval.
Negative
- None.
Insights
ENCORE success strengthens ARIKAYCE’s clinical case and supports key label expansion filings.
The ENCORE trial showed ARIKAYCE plus standard multidrug therapy produced better symptom relief and higher culture conversion than placebo plus multidrug therapy in newly diagnosed MAC lung disease. The primary Respiratory Symptom Score endpoint and all multiplicity‑controlled culture conversion endpoints reached statistical significance.
Culture conversion by Month 6 was 87.8% with ARIKAYCE versus 57.0% with placebo, and durable conversion by Month 15 also favored ARIKAYCE. Safety findings, including higher rates of dysphonia, cough and bronchospasm, were broadly consistent with the established profile, and no deaths were attributed to study drug.
Completion of this study fulfills the FDA post‑marketing requirement, a pivotal regulatory milestone. Insmed plans a supplemental NDA in the U.S. and a submission to Japan’s PMDA in the second half of 2026 to pursue label expansion and traditional approval, which could materially broaden the addressable MAC lung disease population if regulators agree with these results.
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(State or other jurisdiction
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(Commission
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(IRS Employer
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of incorporation)
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File Number)
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Identification No.)
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(Zip Code)
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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Title of each class
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Trading Symbol(s)
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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Nasdaq Global Select Market
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ARIKAYCE 590 mg plus azithromycin 250 mg + ethambutol 15 mg/kg once-daily (N=213)
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Placebo plus azithromycin 250 mg + ethambutol 15 mg/kg once-daily (N=212)
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Treatment difference, p-value
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Primary Endpoint
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Change from Baseline in Respiratory Symptom Score at Month 13
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17.77 points
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14.66 points
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3.11 points,
p=0.0299*
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Multiplicity-Controlled Secondary Endpoints
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Culture Conversion by Month 6
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87.8%
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57.0%
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30.8%,
p<0.0001*
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Culture Conversion by Month 12
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84.7%
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61.3%
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23.3%,
p<0.0001*
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Culture Conversion by Month 13
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82.4%
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55.6%
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26.8%,
p<0.0001*
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Durable Culture Conversion at Month 15
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76.2%
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47.6%
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28.6%,
p<0.0001*
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Change from Baseline in PROMIS Fatigue T-score at Month 13
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-5.07
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-4.27
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-0.81,
p=0.2900
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Other Secondary & Exploratory Endpoints
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Meeting the Meaningful Within-Patient Change (“MWPC”) Threshold as Reflected in the Change in Respiratory Symptom Scores Computed from Baseline to Month 13
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MWPC=16.67
53.4%
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MWPC=16.67
45.4%
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MWPC=16.67
8.0%,
p=0.0570**
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MWPC=20.83
43.5%
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MWPC=20.83
35.3%
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MWPC=20.83
8.2%,
p=0.0390**
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Change from Baseline in Respiratory Symptom Score at Month 15
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16.63 points
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11.83 points
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4.80 points,
p=0.0015**
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Time to Culture Conversion
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Median: Month 2***
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Median: Month 3***
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Hazard ratio: 2.03,
p<0.0001**
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ARIKAYCE 590 mg plus azithromycin 250 mg + ethambutol 15 mg/kg once-daily (N=213)
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Placebo plus azithromycin 250 mg + ethambutol 15 mg/kg once-daily (N=212)
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Any TEAE, n (%)
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209 (98.1)
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206 (97.2)
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Severe TEAE, n (%)
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32 (15.0)
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22 (10.4)
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Serious TEAE, n (%)
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30 (14.1)
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24 (11.3)
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TEAE Leading to Death, n (%)
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1 (0.5)
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1 (0.5)
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TEAE Leading to ARIKAYCE/Comparator
Discontinuation, n (%)
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31 (14.6)
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18 (8.5)
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TEAEs ≥10% and Higher in the ARIKAYCE Arm
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Dysphonia, n (%)
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125 (58.7)
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18 (8.5)
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Cough, n (%)
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70 (32.9)
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31 (14.6)
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Fatigue, n (%)
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37 (17.4)
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24 (11.3)
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Dyspnea, n (%)
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35 (16.4)
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12 (5.7)
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Nausea, n (%)
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33 (15.5)
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27 (12.7)
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Headache, n (%)
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27 (12.7)
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25 (11.8)
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Exhibit
No.
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Description
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99.1
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Press release issued by Insmed Incorporated on March 23, 2026.
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99.2
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Insmed Incorporated March 23, 2026 ENCORE Presentation.
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104
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Cover Page Interactive Date File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
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Dated: March 23, 2026
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INSMED INCORPORATED
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By:
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/s/ Michael A. Smith
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Name:
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Michael A. Smith
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Title:
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Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
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Exhibit 99.1
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ARIKAYCE 590 mg plus azithromycin 250 mg + ethambutol 15 mg/kg (N=213)
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Placebo plus azithromycin 250 mg + ethambutol 15 mg/kg (N=212)
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Treatment difference,
p-value
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Primary Endpoint
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|||
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Change from Baseline in Respiratory Symptom Score at Month 13
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17.77 points
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14.66 points
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3.11 points,
p=0.0299*
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Multiplicity-Controlled Secondary Endpoints
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|||
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Culture Conversion by Month 6
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87.8%
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57.0%
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30.8%,
p<0.0001*
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Culture Conversion by Month 12
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84.7%
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61.3%
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23.3%,
p<0.0001*
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Culture Conversion by Month 13
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82.4%
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55.6%
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26.8%,
p<0.0001*
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Durable Culture Conversion at Month 15
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76.2%
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47.6%
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28.6%,
p<0.0001*
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Change from Baseline in PROMIS Fatigue T-score at Month 13
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-5.07
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-4.27
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-0.81,
p=0.2900
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ARIKAYCE 590 mg plus azithromycin 250 mg + ethambutol 15 mg/kg (N=213)
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Placebo plus azithromycin 250 mg + ethambutol 15 mg/kg (N=212)
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Any TEAE, n (%)
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209 (98.1)
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206 (97.2)
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Severe TEAE, n (%)
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32 (15.0)
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22 (10.4)
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Serious TEAE, n (%)
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30 (14.1)
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24 (11.3)
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TEAE Leading to Death, n (%)
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1 (0.5)
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1 (0.5)
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TEAE Leading to ARIKAYCE/Comparator
Discontinuation, n (%)
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31 (14.6)
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18 (8.5)
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TEAEs ≥10% and Higher in the ARIKAYCE Arm
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Dysphonia, n (%)
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125 (58.7)
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18 (8.5)
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Cough, n (%)
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70 (32.9)
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31 (14.6)
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Fatigue, n (%)
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37 (17.4)
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24 (11.3)
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Dyspnea, n (%)
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35 (16.4)
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12 (5.7)
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Nausea, n (%)
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33 (15.5)
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27 (12.7)
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Headache, n (%)
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27 (12.7)
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25 (11.8)
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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.
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FAQ
What did Insmed (INSM) announce about the Phase 3b ENCORE study?
What were the key efficacy results for ARIKAYCE in ENCORE for Insmed (INSM)?
How did the safety profile of ARIKAYCE look in Insmed’s ENCORE trial?
What regulatory steps will Insmed (INSM) take after the ENCORE results?
Did ENCORE fulfill any FDA requirements for Insmed’s ARIKAYCE?
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Filing Exhibits & Attachments
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