"These results are disappointing, as there are no approved treatments for people living with dyskinetic cerebral palsy," said Sanjay Keswani, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Neurocrine Biosciences. "We are deeply grateful to the patients and their families, as well as the investigators and site staff, whose commitment, dedication, and participation made this clinical trial possible."
The study – the largest double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial ever completed in DCP – evaluated the efficacy of 14 weeks of treatment with valbenazine compared with placebo in pediatric and adult participants who have dyskinesia due to cerebral palsy with choreiform movements. Adverse events were generally consistent with the established safety profile for valbenazine.
Neurocrine will report the full study results at an upcoming scientific meeting.Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. announced that its Phase 3 KINECT®-DCP study evaluating the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of valbenazine in pediatric and adult participants who have dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP) did not meet primary or key secondary endpoints. The primary objective of the study was to assess improvement in chorea, a type of involuntary movement, in individuals with DCP.
About Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a nonprogressive neurodevelopmental disorder that affects movement and posture, starting in early childhood. It occurs in about three per 1,000 children in the United States. People living with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP) often have mixed hyperkinetic movements, including dystonia (sustained or intermittent involuntary muscle contractions) and choreoathetosis (random or writhing involuntary movements), leading to severe motor impairment. DCP accounts for approximately 15% of CP cases. Currently, no therapies are approved to treat dystonia or choreoathetosis in CP.
About the Phase 3 KINECT®-DCP Study
The Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of valbenazine for the treatment of dyskinesia due to cerebral palsy in pediatric and adult participants who experience choreiform movements. Participants aged six to 70 years were randomized to receive either valbenazine or placebo for 14 weeks during the double-blind treatment period. Following this, participants had the option to enter an open-label extension phase, during which all received valbenazine. The primary objective for this study is to evaluate the efficacy of valbenazine versus placebo on improving chorea in pediatric and adult subjects who have DCP with choreiform movements.
About Valbenazine
Valbenazine is a selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor. Neurocrine Biosciences received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in 2017 for valbenazine as the first drug ever developed for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. In 2023, the company received FDA approval for valbenazine as a treatment for chorea associated with Huntington's disease. Neurocrine is developing two next generation VMAT2 inhibitors, led by NBI-1065890 entering Phase 2 development for tardive dyskinesia in 2026.
