Achieve Life Sciences Announces FDA Acceptance of Cytisinicline New Drug Application for Treatment of Nicotine Dependence for Smoking Cessation

Core Insights - Achieve Life Sciences has received FDA acceptance for its New Drug Application (NDA) for cytisinicline, marking a significant step towards potentially the first new FDA-approved pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation in two decades, with a PDUFA target date set for June 20, 2026 [2][4]. Company Overview - Achieve Life Sciences is a late-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing cytisinicline to address nicotine dependence and smoking cessation [5]. - The company has conducted extensive research, with over 2,000 clinical trial participants contributing to the evidence supporting cytisinicline's efficacy [3]. Clinical Trials and Efficacy - The ORCA-2 and ORCA-3 Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrated that cytisinicline, administered for either 6 or 12 weeks alongside standard behavioral support, resulted in significantly higher smoking abstinence rates compared to placebo [3]. - Safety data from the trials included over 400 participants with at least six months of cumulative exposure to cytisinicline, showing no new safety concerns [3]. Public Health Impact - Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., claiming nearly half a million lives annually and costing the economy over $600 billion each year [4][6]. - Approximately 15 million Americans attempt to quit smoking each year, highlighting the need for effective cessation tools [4]. Market Opportunity - There are about 29 million adults in the U.S. who smoke combustible cigarettes, and the company aims to provide a new treatment option for this population [6]. - Additionally, there are around 17 million adults using e-cigarettes, with no FDA-approved treatments currently available for nicotine e-cigarette cessation, indicating a significant unmet need [7]. Product Mechanism - Cytisinicline is a plant-derived alkaloid that interacts with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain, helping to reduce nicotine cravings and the satisfaction associated with nicotine products [8].