SEATTLE and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Achieve Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACHV), a late-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the global development and commercialization of cytisinicline as a treatment of nicotine dependence, today announced that the company has issued inducement grants of stock options to Erik Atkisson, Chief Legal Officer, and other new employees. As an inducement to employment, Achieve’s Board of Directors granted Mr. Atkisson options to ...

Core Insights - Achieve Life Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:ACHV) is currently viewed as a promising investment opportunity, particularly among Canadian penny stocks, with a Buy rating maintained at a price target of $11.00 [1] - The FDA has accepted Achieve Life Sciences' New Drug Application (NDA) for cytisinicline, aimed at smoking cessation, with a targeted action date set for June 20, 2026 [2] - The acceptance of the NDA highlights the company's commitment to addressing nicotine dependence, a condition that has not seen new therapies in nearly two decades [3] Financial Overview - As of the end of the third quarter, Achieve Life Sciences reported cash and cash equivalents of $48.1 million, with total operating expenses for the quarter amounting to $14.7 million [4] - The company experienced a net loss of $14.4 million for the third quarter and a total net loss of $40 million for the first nine months of the year [4] Company Focus - Achieve Life Sciences is a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing cytisinicline to combat nicotine dependence and the broader smoking and vaping epidemic [5] - The company has successfully completed Phase 3 studies for smoking cessation and has submitted the NDA to the FDA for this indication [5]

Cytisinicline Overview - Cytisinicline represents a potential new treatment for nicotine dependence in nearly 20 years, targeting an addressable market of up to 50 million Americans who use tobacco[7] - The FDA's PDUFA date for cytisinicline for smoking cessation is expected on June 20, 2026[9] - Nicotine dependence is a significant public health crisis, costing billions of dollars[7] Clinical Trial Results - Smoking cessation trials (ORCA-2 and ORCA-3) demonstrated robust efficacy, excellent tolerability, and significant craving reduction[30] - In 12-week cytisinicline treatment trials, quit rates reached 32.6% compared to 7% with placebo, yielding an odds ratio of 6.3 (p<0.0001)[31] - In 6-week cytisinicline treatment trials, quit rates reached 25.3% compared to 4.4% with placebo, yielding an odds ratio of 8.0 (p<0.0001)[31] - Cytisinicline shows a more favorable adverse event profile compared to Varenicline (Chantix®), with lower rates of nausea (6.2% vs 30%), insomnia (10.8% vs 18%), abnormal dreams (7.7% vs 13%), and headache (8.1% vs 15%)[37] Market and Commercial Strategy - Over $600 billion is spent annually in the U S on smoking-related health care costs[14] - Approximately 29 million U S smokers have few treatment options[15] - The company estimates an $11 billion Rx opportunity in the smoking cessation market[57]

Core Viewpoint - Achieve Life Sciences has promoted Craig Donnelly to Chief Operations Officer to lead the company's operations in preparation for the anticipated launch of cytisinicline, a treatment for nicotine dependence, in mid-late 2026 [1][2][3]. Company Overview - Achieve Life Sciences is a late-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing cytisinicline for smoking cessation [4]. - The FDA has accepted the New Drug Application (NDA) for cytisinicline, with a PDUFA completion date set for June 20, 2026 [4]. Leadership and Experience - Craig Donnelly has over 25 years of biopharmaceutical experience, previously serving as Executive Vice President for Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) and Regulatory CMC at Achieve since 2022 [2][3]. - His prior roles include senior positions at NuCana, ICON, and F. Hoffman-La Roche, and he began his career at Pfizer [3]. Product Development - Cytisinicline is a plant-derived alkaloid that interacts with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors to help treat nicotine dependence [7][8]. - The product is currently under development and has not yet received FDA approval for any indication in the United States [8]. Market Need - Approximately 29 million adults in the U.S. smoke combustible cigarettes, and tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death globally [5]. - There are around 17 million adults in the U.S. who use e-cigarettes, with no FDA-approved treatments specifically for nicotine e-cigarette cessation [6].

Market Opportunity and Unmet Needs - Achieve Life Sciences has a unique opportunity to address a market of up to 50 million Americans who use tobacco with Cytisinicline[6] - Nicotine dependence is a public health crisis costing billions of dollars[6] and there are ~29 million US smokers with few treatment options[12] - Approximately 60% of adult e-cigarette users want to quit[14], with ~17 million US adults reporting e-cigarette use[16] - An estimated $11 Billion Rx opportunity exists in the market[46] Cytisinicline's Potential and Clinical Data - Cytisinicline is presented as the first potential new nicotine dependence treatment option in nearly 20 years[6, 18] - ORCA-2 and ORCA-3 trials showed strong results in smoking cessation, demonstrating efficacy, tolerability, and craving reduction[22] - In the 12-week Cytisinicline Treatment, the quit rate is 32.6% compared to 7% in the placebo group[23] - In the 6-week Cytisinicline Treatment, the quit rate is 25.3% compared to 4.4% in the placebo group[23] - Phase 2 ORCA-V1 trial showed a 2.6x (p=0.035) increased likelihood of quitting vaping with cytisinicline[39] Commercialization Strategy - The company anticipates filing a Smoking cessation NDA with launch expected in 2H26[6] - A focused launch strategy will leverage innovative, data-driven solutions to drive adoption and future growth[7] - The company will focus on high-volume prescribers and engaged quitters[48] - The company will target the varenicline market share, which peaked at ~2.8M Rx (75% in U S market - $800M)[51]

Core Viewpoint - Achieve Life Sciences, Inc. is conducting a public offering of 15 million shares of common stock and accompanying warrants at a price of $3.00 per share, aiming to raise approximately $45 million to support the development of cytisinicline for nicotine dependence treatment [1][4]. Company Overview - Achieve Life Sciences is a late-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing cytisinicline as a treatment for nicotine dependence and smoking cessation [7]. - The company submitted a New Drug Application to the FDA for cytisinicline in June 2025, based on successful Phase 3 studies and an open-label safety study [7]. Offering Details - The public offering includes 15 million shares and warrants, with an additional 2.25 million shares available for underwriters to purchase [1][3]. - Each common warrant can be exercised for common stock at $3.00 or for pre-funded warrants at $2.999, expiring five years from issuance [2]. Financial Aspects - The gross proceeds from the offering are expected to be around $45 million, which will be used for advancing cytisinicline towards FDA approval and for general corporate purposes [4]. - The offering is expected to close around June 30, 2025, pending customary closing conditions [3]. Market Context - There are approximately 29 million adult smokers in the U.S., with tobacco use being the leading cause of preventable death [8]. - Cytisinicline has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA to address the need for effective treatments for nicotine e-cigarette cessation, as there are currently no FDA-approved options for this indication [9].

Core Viewpoint - Achieve Life Sciences plans to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) for cytisinicline to the FDA in June 2025, marking a significant milestone in the development of a new treatment for smoking cessation [1][2]. Company Developments - The company reported financial results for Q1 2025, with cash and equivalents totaling $23.2 million and a net loss of $12.8 million for the quarter [10][20]. - Achieve has successfully completed the FDA's long-term exposure requirements for cytisinicline, demonstrating safety data on over 300 participants completing six months and 100 participants completing one year of treatment [6][8]. - The company conducted a Science Advisory Board (SAB) meeting with leading experts to discuss clinical progress and NDA preparations [9]. Clinical Trial Results - The Phase 3 ORCA-3 trial results published in JAMA Internal Medicine confirmed cytisinicline's efficacy and tolerability, showing reduced nicotine cravings and extended quit rates through 24 weeks [5][8]. - In the ORCA-OL long-term exposure trial, 75% of the 479 enrolled participants remained on treatment, indicating the potential for cytisinicline to shift the treatment paradigm for smoking cessation [4][6]. Market Context - There are approximately 29 million adults in the U.S. who smoke combustible cigarettes, with tobacco use being the leading cause of preventable death [13]. - Cytisinicline has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA, addressing the critical need for effective treatments for nicotine dependence, including e-cigarette cessation [14][15].

Core Insights - Achieve Life Sciences announced significant results from the ORCA-3 trial, demonstrating that cytisinicline effectively aids in smoking cessation by increasing quitting rates and reducing nicotine cravings compared to placebo [1][2][4] Company Overview - Achieve Life Sciences is a late-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing cytisinicline for nicotine dependence and smoking cessation [7][8] - The company plans to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) for cytisinicline to the FDA in June 2025 [1][5] Clinical Trial Details - The ORCA-3 trial involved 792 U.S. adults, assessing the efficacy of cytisinicline over 6 and 12 weeks, with results published in JAMA Internal Medicine [1][6] - Participants had an average age of 53 years, smoked a median of 20 cigarettes per day, and had a median smoking history of 36 years [3][6] - Cytisinicline was administered at a dosage of 3mg three times daily, with behavioral support provided throughout the trial [6] Efficacy and Tolerability - Cytisinicline showed a significant increase in the odds of smoking cessation and a reduction in nicotine cravings, leading to decreased nicotine intake among participants [4][5] - The drug was well tolerated, attributed to its selective binding to nicotine receptors with limited off-target effects [2][4] Market Context - Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death, with over 8 million deaths globally and nearly half a million in the U.S. annually [9] - There is a critical need for effective smoking cessation treatments, as current options are limited [5][9]