Ritter Pharmaceuticals Shares New Market Research Illuminating the Life Challenges of a Lactose Intolerance Sufferer
May 30 2019 - 6:00AM
Ritter Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RTTR) (“Ritter
Pharmaceuticals” or the “Company”), a developer of innovative
therapeutic products that modulate the gut microbiome to treat
gastrointestinal diseases with an initial focus on the development
of RP-G28, a drug candidate with the potential to be the first
FDA-approved treatment for lactose intolerance (LI), today shared
data from an independent research study conducted by JJN
Consulting. The study included a survey of approximately 1,500 LI
patients to gain deeper insights into their experiences and into
the unmet needs apparent in LI today.
Lactose intolerance is a global condition, effecting
over 1 billion people worldwide
Lactose intolerance is caused by inadequate
lactase enzyme activity in the small intestine, which results in
undigested lactose following dairy consumption. The undigested
lactose is then fermented in the gut and leads to painful,
uncomfortable and often embarrassing symptoms of abdominal pain,
flatulence, diarrhea, bloating, and cramping. This effects more
than 40 million people in the U.S.1, 2 with more than 9 million3, 4
having moderate to severe symptoms.
See: Symptom Management Options and Challenges
85% of lactose intolerance sufferers are trying to
manage their symptoms with limited choices
Primary research4 found that 85% of all lactose
intolerance sufferers (93% of severe and 87% of moderate) are
actively trying to manage their condition; which include reducing
dairy (71%) or eliminating dairy from their diet, using dairy
substitutes, lactase pills or pre-/pro-biotics, or taking indirect
symptom relieving over-the-counter medications such as antacids or
anti-diarrheals. There are no FDA-approved options and no option is
suitable for every situation – ~60% of sufferers use multiple
options, yet:
- Only 9% get total symptom relief from their chosen method
- 67% of these patients report their chosen management option
doesn’t provide them the relief they find important
- 52% of sufferers have given up talking to their doctor about
their lactose intolerance as the doctor is not able to provide them
any new or better treatment options
90% of sufferers want a better solution
As avoiding dairy is the most direct way to
prevent and manage symptoms, patients primarily report limiting
dairy from their diet as their most attempted approach,
nevertheless:
- 66% of sufferers find it
challenging to remove dairy entirely from their diet, likely due to
the many hidden sources of lactose – for example, bread and salad
dressing can have hidden dairy ingredients
- 68% of moderate and severe LI
sufferers say their LI has had a negative impact on their life –
such as their mental health, their relationships, or their
productivity
- 90% of sufferers (including 94% of
severe and 92% of moderate LI sufferers) want a better solution4,
desiring “to be able to enjoy dairy without negative consequences”,
eat all the same things their family members eat without worrying,
or most importantly to live a “normal life”
- Nearly 70% of sufferers overall
indicated that they would be motivated to try a new treatment that
allowed them to eat at least some dairy without negative
consequences
“This market research really points to the heart
of the unmet medical need LI patients face today,” said Andrew J.
Ritter, CEO of Ritter Pharmaceuticals. “Lactose intolerance is
often brushed off as being ‘non-life threatening’ and thus ‘just
don’t eat dairy foods and you’ll be fine.’ But, here we see that
many people are really trying to manage their condition and still
not able to achieve enough relief. Living with this condition can
be really challenging – a better treatment is needed to help
patients avoid the embarrassing and often painful symptoms
associated with LI, while also being able to enjoy the foods they
desire.”
About data collection and analysis with JJN
Consulting
Results cited in this press release were sourced
from a quantitative, primary market research study conducted in the
U.S. in 2019, in which a robust sample population of approximately
1,500 respondents who identify as being lactose intolerant
participated in an online survey.4 Research and analysis were
conducted by an independent, third party market research
organization, JJN Consulting, with expertise in pharmaceutical
research.
About Ritter
PharmaceuticalsRitter Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(www.RitterPharma.com, @RitterPharma) develops innovative
therapeutic products that modulate the gut microbiome to treat
gastrointestinal diseases. The Company’s lead product candidate,
RP-G28, has the potential to become the first FDA-approved
treatment for lactose intolerance, a condition that affects over
one billion people worldwide. RP-G28 is in Phase 3 clinical
development with its first Phase 3 clinical trial, known as
“Liberatus,” currently underway and top-line data expected early in
the fourth quarter of 2019. The Company is further exploring the
therapeutic potential that gut microbiome changes may have on
treating/preventing a variety of diseases including:
gastrointestinal diseases, cancer, metabolic, and liver
disease.
Forward-Looking StatementsThis
press release may contain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
that express the current beliefs and expectations of Ritter
Pharmaceuticals’ management. Any statements contained herein that
do not describe historical facts are forward-looking statements,
including statements related to our anticipated timing for
completion of the Liberatus study, and our release of data from the
study. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance and
achievements to differ materially from those discussed in such
forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could affect
our actual results are included in the periodic reports on Form
10-K and Form 10-Q that we file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Ritter cautions readers not to place undue reliance on
any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or
revise forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by
law, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
ContactsInvestor Contact:John Beck 310-203-1000
john@ritterpharma.com
Sources
- NICHD 2006, “Lactose Intolerance: Information for Health Care
Providers”
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/publications/pubs/documents/NICHD_MM_Lactose_FS_rev.pdf
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases, NIH. Lactose Intolerance. Retrieved May 14, 2019, from
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance/definition-facts
- Objective Insights, “Market Research Analysis and Forecasts on
Lactose Intolerance and RP-G28.” June, 2012
- JJN Consulting, “Lactose Intolerance Market Research.” May
2019
- Symptom Management Options and Challenges
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