SEATTLE and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Achieve Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACHV), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company committed to the global development and commercialization of cytisinicline for smoking cessation, today announced that the last study visit for the last subject enrolled in the ORCA-1 trial occurred on April 23, 2019. ORCA-1 topline efficacy and safety data are expected to be announced by the end of the second quarter.

ORCA-1 is the first in Achieve's ORCA (Ongoing Research of Cytisinicline for Addiction) Program, which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of cytisinicline for smoking cessation and potentially other addiction indications. ORCA-1 was initiated in October 2018 and enrolled 254 smokers at eight centers across the United States. Importantly, the trial's Data Safety Monitoring Committee met recently to conduct its final safety review and concluded there are no safety concerns for subjects or study conduct issues, and the trial should continue for completion.

Dr. Cindy Jacobs, Chief Medical Officer at Achieve commented, "Completing this trial represents a significant milestone in the cytisinicline development program and we continue to be impressed by the efficient conduct of our investigators and the commitment of the subjects who, like millions of people, are combatting nicotine addiction."

Additional information on cytisinicline and the ORCA program can be found at www.achievelifesciences.com and www.orcaprogram.com.

About Cytisinicline
Tobacco use is currently the leading cause of preventable death and is responsible for nearly seven million deaths annually worldwide¹. It is estimated that 28.7% of cancer deaths in the U.S. are attributable to cigarette smoking². Achieve's focus is to address the global smoking health epidemic through the development and commercialization of cytisinicline.

Cytisinicline is a plant-based alkaloid with a high binding affinity to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. It is believed to aid in smoking cessation by interacting with nicotine receptors in the brain by reducing the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms and by reducing the reward and satisfaction associated with smoking.

As an approved, branded product in Central and Eastern Europe for more than two decades, it is estimated that over 20 million people have used cytisinicline to help combat nicotine addiction.

About ORCA-1
The Phase 2b ORCA-1 trial is evaluating a 25-day treatment course of 1.5 mg or 3.0 mg doses of cytisinicline using either a declining titration schedule or three times daily dosing. The trial is randomized and blinded to compare the effectiveness of the cytisinicline doses and schedules to respective placebo groups. The primary efficacy endpoint is the overall reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked during the treatment period, with secondary analyses being conducted on smoking cessation rates, safety, and compliance. Smokers who are participating in the trial receive standardized behavioral support.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the planned cytisinicline clinical development activities, the timing of clinical development activities related to cytisinicline, the potential market size for cytisinicline and the potential benefits of cytisinicline. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Achieve may not actually achieve its plans or product development goals in a timely manner, if at all, or otherwise carry out its intentions or meet its expectations or projections disclosed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including, among others, the risk that cytisinicline may not demonstrate the hypothesized or expected benefits; the risk that Achieve may not be able to obtain additional financing to fund the development of cytisinicline; the risk that cytisinicline will not receive regulatory approval or be successfully commercialized; the risk that new developments in the smoking cessation landscape require changes in business strategy or clinical development plans; the risk that Achieve's intellectual property may not be adequately protected; general business and economic conditions; and the other factors described in the risk factors set forth in Achieve's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including Achieve's Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Achieve undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein or to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof, other than as may be required by applicable law.

Achieve Contact
Jason Wong
jwong@bplifescience.com 
(415) 375-3340 ext. 4

"ORCA is a trademark of Achieve Life Sciences, Inc."

¹World Health Organization. WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2017. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2017
²Annals of Epidemiology , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , 179 - 182.e1

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SOURCE Achieve Life Sciences, Inc.