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Strong early data on haemophilia gene therapy boosts Biomarin

pharmafile | July 28, 2016 | News story | Medical Communications, Research and Development BioMarin, gene therapy, haemophilia a 

Biomarin has presented interim results from a Phase I/II study that is being hailed as positive “proof-of-concept” data for their BMN 270 gene therapy in haemophilia A.

In the trial, nine patients received the therapy. Six out of the seven patients who received the highest dose had Factor VIII levels above 50% of their plasma, while the other was above 10%. These levels are crucial in haemophilia patients, as the blood-clotting Factor VIII protein is encoded by the F8 gene. Defects in this gene can cause haemophilia A.

Furthermore, the gene therapy was generally well tolerated with no serious adverse events reported. The plan going forward is to continue with this dose escalation study with the goal of observing an increase in Factor VIII levels. Biomarin hopes that the results of its next Phase IIb trial, due to take place next year, will be sufficient to support an application for accelerated approval from the FDA.

John Pasi, professor of haemostasis and thrombosis and primary investigator on the Phase I/II trial, comments: “These data provide strong proof of concept evidence that restoration of clotting function may be achieved by gene therapy. For the first time, patients have reason to hope to avoide bleeding and the opportunity to live a normal life.”

Hank Fuchs, chief medical officer at Biomarin, says: “We look forward to collaborating with experts and health authorities to design the next phase of investigation. Beginning in mid-2017, a Phase IIb study will seek to evaluate the optimal dose of BMN 270 using Factor VIII expression as the primary endpoint with material from the to-be-commercialised manufacturing process. If successful, this study could support an accelerated approval given the severe unmet need, the substantial effect and tolerability of the treatment.”

Sean Murray

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