FDA Grants Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Genzyme's Olipudase Alfa

Investigational Enzyme Replacement Therapy to Treat Non-Neurological Manifestations which characterize Niemann-Pick Type B

08-Jun-2015 - USA

Sanofi and its subsidiary Genzyme announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to olipudase alfa. This enzyme replacement therapy is being investigated for the treatment of patients with nonneurological manifestations of acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD), also known as Niemann-Pick disease Type B, as opposed to type A which is characterized by neurological involvement. ASMD is a serious and life-threatening disorder caused by insufficient activity of the enzyme acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), which results in toxic accumulation of sphingomyelin. There are currently no approved treatment options for patients with Niemann-Pick Type B.

Breakthrough Therapy designation is intended to expedite the development and review of investigational new drugs that target serious or life-threatening conditions. The criteria for granting Breakthrough Therapy designation are preliminary clinical evidence of substantial improvement on a clinically significant endpoint over available therapies. The Breakthrough Therapy designation is distinct from the FDA's other mechanisms to expedite drug development and review, and will allow for a close collaboration between Genzyme and the FDA on the olipudase alfa development program.

Olipudase alfa is being developed by Genzyme to potentially address the fundamental defect underlying the disease. Supplementing the defective or deficient native enzyme with olipudase alfa allows for the breakdown of sphingomyelin, whose accumulation is responsible for the clinical manifestation of ASMD.

The Breakthrough Therapy designation is supported by data from a completed Phase 1b study of olipudase alfa. Findings in five adult patients with nonneuronopathic ASMD were presented at the Lysosomal Disease Network's WORLD Symposium in February 2015. The data presented on the repeat-dose safety, pharmacodynamics, and exploratory efficacy of olipudase alfa support its continued development for the investigational use in nonneurological manifestations of ASMD.

The company has started enrollment of a Phase 1/2 pediatric study and is preparing for enrollment of a Phase 2/3 adult study in the second half of 2015.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/153159/fda-grants-breakthrough-therapy-designation-for-genzyme-s-olipudase-alfa.html