Presentations Also Demonstrate Phenotypic Correction of PKU Model with Homology’s Nuclease-Free Gene Editing Approach and Ability of Platform to Target Ophthalmic Disorders
BEDFORD, MA, USA I May 18, 2018 I Homology Medicines, Inc. (Nasdaq: FIXX), a genetic medicines company, announced today the presentation of data from its gene therapy and gene editing programs at the 21st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT). New data presented from Homology’s HMI-102 program, a gene therapy for phenylketonuria (PKU) in IND-enabling studies, demonstrate its potential as a one-time treatment designed to restore the normal metabolic pathway in PKU. The Company expects to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial with HMI-102 in adult PKU patients and have initial data in 2019.
Homology scientists also presented data for the first time that show phenotypic correction in a commonly used model of PKU following treatment with its nuclease-free gene editing approach that harnesses the body’s natural DNA repair mechanism of homologous recombination. In another presentation, the Company demonstrated that its adeno-associated virus vectors derived from human hematopoietic stem cells (AAVHSCs) have the ability to transfer and express genes in the retina following local injection in a preclinical model.
“The presentations underscore the versatility of our gene editing and gene therapy platform, which enables us to select either approach based on the disease biology, target tissues and unique characteristics of our AAVHSCs,” said Albert Seymour, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Homology Medicines. “Our PKU programs are a great example of how we can use our technology platform to develop potential cures using a gene therapy approach for the adult population and gene editing for the pediatric population. We are continuing to establish the potential of our AAVHSC platform across a range of rare genetic diseases, and our ability to deliver and express genes in the retina with a single local injection provides additional opportunities to help patients with ophthalmic disorders.”
The presentation titled, “Sustained Correction of Phenylketonuria by a Single Dose of AAVHSC Packaging a Human Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Transgene,” evaluated Homology’s HMI-102 PKU gene therapy candidate in an established in vivo model of the disease. The data demonstrate that HMI-102:
- Reduced serum phenylalanine (Phe) levels to normal in mice on a regular diet one-week following a single dose and this was durable for greater than four months. Reduction in Phe is a key biomarker in the development of treatments for PKU.
- Restored the Phe to tyrosine metabolic ratio on a normal diet. HMI-102 restores the normal biochemical pathway of Phe metabolism by targeting the genetic cause of the disease. This pathway is responsible for the production of neurotransmitters and is not addressed by current treatments for PKU.
- Has potential as a one-time gene therapy for PKU patients without dietary restrictions.
An additional presentation titled, “AAVHSC Nuclease-Free Genome Editing Leads to In Vivo Genome Correction and a Significant Reduction in Disease Phenotype in a Mouse Model of Phenylketonuria,” evaluated Homology’s gene editing approach. The data demonstrate that Homology’s AAVHSCs:
- Were capable of in vivo genetic and phenotypic correction by employing the precise DNA repair mechanism of homologous recombination to insert therapeutic genes into the genome.
- Induced efficient and precise gene editing, demonstrating no evidence of insertions or deletions as determined by next-generation sequencing.
- Led to a durable and statistically significant reduction in serum Phe levels from baseline and when compared to untreated controls in a PKU model.
Lastly, Homology presented, “Transduction of Photoreceptor and Pigmented Epithelial Cells Following a Single Subretinal Injection of AAVHSC17 in Minipigs,” which evaluated biodistribution of AAVHSC17 following a single local injection to the retina in a preclinical model. The data demonstrate that:
- Subretinal injection was well-tolerated and resulted in biodistribution in all retinal layers.
- AAVHSCs may be useful as therapeutic vectors for treating diseases of the eye.
About Phenylketonuria (PKU)
PKU is a rare, inherited inborn error of metabolism caused by a mutation in the PAH gene. PAH is an enzyme that is normally expressed in the liver and is necessary to metabolize dietary phenylalanine into tyrosine, an amino acid responsible for the production of neurotransmitters. PKU results from mutations in PAH that render its enzymatic activity deficient. The current standard of care is a highly restrictive diet, but it is not always effective. If left untreated, PKU can result in progressive and severe neurological impairment. PKU is estimated to affect approximately 15,000 people in the U.S. and there are no treatments available that address the genetic defect in PKU.
About Homology Medicines, Inc.
Homology Medicines, Inc. is a genetic medicines company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients suffering from rare genetic diseases with significant unmet medical needs by curing the underlying cause of the disease. Homology’s proprietary platform is designed to utilize its human hematopoietic stem cell-derived adeno-associated virus vectors (AAVHSCs) to precisely and efficiently deliver genetic medicines in vivo either through a gene therapy or nuclease-free gene editing modality across a broad range of genetic disorders. Homology has a management team with a successful track record of discovering, developing and commercializing therapeutics with a particular focus on rare diseases, and intellectual property covering its suite of 15 AAVHSCs. Homology believes that its compelling preclinical data, scientific expertise, product development strategy, manufacturing capabilities and intellectual property position it as a leader in the development of genetic medicines. For more information, please visit www.homologymedicines.com.
SOURCE: Homology Medicine
Post Views: 24
Presentations Also Demonstrate Phenotypic Correction of PKU Model with Homology’s Nuclease-Free Gene Editing Approach and Ability of Platform to Target Ophthalmic Disorders
BEDFORD, MA, USA I May 18, 2018 I Homology Medicines, Inc. (Nasdaq: FIXX), a genetic medicines company, announced today the presentation of data from its gene therapy and gene editing programs at the 21st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT). New data presented from Homology’s HMI-102 program, a gene therapy for phenylketonuria (PKU) in IND-enabling studies, demonstrate its potential as a one-time treatment designed to restore the normal metabolic pathway in PKU. The Company expects to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial with HMI-102 in adult PKU patients and have initial data in 2019.
Homology scientists also presented data for the first time that show phenotypic correction in a commonly used model of PKU following treatment with its nuclease-free gene editing approach that harnesses the body’s natural DNA repair mechanism of homologous recombination. In another presentation, the Company demonstrated that its adeno-associated virus vectors derived from human hematopoietic stem cells (AAVHSCs) have the ability to transfer and express genes in the retina following local injection in a preclinical model.
“The presentations underscore the versatility of our gene editing and gene therapy platform, which enables us to select either approach based on the disease biology, target tissues and unique characteristics of our AAVHSCs,” said Albert Seymour, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Homology Medicines. “Our PKU programs are a great example of how we can use our technology platform to develop potential cures using a gene therapy approach for the adult population and gene editing for the pediatric population. We are continuing to establish the potential of our AAVHSC platform across a range of rare genetic diseases, and our ability to deliver and express genes in the retina with a single local injection provides additional opportunities to help patients with ophthalmic disorders.”
The presentation titled, “Sustained Correction of Phenylketonuria by a Single Dose of AAVHSC Packaging a Human Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Transgene,” evaluated Homology’s HMI-102 PKU gene therapy candidate in an established in vivo model of the disease. The data demonstrate that HMI-102:
- Reduced serum phenylalanine (Phe) levels to normal in mice on a regular diet one-week following a single dose and this was durable for greater than four months. Reduction in Phe is a key biomarker in the development of treatments for PKU.
- Restored the Phe to tyrosine metabolic ratio on a normal diet. HMI-102 restores the normal biochemical pathway of Phe metabolism by targeting the genetic cause of the disease. This pathway is responsible for the production of neurotransmitters and is not addressed by current treatments for PKU.
- Has potential as a one-time gene therapy for PKU patients without dietary restrictions.
An additional presentation titled, “AAVHSC Nuclease-Free Genome Editing Leads to In Vivo Genome Correction and a Significant Reduction in Disease Phenotype in a Mouse Model of Phenylketonuria,” evaluated Homology’s gene editing approach. The data demonstrate that Homology’s AAVHSCs:
- Were capable of in vivo genetic and phenotypic correction by employing the precise DNA repair mechanism of homologous recombination to insert therapeutic genes into the genome.
- Induced efficient and precise gene editing, demonstrating no evidence of insertions or deletions as determined by next-generation sequencing.
- Led to a durable and statistically significant reduction in serum Phe levels from baseline and when compared to untreated controls in a PKU model.
Lastly, Homology presented, “Transduction of Photoreceptor and Pigmented Epithelial Cells Following a Single Subretinal Injection of AAVHSC17 in Minipigs,” which evaluated biodistribution of AAVHSC17 following a single local injection to the retina in a preclinical model. The data demonstrate that:
- Subretinal injection was well-tolerated and resulted in biodistribution in all retinal layers.
- AAVHSCs may be useful as therapeutic vectors for treating diseases of the eye.
About Phenylketonuria (PKU)
PKU is a rare, inherited inborn error of metabolism caused by a mutation in the PAH gene. PAH is an enzyme that is normally expressed in the liver and is necessary to metabolize dietary phenylalanine into tyrosine, an amino acid responsible for the production of neurotransmitters. PKU results from mutations in PAH that render its enzymatic activity deficient. The current standard of care is a highly restrictive diet, but it is not always effective. If left untreated, PKU can result in progressive and severe neurological impairment. PKU is estimated to affect approximately 15,000 people in the U.S. and there are no treatments available that address the genetic defect in PKU.
About Homology Medicines, Inc.
Homology Medicines, Inc. is a genetic medicines company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients suffering from rare genetic diseases with significant unmet medical needs by curing the underlying cause of the disease. Homology’s proprietary platform is designed to utilize its human hematopoietic stem cell-derived adeno-associated virus vectors (AAVHSCs) to precisely and efficiently deliver genetic medicines in vivo either through a gene therapy or nuclease-free gene editing modality across a broad range of genetic disorders. Homology has a management team with a successful track record of discovering, developing and commercializing therapeutics with a particular focus on rare diseases, and intellectual property covering its suite of 15 AAVHSCs. Homology believes that its compelling preclinical data, scientific expertise, product development strategy, manufacturing capabilities and intellectual property position it as a leader in the development of genetic medicines. For more information, please visit www.homologymedicines.com.
SOURCE: Homology Medicine
Post Views: 24
