SAN RAFAEL, CA, USA I April 24, 2013 I BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN) announced today the submission of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for Vimizim (BMN-110, elosulfase alfa), an enzyme replacement therapy under evaluation for the treatment of patients with the rare lysosomal storage disorder Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IVA (MPS IVA), also called Morquio A Syndrome. A Biologics License Application (BLA) for Vimizim was submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2013.
“The submission of this application to the EMA represents another notable milestone in our efforts to bring the first therapeutic option to patients with MPS IVA worldwide,” said Jean-Jacques Bienaime, Chief Executive Officer of BioMarin. “MPS IVA is a serious debilitating disease with no treatment options. We hope to leverage our expertise in developing enzyme replacement therapies to introduce a life-altering therapy and change the course of the disease.”
Mr. Bienaime continued, “Earlier this year, the EMA accepted our request for accelerated assessment for this MAA based on the premise that Vimizim could satisfy an unmet medical need and is of major interest from the point of view of therapeutic innovation and public health. We look forward to working with the European regulatory authorities in the coming months to bring this therapy to patients in need.”
About MPS IVA
Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA, also known as Morquio A Syndrome) is a disease characterized by deficient activity of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) causing excessive lysosomal storage of glycosaminoglycans such as keratan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. This excessive storage causes a systemic skeletal dysplasia, short stature, and joint abnormalities, which limit mobility and endurance. Malformation of the chest impairs respiratory function, and looseness of joints in the neck cause spinal instability and potentially spinal cord compression. Other symptoms may include hearing loss, corneal clouding, and heart disease. Initial symptoms often become evident in the first five years of life. The disease substantially limits both the quality and length of life of those affected.
The rate of incidence of MPS IVA is as yet unconfirmed and varies among different populations but estimates vary between 1 in 200,000 live births and 1 in 250,000 live births. The estimated prevalence is between 1,000 and 1,500 patients in the U.S., EU and Japan and between 1,500 to 2,000 patients in the rest of the world for a total of 2,500 to 3,000 patients.
About BioMarin
BioMarin develops and commercializes innovative biopharmaceuticals for serious diseases and medical conditions. The company’s product portfolio comprises four approved products and multiple clinical and pre-clinical product candidates. Approved products include Naglazyme(R) (galsulfase) for mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI), a product wholly developed and commercialized by BioMarin; Aldurazyme(R) (laronidase) for mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I), a product which BioMarin developed through a 50/50 joint venture with Genzyme Corporation; Kuvan(R) (sapropterin dihydrochloride) Tablets, for phenylketonuria (PKU), developed in partnership with Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany; and Firdapse(TM) (amifampridine), which has been approved by the European Commission for the treatment of Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS). Product candidates include BMN-110 (elosulfase alfa), formally referred to as GALNS, which successfully completed Phase III clinical development for the treatment of MPS IVA, PEG-PAL (PEGylated recombinant phenylalanine ammonia lyase), which is currently in Phase II clinical development for the treatment of PKU, BMN-701, a novel fusion protein of insulin-like growth factor 2 and acid alpha glucosidase (IGF2-GAA), which is currently in Phase I/II clinical development for the treatment of Pompe disease, BMN-673, a poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, which is currently in Phase I/II clinical development for the treatment of genetically-defined cancers, and BMN-111, a modified C-natriuretic peptide, which is currently in Phase I clinical development for the treatment of achondroplasia. For additional information, please visit www.BMRN.com. Information on BioMarin’s website is not incorporated by reference into this press release.
SOURCE: BioMarin
Post Views: 272
SAN RAFAEL, CA, USA I April 24, 2013 I BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN) announced today the submission of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for Vimizim (BMN-110, elosulfase alfa), an enzyme replacement therapy under evaluation for the treatment of patients with the rare lysosomal storage disorder Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IVA (MPS IVA), also called Morquio A Syndrome. A Biologics License Application (BLA) for Vimizim was submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2013.
“The submission of this application to the EMA represents another notable milestone in our efforts to bring the first therapeutic option to patients with MPS IVA worldwide,” said Jean-Jacques Bienaime, Chief Executive Officer of BioMarin. “MPS IVA is a serious debilitating disease with no treatment options. We hope to leverage our expertise in developing enzyme replacement therapies to introduce a life-altering therapy and change the course of the disease.”
Mr. Bienaime continued, “Earlier this year, the EMA accepted our request for accelerated assessment for this MAA based on the premise that Vimizim could satisfy an unmet medical need and is of major interest from the point of view of therapeutic innovation and public health. We look forward to working with the European regulatory authorities in the coming months to bring this therapy to patients in need.”
About MPS IVA
Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA, also known as Morquio A Syndrome) is a disease characterized by deficient activity of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) causing excessive lysosomal storage of glycosaminoglycans such as keratan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. This excessive storage causes a systemic skeletal dysplasia, short stature, and joint abnormalities, which limit mobility and endurance. Malformation of the chest impairs respiratory function, and looseness of joints in the neck cause spinal instability and potentially spinal cord compression. Other symptoms may include hearing loss, corneal clouding, and heart disease. Initial symptoms often become evident in the first five years of life. The disease substantially limits both the quality and length of life of those affected.
The rate of incidence of MPS IVA is as yet unconfirmed and varies among different populations but estimates vary between 1 in 200,000 live births and 1 in 250,000 live births. The estimated prevalence is between 1,000 and 1,500 patients in the U.S., EU and Japan and between 1,500 to 2,000 patients in the rest of the world for a total of 2,500 to 3,000 patients.
About BioMarin
BioMarin develops and commercializes innovative biopharmaceuticals for serious diseases and medical conditions. The company’s product portfolio comprises four approved products and multiple clinical and pre-clinical product candidates. Approved products include Naglazyme(R) (galsulfase) for mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI), a product wholly developed and commercialized by BioMarin; Aldurazyme(R) (laronidase) for mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I), a product which BioMarin developed through a 50/50 joint venture with Genzyme Corporation; Kuvan(R) (sapropterin dihydrochloride) Tablets, for phenylketonuria (PKU), developed in partnership with Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany; and Firdapse(TM) (amifampridine), which has been approved by the European Commission for the treatment of Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS). Product candidates include BMN-110 (elosulfase alfa), formally referred to as GALNS, which successfully completed Phase III clinical development for the treatment of MPS IVA, PEG-PAL (PEGylated recombinant phenylalanine ammonia lyase), which is currently in Phase II clinical development for the treatment of PKU, BMN-701, a novel fusion protein of insulin-like growth factor 2 and acid alpha glucosidase (IGF2-GAA), which is currently in Phase I/II clinical development for the treatment of Pompe disease, BMN-673, a poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, which is currently in Phase I/II clinical development for the treatment of genetically-defined cancers, and BMN-111, a modified C-natriuretic peptide, which is currently in Phase I clinical development for the treatment of achondroplasia. For additional information, please visit www.BMRN.com. Information on BioMarin’s website is not incorporated by reference into this press release.
SOURCE: BioMarin
Post Views: 272
