– If successful, BridgeBio’s gene therapy could be the first approved therapeutic option for children born with Canavan disease, a devastating and life-threatening condition
– The Canavan disease program is part of BridgeBio’s growing gene therapy portfolio, which includes clinical candidates for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and classic galactosemia (severe GALT deficiency), and preclinical programs for TMC1 hearing loss, tuberous sclerosis, cystinuria, and a genetic dilated cardiomyopathy
PALO ALTO, CA, USA I November 3, 2021 I BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: BBIO), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on genetic diseases and cancers, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in CANaspire, its Phase 1/2 clinical trial of BBP-812, an investigational adeno-associated virus (AAV) 9 gene therapy for the treatment of Canavan disease. Canavan disease is an ultra-rare and fatal disease that affects approximately 1,000 children in the United States and European Union. There are currently no approved therapies for the condition.
“Dosing the first patient in our Canavan disease trial is a significant achievement for our gene therapy team and we would not be here without the support of our collaborative partners in the patient, medical and scientific communities,” said Eric David, M.D., J.D., CEO at BridgeBio Gene Therapy. “We are committed to the Canavan community and will work to advance this trial and the other programs in our gene therapy portfolio because we believe deeply in the potential of gene therapy to improve and save lives.”
“Based on the efficacy and safety data we’ve observed in our preclinical studies, we are hopeful that our investigational gene therapy can become a meaningful treatment option for children living with Canavan. Right now, these children only have access to supportive care because there are currently no approved therapies to treat this devastating disease,” added Adam Shaywitz, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer at BridgeBio Gene Therapy.
The Phase 1/2 open-label study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamic activity of the company’s AAV9 gene therapy, BBP-812, in pediatric patients with Canavan disease. In the initial dose-finding phase of the study, each patient will receive a single intravenous (IV) infusion of BBP-812. The primary outcomes of the study are safety, as well as change from baseline of urine and central nervous system N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels. Motor function and development will also be assessed. Preclinical proof-of-concept data have shown the approach restores survival and normal motor function.
“Gene therapy is designed to treat diseases at their source, which for Canavan disease would be an extremely beneficial treatment option. Through this trial, we hope to provide evidence that this investigational therapy could represent a promising treatment option for Canavan patients and their families. We are grateful to the first family for participating,” said Florian Eichler, M.D., director of the Leukodystrophy Service and principal investigator at Massachusetts General Hospital, the first clinical site open in the CANaspire trial.
BridgeBio’s gene therapy was originally developed by Guangping Gao, Ph.D., and Dominic J. Gessler, M.D., Ph.D., at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Gao, a pioneer in AAV gene therapy, was also the first person to clone the ASPA gene, which in its mutated form causes Canavan disease. Dr. Gao has been working on developing a cure for Canavan disease for more than 25 years.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about connecting with families in the Canavan community to understand how to help them through their journey. After decades of research and work, I’m thrilled that we have dosed the first patient in this trial. I’m hopeful that this represents a meaningful turning point for the Canavan community,” said Dr. Gao, co-director of the Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, director of the Horae Gene Therapy Center and Viral Vector Core, and professor at University of Massachusetts Medical School.
BridgeBio’s investigational AAV9 gene therapy for Canavan disease is one of the Company’s 14 programs that are in the clinic or commercial setting for patients living with genetic diseases and genetically-driven cancers. An initial Phase 1/2 data readout for Canavan disease is expected in 2022. For more information about the CANaspire trial, visit TreatCanavan.com or ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04998396).
About BBP-812
BBP-812 is an investigational AAV9 gene therapy for Canavan disease. Using AAV gene therapy, BridgeBio seeks to deliver functional copies of the ASPA gene throughout the body and into the brain, potentially correcting the disease at its source. Preclinical proof-of-concept results in Canavan disease models have shown the approach restores survival and normal motor function. BBP-812 was granted Fast Track Designation, Rare Pediatric Drug Designation, and Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. BBP-812 was also granted Orphan Drug Designation by the European Medicines Agency.
About Canavan Disease
Affecting approximately 1,000 children in the United States and European Union, Canavan disease is an ultra-rare, disabling and fatal disease with no approved therapy. Most children are not able to meet developmental milestones, are unable to crawl, walk, sit or talk, and pass away at a young age. The disease is caused by an inherited mutation of the ASPA gene, which codes for aspartoacylase, a protein that breaks down a compound called N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid (NAA). Deficiency of aspartoacylase activity results in accumulation of NAA, and ultimately results in toxicity to myelin in ways that are not well understood. Myelin insulates the nerves, and without it, neurons are unable to send and receive messages as they should. The current standard of care is limited to supportive therapy.
About BridgeBio Pharma, Inc.
BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. (BridgeBio) is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company founded to discover, create, test and deliver transformative medicines to treat patients who suffer from genetic diseases and cancers with clear genetic drivers. BridgeBio’s pipeline of over 30 development programs ranges from early science to advanced clinical trials, and its commercial organization is focused on delivering the company’s first two approved therapies. BridgeBio was founded in 2015 and its team of experienced drug discoverers, developers, and innovators are committed to applying advances in genetic medicine to help patients as quickly as possible. For more information visit bridgebio.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
SOURCE: BridgeBio Pharma
Post Views: 27
– If successful, BridgeBio’s gene therapy could be the first approved therapeutic option for children born with Canavan disease, a devastating and life-threatening condition
– The Canavan disease program is part of BridgeBio’s growing gene therapy portfolio, which includes clinical candidates for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and classic galactosemia (severe GALT deficiency), and preclinical programs for TMC1 hearing loss, tuberous sclerosis, cystinuria, and a genetic dilated cardiomyopathy
PALO ALTO, CA, USA I November 3, 2021 I BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: BBIO), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on genetic diseases and cancers, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in CANaspire, its Phase 1/2 clinical trial of BBP-812, an investigational adeno-associated virus (AAV) 9 gene therapy for the treatment of Canavan disease. Canavan disease is an ultra-rare and fatal disease that affects approximately 1,000 children in the United States and European Union. There are currently no approved therapies for the condition.
“Dosing the first patient in our Canavan disease trial is a significant achievement for our gene therapy team and we would not be here without the support of our collaborative partners in the patient, medical and scientific communities,” said Eric David, M.D., J.D., CEO at BridgeBio Gene Therapy. “We are committed to the Canavan community and will work to advance this trial and the other programs in our gene therapy portfolio because we believe deeply in the potential of gene therapy to improve and save lives.”
“Based on the efficacy and safety data we’ve observed in our preclinical studies, we are hopeful that our investigational gene therapy can become a meaningful treatment option for children living with Canavan. Right now, these children only have access to supportive care because there are currently no approved therapies to treat this devastating disease,” added Adam Shaywitz, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer at BridgeBio Gene Therapy.
The Phase 1/2 open-label study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamic activity of the company’s AAV9 gene therapy, BBP-812, in pediatric patients with Canavan disease. In the initial dose-finding phase of the study, each patient will receive a single intravenous (IV) infusion of BBP-812. The primary outcomes of the study are safety, as well as change from baseline of urine and central nervous system N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels. Motor function and development will also be assessed. Preclinical proof-of-concept data have shown the approach restores survival and normal motor function.
“Gene therapy is designed to treat diseases at their source, which for Canavan disease would be an extremely beneficial treatment option. Through this trial, we hope to provide evidence that this investigational therapy could represent a promising treatment option for Canavan patients and their families. We are grateful to the first family for participating,” said Florian Eichler, M.D., director of the Leukodystrophy Service and principal investigator at Massachusetts General Hospital, the first clinical site open in the CANaspire trial.
BridgeBio’s gene therapy was originally developed by Guangping Gao, Ph.D., and Dominic J. Gessler, M.D., Ph.D., at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Gao, a pioneer in AAV gene therapy, was also the first person to clone the ASPA gene, which in its mutated form causes Canavan disease. Dr. Gao has been working on developing a cure for Canavan disease for more than 25 years.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about connecting with families in the Canavan community to understand how to help them through their journey. After decades of research and work, I’m thrilled that we have dosed the first patient in this trial. I’m hopeful that this represents a meaningful turning point for the Canavan community,” said Dr. Gao, co-director of the Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, director of the Horae Gene Therapy Center and Viral Vector Core, and professor at University of Massachusetts Medical School.
BridgeBio’s investigational AAV9 gene therapy for Canavan disease is one of the Company’s 14 programs that are in the clinic or commercial setting for patients living with genetic diseases and genetically-driven cancers. An initial Phase 1/2 data readout for Canavan disease is expected in 2022. For more information about the CANaspire trial, visit TreatCanavan.com or ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04998396).
About BBP-812
BBP-812 is an investigational AAV9 gene therapy for Canavan disease. Using AAV gene therapy, BridgeBio seeks to deliver functional copies of the ASPA gene throughout the body and into the brain, potentially correcting the disease at its source. Preclinical proof-of-concept results in Canavan disease models have shown the approach restores survival and normal motor function. BBP-812 was granted Fast Track Designation, Rare Pediatric Drug Designation, and Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. BBP-812 was also granted Orphan Drug Designation by the European Medicines Agency.
About Canavan Disease
Affecting approximately 1,000 children in the United States and European Union, Canavan disease is an ultra-rare, disabling and fatal disease with no approved therapy. Most children are not able to meet developmental milestones, are unable to crawl, walk, sit or talk, and pass away at a young age. The disease is caused by an inherited mutation of the ASPA gene, which codes for aspartoacylase, a protein that breaks down a compound called N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid (NAA). Deficiency of aspartoacylase activity results in accumulation of NAA, and ultimately results in toxicity to myelin in ways that are not well understood. Myelin insulates the nerves, and without it, neurons are unable to send and receive messages as they should. The current standard of care is limited to supportive therapy.
About BridgeBio Pharma, Inc.
BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. (BridgeBio) is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company founded to discover, create, test and deliver transformative medicines to treat patients who suffer from genetic diseases and cancers with clear genetic drivers. BridgeBio’s pipeline of over 30 development programs ranges from early science to advanced clinical trials, and its commercial organization is focused on delivering the company’s first two approved therapies. BridgeBio was founded in 2015 and its team of experienced drug discoverers, developers, and innovators are committed to applying advances in genetic medicine to help patients as quickly as possible. For more information visit bridgebio.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
SOURCE: BridgeBio Pharma
Post Views: 27
