San Diego, CA, USA I April 4, 2013 I Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPG) today announced enrollment of the first patients in two Phase 2 studies designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SRM003 (VASCUGEL) in improving Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) maturation and AV Graft (AVG) patency to facilitate hemodialysis in patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
ESRD is advanced and irreversible kidney disease, treated mainly by hemodialysis or kidney transplantation. It is estimated that each year, there are more than 570,000 patients with ESRD treated in the U.S. and more than 250,000 patients in the EUi,ii.
“There are currently no approved therapies that directly target the underlying physiological processes associated with the failure of AV access sites in hemodialysis patients,” said Steven Steinberg, MD FACP, president of the California Institute of Renal Research and the coordinating investigator for both studies. “I am excited to be involved in testing the efficacy and safety of SRM003 and look forward to seeing the product’s potential for improving hemodialysis access in AVF and AVG patients with ESRD.”
The first study, AVF01-SRM003, will evaluate the efficacy and safety of SRM003 in improving the rate of AVF maturation and use in subjects with ESRD undergoing surgery for the creation of an AVF in the upper extremity to facilitate hemodialysis access.
The second study, AVG01-SRM003, will evaluate the efficacy and safety of SRM003 in extending the duration of primary patency after placement of an AVG in the upper extremity in subjects with ESRD.
These are multi-center, single-blind, randomized, controlled studies, and they will enroll approximately 200 adult subjects each in 50 U.S. sites. In both studies, each treatment group will include approximately 100 subjects who will receive either SRM003 (two or three SRM003 sponges placed at time of AVF or AVG surgery, respectively) or standard practice at participating sites.
It is hypothesized that when placed outside the blood vessel, the seeded SRM003 gelatin matrix containing endothelial cells can provide a continuous supply of multiple growth regulatory compounds to the underlying cells within the blood vessel while being protected from the effects of blood flow in the vessel(s) or complications resulting from being in direct contact with the point of injury.
Shire obtained the rights to VASCUGEL (developed under Shire as SRM003) when it acquired substantially all the assets of Pervasis Therapeutics in April 2012. This acquisition also provided Shire with a new cell-based technology platform.
“Achieving these clinical milestones less than one year after we acquired VASCUGEL from Pervasis Therapeutics demonstrates our unique ability to leverage our competencies in advancing development-stage regenerative medicine therapies,” said Jeff Jonas, MD, President of Shire Regenerative Medicine.
Diabetes is the global leading cause of ESRD, and accounts for approximately 40% of patients with ESRD treated in the U.S. The development of SRM003 as a treatment option for improving AV access to facilitate hemodialysis in patients with ESRD furthers the Company’s commitment to therapies to help patients with diabetes, which includes DERMAGRAFT®, approved in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Israel, and Malaysia for use in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers greater than six weeks duration.
About SRM003
SRM003 is composed of allogenic human aortic endothelial cells cultured in a gelatin matrix, Gelfoam®. SRM003 is placed on the outside of the blood vessel at the arteriovenous (AV) access site during the surgical intervention for the treatment of vascular injury associated with the intervention. SRM003 has received Orphan Product and Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Orphan Product designation from the European Medicines Agency.
About Arteriovenous (AV) Access for Hemodialysis
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is an advanced and irreversible kidney disease, treated mainly by hemodialysis or kidney transplantation. It is estimated that each year, there are more than 570,000 patients with ESRD treated in the U.S. and more than 250,000 patients in the EUi,ii. Approximately 70% of these patients receive hemodialysisi. Before patients can undergo hemodialysis, an arteriovenous (AV) access site must be created where blood can be removed, filtered and returned to the body. The majority of AV access is achieved through either an AV fistula, where the vein is connected directly to the artery, or an AV graft, where the vein and artery are connected via a synthetic tube. There are an estimated 100,000 AV fistulas and 60,000 AV grafts occurring annually in the U.S.iii,iv Unfortunately, complications following AV access procedures are common and can include infection, blood clots, and narrowing of the vessel, which frequently lead to AV access failure. An estimated 60% of AV grafts fail after one year, requiring a procedure to restore flow or to create another AV access sitev,vi.
About Dermagraft
Dermagraft is a cryopreserved human fibroblast-derived dermal substitute; it is composed of fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, and a bioabsorbable scaffold. Dermagraft is indicated for use in the treatment of full-thickness diabetic foot ulcers greater than six weeks duration, which extend through the dermis, but without tendon, muscle, joint capsule, or bone exposure. Dermagraft should be used in conjunction with standard wound care regimens and in patients that have adequate blood supply to the involved foot. Dermagraft is contraindicated for use in ulcers that have signs of clinical infection or in ulcers with sinus tracts. Dermagraft is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to bovine products, as it may contain trace amounts of bovine proteins from the manufacturing medium and storage solution.
For further information please contact:
Investor Relations
Eric Rojas
erojas@shire.com
+1 781 482 0999
Sarah Elton-Farr
seltonfarr@shire.com
+44 1256 894157
Media
Jessica Mann (Corporate)
jmann@shire.com
+44 1256 894 280
Katie Sweet (Regenerative Medicine)
ksweet@shire.com
+1 858 754 6761
NOTES TO EDITORS
Shire enables people with life-altering conditions to lead better lives.
Through our deep understanding of patients’ needs, we develop and provide healthcare in the areas of:
- Behavioral Health and Gastro Intestinal conditions
- Rare Diseases
- Regenerative Medicine
as well as other symptomatic conditions treated by specialist physicians.
We aspire to imagine and lead the future of healthcare, creating value for patients, physicians, policymakers, payors and our shareholders.
www.shire.com
i Policy Options for Kidney Health in Europe. European Kidney Health Alliance (http://www.era-edta.org/images/2012_EKHA-policy_paper.pdf)
ii 2011 United States Renal Data System Annual Data Report (http://www.usrds.org/2011/view/default.asp).
iii Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative 2011 dashboard (http://www.fistulafirst.org/AboutFistulaFirst/FFBIData.aspx)
iv National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative Guidelines (http://www.kidney.org/professionals/KDOQI/guideline_upHD_PD_VA/index.htm)
v Dixon et al. DAC Study Group.Effect of dipyridamole plus aspirin on hemodialysis graft patency. N Engl J Med. 2009; 360: 2191-2201.
vi Hayashi et al. Vascular access for hemodialysis. Nat ClinPractNephrol. 2006; 2: 504-513.
SOURCE: Shire
Post Views: 200
San Diego, CA, USA I April 4, 2013 I Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPG) today announced enrollment of the first patients in two Phase 2 studies designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SRM003 (VASCUGEL) in improving Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) maturation and AV Graft (AVG) patency to facilitate hemodialysis in patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
ESRD is advanced and irreversible kidney disease, treated mainly by hemodialysis or kidney transplantation. It is estimated that each year, there are more than 570,000 patients with ESRD treated in the U.S. and more than 250,000 patients in the EUi,ii.
“There are currently no approved therapies that directly target the underlying physiological processes associated with the failure of AV access sites in hemodialysis patients,” said Steven Steinberg, MD FACP, president of the California Institute of Renal Research and the coordinating investigator for both studies. “I am excited to be involved in testing the efficacy and safety of SRM003 and look forward to seeing the product’s potential for improving hemodialysis access in AVF and AVG patients with ESRD.”
The first study, AVF01-SRM003, will evaluate the efficacy and safety of SRM003 in improving the rate of AVF maturation and use in subjects with ESRD undergoing surgery for the creation of an AVF in the upper extremity to facilitate hemodialysis access.
The second study, AVG01-SRM003, will evaluate the efficacy and safety of SRM003 in extending the duration of primary patency after placement of an AVG in the upper extremity in subjects with ESRD.
These are multi-center, single-blind, randomized, controlled studies, and they will enroll approximately 200 adult subjects each in 50 U.S. sites. In both studies, each treatment group will include approximately 100 subjects who will receive either SRM003 (two or three SRM003 sponges placed at time of AVF or AVG surgery, respectively) or standard practice at participating sites.
It is hypothesized that when placed outside the blood vessel, the seeded SRM003 gelatin matrix containing endothelial cells can provide a continuous supply of multiple growth regulatory compounds to the underlying cells within the blood vessel while being protected from the effects of blood flow in the vessel(s) or complications resulting from being in direct contact with the point of injury.
Shire obtained the rights to VASCUGEL (developed under Shire as SRM003) when it acquired substantially all the assets of Pervasis Therapeutics in April 2012. This acquisition also provided Shire with a new cell-based technology platform.
“Achieving these clinical milestones less than one year after we acquired VASCUGEL from Pervasis Therapeutics demonstrates our unique ability to leverage our competencies in advancing development-stage regenerative medicine therapies,” said Jeff Jonas, MD, President of Shire Regenerative Medicine.
Diabetes is the global leading cause of ESRD, and accounts for approximately 40% of patients with ESRD treated in the U.S. The development of SRM003 as a treatment option for improving AV access to facilitate hemodialysis in patients with ESRD furthers the Company’s commitment to therapies to help patients with diabetes, which includes DERMAGRAFT®, approved in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Israel, and Malaysia for use in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers greater than six weeks duration.
About SRM003
SRM003 is composed of allogenic human aortic endothelial cells cultured in a gelatin matrix, Gelfoam®. SRM003 is placed on the outside of the blood vessel at the arteriovenous (AV) access site during the surgical intervention for the treatment of vascular injury associated with the intervention. SRM003 has received Orphan Product and Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Orphan Product designation from the European Medicines Agency.
About Arteriovenous (AV) Access for Hemodialysis
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is an advanced and irreversible kidney disease, treated mainly by hemodialysis or kidney transplantation. It is estimated that each year, there are more than 570,000 patients with ESRD treated in the U.S. and more than 250,000 patients in the EUi,ii. Approximately 70% of these patients receive hemodialysisi. Before patients can undergo hemodialysis, an arteriovenous (AV) access site must be created where blood can be removed, filtered and returned to the body. The majority of AV access is achieved through either an AV fistula, where the vein is connected directly to the artery, or an AV graft, where the vein and artery are connected via a synthetic tube. There are an estimated 100,000 AV fistulas and 60,000 AV grafts occurring annually in the U.S.iii,iv Unfortunately, complications following AV access procedures are common and can include infection, blood clots, and narrowing of the vessel, which frequently lead to AV access failure. An estimated 60% of AV grafts fail after one year, requiring a procedure to restore flow or to create another AV access sitev,vi.
About Dermagraft
Dermagraft is a cryopreserved human fibroblast-derived dermal substitute; it is composed of fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, and a bioabsorbable scaffold. Dermagraft is indicated for use in the treatment of full-thickness diabetic foot ulcers greater than six weeks duration, which extend through the dermis, but without tendon, muscle, joint capsule, or bone exposure. Dermagraft should be used in conjunction with standard wound care regimens and in patients that have adequate blood supply to the involved foot. Dermagraft is contraindicated for use in ulcers that have signs of clinical infection or in ulcers with sinus tracts. Dermagraft is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to bovine products, as it may contain trace amounts of bovine proteins from the manufacturing medium and storage solution.
For further information please contact:
Investor Relations
Eric Rojas
erojas@shire.com
+1 781 482 0999
Sarah Elton-Farr
seltonfarr@shire.com
+44 1256 894157
Media
Jessica Mann (Corporate)
jmann@shire.com
+44 1256 894 280
Katie Sweet (Regenerative Medicine)
ksweet@shire.com
+1 858 754 6761
NOTES TO EDITORS
Shire enables people with life-altering conditions to lead better lives.
Through our deep understanding of patients’ needs, we develop and provide healthcare in the areas of:
- Behavioral Health and Gastro Intestinal conditions
- Rare Diseases
- Regenerative Medicine
as well as other symptomatic conditions treated by specialist physicians.
We aspire to imagine and lead the future of healthcare, creating value for patients, physicians, policymakers, payors and our shareholders.
www.shire.com
i Policy Options for Kidney Health in Europe. European Kidney Health Alliance (http://www.era-edta.org/images/2012_EKHA-policy_paper.pdf)
ii 2011 United States Renal Data System Annual Data Report (http://www.usrds.org/2011/view/default.asp).
iii Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative 2011 dashboard (http://www.fistulafirst.org/AboutFistulaFirst/FFBIData.aspx)
iv National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative Guidelines (http://www.kidney.org/professionals/KDOQI/guideline_upHD_PD_VA/index.htm)
v Dixon et al. DAC Study Group.Effect of dipyridamole plus aspirin on hemodialysis graft patency. N Engl J Med. 2009; 360: 2191-2201.
vi Hayashi et al. Vascular access for hemodialysis. Nat ClinPractNephrol. 2006; 2: 504-513.
SOURCE: Shire
Post Views: 200
