NOVATO, Calif. — Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: RARE) today announced that it has completed the rolling submission of its Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seeking approval for DTX401 AAV gene therapy (pariglasgene brecaparvovec) as a treatment for Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia (GSDIa).
“The completion of our rolling submission of the BLA for DTX401 is a significant step toward our commitment to deliver the first therapy that directly targets the underlying cause of GSDIa,” said Eric Crombez, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Ultragenyx. “Despite burdensome daily dietary and cornstarch management, patients continue to face life-threatening risks from acute hypoglycemia and chronic complications impacting the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal system, bones, and growth. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the FDA throughout the review process to be able to provide this potentially life-changing therapy to as many people living with GSDIa as possible.”
The BLA for DTX401 is based on data from a rigorous clinical development program that includes 52 treated patients and up to six years of follow-up. Previously announced data from the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 GlucoGene study demonstrate that patients treated with DTX401 experienced significant and clinically meaningful reductions in both the quantity and frequency of daily cornstarch intake while maintaining low levels of hypoglycemia, improved levels of euglycemia, and improved fasting tolerance. These clinical benefits translated to meaningful improvements in patient-reported quality of life, as measured by the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale. DTX401 was well tolerated, with an acceptable safety profile.
The company was previously granted rolling review and submitted the non-clinical and clinical modules to the FDA in August; and has now completed the package through submission of the chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) module.
About DTX401 (pariglasgene brecaparvovec)
DTX401 is an investigational AAV8 gene therapy designed to deliver stable expression and activity of G6Pase under control of the native promoter to allow the treated liver cells to respond to normal hormonal signals intended to manage glucose, including insulin and cortisol. DTX401 is administered as a single intravenous infusion and has been shown in preclinical studies to improve G6Pase activity and reduce hepatic glycogen levels, a well-described biomarker of disease progression. DTX401 has been granted Rare Pediatric Disease designation, orphan drug designation, Fast Track designation, and regenerative medicine advanced therapy (RMAT) designation from the U.S. FDA, as well as orphan drug and PRIority MEdicines (PRIME) designations from the European Medicines Agency.
About Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia (GSDIa)
GSDIa is a rare, serious, and life-threatening disease due to an inborn error of carbohydrate metabolism caused by pathogenic variants of the G6PC gene which encodes G6Pase, an enzyme that is critical for the release of glucose from glycogen and other metabolic sources. Deficiency of G6Pase results in severe hypoglycemia during periods of fasting between meals and during the night along with excess hepatic glycogen storage, metabolic derangements and other disease related complications. Cornstarch is critical in the management of GSDIa throughout the day and night in providing an exogenous source of glucose to avoid sudden and severe drops in plasma glucose levels however current management strategies carry a significant burden to patients and families. There are no approved pharmacologic therapies. GSDIa is estimated to affect approximately 6,000 people in commercially accessible geographies.
About Ultragenyx
Ultragenyx is a biopharmaceutical company committed to bringing novel therapies to patients for the treatment of serious rare and ultra-rare genetic diseases. The company has built a diverse portfolio of approved medicines and treatment candidates aimed at addressing diseases with high unmet medical need and clear biology, for which there are typically no approved therapies treating the underlying disease.
The company is led by a management team experienced in the development and commercialization of rare disease therapeutics. Ultragenyx’s strategy is predicated upon time- and cost-efficient drug development, with the goal of delivering safe and effective therapies to patients with the utmost urgency.
For more information on Ultragenyx, please visit the company’s website at: www.ultragenyx.com.
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