Eplontersen granted U.S. FDA Fast Track designation for patients with transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy

Rhea-AI Summary

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and AstraZeneca's eplontersen granted Fast Track designation by the FDA for the treatment of transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) in adults. Eplontersen was previously approved for the treatment of hATTR-PN in the U.S. under the brand name WAINUA. The global CARDIO-TTRansform Phase 3 study of eplontersen is fully enrolled with more than 1,400 patients, with data expected as early as 2025.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

The Fast Track designation by the FDA for eplontersen, aimed at treating transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), is a critical milestone that suggests a significant advancement in the treatment of this serious condition. The designation is intended to speed up the development and review process of drugs that show potential to address unmet medical needs. Considering that ATTR-CM is a progressive and fatal disease affecting a substantial patient population, the expedited pathway could lead to quicker access to a potentially life-saving treatment.

From a research perspective, the CARDIO-TTRansform study is noteworthy due to its scale as the largest study for ATTR-CM patients. The results, expected in 2025, will be pivotal in determining the drug's efficacy and safety profile. The previous approval of eplontersen for hATTR-PN under the brand name WAINUA™ indicates a positive trajectory for Ionis and AstraZeneca in expanding the drug's indications, which could lead to increased market share and revenue streams for both companies.

Financial Analyst

The Fast Track designation is a positive signal to investors, as it often correlates with a higher probability of regulatory approval and a potentially shortened time to market. For Ionis Pharmaceuticals and its partner AstraZeneca, this could result in a first-mover advantage in a niche market with limited competition. The financial implications are substantial, as ATTR-CM has a considerable patient population that is currently underserved. The previous U.S. approval for hATTR-PN suggests a strong regulatory momentum, which could positively influence investor sentiment and stock valuations.

Moreover, the strategic partnership between Ionis and AstraZeneca combines expertise in cardiovascular disease and RNA-targeted therapeutics, enhancing the commercial potential of eplontersen. Should the drug receive approval for ATTR-CM, the companies could leverage existing commercial infrastructure to optimize market penetration. The orphan drug designation further adds potential for pricing advantages and market exclusivity, which are important factors for revenue projections and long-term financial success.

Market Research Analyst

In the context of the pharmaceutical industry, the Fast Track designation is a key differentiator that can significantly impact a drug's go-to-market strategy and competitive landscape analysis. For stakeholders, including healthcare providers and patients, the accelerated development of eplontersen means potentially earlier availability of an innovative treatment option for ATTR-CM, a condition with high unmet needs.

Market dynamics for ATTR-CM treatments are influenced by the clinical trial outcomes, regulatory milestones and subsequent commercialization strategies. The global reach of the development and commercialization agreement between Ionis and AstraZeneca suggests a comprehensive market approach that could maximize the therapeutic's adoption across different regions. The anticipation of regulatory approval in Europe and other areas will be a key factor in assessing the global market potential of eplontersen and its impact on the broader amyloidosis treatment market.

CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IONS) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to Ionis and AstraZeneca's eplontersen, an investigational therapy for the treatment of transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) in adults. The FDA grants development programs Fast Track designation to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs that demonstrate the potential to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need.

"Receiving Fast Track designation from the FDA reinforces our belief that eplontersen has the potential to be a transformational treatment for patients with ATTR-CM, which remains a progressive and fatal condition for hundreds of thousands of people worldwide despite available treatment options," said Eugene Schneider, M.D., executive vice president and chief clinical development officer, Ionis. "CARDIO-TTRansform is the largest, most comprehensive study ever conducted in ATTR-CM patients, with results expected as early as next year."

Sarah Walters, vice president, U.S. cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, AstraZeneca said: "We are committed to accelerating innovation and addressing the spectrum of unmet patient needs in amyloidosis. Together with our partner Ionis, AstraZeneca is building on our heritage in cardiovascular disease and RNA-targeted therapeutics to bring a potential best-in-class treatment for people living with ATTR-CM."

In December 2023, eplontersen was approved in the U.S. for the treatment of the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis in adults, commonly referred to as hATTR-PN or ATTRv-PN, under the brand name WAINUA™ (eplontersen). As part of a global development and commercialization agreement, AstraZeneca and Ionis are commercializing WAINUA for the treatment of ATTRv-PN in the U.S. and are seeking regulatory approval in Europe and other parts of the world. WAINUA was granted Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and in the EU for the treatment of transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR).

The global CARDIO-TTRansform Phase 3 study of eplontersen in adults with ATTR-CM is fully enrolled with more than 1,400 patients – making it the largest study in this patient population to date. The company plans to share data from the CARDIO-TTRansform study as early as 2025. More information on the CARDIO-TTRansform study (NCT04136171) is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About Transthyretin-Mediated Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM)

Transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is an underdiagnosed and potentially fatal disease. It is caused by the accumulation of misfolded TTR protein in the cardiac muscle. Patients experience ongoing debilitating heart damage resulting in progressive heart failure, which results in death within three to five years from disease onset. ATTR-CM includes both the genetic and wild-type form of the disease. Worldwide, there are an estimated 300,000 – 500,000 patients with ATTR-CM.^1,2,3

About Eplontersen

Eplontersen is a LIgand-Conjugated Antisense (LICA) medicine designed to inhibit the production of transthyretin, or TTR protein. The investigational medicine is currently being evaluated in the Phase 3 CARDIO-TTRansform study for hereditary or wild-type transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), a progressive and fatal condition that typically leads to progressive heart failure and often death within three-to-five years from disease onset. The CARDIO-TTRansform Phase 3 study is fully enrolled with more than 1,400 patients – making it the largest study in this patient population to date.

Eplontersen was recently approved in the U.S. for the treatment of the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis in adults, commonly referred to as hATTR-PN or ATTRv-PN under the brand name WAINUA™ (eplontersen). Please see full Prescribing Information.

INDICATION for WAINUA™ (eplontersen)

WAINUA injection for subcutaneous use 45 mg is indicated for treatment of the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for WAINUA™ (eplontersen)

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Reduced Serum Vitamin A Levels and Recommended Supplementation WAINUA leads to a decrease in serum vitamin A levels. Supplement with recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. Refer patient to an ophthalmologist if ocular symptoms suggestive of vitamin A deficiency occur.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Most common adverse reactions (≥9% in WAINUA-treated patients) were vitamin A decreased (15%) and vomiting (9%).

Please see link to U.S. Full Prescribing Information for WAINUA.

About Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

For three decades, Ionis has invented medicines that bring better futures to people with serious diseases. Ionis currently has five marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology, and other areas of high patient need. As the pioneer in RNA-targeted medicines, Ionis continues to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing. A deep understanding of disease biology and industry-leading technology propels our work, coupled with a passion and urgency to deliver life-changing advances for patients. To learn more about Ionis, visit Ionis.com and follow us on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn.

Ionis' Forward-looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding eplontersen, Ionis' business, and the therapeutic and commercial potential of Ionis' commercial medicines, additional medicines in development and technologies. Any statement describing Ionis' goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions, or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those related to our commercial products and the medicines in our pipeline, and particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing medicines that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such medicines. Ionis' forward-looking statements also involve assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove correct, could cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Ionis' forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of its management, these statements are based only on facts and factors currently known by Ionis. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks concerning Ionis' programs are described in additional detail in Ionis' annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022, and most recent Form 10-Q, which are on file with the SEC. Copies of these and other documents are available at www.ionispharma.com.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals^® is a registered trademark of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. WAINUA™ is a trademark of AstraZeneca plc.

¹ Mohamed-Salem L, et al. Prevalence of wild type ATTR assessed as myocardial uptake in bone scan in the elderly population. Int J Cardiol. 2018 Nov 1;270:192-196. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.06.006.

² Cuscaden C, et al. Estimation of prevalence of transthyretin (ATTR) cardiac amyloidosis in an Australian subpopulation using bone scans with echocardiography and clinical correlation. J Nucl Cardiol. 2020 May 8. doi: 10.1007/s12350-020-02152-x.

³ Columbia University Irving Medical Center [Internet]. Drug Reduces Death from Underdiagnosed Form of Heart Failure [last accessed 5 February 2024]. Available from: https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/drug-reduces-deaths-underdiagnosed-form-heart-failure.

 

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SOURCE Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

FAQ

What is the FDA Fast Track designation for eplontersen?

The FDA Fast Track designation is granted to drugs that demonstrate potential to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need, facilitating their development and expediting the review process.

What is the brand name of eplontersen for the treatment of hATTR-PN in the U.S.?

Eplontersen is approved for the treatment of hATTR-PN in the U.S. under the brand name WAINUA.

How many patients are enrolled in the global CARDIO-TTRansform Phase 3 study of eplontersen?

The global CARDIO-TTRansform Phase 3 study of eplontersen is fully enrolled with more than 1,400 patients.

When is the data from the CARDIO-TTRansform study expected to be shared?

The company plans to share data from the CARDIO-TTRansform study as early as 2025.