PTC Therapeutics Announces FDA Acceptance and Priority Review of the BLA for Upstaza™
PTC Therapeutics announced the FDA's acceptance of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for Upstaza™ (eladocagene exuparvovec), a gene therapy targeting AADC deficiency. The FDA has granted Priority Review status, setting a target action date of November 13, 2024. According to PTC's CEO, Matthew B. Klein, the collected data affirm Upstaza's potential transformative benefits. This acceptance marks a critical milestone in the effort to introduce an approved therapy for AADC deficiency in the U.S.
- FDA acceptance of the BLA for Upstaza™.
- Priority Review status granted by the FDA, indicating potential expedited approval.
- Target regulatory action date set for November 13, 2024.
- Potential transformative benefits of Upstaza™ based on collected data.
- Milestone progression towards an approved therapy for AADC deficiency in the U.S.
- No explicit financial details provided, leaving uncertainty about the potential economic impact.
- The approval is not guaranteed; pending review outcome could affect stock performance.
- Long wait period until the PDUFA target date of November 13, 2024, could lead to market volatility.
Insights
The FDA's acceptance and Priority Review of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for Upstaza™ is significant for PTC Therapeutics. Priority Review is a designation that accelerates the review timeline for drugs that offer major advancements in treatment or address unmet medical needs. This suggests that Upstaza is seen as potentially transformative for patients with AADC deficiency, a rare genetic disorder affecting neurotransmitter production.
The short-term impact is a potential surge in PTC's stock price due to increased investor optimism. Long-term implications hinge on approval, which could significantly enhance PTC's market position and future revenue streams. Investors need to monitor for upcoming clinical trial data and FDA feedback as these will be critical to the final approval decision.
From a medical perspective, the development of Upstaza™ for AADC deficiency marks a promising advancement in gene therapy. As a treatment directly infused into the brain, it targets the root cause of the disorder rather than just mitigating symptoms. Gene therapies like this can offer durable, potentially curative solutions, which is a major leap forward compared to traditional treatments.
However, the innovative nature of this therapy also brings risks, including safety concerns related to brain infusion, potential long-term effects and high treatment costs. The Priority Review status emphasizes the therapy's potential, but the FDA's final decision will heavily depend on the robustness of the clinical data supporting its efficacy and safety.
- PDUFA target action date of November 13, 2024 -
"We are excited to be one step closer to bringing an approved therapy to patients with AADC deficiency in
About Upstaza™ (eladocagene exuparvovec)
Upstaza is a one-time gene replacement therapy indicated for the treatment of patients aged 18 months and older with a clinical, molecular, and genetically confirmed diagnosis of aromatic L–amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency with a severe phenotype. It is a recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (AAV2)-based gene therapy, containing the human DDC gene.1 It is designed to correct the underlying genetic defect, by delivering a functioning DDC gene directly into the putamen, increasing the AADC enzyme and restoring dopamine production.2,3
The efficacy and safety profile of Upstaza has been demonstrated across clinical trials and compassionate use programs.1 The first patient was dosed in 2010. In clinical trials, Upstaza demonstrated transformational neurological improvements. The most common side effects were initial insomnia, irritability and dyskinesia.
Administration of Upstaza occurs through a stereotactic surgical procedure, a minimally invasive neurosurgical procedure used for the treatment of a number of pediatric and adult neurological disorders. The Upstaza administration procedure is performed by a qualified neurosurgeon in centers specialized in stereotactic neurosurgery.
About aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency
AADC deficiency is a fatal, rare genetic disorder that typically causes severe disability and suffering from the first months of life, affecting every aspect of life – physical, mental and behavioral. The suffering of children with AADC deficiency may be exacerbated by: episodes of distressing seizure-like oculogyric crises causing the eyes to roll up in the head, frequent vomiting, behavioral problems, and difficulty sleeping.
The lives of affected children are severely impacted and shortened. Ongoing physical, occupational and speech therapy, and interventions, including surgery, also are often required to manage potentially life-threatening complications such as infections, severe feeding and breathing problems.
About PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
PTC is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of clinically differentiated medicines that provide benefits to patients with rare disorders. PTC's ability to innovate to identify new therapies and to globally commercialize products is the foundation that drives investment in a robust and diversified pipeline of transformative medicines. PTC's mission is to provide access to best-in-class treatments for patients who have little to no treatment options. PTC's strategy is to leverage its strong scientific and clinical expertise and global commercial infrastructure to bring therapies to patients. PTC believes this allows it to maximize value for all its stakeholders. To learn more about PTC, please visit us at www.ptcbio.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter at @PTCBio.
For More Information:
Investors:
Kylie O'Keefe
+1 (908) 300-0691
kokeefe@ptcbio.com
Media:
Jeanine Clemente
+1 (908) 912-9406
jclemente@ptcbio.com
Forward-Looking Statement:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this release, other than statements of historic fact, are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding: the future expectations, plans and prospects for PTC, including with respect to the expected timing of regulatory review, commercialization and other matters with respect to its products and product candidates; PTC's strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs; the extent, timing and financial aspects of our strategic pipeline prioritization and reductions in workforce; and the objectives of management. Other forward-looking statements may be identified by the words, "guidance", "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," and similar expressions.
PTC's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements it makes as a result of a variety of risks and uncertainties, including those related to: the outcome of pricing, coverage and reimbursement negotiations with third party payors for PTC's products or product candidates that PTC commercializes or may commercialize in the future; expectations with respect to Upstaza, including any regulatory review and potential approvals, commercialization, manufacturing capabilities, the potential achievement of development, regulatory and sales milestones and contingent payments that PTC may be obligated to make; significant business effects, including the effects of industry, market, economic, political or regulatory conditions; changes in tax and other laws, regulations, rates and policies; the eligible patient base and commercial potential of PTC's products and product candidates; PTC's scientific approach and general development progress; and the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of PTC's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as any updates to these risk factors filed from time to time in PTC's other filings with the SEC. You are urged to carefully consider all such factors.
As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. There are no guarantees that any product will receive or maintain regulatory approval in any territory, or prove to be commercially successful, including Upstaza.
The forward-looking statements contained herein represent PTC's views only as of the date of this press release and PTC does not undertake or plan to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in plans, prospects, assumptions, estimates or projections, or other circumstances occurring after the date of this press release except as required by law.
Acronyms:
AADC: Aromatic l-Amino Acid Decarboxylase
BLA: Biologics License Application
FDA:
References:
- Tai CH, et al. Long-term efficacy and safety of eladocagene exuparvovec in patients with AADC deficiency. Mol Ther. 2022;30(2):509-518.
- Chien et al. AGIL-AADC gene therapy results in sustained improvements in motor and developmental milestones through 5 years in children with AADC deficiency. Poster presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Child Neurology Society, Charlotte, NC, USA, Oct 23-26, 2019.
- Chien YH, et al. Efficacy and safety of AAV2 gene therapy in children with aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency: an open-label, phase 1/2 trial. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2017;1(4):265-273.
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SOURCE PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
FAQ
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