FDA Accelerated Approval of Tofersen Highlights Importance of Blood Neurofilament Light Chain as Surrogate Endpoint in Neurology Therapeutic Trials

Rhea-AI Summary

The FDA's recent approval of tofersen for treating SOD1-ALS marks a significant milestone, supported by compelling blood-based neurofilament light chain (NfL) measurements. This is the first instance of a blood biomarker being utilized as a surrogate endpoint for accelerated drug approval in neurology. Tofersen, which reduces the overproduction of SOD1 protein, demonstrated trends toward clinical benefit despite not significantly slowing disease progression in Phase III trials. The approach of using NfL measurements opens new avenues for neurodegenerative disease research and treatment, potentially impacting various conditions like Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis. Quanterix Corporation, the developer of the Simoa NfL assay, plays a crucial role in this breakthrough, advancing biomarker use in clinical management.

Positive

• FDA approved tofersen for SOD1-ALS based on strong surrogate biomarker data.
• NfL blood measurements demonstrate potential in predicting clinical benefit.
• Tofersen shown to lower plasma NfL levels by 40-50% over six months.
• Potential to influence drug development for other neurodegenerative diseases.

Negative

• Tofersen did not significantly slow clinical decline in Phase III VALOR trial.

Blood-based measurement of neurofilament light chain (NfL) provides compelling evidence to support an accelerated drug approval by the FDA. The decision has positive implications for NfL blood testing as a key tool in neuro-drug development.

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Quanterix Corporation (NASDAQ: QTRX), a company fueling scientific discovery and breakthrough diagnostics through ultrasensitive biomarker detection, today announced that blood-based NfL measurements provided compelling support for the FDA’s accelerated approval of tofersen for treatment of superoxide dismutase 1 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SOD1-ALS), a devastating rare genetic form of ALS. This is the first known case in which a blood biomarker was successfully used as a surrogate endpoint for a neurology therapeutic trial to gain accelerated approval, highlighting the potential for other therapeutic trial designs to benefit from including blood NfL measurements.

Tofersen is designed to reduce the overproduction of SOD1 protein in SOD1-ALS patients. In the Phase III VALOR trial, the drug did not significantly slow patients’ clinical decline. However, there were positive trends in the data, and open label extension results have since shown evidence of clinical benefits along with highly significant reductions of secondary endpoint biomarkers in favor of a positive treatment effect. This data supported an extended FDA review of tofersen’s new drug application under the accelerated pathway leading to its recent announcement of approval. Critical to the approval were plasma NfL trends, with the FDA Advisory Committee voting unanimously that the “reduction in plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentration in tofersen-treated patients is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit of tofersen for treatment of patients with SOD1-ALS.” Tofersen was found to lower plasma NfL levels 40-50 percent over a six-month period.

The FDA’s decision to approve tofersen through its Accelerated Approval Program focused on strong surrogate biomarker data, adding momentum to the use of biomarkers in predicting disease severity and clinical benefit in neurodegenerative diseases. NfL, in particular, has been extensively studied in different neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, spinal muscular atrophy, hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis, and multiple sclerosis. In ALS, independent studies have shown NfL levels correlate with disease severity, disease progression rate, and survival. Alternatively, therapy-mediated reductions in NfL have been correlated with clinical improvement from approved drugs for other neurological diseases, supporting the use of NfL as a critical pharmacodynamic marker.

“An important advance stemming from the tofersen approval is a demonstration of the potential of NfL as a potential surrogate biomarker that can serve as a leading indicator of drug efficacy for some investigational therapies in neurodegenerative disorders,” said Merit Cudkowicz, M.D., M.Sc., Director of the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS and Chair of Neurology at Mass General. “The acceptance of NfL as a valid biomarker for accelerated therapeutics in ALS is a major advance. I fully expect that more biomarkers like NfL will be discovered in ALS. This is a very exciting and hopeful time in ALS therapeutics.”

“Blood-based NfL measurements are materially advancing and accelerating therapeutics development for, and clinical management of, patients with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, spinal muscular atrophy, hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis, and multiple sclerosis,” said Masoud Toloue, CEO at Quanterix. “On the strength of hundreds of published studies in recent years, blood NfL has gained broad acceptance as a biomarker of neuro-axonal damage which is a common feature of these diseases. We are pleased to see another validating proof point on how this biomarker can be accelerative in neurodegeneration therapeutics development. We are hopeful that the approval of tofersen will provide some relief to sufferers of the relentless progression of SOD1-ALS.”

Quanterix pioneered measurement of NfL in plasma and serum with the launch of its Simoa NfL assay in 2016. The Simoa NfL test has since been validated by many hundreds of publications across numerous disease areas, and its analytical performance has been extensively verified in laboratories across Europe and North America. Simoa NfL testing is offered by Quanterix as a Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) that has been validated under CLIA in an ISO:15189 accredited laboratory. The Simoa NfL assay has also been designated a Breakthrough Device by the U.S. FDA for identifying adult patients diagnosed with RRMS who are at low or high risk for relapse within four years. The test is not currently cleared by the FDA as an in vitro diagnostic.

To learn more about Quanterix’s Simoa® NfL assay, visit: https://quanterix.com/products-and-services/simoa-neurofilament-light-nfl-ldt/

To learn more about Quanterix’s Simoa® technology, visit: https://www.quanterix.com/technology.

For more information about Quanterix’s work in neurology, visit: https://www.quanterix.com/therapeutic-areas/neurology/.

About Quanterix

From discovery to diagnostics, Quanterix’s ultrasensitive biomarker detection is fueling breakthroughs only made possible through its unparalleled sensitivity and flexibility. The Company’s Simoa® technology has delivered the gold standard for earlier biomarker detection in blood, serum or plasma, with the ability to quantify proteins that are far lower than the Limit of Quantification (LoQ) of conventional analog methods. Its industry-leading precision instruments, digital immunoassay technology and CLIA-certified Accelerator laboratory have supported research that advances disease understanding and management in neurology, oncology, immunology, cardiology and infectious disease. Quanterix has been a trusted partner of the scientific community for nearly two decades, powering research published in more than 2,000 peer-reviewed journal articles. Find additional information about the Billerica, Massachusetts-based company at https://www.quanterix.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release are based on Quanterix’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause Quanterix’s actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are discussed in Quanterix’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” sections contained therein. Except as required by law, Quanterix assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230425005796/en/

Media:

Maya Nimnicht, PAN Communications

(510) 334-6273

pan.quanterix@pancomm.com

Investor Relations:

Amy Achorn, Quanterix

(978) 488-1854

Source: Quanterix Corporation

FAQ

What is the significance of the FDA's approval for tofersen on QTRX stock?

The FDA's approval of tofersen is significant for QTRX as it validates the use of NfL measurements, potentially enhancing Quanterix's market position in neurodegenerative diagnostics.

How does the accelerated approval of tofersen affect Quanterix Corporation?

The approval of tofersen enhances the visibility and credibility of Quanterix's Simoa NfL assay, potentially leading to increased adoption of their testing services.

What are the implications of using NfL as a biomarker for drug approval?

Using NfL as a biomarker may streamline the drug approval process for future therapies targeting neurodegenerative diseases, benefiting companies like Quanterix.

What were the clinical outcomes of the Phase III VALOR trial for tofersen?

The Phase III VALOR trial did not report a significant slowing of clinical decline in SOD1-ALS patients, raising concerns despite some positive trends.

What potential does the NfL biomarker hold for other neurological disorders?

NfL has shown correlations with disease severity and could become a critical tool in managing and developing treatments for various neurological disorders.