Rallybio Announces Results of Epidemiological Analysis Demonstrating FNAIT Risk Across Racially and Ethnically Diverse Populations
Rallybio has announced the results of a large-scale epidemiological analysis on fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) risk across racially and ethnically diverse populations. The analysis, utilizing large genomic datasets, reveals that the proportion of pregnancies at higher risk for FNAIT is significantly higher than previously estimated, especially among Caucasian and Hispanic White populations.
The company estimates that over 30,000 pregnancies annually in North America and Europe are at higher risk for FNAIT, representing a 40% increase from prior estimates. This new data suggests that the addressable market for Rallybio's RLYB212 treatment could exceed $1.6 billion. The company plans to start a Phase 2 dose confirmation study of RLYB212 in pregnant women at higher risk for FNAIT in the second half of 2024.
Complete data from the study will be presented in Q4 2024. Rallybio also continues to conduct a non-interventional FNAIT natural history study, having screened approximately 10,000 pregnant women as of May 1, 2024.
- Significant increase in the number of pregnancies at higher risk for FNAIT annually (+40% from prior estimates).
- Estimated addressable market for RLYB212 could exceed $1.6 billion.
- Rallybio plans to initiate Phase 2 dose confirmation study of RLYB212 in 2H 2024.
- Highlighting the importance of FNAIT screening in standard prenatal care.
- Successful partnership with HealthLumen for epidemiological modeling.
- Approximately 10,000 pregnant women screened for FNAIT risk as of May 1, 2024.
- Higher risk for FNAIT predominantly found in Caucasian and Hispanic White populations, indicating potential market limitations in other demographics.
- Full data presentation delayed until Q4 2024, which may delay investor decision-making.
- Potential risks associated with the Phase 2 study of RLYB212, which is not yet initiated.
- No immediate revenue generation as RLYB212 is still in clinical stages.
Insights
Rallybio's recent epidemiological analysis covering FNAIT risk across different ancestries provides a critical insight into the prevalence of this condition in diverse populations. The data revealing a higher than previously estimated risk in non-Caucasian populations could have significant implications. In North America and Europe, the rise in estimated pregnancies at risk from around
From a medical standpoint, this study underscores the necessity for more inclusive research demographics. By incorporating diverse populations, the findings challenge the previously held assumption that European Caucasians are the primarily affected group. The inclusion of Hispanic White and Black populations, as well as Asian and Amerindigenous groups, demonstrates a more nuanced understanding of genetic risks associated with FNAIT. As a result, prenatal care protocols may need revision to incorporate these findings.
For Rallybio, this broader risk profile means a potentially larger market for RLYB212, as screening and treatment could extend to a wider demographic. However, it's important for the company to conduct further validation studies to maintain scientific and clinical credibility.
In conclusion, while these findings are promising, the company must navigate the regulatory landscape carefully, ensuring their conclusions are robust and widely accepted.
From a financial perspective, Rallybio's revelations present a promising commercial opportunity. The newfound prevalence of FNAIT risk among diverse populations enlarges the addressable market for RLYB212, potentially pushing its market size beyond
However, investors should be cautious regarding the timelines involved. The initiation of a Phase 2 dose confirmation study in late 2024 suggests that regulatory approval and market entry are still years away. Additionally, the company will need to secure funding and manage operational challenges during this period, which could impact stock volatility.
It’s also important to consider the competitive landscape. Other biotech firms might be pursuing similar treatments, which could dilute Rallybio's market share post-approval. Investors should keep an eye on technological advancements and regulatory announcements in this sector.
In summary, while the expanded market potential is exciting, the inherent risks and extended timelines mean investors should remain vigilant and consider these factors in their analysis.
Rallybio’s epidemiological analysis carries profound market implications. The discovery that FNAIT risk extends significantly beyond Caucasian populations opens up untapped segments in prenatal care. By validating the risk in Hispanic and Black populations, Rallybio can align their marketing and educational efforts to these diverse groups, potentially boosting adoption rates for both screening and RLYB212 treatment.
Rising awareness among clinicians and patients about the broader FNAIT risk could drive demand for more inclusive prenatal screening practices, fostering a market environment where Rallybio’s solutions are seen as essential. This could bolster the company’s bargaining power with healthcare providers, insurers and regulatory bodies.
However, market penetration will depend on effective communication and education strategies. Rallybio must work closely with healthcare professionals and advocacy groups to disseminate their findings and highlight the benefits of comprehensive FNAIT screening. Furthermore, the company should ensure affordability and accessibility of their treatments across different socio-economic strata to maximize impact.
Overall, the expanded market potential is promising, but Rallybio’s success will rely heavily on strategic market positioning and effective stakeholder engagement.
– First Reported Large-Scale Analysis of FNAIT Risk Across Broad Population of Diverse Ancestries –
– Topline Results Suggest a Significant Increase in the Number of Pregnancies at Higher Risk for FNAIT Annually and the RLYB212 Addressable Market –
– Rallybio On Track to Initiate RLYB212 Phase 2 Dose Confirmation Study in Pregnant Women at Higher Risk for FNAIT in 2H 2024 –
These data indicate that the proportion of pregnant women at higher risk for FNAIT annually has been significantly underestimated. For example, in key geographies of
“This epidemiological analysis leverages the availability of large-scale, diverse genomic datasets, and provides the first clear evidence of the extent to which ancestries beyond the Caucasian population can carry a higher risk for FNAIT,” said Stephen Uden, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Rallybio. “These data indicate that FNAIT risk is more prevalent than previously estimated and highlights the importance of screening. Unlike many other rare diseases, we believe that screening for FNAIT risk could be seamlessly incorporated into standard prenatal care for all mothers. This would ensure all women at higher risk for FNAIT could then be offered prophylactic treatment with RLYB212, if approved.”
Dr. Uden continued, “Based on this new information, we now believe RLYB212 represents a commercial opportunity of greater than
Topline results from this analysis demonstrate that the proportion of women at higher risk of alloimmunization and FNAIT was greatest in European Caucasian populations, consistent with published literature. Additionally, the results demonstrate a comparable proportion of women at higher risk in Hispanic White populations, as well as a relatively moderate proportion of women at higher risk in Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic Black populations. Proportions of women at higher risk in South Asian, East Asian, and Amerindigenous populations were found to be low relative to the European Caucasian populations.
The analysis was conducted by Rallybio in partnership with HealthLumen, a leader in epidemiological modeling of rare genetic diseases. Allele frequencies for HPA-1a were obtained from gnomAD v4, which contains exome and genome sequencing data from approximately 810,000 individuals. Allele frequencies for HLA DRB3*01:01, which is associated with approximately 25-fold higher risk of alloimmunization, were obtained from the US National Marrow Donor Registry (NMDR), which includes data from approximately 2,700,000 individuals.
Rallybio is developing RLYB212, a novel human monoclonal anti-HPA-1a antibody, to prevent alloimmunization in pregnant women and thereby, eliminate the risk of FNAIT and its potentially devastating consequences in their fetuses and newborns. Rallybio expects to initiate a Phase 2 dose confirmation study of RLYB212 in pregnant women at higher risk for HPA-1a alloimmunization and FNAIT in the second half of 2024. The Company is also conducting a non-interventional FNAIT natural history study that is designed to provide a contemporary dataset for HPA-1a alloimmunization frequency in a racially and ethnically diverse population. As of May 1, 2024, Rallybio had screened approximately 10,000 pregnant women.
About FNAIT
Fetal and Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a potentially life-threatening rare disease that can cause uncontrolled bleeding in fetuses and newborns. FNAIT can arise during pregnancy due to an immune incompatibility between an expectant mother and her fetus in a specific platelet antigen called human platelet antigen 1, or HPA-1.
There are two predominant forms of HPA-1, known as HPA-1a and HPA-1b, which are expressed on the surface of platelets. Individuals who are homozygous for HPA-1b, meaning that they have two copies of the HPA-1b allele and no copies of the HPA-1a allele, are also known as HPA-1a negative. Upon exposure to the HPA-1a antigen, these individuals can develop antibodies to that antigen in a process known as alloimmunization. In HPA-1a-negative expectant mothers bearing a HPA-1a-positive fetus, alloimmunization can occur upon mixing of fetal blood with maternal blood. When alloimmunization occurs in an expectant mother, the anti-HPA-1a antibodies that develop in the mother can cross the placenta and destroy platelets in the fetus. The destruction of platelets in the fetus can result in severely low platelet counts, or thrombocytopenia, and potentially lead to devastating consequences including miscarriage, stillbirth, death of the newborn, or severe lifelong neurological disability in those babies who survive. There is currently no approved therapy for the prevention or prenatal treatment of FNAIT.
About Rallybio
Rallybio (NASDAQ: RLYB) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company with a mission to develop and commercialize life-transforming therapies for patients with severe and rare diseases. Rallybio has built a broad pipeline of promising product candidates aimed at addressing diseases with unmet medical need in areas of maternal fetal health, complement dysregulation, hematology, and metabolic disorders. The Company has two clinical stage programs: RLYB212, an anti-HPA-1a antibody for the prevention of fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) and RLYB116, an inhibitor of complement component 5 (C5), with the potential to treat several diseases of complement dysregulation, as well as additional programs in preclinical development. Rallybio is headquartered in
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on currently available information. All statements, other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the diversity of ancestries that carry the genetic markers for FNAIT, the increase in the number of pregnancies estimated to be at high risk of FNAIT each year based on the epidemiological analysis and our estimates of the number of pregnancies at higher risk of FNAIT, our ability to identify the number of pregnant women at higher risk of FNAIT based on the results of the analysis, our ability to ensure routine prenatal screening, our estimates of the market opportunity for RLYB212, the timing of initiation of the Phase 2 dose confirmation study for RLYB212, our expectations regarding the usefulness of data from our clinical studies, and the timing of publications relating to FNAIT and RLYB212, . The forward-looking statements in this press release are only predictions and are based largely on management’s current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that management believes may affect Rallybio’s business, financial condition and results of operations. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, our ability to successfully initiate and conduct our planned clinical trials, including the FNAIT natural history study, and the Phase 2 clinical trial for RLYB212, and complete such clinical trials and obtain results on our expected timelines, or at all, whether our cash resources will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements and whether we will be successful raising additional capital, our ability to enter into strategic partnerships or other arrangements, competition from other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and those risks and uncertainties described in Rallybio’s filings with the
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Investor Contacts
Samantha Tracy
Rallybio Corporation
(475) 47-RALLY (Ext. 282)
investors@rallybio.com
Kevin Lui
Precision AQ
(212) 698-8691
kevin.lui@precisionaq.com
Media Contact
Victoria Reynolds
Mission North
(760) 579-2134
rallybio@missionnorth.com
Source: Rallybio Corporation
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