Viridian Announces Positive Initial Clinical Data from Ongoing Phase 1/2 Trial Evaluating VRDN-001 in Patients with Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)

Rhea-AI Summary

Viridian Therapeutics announced positive initial clinical data from the VRDN-001 Phase 1/2 trial for thyroid eye disease (TED). Results showed an 83% response rate in proptosis with a mean reduction of 2.4mm, and 75% of patients experienced complete resolution of diplopia. Notably, there were no serious adverse events reported, indicating a favorable safety profile. Additionally, enrollment for the 20mg/kg cohort is nearly complete, with data expected in Q4 2022. The company also provided insights into the extended half-life of another candidate, VRDN-002, highlighting its potential as a subcutaneous treatment.

Positive

• 83% proptosis responder rate with a mean reduction of 2.4mm.
• 83% of patients achieved a Clinical Activity Score of 0 or 1.
• 75% complete resolution of diplopia in patients with baseline diplopia.
• No serious adverse events reported, demonstrating favorable safety and tolerability.
• Enrollment for the 20mg/kg cohort nearly complete with upcoming data presentation.

Negative

• None.

- Significant and rapid improvement in both signs and symptoms of TED at week 6 after two infusions of 10mg/kg VRDN-001 -

- Proptosis response achieved by 83% of patients with a mean reduction of 2.4mm from baseline -

- Clinical Activity Score (CAS) of 0 or 1 achieved by 83% of patients with a mean reduction of 4.3 points from baseline -

- Complete resolution of diplopia achieved by 75% of patients with diplopia at baseline -

- VRDN-001 demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile with no reported SAEs, no hyperglycemia, and no infusion reactions -

- 20mg/kg cohort enrollment nearly complete, with planned data presentation at a medical meeting in 4Q22; 3mg/kg cohort is on track for data in 4Q22 -

                  - VRDN-002 achieved a substantially extended half-life of 30-40 days in healthy volunteers with a sustained IGF-1 response and a favorable safety and tolerability profile -

- Viridian to host investor conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. ET -

WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Viridian Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRDN), a biotechnology company advancing new treatments for patients suffering from serious diseases underserved by current therapies, today announced positive initial clinical data from the 10mg/kg cohort in its ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of VRDN-001, an anti-IGF-1R antibody, in patients with active thyroid eye disease (TED). TED is a rare autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks the tissues around and behind the eyes causing inflammation, swelling, and damage, which develops into signs and symptoms of double vision, bulging eyes, and ocular pain. The double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1/2 trial is evaluating two infusions of VRDN-001 administered intravenously. The inclusion and exclusion criteria and the baseline patient characteristics for this trial are similar to prior TED clinical trials. Efficacy measurements include proptosis (bulging eyes), Clinical Activity Score (CAS), and diplopia (double vision), which are the same endpoints as measured in the clinical development of Tepezza^®, the only approved therapy targeting IGF-1R in patients with TED.

“TED is a severe, debilitating eye disease that threatens patients’ vision and overall quality of life,” said Raymond Douglas, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Orbital and Thyroid Eye Disease Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and an investigator on the VRDN-001 trial. “In this trial, rapid and significant improvement in a broad set of efficacy measures suggests that VRDN-001 may have a differentiated profile that could offer meaningful benefits to patients.”

Data from ongoing VRDN-001 Phase 1/2 proof-of-concept trial
This ongoing trial is evaluating two infusions of VRDN-001, three weeks apart, with efficacy measured 6 weeks after the first dose. Each dose is evaluated in a cohort of 8 patients, randomized so that 6 patients receive VRDN-001 and 2 patients receive placebo. The first cohort evaluated a dose of 10mg/kg, with initial clinical data being reported today. The second cohort is evaluating a dose of 20mg/kg and enrollment is nearly complete, and the Company plans to report results at an upcoming medical meeting in the fourth quarter of 2022. A third cohort will evaluate a dose of 3mg/kg, with data anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Initial VRDN-001 Safety Data 
VRDN-001 was well-tolerated by all patients treated at the 10mg/kg dose. There were no reported serious adverse events (SAEs), no patient discontinuations, and no hyperglycemia or infusion reactions as of August 9, 2022, the cutoff date for follow up observation. Two cases of mild muscle spasm were reported and did not require intervention. There was one report of “ringing in the ears” which resolved within two weeks without intervention.

In the ongoing second TED cohort, which is evaluating two infusions of 20mg/kg of VRDN-001, no adverse events of hyperglycemia, muscle spasm, hearing impairment, infusion reactions, or any serious adverse events were reported as of the cutoff date of August 9, 2022.

Initial VRDN-001 Clinical Activity Data
All patients in the 10mg/kg cohort were treated for two full cycles and were evaluated for proptosis, clinical activity score (CAS), and diplopia.

The following clinical activity was observed at week 6:
Proptosis

• 83% proptosis responder rate, defined as a ≥2mm reduction in proptosis from baseline
• Rapid reduction with a median time to proptosis response of 3 weeks
• 2.4mm mean reduction in proptosis from baseline
  

Clinical Activity Score (CAS)

• 83% of patients achieved maximal or near-maximal therapeutic effect on CAS, defined as reaching a CAS of 0 or 1 on a 7-point composite measure of signs and symptoms of TED
• 4.3 point mean reduction in CAS from baseline

Overall response

• 83% overall responder rate, defined as a ≥2mm reduction in proptosis and a ≥2 point reduction in CAS
  

Diplopia

• 75% complete resolution of diplopia, defined as patients with baseline diplopia who achieved a score of 0 on the Gorman Subjective Diplopia scale
  

“These data exceeded our expectations and compare very favorably to Tepezza, the only approved therapy in TED. The significant improvement in signs and symptoms observed after only two infusions of VRDN-001 is remarkable. We plan to accelerate the start of our Phase 3 THRIVE program, now starting later this year, in a broad TED population of both active and chronic disease,” said Barrett Katz, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer at Viridian. “We believe VRDN-001 could show a more rapid onset of action and afford a shorter course of treatment with the potential for a differentiated profile versus other TED therapies, due to its full antagonism of IGF-1R.”

First-in-human data for VRDN-002
Earlier this year, Viridian initiated a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial of VRDN-002, a novel monoclonal antibody that incorporates half-life extension technology and is designed to support administration as a convenient, low-volume, subcutaneous (SC) injection for the treatment of TED patients. This single ascending dose trial explored safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenously administered VRDN-002 at doses of 3, 10, and 20mg/kg in 12 healthy volunteers.

The following results were observed:

• VRDN-002 achieved a substantially extended half-life of 30-40 days
• After a single IV dose of VRDN-002, plasma IGF-1 levels increased approximately 2.5-fold and were sustained throughout the measurement period of 84 days
• PK/PD analysis demonstrates the feasibility of a convenient, low-volume, subcutaneous injection paradigm of 2mL 300mg dosed Q2W or Q4W
• VRDN-002 was generally well tolerated with no reported adverse events of hyperglycemia, hearing impairment, muscle spasm, infusion reactions, or any SAEs

Clinical plan and future milestones for Viridian TED programs

Additional VRDN-001 Phase 1/2 Cohorts

• VRDN-001 20mg/kg cohort data presentation planned for a medical meeting in the fourth quarter of 2022. VRDN-001 3mg/kg cohort is expected to deliver data in the fourth quarter of 2022
• Additional VRDN-001 chronic TED proof-of-concept cohorts now planned to launch in the fourth quarter of 2022, with data in the first half of 2023

Global VRDN-001 Phase 3 Program in Active and Chronic TED

• First VRDN-001 double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial (THRIVE), in active TED patients, expected to initiate by the end of 2022, with topline data expected in mid-year 2024. The trial will evaluate the 10mg/kg dose, with a rapid 30-minute infusion time, in two treatment regimens:
  • a standard 8-infusion Q3W regimen matching Tepezza dosing regimen
  • an accelerated 12-week, 5-infusion Q3W regimen, offering a 43% shorter, highly differentiated dosing regimen
• Second VRDN-001 double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial (THRIVE-2), in chronic TED, expected to initiate in the first half of 2023 with topline data by the end of 2024
• THRIVE and THRIVE-2 trial results are expected to form the basis of both a biologics license application (BLA) in the US as well as a marketing authorization application (MAA) in the EU
  

SC Programs: VRDN-002 and VRDN-003

• VRDN-002 will advance to a proof-of-concept trial in TED, evaluating 2mL 300mg SC injection of 2mL, dosed Q2W or Q4W, with data expected in the second half of 2023. Viridian is unveiling VRDN-003, an extended half-life version of VRDN-001. VRDN-003 builds upon the clinical performance of VRDN-001 by incorporating the same technology that enabled VRDN-002 to achieve its substantially extended half-life. VRDN-003 has similar non-human primate half-life to VRDN-002 and is expected to match the VRDN-002 human half-life. IND filing for VRDN-003 is planned the second quarter of 2023 with proof-of-concept data expected in the fourth quarter of 2023
• By the end of 2023, the Company will select to advance either VRDN-002 or VRDN-003 into registrational trials based on clinical data from the two programs and plans to initiate a global Phase 3 program of a potentially best-in-class SC therapy for TED in early 2024

“The data we are sharing today puts Viridian in a very strong position to succeed in our mission to deliver improved therapeutic options to TED patients suffering from this serious disease,” said Jonathan Violin, Ph.D., President and CEO of Viridian Therapeutics. “With VRDN-001 and our subcutaneous programs, we believe our strategy enables us to rapidly deliver differentiated products to a broad population of TED patients across the globe and across all settings of care.”

Conference call and webcast
The Company will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss the topline data for VRDN-001 and VRDN-002. The Viridian management team will be joined by Raymond Douglas, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Thyroid Eye Disease at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The dial-in number for the conference call is 1-877-407-0789 for domestic participants and 1-201-689-8562 for international participants. The conference ID is 13730501. A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed through the “Events” page in the Investors section of the Viridian Therapeutics website. Following the live webcast, an archived version of the call will also be available on the website.

About Viridian Therapeutics
Viridian Therapeutics is a biotechnology company advancing new treatments for patients suffering from serious diseases underserved by current therapies. Viridian’s most advanced program, VRDN-001, is a differentiated monoclonal antibody targeting insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), a clinically and commercially validated target for the treatment of thyroid eye disease (TED). VRDN-002 is a distinct anti-IGF-1R antibody and incorporates half-life extension technology. VRDN-003 is an extended half-life version of VRDN-001. Both VRDN-002 and VRDN-003 are designed for administration as convenient, low-volume, subcutaneous injections. TED is a debilitating autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and fibrosis within the orbit of the eye which can cause double vision, pain, and potential blindness. Viridian is based in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as, but not limited to, "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," or "would" or other similar terms or expressions that concern the Company’s expectations, plans and intentions. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s expectations, strategies, plans and intentions. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on the Company’s current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. No representations or warranties (expressed or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties including but not limited to: the potential efficacy and safety of VRDN-001 and VRDN-002 for the treatment of TED; the relationship between the results from the positive data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of VRDN-001 and the first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial of VRDN-002 and results of ongoing and future clinical trials; the timing, progress and plans for the Company’s ongoing and future research and clinical development programs; trial protocols for ongoing clinical trials, including the clinical trials for VRDN-001 and VRDN 002; expectations regarding the timing for data, including the expected timing of additional data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of VRDN-001 and the first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial of VRDN-002; uncertainty and potential delays related to clinical drug development; the duration and impact of regulatory delays in the Company’s clinical programs; manufacturing risks; competition from other therapies or products; other matters that could affect the sufficiency of existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments to fund operations; the Company’s financial position and its projected cash runway; the Company’s future operating results and financial performance; the timing of pre-clinical and clinical trial activities and reporting results from same; the effects from the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s research, development and business activities and operating results, including those risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 11, 2022 and other subsequent disclosure documents filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Neither the Company, nor its affiliates, advisors, or representatives, undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.

Investor and Media Contact
John Jordan
Viridian Therapeutics
Vice President, Investor Relations
& Corporate Communications
617-272-4691
IR@viridiantherapeutics.com

FAQ

What are the results of the Phase 1/2 trial for VRDN-001?

The Phase 1/2 trial of VRDN-001 showed an 83% response rate in proptosis and a mean reduction of 2.4mm, with 75% of patients achieving complete resolution of diplopia.

What safety data has been reported for VRDN-001?

VRDN-001 demonstrated a favorable safety profile with no serious adverse events, hyperglycemia, or infusion reactions reported in the 10mg/kg cohort.

When will data from the VRDN-002 trial be available?

Data from the first-in-human Phase 1 trial of VRDN-002 is anticipated to be reported in the second half of 2023.

What is the future clinical plan for VRDN-001?

The Company plans to accelerate the Phase 3 THRIVE program for VRDN-001, expected to start by the end of 2022, focusing on both active and chronic TED patients.

What is the significance of the results compared to Tepezza?

The initial results from VRDN-001 have shown significant improvements compared to Tepezza, the only approved therapy for TED, suggesting a potentially differentiated treatment option.