Vertex Announces Positive Results From Ongoing Phase 1/2 Study of VX-880 for the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Presented at the American Diabetes Association 84th Scientific Sessions
Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced positive results from its ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of VX-880, a stem cell-derived islet cell therapy for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), during the American Diabetes Association 84th Scientific Sessions. Data from 12 patients who received the full dose showed islet cell engraftment and glucose-responsive insulin production by Day 90.
All patients achieved HbA1c levels below 7.0% and more than 70% time-in-range (70-180 mg/dL). Eleven out of twelve patients reduced or eliminated their use of exogenous insulin. Three patients with at least 12 months of follow-up met the primary endpoint of eliminating severe hypoglycemic events and achieving HbA1c below 7.0%, as well as the secondary endpoint of insulin independence.
VX-880 has been generally well tolerated, with no serious adverse events related to the treatment. Vertex plans to expand the trial to enroll approximately 37 participants as it moves toward pivotal development.
- All 12 patients achieved islet cell engraftment and glucose-responsive insulin production by Day 90.
- All patients met ADA-recommended HbA1c levels below 7.0% and more than 70% time-in-range.
- 11 out of 12 patients reduced or eliminated the use of exogenous insulin.
- Three patients with at least 12 months of follow-up met primary and secondary endpoints.
- No serious adverse events related to VX-880 treatment were reported.
- Trial expansion to enroll ~37 participants, indicating progress towards pivotal development.
- Two patient deaths occurred, although unrelated to VX-880 treatment.
Insights
The results from the Phase 1/2 study of VX-880 are indeed groundbreaking for the field of type 1 diabetes treatment. The significant outcomes, such as 100% of patients showing islet cell engraftment and glucose-responsive insulin production by Day 90, underscore the clinical promise of this treatment. Traditional management of type 1 diabetes involves insulin therapy, which is not only invasive but also comes with the risk of hypoglycemia. By potentially eliminating the need for exogenous insulin in most patients, VX-880 could revolutionize the disease management landscape.
Moreover, the study’s success in eliminating severe hypoglycemic events (SHEs) in all evaluable patients provides substantial evidence of the treatment's effectiveness. While the adverse events reported were mild to moderate, the unrelated patient deaths should not be overlooked. It’s important to understand these events' contexts to evaluate the treatment's safety comprehensively. Regardless, the overall safety profile remains promising compared to long-term diabetes complications.
Given these results, potential long-term benefits include improved quality of life and decreased healthcare costs related to diabetes management. However, it’s important to remain cautious and await data from larger, more diverse participant groups.
For a retail investor, the presented data could signify a substantial inflection point for Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The positive outcomes from the VX-880 study support the company’s trajectory towards developing a potentially curative therapy for type 1 diabetes, which is a market that remains relatively underserved and has significant growth potential. The expansion of the trial to enroll around 37 participants as the company moves toward pivotal development indicates confidence in the therapy’s efficacy and safety, likely positioning Vertex favorably in the market.
Short-term, Vertex might experience a boost in stock price due to this promising data. Long-term, if VX-880 continues to demonstrate safety and efficacy in larger trials, it could lead to a new revenue stream, significantly impacting Vertex’s financial health. However, investors should note the inherent risks in clinical trials and the regulatory hurdles that remain. The absence of serious adverse events related to VX-880 treatment so far is a positive signal, but ongoing monitoring and further studies are crucial.
It’s pertinent to consider how this therapy compares with existing treatments in terms of cost, efficacy and safety, as well as how quickly it can be brought to market pending FDA approval.
– All 12 patients who received the full dose of VX-880 as a single infusion demonstrated islet cell engraftment and glucose-responsive insulin production by Day 90 –
– All patients achieved ADA-recommended target HbA1c levels <
- 3 patients with at least 12 months of follow-up, and therefore evaluable, met the primary endpoint of elimination of severe hypoglycemic events (SHEs) with HbA1c <
- Trial expanded to enroll ~37 participants as company progresses toward pivotal development –
At baseline, all patients in the study had undetectable fasting C-peptide (a marker of endogenous insulin secretion), a history of recurrent SHEs in the year prior to screening, and required an average of 39.3 (min, max; 19.8, 52.0) units of insulin per day. Following a single infusion of VX-880 at the full dose, all 12 patients demonstrated islet cell engraftment and glucose-responsive insulin production by Day 90. At the latest visit, all patients had improved glycemic control and achieved ADA-recommended targets for both HbA1c below
VX-880 has been generally well tolerated. The majority of adverse events (AEs) were mild or moderate, and there were no serious AEs related to VX-880 treatment. As previously reported, two patient deaths occurred, both unrelated to treatment with VX-880. The safety profile is generally consistent with the immunosuppressive regimen used in the study, the infusion procedure, and complications from long-standing diabetes.
“These remarkable data add to the growing body of evidence for VX-880 as a potentially curative therapy for T1D,” said Carmen Bozic, M.D., Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer at Vertex. “As we plan toward pivotal development, we are pleased to have secured regulatory approval to expand study enrollment and look forward to advancing this program for patients who have long awaited a transformative therapy.”
“The data we’ve seen to-date in this study are extremely exciting. Stem cell-derived islets regulate blood glucose control as well as natural human islets,” said Piotr Witkowski, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Surgery and Director, Pancreatic, and Islet Transplant Program, University of Chicago Medicine, one of the investigators on the study, and a member of Vertex’s VX-880 Steering Committee. “The marked improvements seen across several key glycemic measures, the elimination of severe hypoglycemic episodes, and the reduction or total elimination of reliance on exogenous insulin have the potential to fundamentally change the treatment landscape for T1D and alleviate the significant burden this disease carries for patients.”
These data were presented during the American Diabetes Association 84th Scientific Sessions Conference on June 21, 2024, in
About VX-880
VX-880 is an investigational allogeneic stem cell-derived, fully differentiated, insulin-producing islet cell therapy manufactured using proprietary technology. VX-880 is being evaluated for patients who have T1D with impaired hypoglycemic awareness and severe hypoglycemia. VX-880 has the potential to restore the body’s ability to regulate glucose levels by restoring pancreatic islet cell function, including glucose-responsive insulin production. VX-880 is delivered by an infusion into the hepatic portal vein and requires chronic immunosuppressive therapy to protect the islet cells from immune rejection. The VX-880 trial has expanded to additional sites that are currently active and enrolling in the
VX-880 has been granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) and Fast Track designations by the
About the VX-880 Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial
The clinical trial is a Phase 1/2, multi-center, single-arm, open-label study in patients who have T1D with impaired hypoglycemic awareness and severe hypoglycemia. This study is designed as a sequential, multi-part clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of VX-880.
The original 17-patient study is fully enrolled. Fourteen patients have been dosed in Parts A, B, and C of the study, and the remaining patients will be dosed soon. Twelve patients received the full dose as a single infusion in Parts B and C.
At baseline, all 14 patients dosed in the study had undetectable fasting C-peptide, a history of recurrent SHEs in the year prior to screening, and required an average of 39.3 (min, max; 19.8, 52.0) units of insulin per day. Following an infusion of VX-880, all patients demonstrated islet cell engraftment and glucose-responsive insulin production by Day 90.
Based on the positive data shown to date, the study has been expanded to approximately 37 patients.
About Type 1 Diabetes
T1D results from the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas, leading to loss of insulin production and impairment of blood glucose control. The absence of insulin leads to abnormalities in how the body processes nutrients, leading to high blood glucose levels. High blood glucose can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis and, over time, to complications such as kidney disease/failure, eye disease (including vision loss), heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, and even death.
Due to the limitations and complexities of insulin delivery systems, it can be difficult to achieve and maintain balance in glucose control in people with T1D. Current standards of care do not address the underlying causes of the disease, and there are limited treatment options beyond insulin for the management of T1D; there is currently no cure for diabetes.
About Vertex
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including acute and neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, (i) statements by Carmen Bozic, M.D., and Piotr Witkowski, M.D., Ph.D., in this press release, (ii) our plans, expectations for, and the potential benefits of VX-880, and (iii) our plans for expanding the enrollment of patients. While Vertex believes the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are accurate, these forward-looking statements represent the company's beliefs only as of the date of this press release and there are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that data from a limited number of patients may not be indicative of final clinical trial results, that data from the company's research and development programs may not support registration or further development of its compounds due to safety, efficacy, and other risks listed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Vertex's most recent annual report and subsequent quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and available through the company's website at www.vrtx.com. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, or the scientific data presented. Vertex disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in this press release as new information becomes available.
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