SAN RAFAEL, Calif., May 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: BMRN) announced today an update to its previously reported results of an open-label Phase 1/2 study of valoctocogene roxaparvovec, an investigational gene therapy treatment for adults with severe hemophilia A.  The data have been submitted as a late-breaking abstract to the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) Virtual Summit to be held June 14-19, 2020.

The four-year update for the 6e13 vg/kg and three-year update for the 4e13 vg/kg cohorts demonstrated that all subjects in both cohorts remain off prophylactic Factor VIII treatment since receiving their single dose of valoctocogene roxaparvovec. Cumulative mean annualized bleed rates (ABR) remain less than one (1) in both cohorts and below pre-treatment baseline levels.  The mean ABR in year four for the 6e13 vg/kg cohort was 1.3, and the mean ABR in year three for the 4e13 vg/kg cohort was 0.5.  Over the past year, six of the seven participants in the 6e13 vg/kg cohort and five of the six participants in the 4e13 vg/kg cohort remain free of spontaneous bleeds.  Factor VIII activity levels declined commensurate with the most recent years' observations and remain in a range to provide hemostatic efficacy. 

"It's been a privilege to participate in this pioneering research and to observe how the patients on the study have done so much to improve our understanding of gene therapy research for hemophilia A.  This additional data is an important step toward a potential first treatment of its kind for this devastating disease," said Professor John Pasi, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D., from Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry; chief investigator for the valoctocogene roxaparvovec Phase 1/2 study, and a principal investigator for the Phase 3 study.  "Each year of data increases our knowledge of safety and efficacy and contributes to the growing body of scientific data on gene therapies in general and hemophilia A in particular."

"BioMarin is proud to have advanced the community's knowledge of the potential for gene therapy to transform lives, and we are grateful for the support of the bleeding disorders community in this endeavor. In just over four years since starting clinical trials in patients, we've submitted applications for marketing authorizations globally, and we continue to contribute to the growing body of scientific data in gene therapy for hemophilia A with five studies underway," said Hank Fuchs, M.D., President, Worldwide Research and Development at BioMarin.  "We continue to move forward with health authorities to make this treatment available for people with severe hemophilia A.   We are committed to pioneering this field and advancing the standard of care for patients."  

Safety Summary

Overall, the safety profile of valoctocogene roxaparvovec remains consistent with previously reported data with no delayed-onset treatment related events.  No participants developed inhibitors to Factor VIII, and no participants withdrew from the study.  No participants have developed thrombotic events.  The most common adverse events associated with valoctocogene roxaparvovec occurred early and included transient infusion-associated reactions and transient, asymptomatic, and mild to moderate rise in the levels of certain proteins and enzymes measured in liver function tests with no long-lasting clinical sequelae.

Regulatory Status

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing the biologics license application, under Priority Review, for valoctocogene roxaparvovec with a PDUFA action date of August 21, 2020. The FDA also granted valoctocogene roxaparvovec Breakthrough Therapy designation. 

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) validated the Company's Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for valoctocogene roxaparvovec which has been in review under accelerated assessment since January.  Recognizing valoctocogene roxaparvovec for its potential to benefit patients with unmet medical needs, EMA granted access to its Priority Medicines (PRIME) regulatory initiative.  Although the MAA remains under accelerated assessment at this time, the Company expects the review procedure to be extended by at least three months due to COVID-19 delays.  Further, the Company believes there is a high possibility that the MAA will revert to the standard review procedure, as is the case with most filings that initially receive accelerated assessment.  Because of the combination of these events, the Company expects an opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) in late 2020/early 2021.

BioMarin's valoctocogene roxaparvovec has also received orphan drug designation from the FDA and EMA for the treatment of severe hemophilia A. The Orphan Drug Designation program is intended to advance the evaluation and development of products that demonstrate promise for the diagnosis and/or treatment of rare diseases or conditions. 

The Company believes that both submissions represent the first time a gene therapy product for any type of hemophilia indication is under review for marketing authorization by health authorities.

Gene Therapy Manufacturing

The Company recently received EMA cGMP certification for its gene therapy manufacturing facility and quality systems for the production of valoctocogene roxaparvovec, an important step in obtaining regulatory approval of the product in the European Union. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) of Ireland conducted, on behalf of EMA, a pre-approval inspection in the first quarter and issued a cGMP certification in the second quarter. The inspection of the facility by FDA is expected to be complete during the second quarter, which would allow for potential licensure of the facility in the U.S. consistent with the August 21st PDUFA date.

About Hemophilia A 

People living with hemophilia A lack sufficient functioning Factor VIII protein to help their blood clot and are at risk for painful and/or potentially life-threatening bleeds from even modest injuries.  Additionally, people with the most severe form of hemophilia A (FVIII levels <1%) often experience painful, spontaneous bleeds into their muscles or joints.  Individuals with the most severe form of hemophilia A make up approximately 50 percent of the hemophilia A population.  People with hemophilia A with moderate (FVIII 1-5%) or mild (FVIII 5-40%) disease show a much-reduced propensity to bleed.  The standard of care for individuals with severe hemophilia A is a prophylactic regimen of replacement Factor VIII infusions administered intravenously up to two to three times per week or 100 to 150 infusions per year.  Despite these regimens, many people continue to experience breakthrough bleeds, resulting in progressive and debilitating joint damage, which can have a major impact on their quality of life. 

Hemophilia A, also called Factor VIII deficiency or classic hemophilia, is an X-linked genetic disorder caused by missing or defective Factor VIII, a clotting protein. Although it is passed down from parents to children, about 1/3 of cases are caused by a spontaneous mutation, a new mutation that was not inherited. Approximately 1 in 10,000 people have Hemophilia A. 

About BioMarin

BioMarin is a global biotechnology company that develops and commercializes innovative therapies for patients with serious and life-threatening rare and ultra-rare genetic diseases. The company's portfolio consists of six commercialized products and multiple clinical and pre-clinical product candidates. For additional information, please visit www.biomarin.com. Information on BioMarin's website is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

SOURCE BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

Posted: May 2020