Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica

CLEVELAND, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: ABEO) today announced that the Company has resubmitted its Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) for prademagene zamikeracel (pz-cel), its investigational autologous cell-based gene therapy, as a potential new treatment for patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). “We have worked closely with the FDA in preparing for the pz-cel BLA resubmission and thank the Agency for their ongoing guidance,” said Vish Seshadri, Chief Executive Officer of Abeona. “We have incorporated the Agency’s feedback and are confident that our resubmission package addresses all the Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls items identified in the Complete Response Letter, including observations from the completed Pre-License Inspection of our manufacturing facility. Upon acceptance of the BLA, we look forward to assisting the FDA in the completion of its review.” The BLA resubmission follows the Company’s Type A meeting in August 2024, where Abeona aligned with the FDA on the content of the resubmission, including additional information to satisfy all Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) requirements outlined in the Complete Response Letter (CRL) received in April 2024. In the CRL, the FDA required that certain additional information needed to satisfy CMC requirements be provided before the application could be approved. The CRL did not identify any deficiencies related to the clinical efficacy or clinical safety data in the BLA, and the FDA did not request any new clinical trials or clinical data to support the approval of pz-cel. The BLA resubmission is supported by clinical efficacy and safety data from the pivotal Phase 3 VIITAL™ study (NCT04227106) and a Phase 1/2a study (NCT01263379). Upon acceptance of the BLA resubmission, Abeona expects the FDA to set a new Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date for pz-cel. The review period for a resubmitted BLA is either two or six months from the resubmission date depending on the FDA's classification of a resubmission as Class 1 or Class 2, respectively. The FDA’s decision on acceptance of a BLA resubmission is typically made within 14 calendar days following the resubmission. About prademagene zamikeracel (pz-cel) Prademagene zamikeracel (pz-cel), Abeona’s investigational autologous, COL7A1 gene therapy, is currently being developed for the treatment of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a rare genetic skin disease caused by a mutation in both copies of the COL7A1 gene. As a result of this defect, cells are unable to express functional collagen VII protein which is needed to form anchoring fibrils that bond the epidermis to the dermis. Lack of anchoring fibrils leads to fragile skin that blisters easily and patients suffer from years of painful wounds, itch and increased risk of infection and squamous cell carcinoma. Pz-cel is made from patients' own skin cells that are genetically corrected with a functional COL7A1 gene integrated into the skin cells’ genome to express collagen VII. These gene-corrected cells are expanded to form keratinocyte sheets to cover wound areas in a single surgical application. Pz-cel has been granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy, Breakthrough Therapy, Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease designations by the U.S. FDA. About Abeona Therapeutics Abeona Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cell and gene therapies for serious diseases. Prademagene zamikeracel (pz-cel) is Abeona’s investigational autologous, COL7A1 gene-corrected epidermal sheets currently in development for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. The Company’s fully integrated cell and gene therapy cGMP manufacturing facility served as the manufacturing site for pz-cel used in its Phase 3 VIITAL™ trial, and is capable of supporting commercial production of pz-cel upon FDA approval. The Company’s development portfolio also features AAV-based gene therapies for ophthalmic diseases with high unmet medical need. Abeona’s novel, next-generation AAV capsids are being evaluated to improve tropism profiles for a variety of devastating diseases. For more information, visit www.abeonatherapeutics.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by such terminology as “may,” “will,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “potential,” and similar words and expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances), which constitute and are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the timing and outcome of the FDA’s review of our BLA resubmission for pz-cel; the FDA’s grant of a Priority Review Voucher upon pz-cel approval; continued interest in our rare disease portfolio; our ability to enroll patients in clinical trials; the outcome of future meetings with the FDA or other regulatory agencies, including those relating to preclinical programs; the ability to achieve or obtain necessary regulatory approvals; the impact of any changes in the financial markets and global economic conditions; risks associated with data analysis and reporting; and other risks disclosed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by the federal securities laws.

Plus, news about Astellas, Clover, ElevateBio, Monopar, Idorsia and Neurocrine Biosciences: Vera Therapeutics plans $300M offering: The California biotech is selling shares after presenting Phase 2b data for an experimental drug called atacicept over the weekend. The company shared 96-week data for patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy. — Kyle LaHucik Abeona Therapeutics resubmits rare skin disease therapy: Back in April, the FDA rejected Abeona’s cell therapy, called pz-cel, requesting more information about manufacturing. Abeona is developing pz-cel for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic skin disease. — Lei Lei Wu Astellas yanks Izervay’s submission in Europe: The company said it withdrew its marketing authorization application for Izervay, a C5 protein inhibitor for geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Astellas did not detail feedback from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, but said it is still “confident” in Izervay’s risk-benefit profile and will continue to engage with regulators in Europe and elsewhere. There are currently no treatments approved for GA secondary to AMD outside of the US, where Izervay was greenlit in August of last year. — Ayisha Sharma Clover releases early RSV vaccine data: The Shanghai-based biotech said its bivalent vaccine candidate, SCB-1019, produced “comparable” levels of RSV neutralizing antibodies to GSK’s Arexvy at 28 days in a Phase 1 test. Based on these data, Clover plans to advance the asset into studies focused on re-vaccination next year. — Ayisha Sharma ElevateBio lays off 4%: The genetic medicines company, which employs about 500 people, is ending its preclinical cellular engineering work, a spokesperson told Endpoints News on Monday. The Waltham, MA-based biotech laid off about 13% of its staff in October 2023. It’s one of the most well-funded private biopharma startups after having raised about $1.25 billion, including its $401 million Series D last year. Partnerships with companies like Novo Nordisk, Moderna, Kyverna and Affini-T are unaffected, the spokesperson confirmed. — Kyle LaHucik Monopar Therapeutics prices $19.2M offering: The Chicago-area biotech sold shares to Janus Henderson, RA Capital and others. A few days ago, Monopar licensed a Wilson disease drug candidate from AstraZeneca’s Alexion. — Kyle LaHucik Idorsia ends work with Neurocrine Biosciences: The companies were developing Idorsia’s T-type calcium channel blocker for patients with a rare form of pediatric epilepsy. The treatment failed a Phase 2 study in 2022, and further analysis led to the decision to stop work. — Jaimy Lee

Chiesi Group has announced the operational launch of its biotech centre of excellence in Italy. The company has invested €400m to establish the facility, which it said is dedicated to developing and producing monoclonal antibodies, enzymes and other proteins. Situated in Parma and set to employ up to 200 specialists, the site houses the entire supply chain in a single location, from the production of drug substances from mammalian cells to their transformation into drug products and final packaging. This will be a “major advantage” and allow for more efficient transitions from development to manufacturing, Chiesi said, adding that the centre will support the production of small and large batches of both experimental and approved drugs. The new site will also enhance the company’s focus areas of respiratory, special care treatments and rare diseases. Alessandro Chiesi, Chiesi group chair, said: “[We have inaugurated] a centre with a production site that projects us into a new path of care, allowing us to continue making a difference in serving people and families living with chronic diseases, especially rare diseases, with increasingly innovative technologies.” Of the approximately €400m investment, €120m has been allocated to infrastructure, while €260 million will be spent over the long term on materials, technologies, skills development and training. Also commenting on the launch, Giuseppe Accogli, the company’s chief executive officer, said: “This centre will elevate our production capabilities to new heights and reinforce our dedication to driving innovation. More than that, it will empower us to forge powerful collaborations and push the boundaries of what’s possible in patient’s care.” The launch comes just under three months after two of Chiesi’s rare disease therapies, Elfabrio (pegunigalsidase alfa) and Filsuvez (birch bark extract gel), were approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium to treat Fabry disease and junctional and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, respectively. The company’s rare disease unit also recently announced a new research grant initiative to support research into lysosomal storage disorders.