IL36RN

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, chronic, heterogenous neutrophilic inflammatory disease associated with skin and systemic symptoms, such as fever, pain, and fatigue1,2,3,4 In China, SPEVIGO®’s expanded approval adds the reduction of occurrences of GPP in pediatric patients aged 12 and above weighing ≥40 kg, and adults5 The US FDA’s approval expands the use of SPEVIGO® to include the treatment of GPP in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 and above weighing ≥40 kg, making it the first targeted therapy that addresses the need for acute and chronic treatment for GPP patients6 SPEVIGO® is currently approved in 48 countries7 Boehringer Ingelheim today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved SPEVIGO® (spesolimab-sbzo) injection for the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 and above weighing ≥40 kg.5 This approval follows the Chinese National Medical Products Administration’s (NMPA) recent approval of SPEVIGO® for the reduction of occurrence of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) in adolescents from 12 years of age with a body weight ≥40 kg and adults. SPEVIGO® is a novel, humanized selective IgG1 antibody that binds to interleukin-36 receptor (IL-36R), a key part of a signaling pathway within the immune system shown to be involved in the cause of GPP.8,9,10,11,12 The regulatory authorities’ decisions are majorly based on the positive results of the EFFISAYIL® 2 clinical trial, a 48-week clinical trial that showed that SPEVIGO® significantly reduced the risk of GPP flares by 84%, compared with placebo. In the trial with 123 patients, no flares were observed after week 4 of SPEVIGO® subcutaneous treatment in the high-dose group (n=30).13,14,15,16 In the Effisayil® 2 trial, SPEVIGO® was associated with an increased incidence (≥9 cases per 100 patient-years) of injection site reaction, urinary tract infection, arthralgia, and pruritus compared to placebo. “Until now, people living with GPP have not had any approved options to treat their disease,” said Bruce Strober, MD, PhD, Clinical Professor, Dermatology, Yale University and Central Connecticut Dermatology. “SPEVIGO® has the potential to redefine the treatment options for the patients we serve.” Distinct from plaque psoriasis, GPP is a rare, chronic, heterogenous, inflammatory neutrophilic disease associated with painful skin manifestations and systemic symptoms, such as fever, pain, and fatigue.1-4 GPP varies widely between individuals living with the condition, with symptoms presenting on a continuum, which means that it can present in either a persistent or a relapsing course.2-4 GPP often requires emergency care and can lead to life-threatening complications, such as multi-organ failure and sepsis.17 GPP’s unpredictable nature can potentially have significant long-term impacts on quality of life for people living with it, and may cause fear and anxiety over the disease course.3,18 “SPEVIGO®’s new approvals constitute a fundamental change for people living with GPP, addressing their huge need for acute and chronic treatment,” said Carinne Brouillon, Member of the Board of Managing Directors and Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Experiencing GPP can be mentally and physically devastating, leaving those affected with uncertainty and fear of the next episode. Therefore, expanding the treatment of GPP is a critical step towards addressing patients’ needs.” About SPEVIGO® SPEVIGO® is a novel, humanized, selective antibody that specifically blocks the activation of the IL-36R, a signaling pathway within the immune system shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of several autoinflammatory diseases, including GPP.7-11 It is the first targeted therapy for the treatment of GPP and has been evaluated in the largest clinical program specifically for the treatment of patients with GPP.10,19 What is SPEVIGO®? SPEVIGO® is a prescription medicine used to treat generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) in adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg). It is not known if SPEVIGO® is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age or who weigh less than 88 pounds. Important Safety Information Do not receive SPEVIGO® if you or your child have had a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction to spesolimab-sbzo or any of the ingredients in SPEVIGO®. What is the most important information I should know about SPEVIGO®? SPEVIGO® may cause serious side effects, including: Infections. SPEVIGO® may lower the ability of your or your child’s immune system to fight infections and may increase your or your child’s risk of infections. Your healthcare provider should check you or your child for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with SPEVIGO® and may treat you or your child for TB before you begin treatment with SPEVIGO® if you have a history of TB or have active TB. Your healthcare provider should watch you or your child closely for signs and symptoms of TB during or after treatment with SPEVIGO®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you or your child have an infection or have symptoms of an infection during or after treatment with SPEVIGO®, including: fevers, chills, or sweats muscle aches cough shortness of breath blood in your phlegm (mucus) burning when you urinate urinating more often than normal Allergic reactions and infusion-related reactions. Serious allergic reactions may happen during or after your or your child’s SPEVIGO® injection. If you or your child have a serious allergic reaction, your healthcare provider will stop treatment with SPEVIGO®. If you or your child are given SPEVIGO® in a vein (intravenously) and have an infusion- related reaction, your healthcare provider will stop your or your child’s SPEVIGO® infusion and treat your or your child’s symptoms and may restart SPEVIGO® at a slower infusion rate. Tell your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you or your child get any of the following symptoms during or after your or your child’s SPEVIGO® injection: feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded swelling of your face, eyelids, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat trouble breathing or throat tightness fever mouth sores chest tightness hives or skin rash that is different than the rash from generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) itching swollen lymph nodes Before you or your child receive SPEVIGO®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you or your child: have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back. have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB. have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). You or your child should not receive live vaccines during and for at least 16 weeks after treatment with SPEVIGO®. You or your child should be brought up to date with all vaccines before starting SPEVIGO®. are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if SPEVIGO® can harm your or your child’s unborn baby. are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if SPEVIGO® passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your or your child’s baby during treatment with SPEVIGO®. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you or your child take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. What are the possible side effects of SPEVIGO®? The most common side effects of SPEVIGO® given in a vein (intravenously) for GPP flare treatment include: feeling tired or weak nausea and vomiting headache itching or itchy bumps a collection of blood under the skin at the infusion site or bruising urinary tract infection The most common side effects of SPEVIGO® when given under the skin (subcutaneously) for treatment of GPP when not experiencing a flare include: redness, pain, swelling, hardening, hives, or warmth at the injection site joint pain urinary tract infection itching These are not all of the possible side effects of SPEVIGO®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit or call 1‐800‐FDA‐1088. Please see full Prescribing Information, Medication Guide, and Instructions for Use. CL-SPG-100004 03.18.2024 About the EFFISAYIL® clinical trial program The EFFISAYIL® clinical trial program evaluated the largest and broadest population of GPP patients in trials of a therapy specifically targeting the IL-36 pathway for GPP:10,18 EFFISAYIL® 1: A Phase II study that demonstrated treatment with a single intravenous dose of spesolimab significantly improved signs and symptoms of GPP in patients experiencing a flare, including rapid pustular and skin clearance. These results supported the approval of spesolimab as the first specific treatment for GPP flares in adults in major markets10,20 EFFISAYIL® 2: A Phase IIb study that showed spesolimab significantly reduced the risk of GPP flares by 84% over 48 weeks compared to placebo. In the trial with 123 patients, no flares were observed after week 4 of spesolimab SC treatment in the high-dose group (n=30)12–15 EFFISAYIL® ON: An open-label extension study to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of spesolimab in patients with GPP who have completed previous spesolimab trials21 About generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) GPP is a chronic, heterogenous, neutrophilic inflammatory disease associated with skin and systemic symptoms that is distinct from plaque psoriasis. GPP is recognized as a separate clinical entity from other forms of psoriasis, with the IL-36 pathway being a key driver of GPP and triggering response to treatment.1 Prevalence of GPP is low and varies considerably across geographical regions, ranging from 1.76 to 124 patients per million persons in reports from key countries, including France, Japan, Sweden, and South Korea.2 GPP can become life-threatening (mortality rates ranging from 2% to 16%) due to severe complications, such as multisystem organ failure and sepsis requiring urgent hospital care; many GPP patients also suffer from various comorbidities, which contribute to the ongoing burden for the patient and healthcare systems.2,16,17 GPP symptoms appear unpredictable and present on a continuum, which greatly impacts a patient’s quality of life, and may cause fear and anxiety over the disease course, as well as long-term impacts on quality of life related to work/school, emotional health, social activities, and finances.2,3,4 About Boehringer Ingelheim Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that transform lives today and for generations to come. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term, sustainable perspective. More than 53,000 employees serve over 130 markets in the two business units, Human Pharma and Animal Health. Learn more at . March 2024 MPR-CRP-100327, MPR-US-102903 References: 1Marrakchi S, Puig L. Pathophysiology of generalized pustular psoriasis. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23:13–19. 2Prinz JC, Choon SE, Griffiths CEM, et al. Prevalence, comorbidities and mortality of generalized pustular psoriasis: A literature review. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023;37:256–273. 3Reisner DV, Johnsson FD, Kotowsky N, et al. Impact of generalized pustular psoriasis from the perspective of people living with the condition: Results of an online survey. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23:65–71. 4Gooderham MJ, Van Voorhees AS, Lebwohl MG. An update on generalized pustular psoriasis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2019;15:907–919. 5National Medical Products Administration. Drug approval document release, March 11 2024. 2024年03月11日药品批准证明文件送达信息发布 (nmpa.gov.cn) (Accessed 14 March 2024) 6Record on file. 7Record on file. 8Bassoy EY, Towne JE, Gabay C. Regulation and function of interleukin-36 cytokines. Immunol Rev. 2018;281:169–178. 9Marrakchi S, Guigue P, Renshaw BR, et al. Interleukin-36-receptor antagonist deficiency and generalized pustular psoriasis. N Engl J Med. 2011;365:620–628. 10Ganesan R, Raymond EL, Mennerich D, et al. Generation and functional characterization of anti-human and anti-mouse IL-36R antagonist monoclonal antibodies. MAbs. 2017;9:1143–1154. 11Bachelez H, Choon SE, Marrakchi S, et al. Trial of spesolimab for generalized pustular psoriasis. N Engl J Med. 2021;385:2431–2440. 12Bachelez H, Choon SE, Marrakchi S, et al. Inhibition of the interleukin-36 pathway for the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis. N Engl J Med. 2019;380:981–983. 13Boehringer Ingelheim. Spesolimab prevented generalized pustular psoriasis flares in Effisayil™ 2 trial. 2023. . (Accessed 14 March 2024). 14Morita A, Strober B, Burden AD, et al. Efficacy and safety of subcutaneous spesolimab for the prevention of generalised pustular psoriasis flares (Effisayil 2): an international, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2023;402:1541–1551. 15Gordon KB, Lebwohl M, Barker J, et al. Effect of spesolimab on achieving sustained disease remission in patients with generalized pustular psoriasis: Results from the Effisayil 2 study. European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology Congress; 2023; Berlin, Germany. Abstract P0731. 16Strober B, Augustin M, Tada Y, et al. Effect of high-dose subcutaneous spesolimab on skin manifestations: Results from the pivotal Effisayil 2 trial of flare prevention in generalized pustular psoriasis. European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology Congress; 2023; Berlin, Germany. Abstract 1732. 17Choon SE, Navarini AA, Pinter A. Clinical course and characteristics of generalized pustular psoriasis. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23:21–29. 18Burden D, Mrowietz U, Skalicky AM, et al. Symptom experience and content validity of the Psoriasis Symptom Scale (PSS) in patients with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP). Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022;12:1367–1381. 19Choon SE, Lebwohl MG, Marrakchi S, et al. Study protocol of the global Effisayil 1 Phase II, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of spesolimab in patients with generalized pustular psoriasis presenting with an acute flare. BMJ Open. 2021;11:e043666. 20Navarini A, Prinz JC, Morita A, et al. Spesolimab improves patient- reported outcomes in patients with generalized pustular psoriasis: Results from the Effisayil 1 study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022; 37:730–736. 21Effisayil™ ON: A study to test long-term treatment with spesolimab in people with generalized pustular psoriasis who took part in a previous study. . (Accessed 14 March 2024).

-- PCRX-201 is the first gene therapy product candidate to receive RMAT designation for osteoarthritis -- -- Designation supported by encouraging preliminary data from 72-patient Phase 1 study -- -- 52-Week Data Accepted for Presentation at OARSI 2024 and 104-week data to be submitted for presentation later this year -- TAMPA, Fla., March 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PCRX), the industry leader in its commitment to non-opioid pain management and regenerative health solutions, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation to PCRX-201 (enekinragene inzadenovec), the company’s novel, intra-articular helper-dependent adenovirus (HDAd) gene therapy product candidate that codes for interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. “We are honored to receive FDA’s first-ever RMAT designation for a gene therapy product candidate in osteoarthritis," said Frank D. Lee, chief executive officer of Pacira BioSciences, Inc. “We continue to be encouraged by the preliminary clinical findings supporting PCRX-201 as a potential disease-modifying therapy for osteoarthritis, and we look forward to presenting additional follow-up data later this year.” The company’s RMAT application was supported by the preliminary safety and efficacy findings from a Phase 1 open-label, proof-of-concept, single ascending dose trial that enrolled 72 patients in two three-dose cohorts: a co-administered intra-articular steroid cohort and a cohort that did not receive a steroid. PCRX-201 was well tolerated, with efficacy observed through at least 52 weeks at all doses and cohorts. The highest level of efficacy was achieved in the co-administered steroid group, which showed a greater percentage of patients with at least a 50% improvement in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and stiffness scores, as well as a meaningful improvement in (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score) KOOS functional assessment. Preliminary 36-week data were presented at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) 2023 World Congress, the premier annual international forum in osteoarthritis research and treatment. The 52-week data have been accepted for presentation at OARSI 2024 taking place in Vienna, Austria in April 2024 and the company expects to present 104-week efficacy and safety data later this year. Established under the 21st Century Cures Act, RMAT designation is a dedicated program designed to expedite the development and review processes for promising therapies, including genetic therapies, that are intended to treat, modify, reverse, or cure a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, and for which preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug or therapy has the potential to address an unmet medical need. RMAT designation provides the benefits of intensive FDA guidance on efficient drug development, including the ability for early interactions with FDA to discuss surrogate or intermediate endpoints, potential ways to support accelerated approval and satisfy post-approval requirements, potential priority review of the Biologics License Application (BLA), and other opportunities to expedite development and review. PCRX-201 was also granted Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) designation by the European Medicines Agency in May 2023. About PCRX-201 PCRX-201 was acquired from GQ Bio Therapeutics GmbH, a privately held biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. GQ Bio’s product candidates are next-generation gene transfer vehicles. These gene therapy vectors are highly efficient in entering joint cells to confer multi-year clinical benefit. In PCRX-201, the high-capacity adenoviral gene therapy vector codes for the expression of IL-1Ra, a cytokine inhibitor that plays a central role in blocking inflammation and catabolic processes that are associated with pain and disease progression in osteoarthritis. Its unique design includes an inducible promoter so that, only in the presence of inflammation signaling, the vector turns joint cells into factories to produce sustained therapeutic levels of IL-1Ra to manage pain and mitigate osteoarthritis-related joint damage while remaining localized to the joint space. About Pacira Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PCRX) is committed to providing a non-opioid option to as many patients as possible to redefine the role of opioids as rescue therapy only. Pacira has three commercial-stage non-opioid treatments: EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension), a long-acting local analgesic currently approved for infiltration, fascial plane block, and as an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block for postsurgical pain management; ZILRETTA® (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension), an extended-release, intra-articular injection indicated for the management of osteoarthritis knee pain; and ioveraº®, a novel, handheld device for delivering immediate, long-acting, drug-free pain control using precise, controlled doses of cold temperature to a targeted nerve. To learn more about Pacira, including the corporate mission to reduce overreliance on opioids, visit www.pacira.com. Forward-Looking Statements Any statements in this press release about Pacira’s future expectations, plans, trends, outlook, projections and prospects, and other statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements related to our growth and future operating results and trends, our strategy, plans, objectives, expectations (financial or otherwise) and intentions, future financial results and growth potential, including our plans with respect to the repayment of our indebtedness, anticipated product portfolio, development programs, patent terms, development of products, strategic alliances and intellectual property and other statements that are not historical facts. For this purpose, any statement that is not a statement of historical fact should be considered a forward-looking statement. We cannot assure you that our estimates, assumptions and expectations will prove to have been correct. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including risks relating to, among others: the integration of our new chief executive officer; risks associated with acquisitions, such as the risk that the acquired businesses will not be integrated successfully, that such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected or that the expected benefits of the transaction will not occur; our manufacturing and supply chain, global and U.S. economic conditions (including inflation and rising interest rates), and our business, including our revenues, financial condition, cash flow and results of operations; the success of our sales and manufacturing efforts in support of the commercialization of EXPAREL, ZILRETTA and iovera°; the rate and degree of market acceptance of EXPAREL, ZILRETTA and iovera°; the size and growth of the potential markets for EXPAREL, ZILRETTA and iovera° and our ability to serve those markets; our plans to expand the use of EXPAREL, ZILRETTA and iovera° to additional indications and opportunities, and the timing and success of any related clinical trials for EXPAREL, ZILRETTA and iovera°; the commercial success of EXPAREL, ZILRETTA and iovera°; the related timing and success of U.S. Food and Drug Administration supplemental New Drug Applications and premarket notification 510(k)s; the related timing and success of European Medicines Agency Marketing Authorization Applications; our plans to evaluate, develop and pursue additional product candidates utilizing our proprietary multivesicular liposome (“pMVL”) drug delivery technology; the approval of the commercialization of our products in other jurisdictions; clinical trials in support of an existing or potential pMVL-based product; our commercialization and marketing capabilities; our ability to successfully complete capital projects; the outcome of any litigation; the ability to successfully integrate any future acquisitions into our existing business; the recoverability of our deferred tax assets; assumptions associated with contingent consideration payments; and factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings that we periodically make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. Important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements, and as such we anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, and readers should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. These factors include the matters discussed and referenced in the “Risk Factors” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings that we periodically make with the SEC.

Results showed GNSC-001 met the primary safety endpoint and was well-tolerated in all study subjects, including 12-month follow-up. Study findings noted elevated IL-1Ra expression in synovial fluid and an encouraging trend in symptomatic improvement. Osteoarthritis affects more than 30 million Americans and is the leading cause of disability; GNSC-001 may have a role to play in helping these patients in a safe and efficacious manner. PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Genascence Corporation ("Genascence"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company revolutionizing the treatment of prevalent musculoskeletal diseases with gene therapy, today announced that data from the Phase 1 clinical trial of GNSC-001 for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) demonstrated that it was safe and well tolerated. The study findings also showed that a single intra-articular injection of GNSC resulted in elevated interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) expression over baseline in synovial fluid for the length of the 12-month study. Additionally, treatment with GNSC-001 showed a trend in improvement of pain and function scores in all study participants, with a limited amount of disease progression in this first-in-human study. These data will be delivered in a poster presentation at the European American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy's (ESGCT) 30th Annual Congress being held October 24-27, 2023, in Brussels, Belgium. "These study results provide encouraging preliminary evidence that GNSC-001 may have a role to play in helping OA patients in a safe and effective manner," said Annahita Keravala, Ph.D., founder and chief scientific officer (CSO) of Genascence. GNSC-001 is a genetic medicine – a recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector expressing an optimized form of IL-1Ra, a naturally occurring protein that blocks interleukin-1 (IL-1) signaling. IL-1 is considered one of the key mediators involved in the pathogenesis of OA, causing inflammation, joint pain, as well as cartilage destruction. GNSC-001 is designed to offer long-term, sustained inhibition of IL-1 following a single injection into the affected joint. "Osteoarthritis is incapacitating, causing years of pain and disability for people living with the disease, and there are no currently available treatments to slow down disease progression. We believe GNSC-001 can deliver transformative results and we are excited to advance our clinical program so we can help patients suffering from this disabling disease," said Thomas Chalberg, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Genascence. Title : Adeno-associated virus-mediated gene therapy for knee osteoarthritis – A phase I clinical trial report Abstract Number: P553 Date: October 25, 2023, 5:00-6:15 PM CEST and October 26, 2023, 8:30-9:30 PM CEST Presenter: Annahita Keravala, Ph.D., founder and CSO, Genascence In this investigator-sponsored Phase 1 single-arm, open-label, dose-escalation clinical trial of GNSC-001, a total of nine subjects with knee OA were enrolled and monitored for one year. Three subjects were treated in each of three cohorts, receiving either 1x1011 vector genomes (vg)/knee (low dose), 1x1012 vg/knee (mid dose), or 1x1013 vg/knee (high dose) GNSC-001 delivered by intra-articular injection. The primary endpoint is safety and tolerability. Additional measures include levels of circulating viral genomes, immune response to the vector, blood and urine analysis, and physical examination. Although the study was not powered for efficacy and had no control group, patients reported pain via VAS (0-10) and pain and function via WOMAC. Knee joints were imaged by X-ray and MRI upon study entry and after one year. Results showed that GNSC-001 met the primary safety endpoint with no dose-limiting toxicity up to 1x1013 vg high dose. There were no vector-related adverse events in seven of the nine subjects; two subjects experienced mild/moderate knee effusions, which resolved with ice and rest. Clinical trial participants developed various degrees of anti-AAV neutralizing antibodies after injection of GNSC-001, but no capsid targeted T-cell response was detected. Small amounts of viral genomes were found in peripheral blood, beginning one day after injection and clearing within four weeks in most subjects. Injection of GNSC-001 was associated with increased concentrations of IL-1Ra in synovial fluid, which remained elevated for 12 months of follow up. Pain and function scores showed an encouraging trend toward improvement, and no one got worse following injection of GNSC-001. The study was supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). More information is available at . Abstracts can be accessed via the conference website at . About Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that is the leading cause of disability. It is characterized by destruction of cartilage and structural changes in bone within the joint, which contribute to pain and loss of joint function. Osteoarthritis affects more than 30 million Americans and is increasing as a result of the aging population and increasing prevalence of obesity. Osteoarthritis represents a major economic burden, owing to direct medical costs and loss of productivity. Each year, millions of patients are treated for knee OA with NSAIDs, opioids, and steroid injections into the knee to manage their knee pain. There are no currently available therapies known to alter or slow down OA progression. About Genascence Corporation Genascence, a clinical-stage biotechnology company revolutionizing the treatment of prevalent musculoskeletal diseases with gene therapy, is developing life-changing treatments for highly prevalent conditions affecting millions of people. The company was founded in 2017 with technology licensed from three leading U.S. research institutions: Mayo Clinic, University of Florida, and NYU Langone Health. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Genascence's founders and leadership team have deep experience in the design, development, and manufacturing of successful gene therapies and biological medicines. For more information, please visit . SOURCE Genascence