CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRPT), the leader in precision genetic medicine for rare diseases, today announced that screening is underway in Study SRP-9003-301. Also known as EMERGENE, Study 9003-301 is a Phase 3, multi-national, open-label study of SRP-9003 (bidridistrogene xeboparvovec) for the treatment of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy Type 2E (LGMD2E/R4), or beta sarcoglycanopathy. EMERGENE will enroll 15 participants (ambulatory and non-ambulatory), aged 4 and older, and uses commercially representative process SRP-9003 material.
“We are pleased to share our continued progress in advancing SRP-9003, our investigational gene therapy candidate for LGMD2E, a rare form of LGMD with no treatments beyond symptom management. Early results from the SRP-9003 clinical development program demonstrated significant protein expression at both 12-weeks and two years after treatment as well as functional benefits including slowing progression of this disease, improving mobility, and enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with LGMD2E,” said Louise Rodino-Klapac, Ph.D., executive vice president, chief scientific officer and head of research and development, Sarepta Therapeutics. “In addition to its importance for the LGMD2E community, EMERGENE will inform the clinical development of other programs for LGMD in Sarepta’s pipeline while serving as a pathfinder for viable regulatory pathways to support the development of gene therapies to treat ultra rare diseases.”
A webinar for the limb-girdle community is planned, details will be shared at a future date.
About SRP-9003 (bidridistrogene xeboparvovec)
SRP-9003 (bidridistrogene xeboparvovec) is an investigational gene therapy that uses the AAVrh74 vector, which is designed to be systemically and robustly delivered to skeletal, diaphragm and cardiac muscle, making it an ideal candidate to treat neuromuscular diseases. SRP-9003 is intended to deliver a full-length beta-sarcoglycan transgene and uses the MHCK7 promoter, chosen for its ability to robustly express in the heart, which is critically important for patients with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy Type 2E (LGMD2E), also known as beta-sarcoglycanopathy and LGMDR4, many of whom die from pulmonary or cardiac complications.
About Study SRP-9003-301 (EMERGENE)
EMERGENE, Study 9003-301 is a Phase 3, multinational, open-label study of SRP-9003 for the treatment of LGMD2E in 15 ambulatory and non-ambulatory participants, ages 4 and older. The EMERGENE design incorporates a six-month natural history lead-in. The primary endpoint is expression of beta-sarcoglycan 60 days after dosing. Other endpoints include functional measures through month 60 and safety.
About Limb-girdle Muscular Dystrophy
Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies are genetic diseases that cause progressive, debilitating weakness and wasting that begins in muscles around the hips and shoulders before progressing to muscles in the arms and legs. Sarepta’s six LGMD gene therapy programs in development include LGMD2E/R4, LGMD2D, LGMD2C, LGMD2B, LGMD2L and LGMD2A, which together represent more than 70 percent of known LGMD cases.
Patients with LGMD2E (beta-sarcoglycanopathy) begin showing neuromuscular symptoms such as difficulty running, jumping and climbing stairs before age 10. The disease, which is an autosomal recessive subtype of LGMD, progresses to loss of ambulation in the teen years and often leads to early mortality. There are currently no disease modifying treatments for LGMD2E.
About Sarepta Therapeutics
Sarepta is on an urgent mission: engineer precision genetic medicine for rare diseases that devastate lives and cut futures short. We hold leadership positions in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs), and we currently have more than 40 programs in various stages of development. Our vast pipeline is driven by our multi-platform Precision Genetic Medicine Engine in gene therapy, RNA and gene editing. For more information, please visit www.sarepta.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “will,” “may,” “intend,” “prepare,” “look,” “potential,” “possible” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to our future operations, technologies and scientific approaches, business plans, priorities, research and development programs; and the potential benefits of SRP-9003.
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Any of the foregoing risks could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and the trading price of Sarepta’s common stock. For a detailed description of risks and uncertainties Sarepta faces, you are encouraged to review the SEC filings made by Sarepta. We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Sarepta does not undertake any obligation to publicly update its forward-looking statements based on events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law.
Contacts
Investors:
Ian Estepan, 617-274-4052
iestepan@sarepta.com
Media:
Tracy Sorrentino, 617-301-8566
tsorrentino@sarepta.com