The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval to KEBILIDI (eladocagene exuparvovec), a gene therapy developed by PTC Therapeutics, for the treatment of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency in both children and adults. This marks a significant milestone as the first gene therapy approved in the US that is directly administered to the brain.
AADC deficiency is a rare genetic disorder that impairs motor function by disrupting dopamine synthesis, a critical neurotransmitter. KEBILIDI addresses this deficiency by utilizing a recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (AAV2) to deliver a functional DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) gene directly into the putamen of the brain. This increases AADC enzyme levels, restoring the brain's ability to produce dopamine.
The FDA's accelerated approval is based on data from the ongoing PTC-AADC-GT-002 global clinical trial, which demonstrated the safety and clinical efficacy of KEBILIDI. Patients treated with KEBILIDI showed evidence of de novo dopamine synthesis and achieved motor development milestones that are typically absent in individuals with AADC deficiency.
"PTC has once again pioneered a new approach to treating highly morbid neurologic diseases," said Matthew Klein, CEO of PTC Therapeutics. "I am proud of our team’s unwavering commitment to achieve this important regulatory milestone. We look forward to bringing this transformational gene therapy to children and adults with AADC deficiency in the US."
PTC Therapeutics is actively preparing for the launch of KEBILIDI in the US, including identifying centers of excellence and training surgeons on the precise neurosurgical procedure required for administration. With the biologics license application approval, the company has also been awarded a rare disease priority review voucher, which it intends to monetize.
