Rocket Pharmaceuticals has voluntarily withdrawn its FDA Biologics License Application for RP-L102 (mozafancogene autotemcel), an experimental gene therapy for Fanconi anemia, marking another setback for the biotechnology company's rare disease pipeline. The withdrawal, announced on October 3, 2025, follows the company's earlier decision to pull the European application in July 2025.
The company stated in a financial filing that the decision was driven by "business and strategic considerations" and does not reflect concerns regarding the safety or efficacy profile of RP-L102, also known as Fanskya. This move aligns with Rocket's previously announced restructuring to focus on "programmes with the clearest regulatory and commercial pathways."
Strategic Pivot Amid Financial Pressures
Rocket Pharmaceuticals will no longer invest resources in the RP-L102 program but indicated it would consider partnering with another organization prepared to advance the therapy. "Withdrawal of the [biologics license application] preserves Rocket's ability to re-engage with regulators at a later date should there be an appropriate strategic or partnership pathway to sustainably progress the programme," the company stated.
The decision comes as part of broader cost-cutting measures, with Rocket recently announcing a 30% reduction in headcount and a strategic focus exclusively on gene therapies delivered via its AAV technology platform.
Addressing Unmet Medical Need
Fanconi anemia is an inherited syndrome that impairs the body's chromosomal repair systems, causing bone marrow failure and inability to produce sufficient healthy blood cells. The condition leads to anemia, increased infection risk, bleeding complications, organ malformations, and elevated cancer risk.
RP-L102 specifically targets Fanconi anemia type A, the most common subtype caused by mutations in the FANCA gene. The therapy utilizes stem cells harvested from patients' peripheral blood that are genetically modified with a lentiviral vector to contain a functional copy of FANCA.
The gene therapy had been positioned as the first alternative to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the current standard of care. HSCT is associated with significant toxicities due to the cytotoxic conditioning regimen required to prepare the bone marrow for donor cell colonization.
Refocused Pipeline Strategy
With RP-L102 shelved, Rocket is concentrating on Kresladi (marnetegragene autotemcel) for severe leukocyte adhesion deficiency-I (LAD-I). The FDA previously rejected this therapy, but the company plans to refile the application later this year.
The company's remaining pipeline includes RP-A501 for Danon disease, currently in phase 2 but under FDA clinical hold while investigators examine a serious adverse event that resulted in patient death. Additional programs include RP-A601 for PKP2 arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and RP-A701 for BAG3-associated dilated cardiomyopathy, both in phase 1 development.
Financial Position and Market Outlook
Rocket Pharmaceuticals operates with a current market capitalization of $341 million and faces ongoing financial challenges typical of development-stage biotechnology companies. The company relies on external financing and continues to experience cash burn without revenue generation. Recent analyst ratings include a Buy recommendation with an $8.00 price target, though technical indicators suggest potential volatility ahead.
