Tenaya Therapeutics has announced the dosing of the first patient in its Phase Ib RIDGE-1 trial, a study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of TN-401, a gene therapy for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). The trial is underway in the US and UK.
TN-401: A Novel Gene Therapy for PKP2-Associated ARVC
TN-401 is an AAV9-based gene therapy delivered as a one-time intravenous infusion. It is specifically designed to treat ARVC caused by mutations in the plakophilin-2 (PKP2) gene. These mutations disrupt the structural integrity and cell-to-cell signaling of heart muscle cells by reducing levels of critical proteins. TN-401 delivers a functional PKP2 gene to heart cells, aiming to restore protein levels and address the root cause of the disease.
RIDGE-1 Trial Details
The RIDGE-1 trial is enrolling up to 15 adults with PKP2-associated ARVC who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator and are at elevated risk for arrhythmias. The trial is a dose-escalation study, meaning that different doses of TN-401 will be tested to determine the optimal dose with the best balance of safety and efficacy. Initial data from RIDGE-1 is expected in 2025.
Clinical Significance and Unmet Need
ARVC is a genetic heart condition that can lead to dangerous arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiac arrest, and sudden death. Current treatments for ARVC primarily focus on managing symptoms and reducing the risk of life-threatening events. These treatments include activity restrictions, chronic medications, and interventions such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). However, these approaches do not address the underlying genetic cause of the disease.
According to Vasanth Vedantham, an investigator for the RIDGE-1 trial, "People living with ARVC frequently experience dangerous arrhythmias and are at risk for developing heart failure, cardiac arrest and sudden death... PKP2 genetic mutations are the most common single gene cause of ARVC and unlike existing treatments for ARVC, TN-401 gene therapy seeks to directly address the underlying cause of disease by delivering a fully functional copy of PKP2 to the heart."
By targeting the PKP2 gene, TN-401 has the potential to provide a more effective and disease-modifying treatment option for patients with PKP2-associated ARVC.
