ABIONYX Pharma has received positive feedback from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) regarding its application for scientific advice for CER-001, a recombinant human apolipoprotein A-I, in the treatment of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency. The EMA's feedback addresses the acceptability of submitting data from two prospective process validation batches for drug substance and drug product manufacturing at the time of the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA). This positive response marks a significant step forward in the development of a potential treatment for this rare and debilitating condition.
EMA's Guidance on Manufacturing Data
The central question posed to the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) was whether data from two prospective process validation batches for drug substance and drug product manufacturing would be sufficient at the time of filing the CER-001 dossier for EU conditional approval for LCAT deficiency. The EMA concluded that this proposal could be acceptable, providing clarity and direction for ABIONYX Pharma's regulatory strategy.
Clinical Data from Compassionate Use
ABIONYX Pharma has been providing CER-001 under named compassionate use to eight patients with LCAT deficiency across four European countries. All patients have completed six months of treatment, and this data will form the clinical basis for the MAA submission, as agreed upon in previous advice received from the CHMP. These real-world data are crucial in demonstrating the potential benefits of CER-001 in a patient population with limited treatment options.
CER-001: A Novel Therapeutic Approach
CER-001 is an engineered HDL particle containing recombinant human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) complexed with phospholipids. HDL particles have demonstrated effectiveness in scavenging bacterial endotoxins and in uptaking cholesterol and lipids accumulated in tissues, particularly the kidneys. This mechanism of action makes CER-001 a potentially valuable tool in treating LCAT deficiency, also known as Norum disease.
About LCAT Deficiency
LCAT deficiency is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency in the enzyme lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase, which plays a key role in cholesterol metabolism. This deficiency leads to abnormal accumulation of cholesterol in various tissues, including the kidneys and corneas, resulting in significant morbidity. Currently, there are no approved therapies specifically targeting LCAT deficiency, highlighting the unmet medical need that CER-001 aims to address.
Next Steps for ABIONYX Pharma
Based on the scientific advice received from the EMA, ABIONYX Pharma will now proceed with clarifying the requirements to initiate the process of submitting a MAA. This includes continuing its development plan regarding viral safety, method description, and validation specificity until the MAA submission.
