Rocket Pharmaceuticals reported continued progress across its gene therapy pipeline during the first quarter of 2025, with significant developments in its cardiovascular programs and key leadership appointments to support future commercialization efforts.
The company's Phase 2 pivotal study of RP-A501 for Danon disease remains on track, with a program update expected by mid-year 2025 and a clinical data readout anticipated in mid-2026. This rare genetic disorder causes severe heart failure and is characterized by distinct cardiac patterns between male and female patients.
"Rocket maintained strong momentum during the first quarter, and we look forward to sharing updates of our recent progress starting with initial data from the Phase 1 study of RP-A601 for PKP2-ACM this month, followed by an update on our Danon disease program in mid-year 2025," said Gaurav Shah, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Rocket Pharmaceuticals.
In March, the company announced the publication of the largest longitudinal natural history study of Danon disease to date in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA). The study revealed key insights into the disease's progression, showing earlier and more severe heart issues in male patients, while also noting that many females develop progressive cardiomyopathy and heart failure in adolescence or early adulthood.
PKP2-ACM Program Advances to Data Readout
Rocket expects to present initial data from the low-dose cohort of its Phase 1 clinical study of RP-A601 for PKP2 arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (PKP2-ACM) at an upcoming medical conference in May 2025. PKP2-ACM represents the largest market opportunity in Rocket's pipeline, with approximately 50,000 affected individuals in the U.S. and Europe. The life-threatening heart failure disease causes ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
The company is also making progress on its BAG3-associated dilated cardiomyopathy preclinical program, with an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission anticipated by mid-year 2025.
Regulatory Progress for Rare Disease Programs
Rocket has initiated a rolling Biologics License Application (BLA) for RP-L102, its investigational gene therapy for Fanconi Anemia (FA), with final module submission expected in late 2025 or early 2026. The European Medicines Authority (EMA) review for this therapy is ongoing.
For KRESLADITM (marnetegragene autotemcel; marne-cel), the company's treatment for severe leukocyte adhesion deficiency-I (LAD-I), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing additional Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) information. In May, clinical outcomes data from nine severe LAD-I patients treated in the global Phase I/II study of KRESLADITM was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), highlighting the transformational effect of the therapy with all patients remaining symptom-free at two years post-treatment.
Leadership and Financial Updates
In April, Rocket appointed Sarbani Chaudhuri as Chief Commercial & Medical Affairs Officer. With over 20 years of experience in the biopharma industry, Chaudhuri brings expertise from previous leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Novartis, where she successfully drove commercial growth and launched innovative therapies focused on rare cardiac and hematology diseases.
"We continue to prioritize our current resources towards our AAV cardiovascular programs, which we see as holding the greatest potential to deliver transformative therapies to patients and provide the strongest value to shareholders," added Dr. Shah. "As we continue into 2025, we remain steadfast in preserving resources and safeguarding financial health to keep on advancing our mission of seeking gene therapy cures for patients with devastating diseases."
Financially, Rocket reported cash, cash equivalents, and investments of $318.2 million as of March 31, 2025, which is expected to fund operations into the fourth quarter of 2026. Research and development expenses decreased to $35.9 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $45.2 million for the same period in 2024, primarily due to reductions in manufacturing and development costs, lab supplies, and headcount.
General and administrative expenses increased to $28.4 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $22.1 million for the first quarter of 2024, driven by commercial preparation expenses, legal costs, and non-cash stock compensation. The company reported a net loss of $61.3 million or $0.56 per share for the quarter.
Rocket's multi-platform approach allows the company to design optimal gene therapies for each indication, potentially transforming treatment options for patients with rare genetic disorders. The company's adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-based cardiovascular portfolio and lentiviral (LV) vector-based hematology portfolio continue to advance through clinical development, with multiple data readouts expected throughout 2025.
