The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has dealt a significant setback to Santhera Pharmaceuticals' hopes for a swift approval of Raxone (idebenone) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) treatment, requesting an additional Phase 3 study that could delay potential market entry until 2020.
Regulatory Requirements and Timeline Impact
Despite Santhera's attempts to expedite approval based on existing data, including the successful DELOS Phase 3 study, the FDA has maintained its position requiring results from the SIDEROS trial before considering approval. The agency has reviewed and confirmed that the SIDEROS trial protocol has the potential to support a regulatory filing.
The news triggered a dramatic market response, with Santhera's share price plummeting from approximately 80 Swiss francs to around 50 Swiss francs. The announcement also affected other players in the DMD space, with Sarepta Therapeutics experiencing a slight decline in share value.
Treatment Approach and Market Position
Raxone represents a distinctive approach to DMD treatment, targeting symptom management across a broad patient population. The drug's potential extends beyond standalone therapy, as it could be utilized in combination with disease-modifying treatments upon approval.
Broader Context in DMD Drug Development
This setback occurs amid a challenging landscape for DMD drug development. Several companies have faced regulatory hurdles in their pursuit of effective treatments:
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Sarepta Therapeutics continues negotiations with the FDA regarding eteplirsen, their genetic mutation-targeting drug designed for a specific DMD patient subset. Despite initial recommendations for rejection from FDA advisers, the agency has opted to request additional clinical data from the ongoing PROMOVI study rather than issuing an outright rejection.
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BioMarin recently discontinued development of Kyndrisa (drisapersen) following rejection by both the FDA in January and an intended negative opinion from the CHMP regulatory committee. This decision also led to the termination of three Phase 2 follow-on products.
Market Impact and Future Implications
The extended timeline for Raxone's potential approval represents a significant challenge for Santhera Pharmaceuticals and highlights the FDA's stringent requirements for DMD treatments. This development underscores the complex regulatory environment surrounding rare disease therapeutics and the high standards required for demonstrating clinical efficacy in DMD treatment.
