Astria Therapeutics (Nasdaq:ATXS) has received Orphan Medicinal Product Designation (OMPD) from the European Commission for navenibart, an investigational therapy for hereditary angioedema (HAE). Navenibart, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits plasma kallikrein, is designed to prevent HAE attacks with long-lasting effect.
Initial findings from the Phase 1b/2 ALPHA-STAR clinical trial indicated a positive safety profile for navenibart, alongside a significant 90-96% reduction in monthly HAE attack rates over a six-month period. These results suggest a promising potential for navenibart in managing HAE, a rare genetic condition characterized by recurrent episodes of severe swelling.
Clinical Significance and Future Development
The OMPD, coupled with the FDA's orphan drug designation in the U.S., underscores the substantial global need for improved HAE treatments. Astria Therapeutics is set to begin a Phase 3 trial for navenibart in Q1 2025. The OMPD in the EU offers several advantages for drug development, including regulatory and financial incentives for rare diseases affecting fewer than five in 10,000 EU residents.
Jill C. Milne, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Astria Therapeutics, stated, "We are very pleased to receive Orphan Medicinal Product Designation for navenibart in Europe. We believe that OMPD status, in combination with the FDA’s designation of navenibart as an orphan drug in the United States, reinforces both the global unmet need for people with HAE and the potential for navenibart to change the way that people live with HAE."
About Navenibart (STAR-0215)
Navenibart (STAR-0215) is designed to provide rapid and sustained HAE attack prevention with a validated mechanism and trusted modality administered every 3 and 6 months. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted navenibart Orphan Drug and Fast Track Designations, and the EC has granted navenibart OMPD.
Implications of Orphan Drug Designation
The OMPD status in Europe provides Astria with significant regulatory and financial incentives, including potential market exclusivity and reduced fees, which could expedite navenibart's path to market. This designation not only acknowledges the potential of navenibart but also supports its development through various benefits aimed at addressing rare diseases.
Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) Context
HAE is a rare genetic disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of severe swelling (angioedema) in various body parts, including the face, throat, limbs, and abdomen. These episodes can be life-threatening if they obstruct the airway. Current treatments aim to prevent or treat these attacks, but there remains a need for more effective and convenient therapies.
