The US Food and Drug Administration has granted fast track designation to SAR446597, Sanofi's experimental one-time intravitreal gene therapy for treating geographic atrophy due to age-related macular degeneration. The designation aims to facilitate development and expedite review of medicines addressing serious conditions with unmet medical needs.
Novel Dual-Targeting Mechanism
SAR446597 delivers genetic material encoding two therapeutic antibody fragments that target and inhibit two critical components of the complement pathway: C1s in the classical pathway and factor Bb in the alternative pathway. This dual-targeting approach potentially offers clinical advantages by providing sustained complement suppression within the retinal microenvironment while significantly reducing treatment burden through elimination of frequent intravitreal injections.
The therapy aims to address the underlying pathophysiology of complement-mediated retinal diseases through long-term expression of therapeutic proteins following a single intervention.
Addressing Significant Unmet Need
Geographic atrophy represents an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration, characterized by enlarging irreversible atrophic lesions due to degeneration of retinal cells leading to permanent vision loss in many patients. The condition affects approximately 1 million people in the US, more than 2.5 million in Europe, and over 5 million people worldwide.
Age-related macular degeneration is an acquired progressive degeneration of the retina that affects approximately 200 million people globally. Geographic atrophy has a profound impact on quality of life, including ability to read, drive and perform other daily activities.
Clinical Development Plans
Sanofi plans to start a phase 1/2 study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of SAR446597. This study will provide critical data to support further clinical development and regulatory submissions.
The company is also currently evaluating SAR402663, another one-time intravitreal gene therapy, in a phase 1/2 study for the treatment of patients with neovascular wet age-related macular degeneration.
Strategic Focus on Ophthalmology
Sanofi's commitment to improving the lives of people with serious neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases extends to testing therapies for multiple sclerosis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and age-related macular degeneration. The company is exploring innovative therapies in retinal diseases with unmet need, especially where they connect with immune system conditions.
Emerging scientific innovations and investments in ophthalmology have the potential to drive a new phase of growth for Sanofi as the company applies its deep understanding of the immune system to develop treatments for complement-mediated retinal diseases.
