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rhASA

Phase 1

Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) | Monoclonal antibody | Rare Disease |Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited|Trials Updated: Apr 21, 2026

rhASA development status

Highest phase Phase 1
Registered trials 2 across 1 sponsor since Jan 2012

rhASA target and mechanism

ModalityMonoclonal antibody

Also known as rhASA - Dose Level 1, HGT-1110

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

CONTROLLEDDMC
Total Trials2
Total Enrollment37

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

rhASA clinical trials

rhASA · 2 trials · 1 indication

Phase 1 2
NCT01887938An Efficacy and Safety Study of HGT-1110 in Participants With Metachromatic LeukodystrophyMetachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD)
COMPLETED24 Analytics
NCT00418561Metazym for the Treatment of Patients With Late Infantile Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD)Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD)
COMPLETED13 Analytics
PHASE1COMPLETED
An Efficacy and Safety Study of HGT-1110 in Participants With Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD)Unlock trial analytics
PHASE1COMPLETED
Metazym for the Treatment of Patients With Late Infantile Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD)
Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD)Unlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Number of Participants With Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)
Baseline to Follow-up (Week 628)

An AE is any noxious, pathologic, or unintended change in anatomical, physiologic, or metabolic function as indicated by physical signs, symptoms, or laboratory changes occurring in any phase of a clinical study, whether or not considered investigational drug product-related. TEAEs are defined as all AEs occurring or worsening at or after the first dose of investigational drug product in HGT-MLD-071 or ongoing from HGT-MLD-070 at the time of enrollment into HGT-MLD-071.

Presence of Anti-HGT-1110 Antibodies in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) and Serum
Baseline until end of the study (Week 624)

The presence of anti-HGT-1110 antibodies in CSF and serum will be assessed.

Change From Baseline in Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) at Week 26
Baseline, Week 26

GMFM was measured using GMFM-88 item scores and summed to calculate a total GMFM-88 score. For each GMFM-88 item, the score was between 0 (minimal) to 3 (maximum). The total GMFM-88 score was between 0 (minimal) and 264 (maximum). The decrease in GMFM score over time indicates worsening of disease over time. Relative change from baseline at Week 26 was calculated as percentage change from baseline divided by the age-difference in months between first and last visit. Adjusted mean and 95 percent (%) confidence intervals were reported.

Change From Baseline in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Sulfatide at Week 26
Baseline, Week 26

Relative change from baseline at Week 26 was calculated as percentage change from baseline divided by the age-difference in months between first and last visit. Adjusted mean and 95 percent (%) confidence intervals were reported.

Number of Participants With Shift From Baseline to Week 26 in Sulfatide Levels in Urine
Baseline up to Week 26

Number of participants with shifts between negative (value=0) and positive (value=1) values in urine sulfatide levels from baseline at Week 26 is reported.

Change From Baseline in Mullen's Scales of Early Learning at Week 26
Baseline, Week 26

Mullen's Scales of Early Learning is used to assess performance and learning ability in young children. The scale consisted of 144 items that had specific scoring criteria for each item. The scores were converted to T-scores with a decrease in score indicating worsening of disease. Relative change from baseline at Week 26 was calculated as percentage change from baseline divided by the age-difference in months between first and last visit. Adjusted mean and 95 percent (%) confidence intervals were reported.

Maximum Plasma Drug Concentration (Cmax) of Recombinant Human Arylsulphatase A (rhASA)
Pre-dose and post-dose at 20, 40, 90 minutes, 3, 6 and 8 hours on Day 0, 40 minutes post-dose at Week 4, Pre-dose and post-dose at 20, 40, 90 minutes, 3, 6 and 8 hours at Week 8
Arylsulfatase A (ASA) Activity in Leukocytes
Pre-dose and post-dose at 24 hours on Day 0 and at Weeks 8 and 26

Secondary Endpoints

Change From Baseline in Motor Function as Assessed by Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) Total Score at Week 624
Baseline, Week 624
Change From Baseline in the Adaptive Behavior Composite Standard Score Measured by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition (VABS-II)
Baseline, Week 624
Change From Baseline in the Domain-Specific Caregiver Observed Metachromatic Leukodystrophy Functioning and Outcomes Reporting Tool (COMFORT) Scores
Baseline, Week 624
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationNON_RANDOMIZED
MaskingNONE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
Cohort 1EXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive 10 milligram (mg) of HGT-1110 (Recombinant human arylsulfatase A) intrathecal (IT) injection every-other-week (EOW).
Cohort 2EXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive 30 mg of HGT-1110 IT injection EOW.
Cohort 3EXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive 100 mg of HGT-1110 IT injection EOW.
Cohort 4EXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive 100 mg of HGT-1110 IT injection once weekly for 12 weeks followed by 150 mg EOW.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
HGT-1110BIOLOGICALParticipants will receive IT injection of HGT-1110.
rhASA - Dose Level 1BIOLOGICALIntravenous infusion 25 U/kg as a single dose - hereafter 50 U/kg every other week for 26 weeks
rhASA - Dose Level 2BIOLOGICALIntravenous infusion 100 U/kg every other week for 26 weeks
rhASA - Dose Level 3BIOLOGICALIntravenous infusion 200 U/kg every other week for 26 weeks
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range0 Years to 13 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites15

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Participant has participated in Study HGT-MLD-070 (NCT01510028) through Week 40. 2. Participant must have no safety or medical issues that contraindicate participation. 3. The participant, participant's parent(s), or legally authorized representative(s) must provide written i...

Countries:AustraliaBrazilCzechiaDenmarkFranceGermanyJapan
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Frequently asked questions about rhASA

What is rhASA used for?

rhASA is being developed for the treatment of metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare inherited lysosomal storage disorder. It is an investigational therapy studied in patients with the late infantile form of MLD. The clinical program has focused on this rare disease indication.

Who is developing rhASA?

rhASA is being developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, which trades under the ticker TAK. Takeda is the sponsor of the clinical program evaluating rhASA in metachromatic leukodystrophy.

What phase is rhASA in?

rhASA is in Phase 1 clinical development. It has not been approved by the FDA and remains an investigational therapy. The Phase 1 trial has been completed, and no active trials are currently listed for rhASA.

What clinical trials is rhASA in?

rhASA has been evaluated in one completed Phase 1 trial, NCT00418561, titled Metazym for the Treatment of Patients With Late Infantile Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD). The trial enrolled 13 patients in Denmark and studied patients aged 1 year and older.

Is rhASA the same as Metazym?

Yes, rhASA is also known as Metazym, which is the name used in its clinical trial NCT00418561. The trial title refers to Metazym for the treatment of patients with late infantile metachromatic leukodystrophy. rhASA is also referred to as rhASA Dose Level 1.