Full Press Release Details
Abeona Therapeutics Announces Positive
Interim Data from the ABO-102
Phase 1/2 Gene Therapy Clinical Trial in MPS IIIA
Neurocognitive development of youngest
patients preserved 12-18 months post treatment;
development scores remain within range of unaffected children
Robust and sustained biomarker improvement
across all dose cohorts with 8 months to 2 years of
RMAT meeting anticipated for 2H2019 to
NEW YORK and CLEVELAND, July 25, 2019
- Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: ABEO), a fully-integrated leader in gene and cell therapy, today announced positive
data from its ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating ABO-102, the Company's investigational one-time, adeno-associated
virus 9 (AAV9) gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type A (MPS IIIA). These new results showed that treatment of the youngest
patients with ABO-102, all enrolled in the high-dose cohort 3, resulted in preservation of neurocognitive development 12-18 months
post treatment. Robust and sustained improvement observed in biomarkers confers additional evidence of a clear biological effect
following ABO-102 administration. In addition, longer-term safety remained favorable eight months to two years after treatment.
Abeona is enrolling eligible patients at sites in the U.S., Spain, and Australia. Additional information about the trial, also
known as The Transpher A Study (ABT-001), is available at AbeonaTrials.com and ClinicalTrials.gov
"We are very encouraged by
these most recent results supporting the potential of a single intravenous administration of ABO-102 to treat children with MPS
IIIA, a devastating lysosomal storage disease without an approved therapy. These data showed that treating younger children during
early stages of their disease confers the greatest chance of neurocognitive benefits," said Jo o Siffert, M.D., Chief
Executive Officer. "The longer-term data continue to demonstrate that ABO-102 has a clear biological effect and a favorable
Summary of Interim Data
As part of the ABO-102
program's Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation, Abeona is pursuing a meeting with the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration in the second half of 2019 to assess the next steps in the program's development pathway.
ABO-102 is a novel gene therapy
in Phase 1/2 development for Sanfilippo syndrome type A (MPS IIIA), a rare lysosomal storage disease with no approved treatment
that primarily affects the central nervous system (CNS). ABO-102 is dosed in a one-time intravenous infusion using an AAV9 vector
to deliver a functional copy of the SGSH gene to cells of the CNS and peripheral organs. The therapy is designed to address the
underlying SGSH enzyme deficiency responsible for abnormal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the brain and throughout the
body that results in progressive cell damage and neurodevelopmental and physical decline. In the U.S., Abeona holds Regenerative
Medicine Advanced Therapy, Fast Track, and Rare Pediatric Disease designations for ABO-102 and Orphan Drug designation in both
About The Transpher A Study
The Transpher A Study (NCT02716246)
is an ongoing, two-year, open-label, dose-escalation, Phase 1/2 global clinical trial assessing ABO-102 for the treatment of patients
with Sanfilippo syndrome type A (MPS IIIA). The study, also known as ABT-001, is intended for patients 6 months to 2 years of age,
or patients older than 2 years with a cognitive Developmental Quotient of 60% or above. The study has enrolled 14 patients to date
across three dose-escalating cohorts (N=3, N=3, N=8) and remains open for enrollment. The gene therapy ABO-102 is delivered using
AAV9 technology via a one-time intravenous infusion. The study primary endpoints are neurodevelopment and safety, with secondary
endpoints including behavior evaluations, quality of life, enzyme activity in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma, heparan sulfate
levels in CSF, plasma and urine, and brain and liver volume.
About Sanfilippo syndrome type
Sanfilippo syndrome type A (MPS
IIIA) is a rare, fatal lysosomal storage disease with no approved treatment that primarily affects the central nervous system and
is characterized by rapid neurodevelopmental and physical decline. Children with MPS IIIA present with progressive language and
cognitive decline and behavioral abnormalities. Other symptoms include sleep problems and frequent ear infections. Additionally,
distinctive signs such as facial features with thick eyebrows or a unibrow, full lips and excessive body hair for one's age
and liver/spleen enlargement are also present. The underlying cause of MPS IIIA is a deficiency in the SGSH enzyme responsible
for breaking down glycosaminoglycans, which accumulate throughout the body resulting in rapid decline associated with the disorder.
Abeona Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene and cell therapies for serious diseases.
The Company's clinical programs include EB-101, its autologous, gene-corrected cell therapy for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis
bullosa, as well as ABO-102 and ABO-101, novel AAV9-based gene therapies for Sanfilippo syndrome types A and B (MPS IIIA and MPS
IIIB), respectively. The Company's portfolio of AAV9-based gene therapies also features ABO-202 and ABO-201 for CLN1 disease
and CLN3 disease, respectively. Its preclinical assets include ABO-401, which uses the novel AIM AAV vector platform to
address all mutations of cystic fibrosis. Abeona has received numerous regulatory designations from the FDA and EMA for its pipeline
candidates and is the only company with Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation for two candidates (EB-101 and ABO-102).
For more information, visit www.abeonatherapeutics.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties.
These statements include statements about the the Company's clinical trials and its products and product candidates, future
regulatory interactions with regulatory authorities, as well as the Company's goals and objectives. We have attempted to
identify forward looking statements by such terminology as "may," "will," "believe," "estimate,"
"expect," and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances),
which constitute and are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated
by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not
limited to continued interest in our rare disease portfolio, our ability to enroll patients in clinical trials, the outcome of
any future meetings with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory agencies, the impact of competition, the ability
to secure licenses for any technology that may be necessary to commercialize our products, the ability to achieve or obtain necessary
regulatory approvals, the impact of changes in the financial markets and global economic conditions, risks associated with data
analysis and reporting, and other risks as may be detailed from time to time in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K
and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements or to update them to reflect events or circumstances
occurring after the date of this presentation, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except
as required by the federal securities laws.
Senior Director, Investor Relations
Director, Corporate Communications