FDA Approves Elevidys (delandistrogene moxeparvovec-rokl) Gene Therapy to Treat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accelerated approval of Elevidys (delandistrogene moxeparvovec-rokl), an adeno-associated virus based gene therapy for the treatment of ambulatory pediatric patients aged 4 through 5 years with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with a confirmed mutation in the DMD gene. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on expression of Elevidys micro-dystrophin observed in patients treated with Elevidys. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s). Elevidys is contraindicated in patients with any deletion in exon 8 and/or exon 9 in the DMD gene.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare and serious genetic condition which worsens over time, leading to weakness and wasting away of the body’s muscles. The disease occurs due to a defective gene that results in absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep the body’s muscle cells intact. As a result of this genetic defect, individuals with DMD may have symptoms such as trouble walking and running, falling frequently, fatigue, learning disabilities/difficulties, heart issues as a result of impact on heart muscle functioning, and breathing problems due to weakening of respiratory muscles involved in lung function.
Elevidys addresses the root genetic cause of Duchenne – mutations in the dystrophin gene that result in the lack of dystrophin protein – by delivering a gene that codes for a shortened form of dystrophin to muscle cells known as Elevidys micro-dystrophin. This accelerated approval is based on an increase in Elevidys micro-dystrophin protein expression in skeletal muscle.
The most common adverse reactions in clinical studies were vomiting, nausea, liver function test increased, pyrexia and thrombocytopenia.
