After the initial approvals in monogenic inherited diseases, the scope of gene therapy is widening, with new delivery routes, novel vectors, cell-specific targeting and products aiming to treat chronic disorders, all making headway in 2023.
Krystal Biotech Inc. has received IND clearance from the FDA for KB-408 for the treatment of α1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). KB-408 is a modified, replication-defective, nonintegrating HSV-1-derived vector carrying two full-length copies of the serpin family A member 1 gene (SERPINA1) to enable expression of α1-antitrypsin (AAT).
Krystal Biotech Inc. has received FDA acceptance of its IND application for lead oncology drug candidate KB-707 for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic solid tumor malignancies. KB-707 is a modified herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) vector designed to deliver genes encoding both human IL-12 and IL-2 to the tumor microenvironment and promote systemic immune-mediated tumor clearance.
Right on schedule the U.S. FDA gave its blessing for Krystal Biotech Inc.’s topical gene therapy, Vyjuvek (beremagene geperpavec, or B-VEC), an orphan drug, to become the first approved treatment for the rare skin condition dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB).
Shares of Krystal Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ:KRYS) rocketed 121.7% higher, to $88.44 on Nov. 29, after top-line data showed its investigational gene therapy for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) achieved the primary endpoint of a pivotal phase III trial, healing 67% of skin wounds associated with the disease vs. placebo at six months.
Like many companies, New York-based Abeona Therapeutics Inc. faltered clinically as a result of the COVID-19 virus, which delayed enrollment in the phase III study with EB-101 gene therapy in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), but the company earlier this month disclosed the restart of patient enrollment in the experiment called Viital.