Myrtelle Announces that the FDA has selected rAAV-Olig001-ASPA Gene Therapy Candidate for the treatment of Canavan Disease for the Support for Clinical Trials Advancing Rare Disease Therapeutics (START) Pilot Program

• The START pilot program aims to accelerate the development of novel drug and biological products for rare diseases
• rAAV-Olig001-ASPA was selected as one of a few CBER-regulated products based on eligibility criteria, including clinical benefit for rare diseases with unmet medical needs and the sponsor's ability to accelerate development to market application
• The program facilitates ad hoc communication with FDA staff to help sponsors achieve regulatory milestones and expedite product development

NEW YORK, June 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Myrtelle Inc., ("Myrtelle" or the "Company"), a clinical stage gene therapy company focused on developing transformative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) has selected the Company's gene therapy, rAAV-Olig001-ASPA for the treatment of Canavan disease (CD), as one of a few programs for participation in the Support for Clinical Trials Advancing Rare Disease Therapeutics (START) Pilot Program.  The objective of the program is to accelerate development of gene therapies for rare diseases that lead to significant disability or death within the first decade of life by facilitating more frequent advice and regular communication with FDA staff.  These communications go beyond available formal meetings and are meant to expedite the review process for approval. As a pilot program, this ad-hoc communication mechanism will test if reducing wait times associated with the formal FDA meeting process quickens the pace of development for products intended to address unmet medical needs.

"Acceptance into the START pilot program is an honor in that it recognizes rAAV-Olig001-ASPA as a candidate for accelerated development as a potential treatment for Canavan disease.  Opening the lines of communications beyond traditional meeting pathways provides the opportunity to quickly address development issues that would otherwise delay progression to market application.  We are encouraged by the opportunity to facilitate the development of a potential treatment for Canavan children who are without treatment options." said Nancy Barone Kribbs, PhD, Senior Vice President of Global Regulatory Affairs at Myrtelle.

Myrtelle's FIH trial utilizes the Company's proprietary rAAV vector to directly target oligodendrocytes, the brain cells affected in CD that are responsible for producing myelin – the insulating material that enables proper neuronal function. In CD, normal brain development is impaired due to a mutation in the ASPA gene that encodes the enzyme aspartoacylase. The lack of normal aspartoacylase activity negatively impacts brain bioenergetics and development, including myelin production.  The oligodendrocyte-targeting rAAV vector-based gene therapy is intended to restore ASPA function and brain development in patients with CD. 

In addition to START, rAAV-Olig001-ASPA has been granted RMAT, Orphan Drug, Rare Pediatric Disease, and Fast Track designations from the FDA, Orphan Drug Designation & Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) classification from the European Medicines Agency, as well as Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) from the United Kingdom Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

ABOUT MYRTELLE

Myrtelle Inc. is a gene therapy company focused on developing transformative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. The company has a proprietary platform, intellectual property, and portfolio of programs and technologies supporting innovative gene therapy approaches for neurodegenerative diseases. Myrtelle has an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Pfizer Inc. for its Canavan disease program. For more information, please visit the Company's website at: www.myrtellegtx.com.

ABOUT CANAVAN DISEASE

Canavan disease (CD) is a fatal childhood genetic brain disease caused by mutations in the ASPA gene (ASPA) which prevent the normal expression of aspartoacylase, a critical enzyme produced in oligodendrocytes.  The lack of normal aspartoacylase expression negatively impacts brain bioenergetics and development, including myelin production. Patients with CD are impacted at birth but may appear normal until several months old when symptoms begin to develop. Poor head control, abnormally large head size, difficulty in eye tracking, excessive irritability, severely diminished muscle tone, and delays in reaching motor milestones, such as rolling, sitting, and walking, are the typical initial manifestations of CD. As the disease progresses, seizures, spasticity, difficulties in swallowing, and overall muscle deterioration emerge with most affected children developing life-threatening complications by approximately 10 years of age. Currently, there are no cures for CD, and only palliative treatments are available.

More information on Myrtelle's clinical trial in Canavan disease can be found on https://clinicaltrials.gov/ under the identifier NCT04833907 or by emailing [email protected].

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "believe," "will," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend" and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and include statements regarding the benefits to be derived from participation in the START pilot program. While Myrtelle believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based in information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, Myrtelle's program demonstrating safety and efficacy, as well as results that are consistent with prior results, the ability to generate the data needed for further development of this novel gene therapy in the patients with CD, and the ability to continue its trials and to complete them on time and achieve the desired results. All forward-looking statements are based on Myrtelle's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Myrtelle expressly disclaims any responsibility to update any forward-looking statement contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Myrtelle, Inc