NOVATO, Calif., Aug. 27, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: RARE), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel products for rare and ultra-rare diseases, today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Mepsevii™ (vestronidase alfa), for the treatment of non-neurological manifestations of Mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPS VII; Sly syndrome). Mepsevii is now approved for use in all 28 EU countries and in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
“Dr William Sly’s science for this treatment has been around for over 25 years and we are honored to be able to develop and finally make this medicine available to MPS VII patients and families in Europe, people who did not know whether a therapy would ever be available to them,” said Emil D. Kakkis, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Ultragenyx. “This would not have been possible without the commitment and dedication of the patients, their families, and the physicians who participated in our clinical program, and I would like to thank them.”
The approval follows a positive opinion adopted on June 28, 2018 by the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) to recommend approval of Mepsevii under exceptional circumstances. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) granted Orphan Drug designation to Mepsevii in March 2012. Mepsevii was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with MPS VII in November 2017.
About MPS VII MPS VII is a progressive, rare, genetic, metabolic lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) caused by the deficiency of beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme required for the breakdown of the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) dermatan sulphate, chondroitin sulphate and heparan sulphate. These complex GAG carbohydrates are a critical component of many tissues. The inability to properly break down GAGs leads to a progressive accumulation in many tissues and results in multisystem tissue and organ damage. MPS VII symptoms can include an abnormally coarsened face, pulmonary disease, cardiovascular complications, hepatosplenomegaly (in which the liver and spleen swell beyond their normal size), joint stiffness, short stature, cognitive impairment and the skeletal disease known as dysostosis multiplex.
MPS VII is one of the rarest MPS disorders, affecting an estimated 200 patients in the developed world.
About Mepsevii™ (vestronidase alfa) Mepsevii will be available as 2 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion. The active substance of Mepsevii is vestronidase alfa, a recombinant form of human beta-glucuronidase (ATC code: A16AB18). Mepsevii is an enzyme replacement therapy intended to provide or supplement beta glucuronidase, an enzyme that helps with the degradation of glycosaminoglycans and thus prevents their accumulation in various tissues in the body.
INDICATION (IN THE E.U.) Mepsevii is indicated for the treatment of non-neurological manifestations of Mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPS VII; Sly syndrome).
INDICATION (IN THE U.S.)
Mepsevii is indicated in pediatric and adult patients for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPS VII, Sly syndrome).
Limitations of Use
The effect of Mepsevii on the central nervous system manifestations of MPS VII has not been determined.
U.S. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about Mepsevii?
- A severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis has occurred with Mepsevii treatment, as early as the first dose.
- Your doctor will monitor you closely for symptoms of an allergic reaction while you are receiving Mepsevii and for 60 minutes after your injection.
- Your doctor will immediately discontinue the Mepsevii infusion if you experience anaphylaxis.
- Your doctor should talk to you about the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and about getting medical treatment if you have symptoms after leaving the doctor's office or treatment center.
What are the possible side effects of Mepsevii?
- The most common side effects of Mepsevii are:
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- Leakage of Mepsevii into the surrounding tissue during infusion
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
- Infusion site swelling
- Swelling around the infusion site
- Severe itching of the skin
- One patient experienced a seizure during a fever while taking MEPSEVII.
Before receiving Mepsevii, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. There is not enough experience to know if Mepsevii may harm your unborn baby.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. There is not enough experience to know if Mepsevii passes into your breast milk. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while you receive Mepsevii.
These are not all the possible side effects of Mepsevii. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
FOR U.S. PATIENTS
You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . You may also report side effects to Ultragenyx at 1-888-756-8657.
Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information including serious side effects.
About Ultragenyx Ultragenyx is a biopharmaceutical company committed to bringing to patients novel products for the treatment of rare and ultra-rare diseases, with a focus on serious, debilitating genetic diseases. Founded in 2010, the company has rapidly built a diverse portfolio of approved therapies and product candidates aimed at addressing diseases with high unmet medical need and clear biology for treatment, for which there are no approved therapies.
The company is led by a management team experienced in the development and commercialization of rare disease therapeutics. Ultragenyx’s strategy is predicated upon time and cost-efficient drug development, with the goal of delivering safe and effective therapies to patients with the utmost urgency.
For more information on Ultragenyx, please visit the company’s website at www.ultragenyx.com .
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements relating to plans or expectations regarding the availability of Mepsevii, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our clinical development programs, future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainties inherent in the clinical drug development process, such as the regulatory approval process, the timing of regulatory filings, and other matters that could affect sufficiency of existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments to fund operations and the availability or commercial potential of our products and drug candidates. Ultragenyx undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Ultragenyx in general, see Ultragenyx's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 2018, and its subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact: Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. Investors & Media Danielle Keatley +1-415-475-6876 dkeatley@ultragenyx.com
