Ultragenyx : FDA Okays Treatment For Rare Genetic Enzyme Disorder

(RTTNews) - Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (RARE) said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved MEPSEVII or vestronidase alfa, the first medicine approved for the treatment of children and adults with Mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPS VII, Sly syndrome). MEPSEVII is an enzyme replacement therapy designed to replace the deficient lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase in MPS VII patients.

The company noted that MEPSEVII will be available to patients in the U.S. later this month.

MPS VII is a 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 sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate. 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 a multi-system tissue and organ damage. MPS VII is one of the rarest MPS disorders, with an estimated 200 patients in the developed world.

In Europe, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is currently reviewing the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for vestronidase alfa, and an opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) is expected in the first half of 2018.