Rett syndrome is characterised by loss of communication, slowing or regression of development, and motor and respiratory impairment. Credit: designer491 via Getty Images.
The FDA’s decision to grant the designation to Taysha is supported by initial results from the ongoing Phase I/II REVEAL clinical trials in adults (NCT05606614), and paediatric (NCT06152237) patients. The FDA reviewed safety and efficacy data from the first three patients dosed with the low dose of TSHA-102 across the two trials. Initial safety and efficacy data from the high-dose cohorts from both trials is expected in the second half of 2024, as per a 29 February update.
In OFDAber 2022, Astellas announced plans to make a strategic investment to back the development of Taysha’s development programmes for Rett syndrome and giant axonal neuropathy (GAN). The pharma giant gaiFDA an exclusive option for licensing two clinical-stage programmes of Taysha—TSHA-102 and TSHATSHA-102 the treatment of GAN. Things however did not go to plan as about a year later, Taysha discontinued its TSHA-120 development programme following a Type C meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where the agency suggested the company conduct a placebo-controlled study and do a long-term follow-up trial. Following this, Astellas chose not to exercise its right to obtain an exclusive licence for the drug.
BioCryst Pharmaceuticalsthat it would shift its focus to the TSHA-102 programme. According to GlobalData’s Pharma Intelligence Center, TSHA-102 is forecast to generate $650m in sales in 2030. GlobalData is the parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology.
In April 2023, Acadia commercialised the first US Rett syndroTSHA-102Daybue (trofinetide). The drug deactivPharma Intelligence Centero TSHA-102further neurodegeneration, thus preventing injury-induced seizures. Still, there is currently no disease-modifying treatment that treats the genetic root of the disease.