Precision BioSciences, Inc.

▎药明康德内容团队编辑 近期，全球细胞和基因疗法（CGT）领域迎来系列进展。用于治疗法布里病的在研基因疗法isaralgagene civaparvovec有望提前3年在美国获批上市。REGENXBIO公司与艾伯维（AbbVie）联合开发的ABBV-RGX-314有望成为首个治疗慢性视网膜疾病的基因疗法，在一项2期临床试验中使78%接受治疗的湿性年龄相关性黄斑变性（AMD）患者在治疗9个月后仍无需补充注射抗血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）抗体。基因编辑疗法NTLA-2002治疗遗传性血管水肿（HAE）患者的1/2期临床试验结果亮眼，单次给药使患者平均每月HAE发作率与安慰剂相比减少达81%。本文将节选其中部分重要进展做简单介绍，仅供读者参阅。 图片来源：123RF ———✦研发进展✦——— ◇ Sangamo Therapeutics宣布已与美国FDA就其在研基因疗法isaralgagene civaparvovec（ST-920）用于治疗法布里病的加速批准监管途径达成共识。FDA同意正在进行的1/2期STAAR研究的数据可以作为该疗法获得加速批准的主要依据，并将所有患者52周的估算肾小球滤过率（eGFR）斜率作为中间临床终点。Sangamo预计，支持加速批准的完整数据集将在2025年上半年完成，并计划于2025年下半年提交生物制品许可申请（BLA）。如果获批，将会比预期的批准时间提前三年，且无需进行额外的注册性研究。Sangamo已开始为isaralgagene civaparvovec的上市申请进行准备工作。 Isaralgagene civaparvovec是一种以重组腺相关病毒2/6（AAV2/6）为载体的基因疗法，将表达α-半乳糖苷酶A的GLA基因递送到肝脏，旨在通过一次性治疗获得持久疗效，减轻法布里病的标准治疗酶替代疗法（ERT）的输注负担。接受该疗法的患者不需要预处理。在STAAR研究中，在18名接受isaralgagene civaparvovec治疗并有超过一年随访数据的男女患者中，观察到平均和中位eGFR水平的显著改善，年化eGFR斜率呈现积极趋势。不仅如此，截至目前，所有18名患者均不再使用ERT。 ◇ REGENXBIO公司公布了其与艾伯维联合开发的在研基因疗法ABBV-RGX-314在双眼湿性年龄相关性黄斑变性患者中进行的2期研究的积极数据。数据显示，在接受ABBV-RGX-314治疗9个月后，患者的治疗负担减少了97%。100%的患者只需零次或一次补充抗VEGF抗体注射，78%的患者完全无需注射。根据公司网站，ABBV-RGX-314有望成为首个治疗慢性视网膜疾病的基因疗法。 ABBV-RGX-314使用AAV8载体携带表达抗VEGF抗体片段的转基因，在体内表达的蛋白通过阻断VEGF信号传导，抑制心血生成和视网膜液体聚集。在治疗湿性AMD之外，两家公司也在探索ABBV-RGX-314治疗糖尿病视网膜病变和其他慢性视网膜疾病的潜力。 ◇ Intellia Therapeutics公司公布了其在研体内CRISPR基因编辑疗法NTLA-2002用于治疗遗传性血管水肿患者的1/2期临床试验的2期部分积极数据。结果显示，在第5至16周期间，单次输注50 mg NTLA-2002可使患者平均每月HAE发作率与安慰剂相比减少达81%。目前该疗法的全球关键性3期HAELO研究正在进行中。 NTLA-2002通过脂质纳米颗粒（LNP）以mRNA形式递送CRISPR-Cas9基因编辑系统，靶向血浆前激肽释放酶（KLKB1）基因，使该蛋白失活以永久性降低血浆中激肽释放酶活性，从而防止遗传性血管水肿的发作。根据新闻稿，NTLA-2002有望成为首个针对HAE的一次性治疗方案。 ◇ Spur Therapeutics公司公布了其用于治疗1型戈谢病的候选基因疗法FLT201的1/2期GALILEO-1试验的最新积极数据。结果显示，单次输注FLT201治疗的患者体内葡萄糖基神经酰胺（lyso-Gb1，戈谢病临床缓解的最佳预测指标之一）和骨髓负担持续降低，血细胞计数和器官容积得到改善或维持。在这项研究中接受治疗的所有患者中，FLT201继续表现出良好的安全性和耐受性。 FLT201是一种AAV基因疗法，用于治疗1型戈谢病成年患者。该疗法旨在提供一次性治疗，以持续增加患者体内GCase表达并减少有害底物的积累，阻止疾病进展，让患者不必终生接受治疗。FLT201采用Freeline的AAVS3衣壳，将新型基因引入肝细胞，生产经过理性设计的GCase变体。临床前和临床数据显示，FLT201的表达稳健而持久，并且由于酶缺乏而导致的底物毒性积累显著减少。 ◇ BridgeBio Pharma公司公布了其用于治疗卡纳万病（Canavan disease）的在研AAV9基因疗法BBP-812在CANaspire1/2期临床试验中的初步阳性数据。与该公司正在进行的CANinform自然史比较研究中观察到的疾病进程相比，接受BBP-812治疗后12个月时，患者运动功能的持续、渐进改善和运动里程碑的实现代表了重要的、具有统计学意义的变化。所有接受低剂量治疗患者的尿液、脑脊液和大脑中的N-乙酰天冬氨酸（NAA）水平显著、持续降低，接受高剂量BBP-812治疗患者尿液中的NAA水平呈进一步下降趋势。 卡纳万病是一种由编码天冬氨酸酶的ASPA基因突变引起的超罕见、可致残或致命的疾病。BBP-812能够将ASPA基因的功能拷贝递送到全身并进入大脑，从而可能根治疾病。新闻稿指出，如果获得批准，BBP-812有望成为患有卡纳万病这种先天性致命神经发育障碍的患儿的首个治疗方案。 ◇ Interius BioTherapeutics公司宣布已在一项1期临床试验中为首例B细胞恶性肿瘤患者提供其在研基因疗法INT2104。INT2104是一种慢病毒载体基因疗法，设计靶向CD7阳性的T细胞和NK细胞，并递送嵌合抗原受体（CAR）转基因，以在体内生成效应CAR-T和CAR-NK细胞。这些CAR细胞靶向CD20阳性B细胞，用于治疗B细胞恶性肿瘤。与体外CAR-T疗法不同，INT2104是一种现货型的单剂量疗法，可通过静脉输注系统性给药，患者无需进行淋巴清除，治疗时不需要任何特殊设备或人员培训。根据行业媒体STAT报道，INT2104是首个进入人体临床试验的体内CAR-T疗法。 ◇ Precision BioSciences公司宣布，其主打在研体内基因编辑疗法PBGENE-HBV的临床试验申请（CTA）已获得摩尔多瓦（Moldova）的监管单位批准。PBGENE-HBV旨在通过消除乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）的共价闭合环状DNA（cccDNA），同时灭活整合在肝细胞中的HBV DNA，以达到功能性治愈慢性乙型肝炎的目的。该公司已启动1期临床项目，并准备进行患者给药。Precision公司预计向全球监管单位提交更多的CTA和IND申请。根据新闻稿，PBGENE-HBV是进入临床阶段的首个靶向HBV的体内基因编辑疗法。 ◇ 艾尔普再生医学宣布FDA批准了其自主研发的新一代细胞疗法“人诱导多能干细胞（iPSC）来源心肌细胞注射液”（HiCM-188）用于治疗终末期心力衰竭的IND申请。新闻稿指出，HiCM-188是首个在美国接受用于治疗终末期心力衰竭临床评估的iPSC衍生细胞创新药。该候选疗法此前已在中国获准临床试验，并取得安全性及有效性结果。 ◇ 中国国家药监局药品审评中心（CDE）官网公示，贝斯昂科生物1类新药NK510细胞注射液获批临床，拟开发用于经标准治疗失败的晚期恶性实体瘤。新闻稿指出，在产品研发过程中，NK510采用了零脱靶碱基编辑器AccuBase，对NK细胞中关键基因进行了精确修改，编辑效率超过90%。研究表明，NK510既能克服癌细胞的免疫逃逸，又能特异性地识别和杀伤癌细胞，在多项体外、体内实验中展现出强大的抗肿瘤能力。 ◇ CDE官网公示，原启生物自主研发的双靶点Claudin 18.2/MSLN自体CAR-T细胞疗法OriC613注射液获批临床，拟开发治疗晚期实体瘤。根据原启生物新闻稿介绍，OriC613采用“AND”逻辑门控设计，通过拆分二代CAR结构元件，使OriC613 CAR-T细胞表面并联表达针对MSLN和Claudin 18.2的嵌合抗原受体，且仅对同时表达两个抗原的肿瘤细胞产生应答，从而能在增加肿瘤靶向杀伤活性的同时降低非肿瘤靶向毒性（OTOT），提高临床安全性。 ———✦融资、合作、M&A✦——— 图片来源：123RF ◇ AvenCell Therapeutics公司宣布完成1.12亿美元的B轮融资，此次融资所获得的资金将用于继续验证AvenCell的专有可控通用CAR-T细胞疗法平台，该平台产生的CAR-T细胞即使在患者接受治疗后也可以快速“关闭”和“打开”。与传统细胞疗法相比，该通用平台旨在更安全、更有效地治疗多种血液系统恶性肿瘤。 目前，AvenCell的临床管线包括一种高度差异化的自体CAR-T细胞疗法AVC-101，和一种通过CRISPR改造的异体CAR-T细胞疗法AVC-201，这两种管线均靶向急性髓系白血病（AML）细胞上常见的CD123抗原。这两款候选疗法已在早期临床试验中显示出令人鼓舞的安全性和疗效。此外，AvenCell有多个管线候选药物将在未来两年进入临床阶段。 ◇ 致力于开发B细胞疗法的Be Biopharma公司宣布完成8200万美元的融资，获得的资金将用于实现其用于治疗血友病B的主打项目BE-101的临床概念验证，并推进其用于治疗低磷酸酶症（HPP）的候选药物BE-102的开发。这两个项目均基于该公司强大且高效的B细胞药物（BCM）平台，该平台利用基因编辑技术改造B细胞，使其能够持续产生治疗性蛋白质，最终开发出具有持久性、可滴定且可重复给药的候选药物，无需预处理，具有成为潜在“best-in-class”基因疗法的潜力。 ◇ March Biosciences公司宣布成功完成超额认购的2840万美元A轮融资，获得资金将用于支持其主打在研自体CAR-T细胞疗法MB-105的2期临床开发，并进一步优化生产工艺。MB-105旨在治疗复发性和难治性CD5阳性T细胞淋巴瘤。MB-105专门设计用于克服与T细胞靶向相关的主要障碍，在解决T细胞同类相杀问题同时，保持对CD5阳性肿瘤细胞的高效杀伤力。MB-105在贝勒医学院（Baylor College of Medicine）进行的一项针对复发性T细胞淋巴瘤患者的1期临床试验中显示出良好的安全性和持久的缓解效果。该公司计划于2025年初开始2期临床试验。 ◇ 士泽生物宣布完成逾亿元B1轮市场化融资，至此，该公司近2年内已完成逾3亿元A轮/A+轮/B1轮融资。新闻稿指出，本轮融资将用于士泽生物临床级iPS衍生细胞药治疗神经系统疾病管线的完善、进一步开展临床研究以及推进多项注册临床试验。 该公司自研设计并建立了底层技术平台，覆盖iPSC重编程与建库、基因编辑iPSC、iPSC分化为亚型特化的神经细胞及临床前疾病动物模型的构建及评价等关键技术平台，并与多家知名研究机构及医院开展技术研究及临床开发合作。目前，士泽生物的自研临床级iPS衍生细胞药已在渐冻症和帕金森病患者中取得进展。其中，用于治疗帕金森病的iPS衍生多巴胺能神经前体细胞在多个临床案例中显示出了良好的安全性和有效性，患者症状有显著改善趋势，且未出现细胞疗法相关不良事件。 ◇ 利用人工智能（AI）推动体内基因递送的生物技术公司Dyno Therapeutics宣布与罗氏（Roche）达成第二项研究合作，开发针对神经疾病的下一代AAV载体基因疗法。Dyno和罗氏此前于2020年10月宣布了一项针对神经疾病和肝脏定向疗法的研究合作与许可协议。 根据此次新合作协议，Dyno将负责设计和发现具有改进功能特性的全新AAV衣壳。罗氏则负责进行衣壳验证研究，并推进多个神经基因疗法候选产品的临床前、临床期及商业化活动，这些产品均利用了Dyno开发的创新衣壳。罗氏将向Dyno支付5000万美元的预付款，此外在研究阶段还会进行额外付款，并有望根据临床前、临床期和销售里程碑支付总计超过10亿美元的款项。 ◇ Lyell Immunopharma公司宣布，已达成收购ImmPACT Bio公司的最终协议。ImmPACT公司的主打项目IMPT-314是一种CD19/20靶向CAR－T细胞候选产品，Lyell公司将继续开发该产品用于治疗血液恶性肿瘤，包括大B细胞淋巴瘤。新闻稿指出，收购ImmPACT公司预计将大大加强Lyell公司处于临床阶段的下一代CAR－T细胞疗法产品线，并补充其专有技术套件，这些技术旨在生成更持久的功能性T细胞，为实体瘤和血液系统恶性肿瘤患者带来更持久的疗效。 ▲欲了解更多前沿技术在生物医药产业中的应用，请长按扫描上方二维码，即可访问“药明直播间”，观看相关话题的直播讨论与精彩回放 参考资料（可上下滑动查看） [1] Sangamo Therapeutics Announces Alignment With FDA on Accelerated Approval Pathway for ST-920 in Fabry Disease With BLA Submission Expected in 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://investor.sangamo.com/news-releases/news-release-details/sangamo-therapeutics-announces-alignment-fda-accelerated [2] REGENXBIO Presents Positive Data from the Phase II Study of Subretinal ABBV-RGX-314 in Patients with Bilateral Wet AMD at AAO 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2024, from https://ir.regenxbio.com/news-releases/news-release-details/regenxbio-presents-positive-data-phase-ii-study-subretinal-abbv [3] 世界首款碱基编辑NK细胞产品临床试验申请获得受理. Retrieved July 30, 2024, from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/_jnzmCZrRSi7pbSDHlUWSA [4] Spur Therapeutics Showcases Positive New Data from Phase 1/2 GALILEO-1 Trial of FLT201, Its Novel Gene Therapy Candidate for Gaucher Disease, in Oral Presentation at ESGCT 31st Annual Congress. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/10/23/2967469/0/en/Spur-Therapeutics-Showcases-Positive-New-Data-from-Phase-1-2-GALILEO-1-Trial-of-FLT201-Its-Novel-Gene-Therapy-Candidate-for-Gaucher-Disease-in-Oral-Presentation-at-ESGCT-31st-Annua.html [5] Interius BioTherapeutics Doses First Patient with in vivo Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Gene Therapy for B-cell Malignancies. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://interiusbio.com/2024/10/interius-biotherapeutics-doses-first-patient-with-in-vivo-chimeric-antigen-receptor-car-gene-therapy-for-b-cell-malignancies/ [6] 重大突破！艾尔普再生医学新一代细胞创新药临床IND获美国FDA批准. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/sNs5TT0emP4ns_CysiWNQw [7] 原启生物宣布双靶点MSLN/Claudin 18.2 OriC613注射液新药临床试验（IND）申请获中国NMPA批准. Retrieved October 17, 2024, from https://www.oricell.com/newsdetail/id/40.html [8] AvenCell Raises $112 Million in Series B; Funding Led by Novo Holdings. Retrieved October 22, 2024 from https://avencell.com/avencell-raises-112-million-in-series-b-funding-led-by-novo-holdings/ [9] Be Bio Announces $82 Million Financing and Transition to Clinical Stage Company. Retrieved October 22, 2024, from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241022283327/en [10] March Biosciences Closes Oversubscribed $28.4 Million Series A Financing. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/10/23/2967726/0/en/March-Biosciences-Closes-Oversubscribed-28-4-Million-Series-A-Financing.html [11] 士泽生物完成超亿元B1轮融资，推进临床级iPS衍生细胞药治疗神经系统疾病管线. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/R4wXpGtrxhwkVnRDbwV4ZA [12] BridgeBio Shares Positive Data from High Dose Cohort of Phase 1/2 CANaspire Study of Gene Therapy BBP-812 for Canavan Disease at ESGCT 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/10/24/2968601/0/en/BridgeBio-Shares-Positive-Data-from-High-Dose-Cohort-of-Phase-1-2-CANaspire-Study-of-Gene-Therapy-BBP-812-for-Canavan-Disease-at-ESGCT-2024.html [13] Precision BioSciences Receives First Approval of Clinical Trial Application to Initiate PBGENE-HBV First-In-Human Study for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from https://investor.precisionbiosciences.com/news-releases/news-release-details/precision-biosciences-receives-first-approval-clinical-trial [14] Intellia Presents Positive Results from the Phase 2 Study of NTLA-2002, an Investigational In Vivo CRISPR Gene Editing Treatment for Hereditary Angioedema (HAE). Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://ir.intelliatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/intellia-presents-positive-results-phase-2-study-ntla-2002 [15] Dyno Therapeutics Forms New Strategic Partnership With Roche To Advance AAV Gene Therapy Vectors For Neurological Diseases. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from https://www.dynotx.com/dyno-therapeutics-forms-new-strategic-partnership-with-roche-to-advance-aav-gene-therapy-vectors-for-neurological-diseases/ [16] Lyell Immunopharma to Acquire ImmPACT Bio and Prioritizes its Pipeline to Focus on Next-Generation CAR T-cell Therapies. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/10/24/2969054/0/en/Lyell-Immunopharma-to-Acquire-ImmPACT-Bio-and-Prioritizes-its-Pipeline-to-Focus-on-Next-Generation-CAR-T-cell-Therapies.html a-Therapeutics-and-Factor-Bioscience-Announce-Exclusive-License-and-Collaboration-Agreement-to-Accelerate-Cell-Therapy-Development-for-Oncology-Autoimmune-and-Rare-Diseases.html [12] 因诺惟康IVB103注射液获得CDE临床许可. Retrieved October 18, 2024, from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/OU_bxfT9u4a_-Cs6WreoDQ 免责声明：药明康德内容团队专注介绍全球生物医药健康研究进展。本文仅作信息交流之目的，文中观点不代表药明康德立场，亦不代表药明康德支持或反对文中观点。本文也不是治疗方案推荐。如需获得治疗方案指导，请前往正规医院就诊。 版权说明：本文来自药明康德内容团队，欢迎个人转发至朋友圈，谢绝媒体或机构未经授权以任何形式转载至其他平台。转载授权请在「药明康德」微信公众号回复“转载”，获取转载须知。 分享，点赞，在看，聚焦全球生物医药健康创新

▎药明康德内容团队编辑 Precision BioSciences近日宣布，其主打在研体内基因编辑疗法PBGENE-HBV的临床试验申请（CTA）已获得摩尔多瓦（Moldova）的监管单位批准。PBGENE-HBV旨在通过消除乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）的共价闭合环状DNA（cccDNA），同时灭活整合在肝细胞中的HBV DNA，以达到功能性治愈慢性乙型肝炎的目的。该公司已启动1期临床项目，并准备进行患者给药。Precision公司预计向全球监管单位提交更多的CTA和IND申请。根据新闻稿，PBGENE-HBV是进入临床阶段的首个靶向HBV的体内基因编辑疗法。 据统计，在2019年全球约有3亿人患有慢性乙型肝炎感染。乙肝病毒可造成严重的肝脏感染并造成慢性疾病，约15%至40%的HBV感染患者可能会发展为肝硬化、肝衰竭或肝癌，这些并发症是导致HBV相关死亡的主要原因。乙肝病毒会在患者肝细胞内的细胞核中产生一种独特、游离的cccDNA，这是病毒进行复制时的模板，因此病患cccDNA的含量成为乙肝病患治疗与病情评估的一项重要指标。乙肝病毒DNA还能整合到细胞的DNA中，并成为生成乙肝表面抗原（HBsAg）的源泉之一。目前的肝治疗方式可以限制乙肝病毒的复制，但无法清除这些乙肝病毒的基因成分，这是导致病毒慢性感染与复发的原因，患者通常需要终身用药，这是乙肝治疗时的关键挑战。 PBGENE-HBV是一款基于Precision公司专有ARCUS基因编辑平台所开发的体内基因编辑疗法，设计专门靶向HBV的基因。该疗法通过脂质纳米颗粒将编码ARCUS核酸酶的mRNA递送至肝脏。当在HBV感染的肝细胞中表达时，ARCUS核酸酶可特异性切割乙型肝炎病毒DNA中高度保守的序列，旨在消除cccDNA并灭活整合到细胞DNA中的HBV基因。 ARCUS平台最初由北卡罗来纳州的科学家们于2006年创立公司时开发。与常见的CRISPR/Cas9技术不同，ARCUS使用的是一种源自藻类的编辑酶。根据新闻稿，PBGENE-HBV是首款进入临床阶段的靶向HBV慢性感染根本原因——cccDNA的疗法。 ▲ARCUS基因编辑平台介绍（图片来源：Precision BioSciences公司官网） 目前，“功能性治愈”是乙肝治疗的一大重点方向。这指的是虽然我们无法彻底将病毒清除出人体外，但通过治疗，可以将其限制在非常低的水平，低到在血液中都无法被检测出的地步。研究人员们也期望在如此低的水平之下，乙肝患者依靠自身的免疫力就能控制病情，而无需继续接受药物的治疗。除了Precision公司，同样正在开发靶向HBV基因编辑疗法的还有Excision BioTherapeutics。该公司旗下的EBT-107是一种基于CRISPR的双引导RNA（gRNA）基因疗法，旨在有效抑制病毒并消除持续感染的根本来源，该公司计划在2026年第一季度启动临床1b期研究。 浩博医药（AusperBio）旗下靶向所有乙肝病毒RNA的反义寡核苷酸（ASO）疗法AHB–137目前正在临床2期试验当中受检视。在临床前研究中，它可以激发所有乙肝病毒RNA的降解，并且显著降低HBsAg水平。Virion Therapeutics也正在开发潜在“first-in-class”检查点修饰免疫疗法VRON-0200，该疗法利用腺病毒载体，在抗原呈递细胞中表达HBV抗原的同时，还表达调节免疫检查点信号通路的重组蛋白，旨在提供慢性HBV感染患者的功能性治愈。今年6月公布该疗法的首个人体临床试验早期数据显示，在至少有28天免疫学随访的9名患者中，大多数患者在接种后显示出增强的T细胞反应。VTP-300则是一种由Vaccitech公司开发、与疫苗作用机制非常类似的免疫疗法。利用Vaccitech的黑猩猩腺病毒载体（ChAdOx1）和改良牛痘安卡拉病毒（MVA）载体表达乙肝病毒抗原，激发抗HBV的免疫应答，有望为慢性乙肝患者带来功能性治愈，目前该疗法正在临床2期试验当中接受评估。 参考资料： [1] Precision BioSciences Receives First Approval of Clinical Trial Application to Initiate PBGENE-HBV First-In-Human Study for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B. Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://investor.precisionbiosciences.com/news-releases/news-release-details/precision-biosciences-receives-first-approval-clinical-trial [2] Exclusive: Moldova clears first gene editing study for HBV in humans. Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://endpts.com/exclusive-moldova-clears-first-gene-editing-study-for-hbv-in-humans/ [3] Pipeline. Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://www.excision.bio/technology/pipeline 本文来自药明康德内容团队，欢迎个人转发至朋友圈，谢绝媒体或机构未经授权以任何形式转载至其他平台。转载授权及其他合作需求，请联系wuxi_media@wuxiapptec.com。 免责声明：药明康德内容团队专注介绍全球生物医药健康研究进展。本文仅作信息交流之目的，文中观点不代表药明康德立场，亦不代表药明康德支持或反对文中观点。本文也不是治疗方案推荐。如需获得治疗方案指导，请前往正规医院就诊。

– Clinical Trial Application accepted in Moldova with additional regulatory applications pending approval – PBGENE-HBV is the first in vivo gene editing program for chronic hepatitis B virus to move into global clinical trials – Company to host investor event highlighting clinical candidate safety data and plans for the Phase 1 trial prior to American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Annual Meeting DURHAM, NC, USA I October 24, 2024 I Precision BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: DTIL), a clinical stage gene editing company utilizing its novel proprietary ARCUS ® platform to develop in vivo gene editing therapies for sophisticated gene edits, today announced that it has received Clinical Trial Application (CTA) approval in Moldova for its lead candidate, PBGENE-HBV. PBGENE-HBV is Precision’s wholly owned in vivo gene editing program designed to cure chronic hepatitis B by eliminating cccDNA, the key source of replicating hepatitis B virus (HBV), while also inactivating integrated HBV DNA in hepatocytes. The company has opened the Phase 1 clinical program and is moving towards dosing patients. “At Precision, we remain laser-focused on execution, and our first CTA approval for PBGENE-HBV represents another significant milestone as we complete our transition to a clinical stage in vivo gene editing company. With rapid regulatory approval in hand, we are working diligently to screen and dose patients at our first clinical site in Moldova,” said Michael Amoroso, Chief Executive Officer of Precision BioSciences. “In parallel, we are leveraging our robust regulatory package, which highlights the safety and potent antiviral effects of PBGENE-HBV in a variety of models, including non-human primates, to pursue additional CTA and IND approvals globally. This multi-track approach will enable us to accelerate enrollment into the trial and generate important clinical safety and efficacy data with the aim of bringing a potentially curative treatment to the nearly 300 million patients living with chronic hepatitis B globally.” Prior to PBGENE-HBV, no other modality has been investigated in a clinical trial setting that is designed to eliminate the root cause of disease, the cccDNA. Additionally, the current standard of care requires daily chronic treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs and only offers patients a 1-3% chance of functional cure. Through its precision cutting, compact design, and simple structure, PBGENE-HBV is engineered to target the HBV viral genome and drive functional cures for patients with chronic hepatitis B. PBGENE-HBV leverages the ARCUS ® gene editing platform by delivering an ARCUS nuclease-encoding mRNA to the liver via lipid nanoparticles. When expressed in HBV-infected hepatocytes, the ARCUS nuclease specifically cuts a highly conserved sequence in the hepatitis B viral genome and is designed to eliminate cccDNA and inactivate integrated HBV genomes. The ARCUS platform is derived from a naturally occurring enzyme and has been optimized for over 20 years into a ground-breaking and highly precise gene editing tool. “We are thrilled to receive CTA approval in Moldova given the high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B in the country and their expertise gained from multiple Phase 1 clinical trials in hepatitis B. Our clinical team, guided by our hepatitis scientific advisory board, has deep expertise in hepatitis B, and we believe that we are well-positioned to advance PBGENE-HBV towards dosing the first patient in the clinic,” added Dr. Murray Abramson, Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development of Precision BioSciences. “PBGENE-HBV is the first and only clinical stage approach to directly target and eliminate cccDNA, giving it the potential to achieve a functional cure. Next month, we plan to share additional information about our Phase 1 program, including the final preclinical safety package, with investigators and investors ahead of the upcoming AASLD meeting. With a clear regulatory pathway ahead of us, and our deep clinical expertise, we are focused on rapidly enrolling patients into the study and generating robust clinical data in patients with chronic hepatitis B who have for too long been unable to achieve meaningful functional cures.” Precision has submitted multiple global clinical trial applications and is on track to submit additional CTA and IND filings as part of its global Phase 1 regulatory strategy for PBGENE-HBV. The company will provide updates as it receives additional regulatory approvals to begin treating patients in those markets. The company plans to provide an update on the PBGENE-HBV program on November 15 th before the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Annual Meeting in November. Detailed information on how to join the webcast will be provided in the future. About Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a leading cause of morbidity in the US and death globally, with no curative options currently available for patients. In 2019, despite the availability of approved antiviral therapies, an estimated 300 million people globally and more than 1 million people in the US were estimated to have chronic hepatitis B infection. An estimated 15% to 40% of patients with HBV infections may develop complications, such as cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), which account for the majority of HBV-related deaths. Chronic hepatitis B infection is primarily driven by persistence of HBV cccDNA and integration of HBV DNA into the human genome in liver cells, the primary source of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in late-stage disease. Current treatments for patients with HBV infection include agents that result in long-term viral suppression as indicated by reduction of circulating HBV DNA, but these therapies do not eradicate HBV cccDNA, rarely lead to functional cure, and require lifelong administration. About PBGENE-HBV: PBGENE-HBV is a potentially curative approach to treating patients with chronic HBV infection through a highly specific, novel therapeutic approach. PBGENE leverages the ARCUS ® platform and is designed to directly eliminate cccDNA and inactivate integrated HBV DNA with high specificity, potentially leading to functional cures. About Precision BioSciences, Inc. Precision BioSciences, Inc. is a clinical stage gene editing company dedicated to improving life (DTIL) with its novel and proprietary ARCUS® genome editing platform that differs from other technologies in the way it cuts, its smaller size, and its simpler structure. Key capabilities and differentiating characteristics may enable ARCUS nucleases to drive more intended, defined therapeutic outcomes. Using ARCUS, the Company’s pipeline is comprised of in vivo gene editing candidates designed to deliver lasting cures for the broadest range of genetic and infectious diseases where no adequate treatments exist. For more information about Precision BioSciences, please visit www.precisionbiosciences.com . The ARCUS ® platform is being used to develop in vivo gene editing therapies for sophisticated gene edits, including gene insertion (inserting DNA into gene to cause expression/add function), elimination (removing a genome e.g. viral DNA or mutant mitochondrial DNA), and excision (removing a large portion of a defective gene by delivering two ARCUS nucleases in a single AAV). SOURCE: Precision Biosciences