Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (Euronext: AMT), a leader in the field of human gene therapy, announced today that the Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for Glybera®, AMT’s proprietary lead product, for lipoprotein lipase deficient patients, has been submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA, formerly known as EMEA). AMT has conducted two clinical studies for lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPLD) in Europe and Canada and long term follow-up from these is ongoing, as is a further study in Canada. In these three studies Glybera® has shown a sizeable decrease in the incidence of pancreatitis, or acute inflammation of the pancreas, the most debilitating complication of LPLD. Moreover, these studies also indicate that Glybera® has an excellent safety profile. “We are delighted to have submitted the Glybera® dossier to EMA. We believe that AMT will be the first to successfully develop a gene therapy for a disease caused by a genetic defect,” said Jörn Aldag, Chief Executive Officer of AMT. “Importantly, Glybera® also validates AMT’s adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector delivery platform, which can be used to deliver other gene therapy products for other indications.” The MAA for Glybera® is now in the validation stage, and the formal review process is expected to begin later this month. The MAA for Glybera® will be reviewed via the centralised procedure which is the standard route for all advanced therapies.
About the Disease
LPLD is a seriously debilitating, and potentially lethal, orphan disease, for which no approved therapy exists today. The disease is caused by mutations in the LPL gene, resulting in highly decreased or absent activity of LPL protein in patients. This protein is needed in order to break down large fat-carrying particles that circulate in the blood after each meal. When such particles, called chylomicrons, accumulate in the blood, they may obstruct small blood vessels, which in turn can lead to pancreatitis. Recurrent pancreatitis in LPLD patients can result in difficult-to-treat diabetes. LPLD is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
About Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics
AMT, founded in 1998 and based in Amsterdam, is a leader in the development of human gene based therapies. Using AAV as the delivery vehicle of choice for therapeutic genes, the company has been able to design and validate what is probably the first stable and scalable AAV production platform. This safe and efficacious proprietary platform offers a unique manufacturing capability which can be applied to a large number of rare (orphan) diseases that are caused by one faulty gene. Currently, AMT has a product pipeline with several AAV-based gene therapy products in LPLD, Hemophilia B, DMD, Acute Intermittent Porphyria and Parkinson’s Disease at different stages of research or development.
For information
AMT will be presenting at the Biotech Showcase Conference, Marines Memorial Club and Hotel, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco at 1600 (PCT) on Tuesday January 12, 2010.
Jörn Aldag
Chief Executive Officer
Tel +31 (0) 20 566 7394
j.aldag@amtbiopharma.com
About Gilde Healthcare Partners
Gilde Healthcare Partners founded in 2000 is headquartered in Utrecht, the Netherlands with representatives in London and Madrid. Gilde Healthcare Partners has over EUR 275 million under management and is actively looking to lead new investments in therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices and enabling technologies. Gilde is a successful builder of healthcare businesses across Europe. By investing in companies with clear achievable business models, Gilde has used its financial resources and network to create significant value for both its investors and the entrepreneurs it backs.
Companies that Gilde Healthcare Partners has pro-actively supported span all aspects of healthcare and include Ablynx (Belgium), Acacia (UK), Agendia (Netherlands), AMT (Netherlands), Ascendis (Denmark), BG Medicine (US), Chroma Therapeutics (UK), Conatus (US), Flowcardia (US), Glycart (Switzerland), Innate Pharma (France), Pieris (Germany), Santaris (Denmark) and Symphogen (Denmark).
More information about Gilde at www.gildehealthcare.nl.
Gilde Healthcare II is supported by the European Communities Growth and Employment Initiative, MAP – ETF Start up Facility.
Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” including those that refer to management's plans and expectations for future operations, prospects and financial condition. Words such as “strategy,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “will,” “continues,” “estimates,” “intends,” “projects,” “goals,” “targets” and other words of similar meaning are intended to identify such forwardlooking statements. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics only. Undue reliance should not be placed on these statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and can be affected by factors that are beyond the control of AMT. Actual results could differ materially from current expectations due to a number of factors and uncertainties affecting AMT’s business, including, but not limited to, the timely commencement and success of AMT’s clinical trials and research endeavors, delays in receiving U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory approvals (i.e. EMA, Health Canada), market acceptance of AMT’s products, effectiveness of AMT’s marketing and sales efforts, development of competing therapies and/or technologies, the terms of any future strategic alliances, the need for additional capital, the inability to obtain, or meet, conditions imposed for required governmental and regulatory approvals and consents. AMT expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law. For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting AMT, refer to the prospectus of AMT’s initial public offering on June 20,2007, and AMT’s public announcements made from time to time.