First treatment for Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency approved by US FDA

Enzyme replacement therapeutic Xenpozyme has received US FDA approval with an orphan drug designation to treat symptoms of Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency, a rare genetic disease.

Caused by the lack of an enzyme required for the breaking down of a complex lipid known as sphingomyelin, the lipid goes on to accumulate in the liver, spleen, lung, and brain. ASMD patients often present with enlarged abdomens causing pain, vomiting, and difficulties feeding. Severely affected patients may experience significant neurological symptoms. ASMD can cause premature death in pediatric patients, and those that survive into adulthood may die prematurely from respiratory failure. Christine Nguyen, Deputy Director of the Office of Rare Diseases, Pediatrics, Urologic, and Reproductive Medicine at the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, commented: “ASMD has a debilitating effect on people’s lives and there is a critical need to increase treatment options for patients who suffer from this rare disease.” 

Xenpozyme functions as an enzyme replacement therapy, reducing sphingomyelin accumulation in the liver, spleen, and lungs. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 31 patients, the efficacy of Xenpozyme was demonstrated for the treatment of ASMD with measured treatment benefits, enough for the FDA to conclude that Xenpozyme is effective. Patients on the therapeutic witnessed improved lung function and reduced liver and spleen sizes. Side effects of Xenpozyme include headache, cough, fever, joint pain, and low blood pressure.  

In addition to receiving fast track, breakthrough therapy, and priority review designations, Xenpozyme also received an orphan drug designation. Such designations provide incentives to assist and encourage the development of therapeutics for rare diseases. With over 7000 rare diseases affecting more than 30 million individuals in the United States alone, such conditions prove to be life-threatening with little to no treatments available. Nguyen added: “The challenges involved with developing treatments for rare diseases are significant and unique. We believe patients who suffer from ASMD, their families, and their physicians will welcome this long-awaited advancement.” 

Source: FDA Approves First Treatment for Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency, a Rare Genetic Disease (prnewswire.com)