LEIDEN, Netherlands and CAMBRIDGE, Mass.,
QR-1123 is a first-in-class investigational antisense oligonucleotide designed to address the underlying cause of vision loss associated with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) due to the P23H mutation in the rhodopsin (RHO) gene.
ODD provides a special status for investigational drugs being developed for rare diseases. The ODD program offers development program tax benefits and a waiver of the NDA application user fee, as well as market exclusivity for up to seven years in the U.S. following market approval.
“We are pleased to have orphan drug designation for our QR-1123 program targeting autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, or adRP,” said Daniel de Boer, Chief Executive Officer of ProQR. “It highlights the unmet need for patients with this progressive disease causing blindness. Our goal is to develop and actively advance a pipeline of programs that can treat inherited retinal diseases like adRP in a targeted manner.”
About QR-1123
QR-1123 is a first-in-class investigational RNA-based oligonucleotide designed to treat adRP due to the P23H mutation in the RHO gene. QR-1123 was discovered and developed by
About the Phase 1/2 Aurora trial
Aurora, or PQ-1123-001 trial, is a first-in-human study that will initially include up to 35 adults with adRP due to the P23H mutation in the rhodopsin (RHO) gene. The trial will include a single-dose escalation (open label) arm and a multiple-dose (double-masked) arm in which intravitreal injections of QR-1123 or sham procedure will be given in one eye. The objectives of the trial will include evaluation of safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and efficacy, as measured by restoration or improvement of visual function and retinal structure through ophthalmic endpoints such as visual acuity (BCVA), visual field (VF) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The trial will be conducted at expert sites in
About adRP
Autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, or adRP, is a severe and rare genetic disease that causes progressive problems in night vision during childhood, leading to visual field loss and frequently resulting in blindness in mid adulthood. In
About ProQR
*Since 2012*
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “look forward to”, “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information available to management only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding QR-1123 and its clinical development and therapeutic potential, including commencement of the Aurora trial, trial design and timing of results from this trial, and the receipt of Orphan Drug designation for QR-1123. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including, without limitation, risks associated with our clinical development activities, including that positive results observed in our prior and ongoing studies may not be replicated in later trials or guarantee approval of any product candidate by regulatory authorities, regulatory review or approval process, that the intended benefits of orphan drug designation for QR-1123 may not be realized, manufacturing processes and facilities, regulatory oversight, product commercialization, intellectual property claims, our ability to maintain our collaboration with
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Source: ProQR Therapeutics N.V.