Beam Therapeutics (BEAM) Begins Dosing in Phase I/II AATD Study

Core Insights - Beam Therapeutics is advancing its investigational therapy BEAM-302 for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) with the first patient dosed in a phase I/II study [10] - The company has received clinical trial authorization from the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency for BEAM-302 in March 2024 [2] - Beam is also developing BEAM-301 for glycogen storage disease 1a, with an investigational new drug application expected to be filed soon [3] Company Developments - The open-label, dose-escalation study for BEAM-302 aims to assess safety, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy [1] - The BEACON study has completed dosing and engraftment for three patients, with data from multiple patients expected in the second half of 2024 [4] - Beam's leading ex-vivo genome-editing candidate, BEAM-101, is in the BEACON study for sickle cell disease, which could enhance the company's future prospects if successful [11][12] Market Performance - Beam Therapeutics shares have declined 8.7% year to date, compared to a 4.6% decrease in the industry [11] - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [13]