CELEBRATION, Fla., July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. (NasdaqGS: ZVRA) (Zevra, or the Company), a commercial-stage company focused on providing therapies for people living with rare diseases, announced the company submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the evaluation of arimoclomol for the treatment of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC). NPC is an ultra-rare, neurological disease caused by genetic mutations that result in lipid ...

Core Insights - Zevra Therapeutics is actively participating in the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Regional Genetics Group (SERGG), showcasing its therapies MIPLYFFA and OLPRUVA, which are approved for treating rare diseases [1][2] Group 1: MIPLYFFA (arimoclomol) - MIPLYFFA is approved in the U.S. for treating Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) and has shown disease-modifying activity leading to sustained disease stabilization in patients over multiple years [2][7] - Data from an Expanded Access Program (EAP) indicates that patients treated with MIPLYFFA experienced stable disease over up to 3 years, contrasting with the average progression of 1.0–2.0 points per year on the Niemann-Pick type C Clinical Severity Scale [3] - A 48-month open-label trial demonstrated that patients treated with MIPLYFFA experienced sustained reduction in disease progression for at least 5 years [3] - MIPLYFFA targets the pathophysiology of NPC through two pathways, enhancing the expression of genes in the Coordinated Lysosomal Expression and Regulation (CLEAR) network [3] Group 2: OLPRUVA (sodium phenylbutyrate) - OLPRUVA is approved for treating certain patients with urea cycle disorders (UCDs) and can be administered via a gastrostomy tube, which is significant for managing UCD in some patients [2][4][18] - Studies confirm that OLPRUVA meets administration criteria through gastrostomy tubes at evaluated doses and volumes [4] - OLPRUVA is indicated for long-term management of UCDs in adults and children weighing 44 pounds (20 kg) or greater, but is not used for acute hyperammonemia [18] Group 3: Company Overview - Zevra Therapeutics focuses on developing therapies for rare diseases, aiming to provide life-changing treatments for patients with limited or no options [23] - The company employs unique, data-driven strategies to overcome challenges in drug development and commercialization [23]

Core Insights - Zevra Therapeutics announced the publication of long-term efficacy and safety results for MIPLYFFA (arimoclomol) in treating Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC), demonstrating sustained disease progression halting over multiple years [1][2] Company Overview - Zevra Therapeutics is a commercial-stage company focused on therapies for rare diseases, aiming to provide transformational treatments for conditions with limited options [14] Product Information - MIPLYFFA is an approved therapy for NPC, indicated for use in combination with miglustat for patients aged 2 years and older [4] - The drug received FDA approval on September 20, 2024, and has shown the ability to activate transcription factors that regulate lysosomal function [3] Clinical Trial Results - The Phase 2/3 trial demonstrated that MIPLYFFA halted disease progression compared to placebo over a one-year duration, with long-term data showing sustained efficacy for at least five years in over 270 patients [2][3] - The open-label extension study confirmed no new safety concerns, aligning with previous trial results [2] Safety Information - Common adverse reactions reported include upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, and decreased weight, with hypersensitivity reactions noted in some patients [5][9][10] - MIPLYFFA may cause increases in serum creatinine without affecting glomerular function, primarily occurring in the first month of treatment [8]

Core Insights - Soligenix, Inc. is focused on developing and commercializing products for rare diseases with unmet medical needs, with a promising late-stage pipeline and potential strategic options including partnerships and M&A opportunities [1][3] Financial Overview - The company has sufficient capital and cash runway to meet its goals into Q1 2026, with expected peak annual net sales of HyBryte™ in the U.S. exceeding $90 million and a total addressable worldwide CTCL market estimated at over $250 million annually [2][13] - The total addressable worldwide psoriasis market opportunity with SGX302 is estimated to exceed $1 billion annually, while SGX945 in Behçet's Disease (BD) has a market opportunity of approximately $200 million annually, leading to potential global annual sales of around $2 billion [2][11] Clinical Development - The confirmatory Phase 3 FLASH2 study for HyBryte™ is ongoing, with top-line results expected in the second half of 2026, and enrollment is on track [4][5] - The ongoing Phase 2a study of SGX302 in mild-to-moderate psoriasis has shown promising results, with previous cohorts demonstrating biologic activity and early clinical success [7][10] - A pilot Phase 2a proof of concept clinical trial for SGX945 in Behçet's Disease is expected to yield top-line results in Q3 2025 [11] Market Potential - Psoriasis affects approximately 60-125 million people globally, with the global treatment market valued at around $30 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $58-67 billion by 2030 [8][9] - Behçet's Disease is an orphan disease with around 18,000 known cases in the U.S. and 50,000 in Europe, impacting the quality of life for patients [12] Manufacturing and Partnerships - The company has successfully transferred the manufacturing of synthetic hypericin to a U.S. facility, optimizing the process for larger batch production [10] - Soligenix is actively pursuing partnerships in ex-U.S. markets to enhance its marketing authorizations for HyBryte™ and explore other potential cutaneous indications [6][14]

Core Insights - Agios Pharmaceuticals has appointed Dr. Jay Backstrom to its Board of Directors, which is expected to enhance the company's strategic direction and clinical program advancements [1][2][3] Company Overview - Agios Pharmaceuticals is a leader in cellular metabolism and pyruvate kinase (PK) activation, focusing on therapies for rare diseases [1][4] - The company markets a first-in-class PK activator for adults with PK deficiency, representing the first disease-modifying therapy for this condition [4] Leadership and Expertise - Dr. Backstrom brings extensive experience from his previous roles, including President and CEO of Scholar Rock and Executive Vice President of Research and Development at Acceleron Pharma [2][3] - His leadership has been instrumental in advancing clinical programs to regulatory approval, particularly in rare diseases [2][3] Strategic Focus - Agios is focused on maximizing the potential of its PK activator, PYRUKYND (mitapivat), and advancing its pipeline of rare disease medicines [2][3] - The company is developing investigational medicines for conditions such as alpha- and beta-thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and myelodysplastic syndromes [4]

Core Insights - BioCryst Pharmaceuticals has appointed Babar Ghias as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and head of corporate development, bringing extensive experience in deal-making and operational management [1][2] - Ghias has a strong background in the biotech sector, having previously served as CFO at AvenCell Therapeutics and held senior roles at Paragon Biosciences and Marathon Pharmaceuticals, where he raised over $1 billion in capital [3][4][5] - The company aims to leverage Ghias's expertise to accelerate growth and enhance value, particularly through the commercial momentum of its product ORLADEYO and its advancing pipeline [6][8] Company Overview - BioCryst Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for rare diseases, particularly hereditary angioedema [8] - The company has commercialized ORLADEYO (berotralstat), the first oral, once-daily plasma kallikrein inhibitor, and is advancing a pipeline of small-molecule and protein therapies [8]

RLYB116 - C5 Inhibitor - RLYB116 is being developed as a potential first- and best-in-class treatment for severe, refractory hematologic diseases[4, 12] - The estimated peak commercial opportunity for RLYB116 in immune PTR (Platelet Transfusion Refractoriness) is over $1.1 billion annually, targeting approximately 20,000 patients[13, 50, 51] - The estimated peak commercial opportunity for RLYB116 in refractory APS (Antiphospholipid Syndrome) is over $4.0 billion, also targeting approximately 20,000 patients[13, 50, 51] - A Phase 2 trial for immune PTR is expected to begin in the middle of 2026, and a Phase 2 trial for refractory APS is expected to begin in the second half of 2026[13] - Clinical PK/PD study data for RLYB116 is expected in the second half of 2025, with Cohort 1 data in Q3 2025 and Cohort 2 data in Q4 2025[4, 18, 66] REV102 - ENPP1 Inhibitor - REV102 is a potential first- and best-in-class ENPP1 inhibitor for patients with hypophosphatasia (HPP)[4, 54] - Phase 1 study on track to initiate 2H 2026[55] - Preclinical data for REV102 in a later-onset HPP model is expected in the second half of 2025[4, 66] Financial Position - Rallybio's cash position as of March 31, 2025, was $54.5 million, which is expected to support operations into the first half of 2027[5]

Financial Performance & Growth - Catalyst Pharmaceuticals experienced a 43.6% increase in total net product revenue in 1Q25 compared to 1Q24[55] - The company's 1Q25 net product revenues reached $141.4 million, up from $98.4 million in 1Q24[61] - Net income (GAAP) for 1Q25 was $56.7 million, significantly higher than the $23.3 million reported in 1Q24[61] - Catalyst forecasts total revenues between $545 million and $565 million for the full year 2025[60] Product Portfolio - FIRDAPSE revenue for 1Q25 was $83.7 million, compared to $66.8 million in 1Q24[56] - AGAMREE revenue for 1Q25 was $30.4 million[56] - FYCOMPA revenue for 1Q25 was $35.6 million, compared to $22.0 million in 1Q24[56] - FIRDAPSE is projected to generate between $355 million and $360 million in revenue for 2025[60] - AGAMREE is projected to generate between $100 million and $110 million in revenue for 2025[60] - FYCOMPA is projected to generate between $90 million and $95 million in revenue for 2025[60] Market & Strategic Focus - The total addressable market for the LEMS population is estimated to be over $1 billion[29] - The total addressable market for the DMD population is estimated to be over $1 billion[39]

Financial Performance & Growth - Total revenue for Q1 2025 reached $125 million, representing a 15% growth [6] - Galafold revenue in Q1 2025 was $1042 million, with a 14% patient demand growth [23] - Pombiliti + Opfolda revenue in Q1 2025 was $21 million, showing a 92% growth at CER [50] - The company expects to surpass $1 billion in total revenue in FY 2028 [6] Strategic Priorities & Guidance - The company aims for a total revenue growth of 15-22% at CER in FY 2025 [7, 77] - Galafold revenue is projected to grow by 10-15% at CER in FY 2025 [6, 7] - Pombiliti + Opfolda revenue is expected to increase by 50-65% at CER in FY 2025 [6, 7, 53, 77] - The company anticipates positive GAAP net income during H2 2025 [7, 77] Product & Market Overview - The global Fabry market is projected to reach approximately $3 billion by 2029 [14, 15] - The global Pompe market was approximately $15 billion in 2024 and is expected to exceed $2 billion by 2029 [42, 43] - DMX-200, a Phase 3 program for FSGS, addresses a market affecting over 40000 people in the US [67]

Core Viewpoint - Apellis Pharmaceuticals has entered into a capped royalty purchase agreement with Sobi, allowing Apellis to receive up to $300 million in exchange for 90% of its future ex-U.S. royalties for Aspaveli, which is a treatment for rare diseases [1][2][3] Transaction Details - Apellis will receive $275 million upfront and may earn up to $25 million in milestone payments upon EMA approval for Aspaveli in treating C3G and IC-MPGN [3][7] - The agreement includes defined caps tied to Aspaveli's performance, after which 100% of ex-U.S. royalties will revert to Apellis [4] Product Information - Aspaveli (systemic pegcetacoplan) is approved in the EU and the U.S. for treating paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and is under review for C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) and primary immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) [2][5] - Approximately 50% of patients with C3G and IC-MPGN may experience kidney failure within five to ten years of diagnosis, highlighting the urgency for effective treatments [6] Strategic Implications - The transaction is seen as a non-dilutive funding method that strengthens Apellis' balance sheet and provides operational flexibility as the company approaches sustainable profitability [2][7] - Sobi's expertise in rare diseases and its commercial footprint are expected to enhance the reach of Aspaveli globally following regulatory approvals [3]