Passage Bio (NasdaqGS:PASG) FY Conference Transcript

Summary of Conference Call on Gene Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases Industry Overview - The conference focused on gene therapy applications for neurodegenerative diseases, featuring speakers from three companies: Mira, uniQure, and Passage Bio [1][2][6]. Key Points by Company Mira - Company Overview: Mira specializes in genetic medicines, focusing on local delivery of small doses to treat severe indications, which enhances safety and reduces costs [2]. - Recent Milestones: Mira has two pivotal studies and two awaiting Biologics License Application (BLA) filings, including treatments for rare and common eye diseases and a Parkinson's treatment that has shown three positive studies [3][4]. - Innovative Approach: The company utilizes AI technology to analyze data from the largest neurohospital in Europe, demonstrating physiological changes in the brain related to their Parkinson's treatment [4][24]. - Potential Applications: Mira's gene therapy can convert glutamate to GABA, potentially treating various neurodegenerative diseases by calming hyperactive neurons [22][24]. uniQure - Company Overview: uniQure is a pioneer in genomic medicine, known for developing the first approved AAV gene therapies, including Glybera and Hemgenix [6][9]. - Lead Program: The company is focused on Huntington's disease, utilizing a platform called MyCure to suppress the aberrant Huntingtin protein [8]. - Clinical Findings: In a study involving 45 patients, uniQure reported a 75% statistically significant slowing of disease progression based on the UHDRS [9]. - Regulatory Plans: A pre-BLA meeting is expected in Q4, with a BLA submission planned for Q1 of the following year [9]. Passage Bio - Company Overview: Passage Bio is based on technology from the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on gene therapy for frontotemporal dementia and Huntington's disease [14]. - Clinical Approach: The company delivers AAV1 via a minimally invasive procedure, showing high levels of target engagement and stabilization of neurofilaments [14][15]. - Future Directions: Passage Bio is also developing a preclinical program targeting the DNA damage response pathway in Huntington's disease [15]. Challenges in Gene Therapy - Delivery Issues: The primary challenge remains delivering therapies to the correct brain regions, especially for diseases like Huntington's [18][19]. - Slow Disease Progression: Designing clinical studies for slowly progressing neurodegenerative diseases is difficult, as changes in function are hard to detect [19][20]. - Heterogeneity: Variability among patients complicates the assessment of treatment efficacy, necessitating innovative statistical methods to account for differences [31][32]. Regulatory Considerations - FDA Flexibility: The FDA is showing increased willingness to consider alternative trial designs and endpoints for rare diseases with high unmet needs [44][46]. - Natural History Data: Utilizing natural history datasets can help in understanding disease progression and support regulatory submissions [30][31]. Safety Concerns - Patient Safety: The panel acknowledged the importance of safety in gene therapy, especially following recent patient deaths in trials [35][37]. - Local Delivery Advantages: Localized delivery methods may reduce systemic exposure and associated risks, as demonstrated by lower doses used in certain therapies [38][41]. Access and Implementation - Training and Infrastructure: Successful implementation of gene therapies will depend on training healthcare providers and establishing treatment centers [52][54]. - Data-Driven Adoption: Strong clinical data will be crucial for gaining acceptance among medical professionals and ensuring broad access to therapies [55][56]. Conclusion - The conference highlighted the potential of gene therapy in treating neurodegenerative diseases, the challenges faced in delivery and study design, and the evolving regulatory landscape that may facilitate the development of these innovative treatments [1][17][42].