REGENXBIO Inc. (Nasdaq: RGNX), a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company seeking to improve lives through the curative potential of gene therapy based on its proprietary NAV Technology Platform, today provided a year-end 2018 corporate update.
"2018 was a pivotal year for the advancement and validation of the NAV Technology Platform across many diseases, as we achieved significant clinical and regulatory progress for our proprietary product candidates, as well as across our licensee network. In 2018, we received over $200 million from our partners, and we believe our strong financial position will enable us to execute on our corporate goals throughout 2019," said Kenneth T. Mills, President and Chief Executive Officer of REGENXBIO. "This year, a key focus will be the acceleration and broadening of our ophthalmology franchise as we build on the promising results observed to date in our ongoing Phase I clinical trial evaluating RGX-314 for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). Through the immediate expansion of this trial into a Phase IIa clinical trial, we're committed to expediting the development of RGX-314 as a one-time therapy, not only in the hopes of providing a potential long-lasting treatment solution for the wet AMD patient population, but also to potentially address substantial unmet needs in a broad range of other retinal conditions."
Mr. Mills continued: "Another key upcoming milestone for the NAV Technology Platform is the potential approval of Novartis' ZOLGENSMA by the FDA for the treatment of SMA Type I, anticipated in May 2019. This approval would be the first for a NAV Technology-based therapy, and it would provide a post-launch commercial revenue stream to REGENXBIO. In combination with our innovative technology platform, robust internal clinical pipeline and broad licensee network, we are positioned for a transformative 2019 as we accelerate our progress in realizing the curative potential of gene therapy."
Lead Product Candidate Updates
- RGX-314 for the Treatment of Wet AMD
- As of December 3, 2018, 24 subjects across four dose cohorts have been treated in the Phase I trial of RGX-314. RGX-314 continues to be well-tolerated across all cohorts, with no drug-related serious adverse events (SAEs) reported. In addition, 50% of subjects (3/6) in Cohort 3 continue to remain injection-free at nine months with persistent clinical durability of effect observed on best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT). Mean BCVA improved by +13 letters and mean CRT decreased by -37 microns from baseline in these subjects at nine months.
- As of December 3, 2018, the most common adverse events (AEs) in all dose cohorts were assessed as mild (Grade 1, 83%), and there have been no observed immune responses, drug-related ocular inflammation or post-surgical inflammation beyond what is expected following a routine vitrectomy. Six non-drug-related SAEs were reported among four subjects.1
- RGX-314 intraocular protein expression was detected at one month in all subjects in the recently dosed Cohort 4 (1.6 x 10^11 GC/eye). Mean protein expression levels are higher in Cohort 4 than the previously reported Cohort 3 at one month post-RGX-314 administration as measured from aqueous samples by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECL).
- Phase I Trial Expanded into Phase IIa Trial:
- REGENXBIO today announced that, based on an amendment to the RGX-314 Phase I protocol filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is cleared to proceed immediately to a Phase IIa trial under the current Investigational New Drug (IND) application. With the expansion of the Phase I protocol of RGX-314 for wet AMD to a Phase IIa trial, REGENXBIO now expects to enroll up to a total of 42 subjects. The expanded Phase IIa study, which will include an additional six subjects in Cohort 4 and the initiation of dosing of an additional cohort (12 participants) at a dose of 2.5 x 10^11 GC/eye (Cohort 5), has commenced recruitment. This expansion is designed to further characterize RGX-314-treated subjects in a larger sample in order to enhance the design of the Phase IIb trial and accelerate the clinical development of RGX-314.
- Based on this expanded trial design, REGENXBIO expects to present interim data from the RGX-314 Phase I/IIa clinical trial by the end of 2019.
- Phase IIb Trial Plans:
- REGENXBIO anticipates initiating a larger, randomized, controlled Phase IIb clinical trial for wet AMD and expects to activate clinical sites in this program in late 2019.
- REGENXBIO plans to develop RGX-314 for the treatment of additional chronic retinal conditions that respond to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy but would benefit from improved, long-term treatment solutions. In the second half of 2019, REGENXBIO plans to file the first such IND for an additional Phase II clinical trial designed to further evaluate the potential benefit of RGX-314 as a one-time anti-VEGF treatment in such conditions. REGENXBIO expects to provide additional updates on development plans in mid-2019.
- REGENXBIO today announced it will host an analyst and investor event with leading retina specialists and key opinion leaders on Thursday, February 21 at 9:00 a.m. ET in New York.
- Featured speakers will include:
- John Pollack, M.D., Partner at Illinois Retina Associates, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Rush University Medical Center and President of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS)
- Pravin U. Dugel, M.D., Subspecialty Day Board Chairman Emeritus for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Board of Directors and Executive Committee of ASRS and Board of Trustees of EuRetina, Clinical Professor at Roski Eye Institute and University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Senior and Managing Partner at Retinal Consultants of Arizona, Phoenix
- Jeffrey Heier, M.D., Co-President, Medical Director and Retina Service Director of Retina Research Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, Principal Investigator of the RGX-314 Phase I/IIa clinical trial
- Allen C. Ho, M.D., Executive Committee of the Retina Society, Professor of Ophthalmology at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Director of Retina Research at Wills Eye Hospital, Investigator in the RGX-314 Phase I/IIa clinical trial
- As of December 31, 2018, one subject has been dosed in the first of two expected dose cohorts of the Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating RGX-121 for the treatment of MPS II. The subject recently completed an initial eight-week safety assessment, and RGX-121 has been well-tolerated with no SAEs reported as of December 4, 2018. Additional recruitment and site activation continues. The next program updates are expected in the second half of 2019.
- Patient recruitment continues in the Phase I clinical trial evaluating RGX-111 for the treatment of MPS I. Under the current FDA protocol, recruitment is focused on an initial patient over 18 years of age. REGENXBIO is working with the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) to enable initiation of a Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating RGX-111 for the treatment of MPS I in subjects under the age of three. Dosing of the first subject in a clinical trial evaluating RGX-111 is anticipated in mid-2019.
- As of December 31, 2018, a total of six subjects have been enrolled in two dose cohorts of the Phase I/II trial for RGX-501 for the treatment of HoFH. As was previously reported, all three subjects enrolled at the dose of 7.5 x 10^12 GC/kg body weight (Cohort 2) experienced elevation in transaminases four to six weeks post-dosing, were asymptomatic and responded rapidly to the initiation of corticosteroids followed by a slow taper, with normalization of the transaminases. No new drug-related SAEs have been reported as of December 31, 2018.
- In November 2018, REGENXBIO entered into a new clinical trial agreement with the University of Pennsylvania(Penn), the original RGX-501 trial sponsor, which allowed REGENXBIO to become the trial sponsor following the required activities with regulatory authorities to effectuate the transfer of sponsorship. REGENXBIO believes this will allow for enhanced visibility and control over the RGX-501 trial. In the U.S., the RGX-501 IND application was transferred in November 2018. Transfer of the Clinical Trial Applications for all other participating countries is ongoing.
- In parallel, an amendment to the Phase I/IIa clinical trial protocol has been submitted to health authorities to allow for the enrollment of additional subjects at the Cohort 2 dose using corticosteroid prophylaxis. Trial recruitment has resumed. While REGENXBIO has assumed sponsor responsibilities, Penn will continue to support this study both as a scientific collaborator and as the principal dosing site. Dan Rader, M.D., Seymour Gray Professor of Molecular Medicine, and Marina Cuchel, M.D., Ph.D., Research Associate Professor of Medicine from Penn, will serve as co-global principal investigators for the trial.
- REGENXBIO has initiated IND-enabling studies for RGX-181. REGENXBIO plans to submit an IND application for RGX-181 in the second half of 2019.
Anticipated 2019 Milestones
REGENXBIO expects to meet the following anticipated milestones related to the clinical development of internal lead product candidates in 2019:
- RGX-314 for the Treatment of Wet AMD
- Complete enrollment of the Phase IIa arm of the clinical trial in the first half of 2019.
- Present top-line data from the Phase I/IIa clinical trial by the end of 2019.
- Initiate the Phase IIb clinical trial in late 2019.
- RGX-314 for Additional Ophthalmic Indications
- File an IND for a Phase II clinical trial of an additional proposed ophthalmic indication in the second half of 2019.
- RGX-121 for the Treatment of MPS II
- Complete enrollment of Cohort 1 and commence enrollment of Cohort 2 in the Phase I/II clinical trial.
- Present an interim data update from the Phase I/II clinical trial in the second half of 2019.
- RGX-111 for the Treatment of MPS I
- Begin enrollment in the Phase I clinical trial in mid-2019.
- Present an interim update from the Phase I clinical trial in the second half of 2019.
- RGX-501 for the Treatment of HoFH
- Resume enrollment in the Phase I/II clinical trial in the first half of 2019.
- Present interim data from Cohort 2 with steroid prophylaxis from the Phase I/II clinical trial in the second half of 2019.
- RGX-181 for the Treatment of CLN2 Disease
- File an IND for the first-in-human clinical trial in the second half of 2019.
NAV Technology Licensee Program Highlights
As of December 31, 2018, REGENXBIO's NAV Technology Platform was being applied in more than 20 partnered product candidates in development by NAV Technology Licensees. Thirteen of these partnered product candidates are in active clinical development, and one partnered product candidate has been submitted for Biologics License Application (BLA) approval with the FDA. Many NAV Technology Licensee advancements and achievements were announced in 2018, including:
Acquisition of AveXis by Novartis
- In May 2018, AveXis, Inc. was acquired by Novartis AG for approximately $8.7 billion in cash. In 2018, REGENXBIO received $180 million under a license agreement with AveXis and is eligible to receive an additional $80 million in potential future commercial milestone payments, in addition to regulatory milestones and royalties on net sales.
Advancement and Commercialization of NAV Technology Licensee Clinical Programs
- In December 2018, Novartis announced that the FDA has accepted the BLA for ZOLGENSMA for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Type I, with regulatory action anticipated in May 2019. ZOLGENSMA uses the NAV AAV9 vector.
- In October 2018, Audentes Therapeutics, Inc. announced updated positive interim data from its Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating AT132 for the treatment of X-linked myotubular myopathy, including meaningful improvements in neuromuscular and respiratory function in all treated subjects, with no new treatment-related SAEs reported since the last scientific update in May 2018. AT132 uses the NAV AAV8 vector.
- In August 2018, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. announced that the IND for DTX201 for the treatment of hemophilia A, developed in partnership with Bayer AG, is active. DTX201 uses the NAV AAVhu37 vector.
- In July 2018, Ultragenyx announced that the first subject was dosed in the Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating DTX401 for the treatment of glycogen storage disease type 1a. DTX401 uses the NAV AAV8 vector.
- In February 2018, Audentes announced dosing of the first patient in the Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating AT342 for the treatment of Crigler-Najjar Syndrome. AT342 uses the NAV AAV8 vector.
Expansion of NAV Technology Licensees
- In November 2018, REGENXBIO and Abeona Therapeutics Inc. announced a license agreement for the development and commercialization of treatments for mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA, mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 1, also known as infantile Batten disease, and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 3, also known as juvenile Batten disease, using the NAV AAV9 vector.
- In November 2018, REGENXBIO and Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced a license agreement for the development and commercialization of treatments for Danon Disease using the NAV AAV9 vector as well as exclusive options to two additional undisclosed NAV AAV vectors.
- In October 2018, Ultragenyx announced that it had exercised its option with REGENXBIO for the development of treatments for CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder using the NAV Technology Platform, using the NAV AAV9 vector.
Financial Guidance
As of December 31, 2018, REGENXBIO had more than $470 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Based on its current operating plan, and excluding any commercial revenue from ZOLGENSMA, REGENXBIO expects that its balance in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will be between $330 million and $350 million at the end of 2019, which will be used to support the continued development of its lead product candidate programs. Importantly, REGENXBIO anticipates adding commercial revenue from ZOLGENSMA to its existing base of partner revenue this year, pending FDA approval.
REGENXBIO management will present a company overview detailing these goals and guidance at the 37th Annual J.P Morgan Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. PT. A live webcast of the presentation can be accessed in the Investors section of the REGENXBIO website at www.regenxbio.com. An archived replay of the webcast will be available on the same website for approximately 30 days following the presentation.
About REGENXBIO Inc.
REGENXBIO is a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company seeking to improve lives through the curative potential of gene therapy. REGENXBIO's NAV Technology Platform, a proprietary adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene delivery platform, consists of exclusive rights to more than 100 novel AAV vectors, including AAV7, AAV8, AAV9 and AAVrh10. REGENXBIO and its third-party NAV Technology Platform Licensees are applying the NAV Technology Platform in the development of a broad pipeline of candidates in multiple therapeutic areas.























