REG - Syncona Limited - Freeline presents data in haemophilia B

SynconaAnnouncement

11/07/2022 07:00

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RNS Number : 9258R  Syncona Limited  11 July 2022

Syncona Limited

 

Freeline presents data in haemophilia B at the ISTH Congress and provides
programme update

 

11 July 2022

 

Syncona Ltd, a leading healthcare company focused on founding, building and
funding global leaders in life science, notes that its portfolio company,
Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc (Nasdaq: FRLN) ("Freeline"), has presented
safety and initial efficacy data from the first cohort of the Phase I/II
dose-confirmation B-LIEVE trial for FLT180a, the company's gene therapy
candidate for people with haemophilia B, at the International Society on
Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Congress being held in London, 9-13 July
2022.

 

A summary of the data presented is as follows:

 

·      As of the data cut-off of 23 May 2022, a one-time FLT180a dose of
7.7e11 vg/kg generated levels of factor IX (FIX) expression in the normal
range (93, 92 and 80 IU/dL) for the three patients in cohort one, through days
77, 56 and 36, respectively. 1 

·      Patients stopped FIX prophylactic replacement therapy and did not
require FIX replacement or experience bleeding following treatment with
FLT180a.

·    The treatment and prophylactic immune management regimen were well
tolerated. No serious adverse events or infusion reactions were observed. All
adverse events were mild, and most were transient.

·     Dosing of cohort two was completed in June 2022, with early
results showing a similar initial response to FLT180a.

 

Following the data cut-off, two patients in cohort one have experienced a
decrease in FIX expression together with a mild and transient increase in
liver enzymes. All patients continue to have expression levels above baseline,
with no patients experiencing a bleed or requiring FIX supplementation.

 

Freeline continues to focus its resources on executing on its strategic
priorities to ensure that the company is well positioned to deliver value. As
a result, the company is evaluating strategic options for FLT180a, which may
include seeking a partner for the programme to advance it through clinical
development.

 

Chris Hollowood, Chief Investment Officer of Syncona Investment Management
Limited and Chair of Freeline said: "Freeline is continuing to focus on
delivering best-in-class or first-in-class treatments to patients with
debilitating systemic disorders. Whilst we have continued to be encouraged by
the data presented in haemophilia B, Syncona is supportive of Freeline's
decision to review the appropriate path forward for the programme.
Prioritising the company's programmes in Gaucher and Fabry disease, which have
the potential to be first-in-class, positions the company to deliver the best
value for Freeline's shareholders, and impact for patients with these
devastating diseases. We continue to work closely with the company as it
executes on its strategic priorities and advances these two lead programmes
through the clinic."

 

The poster #PB0213 entitled: "Results from B-LIEVE, a Phase 1/2
Dose-Confirmation Study of FLT180a AAV Gene Therapy in Patients with
Hemophilia B" by Guy Young et al. will be made available on the Investors
(https://www.freeline.life/investors/newsroom/?type=presentations) section of
Freeline's website. The full text of the announcement from Freeline is
contained below.

 

 ENDS 

 

Copies of this press release and other corporate information can be found on
the company website at: www.synconaltd.com (http://www.synconaltd.com)

 

Forward-looking statements - this announcement contains certain
forward-looking statements with respect to the portfolio of investments of
Syncona Limited. These statements and forecasts involve risk and uncertainty
because they relate to events and depend upon circumstances that may or may
not occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual
results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied
by these forward-looking statements. In particular, many companies in the
Syncona Limited portfolio are conducting scientific research and clinical
trials where the outcome is inherently uncertain and there is significant risk
of negative results or adverse events arising. In addition, many companies in
the Syncona Limited portfolio have yet to commercialise a product and their
ability to do so may be affected by operational, commercial and other risks.

 

Enquiries

 

Syncona Ltd

 

Natalie Garland-Collins / Fergus Witt

Tel: +44 (0) 7714 916615

 

FTI Consulting

 

Ben Atwell / Julia Bradshaw / Tim Stamper

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3727 1000

 

 

About Syncona

 

Syncona's purpose is to invest to extend and enhance human life. We do this by
founding and building companies to deliver transformational treatments to
patients in areas of high unmet need.

 

Our strategy is to found, build and fund companies around exceptional science
to create a diversified portfolio of 15-20 globally leading healthcare
businesses for the benefit of all our stakeholders. We focus on developing
treatments for patients by working in close partnership with world-class
academic founders and management teams. Our balance sheet underpins our
strategy enabling us to take a long-term view as we look to improve the lives
of patients with no or poor treatment options, build sustainable life science
companies and deliver strong risk-adjusted returns to shareholders.

 

 

Positive Initial Clinical Data from the B-LIEVE Dose-Confirmation Trial for
FLT180a in Hemophilia B Presented at the International Society on Thrombosis
and Haemostasis Congress

 

FLT180a generated protective FIX levels with no bleeding or need for FIX
replacement

 

The treatment was well tolerated with a good safety profile

 

LONDON, July 10, 2022 - Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc (Nasdaq: FRLN)
today announced the presentation of safety and initial efficacy data from the
first cohort of the Phase 1/2 dose-confirmation B‑LIEVE trial for FLT180a,
the company's AAVS3-based gene therapy candidate for people with
hemophilia B, at the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
(ISTH) Congress being held in London, July 9-13, 2022.

 

As of the data cut-off of May 23, 2022, a one-time FLT180a dose of 7.7e11
vg/kg generated a rapid increase of coagulation factor IX (FIX), reaching
levels in the normal range (93, 92 and 80 IU/dL) for the three patients in
cohort 1 through days 77, 56 and 36, respectively. Patients stopped FIX
prophylaxis and did not require FIX replacement or experience bleeding
following treatment with FLT180a.

 

The treatment and the prophylactic immune management regimen were well
tolerated. No serious adverse events or infusion reactions were observed, and
there has been no evidence of FIX inhibitors. All adverse events (AEs) were
mild, and most were transient. AEs related to immune management were
consistent with the known profiles of corticosteroids and tacrolimus.

 

Dosing of cohort two was completed in June, with early results showing a
similar initial response to FLT180a. Based on the data from cohort one and
consistent with the advice of the independent Data Monitoring Committee of the
B-LIEVE trial, patients in cohort two received the same dose of FLT180a and
prophylactic immune management regimen that were used in the first cohort.

 

As the data continue to evolve since the data cut-off for cohort one, two
patients have experienced a decrease in FIX expression together with a mild
and transient increase in liver enzymes. All patients continue to have
expression levels above baseline, and no patient has experienced a bleed or
required FIX supplementation.

 

"The initial data show that FLT180a provides rapid and consistent elevations
in FIX to normal levels, which can prevent bleeding and the need for regular
FIX replacement in people with hemophilia B," said Pamela Foulds, MD, Chief
Medical Officer of Freeline. "Emerging data suggest that while FIX expression
was maintained at protective levels, a further refined immune management
regimen may be required to avoid mild and transient transaminitis and to
sustain FIX levels in the normal range. Potential adjustments in cohort two
and forthcoming results from that cohort will help us interpret this further."

 

"Our strategy is to advance gene therapy programs that have the potential to
deliver best-in-class or first-in-class treatments," said Michael Parini,
Chief Executive Officer of Freeline. "While we continue to believe FLT180a has
the potential to deliver a best-in-class gene therapy for people with
hemophilia B, the availability of other treatment options and the need to
prioritize our valuable resources dictate that we evaluate strategic options
for FLT180a. These include, but are not limited to, seeking a partner that
would enable the continuation of FLT180a through Phase 3 development."

 

"With two other promising programs in Fabry disease and Gaucher disease in the
clinic, each with the potential to be first-in-class gene therapy treatments
for these debilitating diseases, we will continue to focus our attention and
resources on those programs that offer the highest value for patients and
Freeline's shareholders," said Parini.

 

The poster #PB0213 entitled "Results from B-LIEVE, a Phase 1/2
Dose-Confirmation Study of FLT180a AAV Gene Therapy in Patients with
Hemophilia B" by Guy Young et al. will be presented from 6:30pm-7:30pm BST
today and will be made available on the Investors section
(https://www.freeline.life/investors/newsroom/?type=presentations) of
Freeline's website.

 

About the B-LIEVE Dose-Confirmation Trial

 

B-LIEVE is a Phase 1/2 dose confirmation trial of FLT180a using a short course
of prophylactic immune management with the goal of normalizing FIX levels in
patients with severe and moderately severe hemophilia B. The starting dose of
7.7e11 vg/kg was selected based on the results of the Phase 1/2 B-AMAZE
dose-finding trial and modeling. The goal of the B-LIEVE trial is to finalize
a dose for a pivotal Phase 3 trial that enables predictable and sustained
factor IX (FIX) expression at protective levels.

 

About FLT180a for People with Hemophilia B

 

Freeline's FLT180a candidate uses a potent AAVS3 capsid rationally designed
for effective targeting and transduction of liver cells and containing an
expression cassette encoding a gain of function Padua variant of human factor
IX (FIX). FLT180a has been studied in B-AMAZE, a Phase 1/2 dose-finding trial
with the goal of normalizing FIX activity in patients with moderately severe
and severe hemophilia B. Patients treated in B-AMAZE are being followed in a
long-term follow-up study. A Phase 1/2 dose-confirmation trial of FLT180a
called B-LIEVE to finalize a dose for a Phase 3 pivotal trial is in progress.

 

About Hemophilia B

 

Hemophilia B is a rare, debilitating, hereditary bleeding disorder caused by a
defect in the gene encoding coagulation factor IX (FIX). Hemophilia B is
linked to the X chromosome and mainly affects boys and men; however, women who
carry an affected copy of the coagulation factor gene may also experience
symptoms. Hemophilia B is classified as mild, moderate or severe, depending on
the level of FIX in the blood, and is diagnosed through blood tests. The 2020
Annual Global Survey by the World Federation of Hemophilia estimates that
there are approximately 15,000 patients with hemophilia B in the United
States, Europe and Japan. A meta-analysis using national registries in
Australia, Canada, France, Italy, New Zealand and the UK estimated a
prevalence in males of 3.8 in 100,000 or approximately 1 in 30,000.(( i ))

 

About Freeline Therapeutics

 

Freeline is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing transformative
adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated systemic gene therapies. The
company is dedicated to improving patient lives through innovative, one-time
treatments that may provide functional cures for inherited systemic
debilitating diseases. Freeline uses its proprietary, rationally designed AAV
vector, along with novel promoters and transgenes, to deliver a functional
copy of a therapeutic gene into human liver cells, thereby expressing a
persistent functional level of the missing or dysfunctional protein into the
patient's bloodstream. The company's integrated gene therapy platform includes
in-house capabilities in research, clinical development and commercialization.
The company has clinical programs in hemophilia B, Fabry disease, and Gaucher
disease Type 1. Freeline is headquartered in the UK and has operations in
Germany and the U.S.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward looking
statements" as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements that express the opinions,
expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections of
Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc (the "Company") regarding future events or
future results, in contrast with statements that reflect historical facts.
Examples include, among other topics, statements regarding the timing,
progress and results of the Company's Phase 1/2 B-LIEVE dose confirmation
clinical trial of FLT180a and data readouts from that trial, whether a further
refined immune management regimen may be required, the potential of FLT180a to
deliver a best-in-class gene therapy for people with hemophilia B, whether the
Company's evaluation of strategic options for FLT180a will result in any
particular course of action and the potential of the Company's programs in
Fabry disease and Gaucher disease to be first-in-class gene therapy treatments
for such diseases and offer the highest value for patients and the Company's
shareholders. In some cases, you can identify such forward-looking statements
by terminology such as "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "plan,"
"seek," "project" or "expect," "may," "will," "would," "could" or "should,"
the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements
are based on management's current beliefs and assumptions and on information
currently available to the Company, and you should not place undue reliance on
such statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to many risks and
uncertainties, including the Company's recurring losses from operations; the
uncertainties inherent in research and development of the Company's product
candidates, including statements regarding the timing of initiation,
completion and the outcome of clinical studies or trials and related
preparatory work and regulatory review, regulatory submission dates,
regulatory approval dates and/or launch dates, as well as risks associated
with preclinical and clinical data, including the possibility of unfavorable
new preclinical, clinical or safety data and further analyses of existing
preclinical, clinical or safety data; the Company's ability to design and
implement successful clinical trials for its product candidates; whether the
Company's cash resources will be sufficient to fund the Company's foreseeable
and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for
the Company's expected timeline; the potential for a pandemic, epidemic or
outbreak of infectious diseases in the United States, United Kingdom or
European Union, including the COVID-19 pandemic, to disrupt and delay the
Company's clinical trial pipeline; the Company's failure to demonstrate the
safety and efficacy of its product candidates; the fact that results obtained
in earlier stage clinical testing may not be indicative of results in future
clinical trials; the Company's ability to enroll patients in clinical trials
for its product candidates; the possibility that one or more of the Company's
product candidates may cause serious adverse, undesirable or unacceptable side
effects or have other properties that could delay or prevent their regulatory
approval or limit their commercial potential; the Company's ability to obtain
and maintain regulatory approval of its product candidates; the Company's
limited manufacturing experience, which could result in delays in the
development, regulatory approval or commercialization of its product
candidates; and the Company's ability to identify or discover additional
product candidates, or failure to capitalize on programs or product
candidates. Such risks and uncertainties may cause the statements to be
inaccurate and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such
statements. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be
realized. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize or should
underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially
from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected. Investors are
cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. A further
list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in
the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2021 and in subsequent reports on Form 6‑K, in each case including in
the sections thereof captioned "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements" and "Item 3.D. Risk factors." Many of these risks are outside of
the Company's control and could cause its actual results to differ materially
from those it thought would occur. The forward-looking statements included in
this press release are made only as of the date hereof. The Company does not
undertake, and specifically declines, any obligation to update any such
statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any such
statements to reflect future events or developments, except as required by
law. For further information, please reference the Company's reports and
documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
You may review these documents by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website
at www.sec.gov (http://www.sec.gov) .

 

Media Contact:

Arne Naeveke, PhD

Vice President, Head of Corporate Communications

arne.naeveke@freeline.life (mailto:arne.naeveke@freeline.life)

+1 617 312 2521

 

IR Contact:

investor@freeline.life (mailto:investor@freeline.life)

 

References

i Iorio A et al. Annals of Internal Medicine 2019;171(8):540-7

 

 

 1  FIX activity in the normal range is defined as between 50 to 150 IU/dL

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