Novartis informed already too late

The new gene therapy Zolgensma not come out of the headlines. Because for the second Time Novartis have to admit that there have been studies to agents for the treatment of genetically determined muscular dystrophy (spinal muscular atrophy, a short-SMA) to a delayed message.

Zolgensma was developed by US Start-up Avexis, which Novartis had acquired last year for $ 8.7 billion. Gene therapy is approved in the United States, with a list price of $ 2.1 million Zolgensma is the most expensive drug in the world.

problems with animal

try Currently Zolgensma for the treatment of babies with the most severe Form of muscular disease, SMA type 1, is approved. Now, Avexis is working, the admission of the less serious forms of the disease to extend.

This Wednesday, the U.S. FDA has imposed a temporary stop for clinical studies with Zolgensma. In these studies children were treated up to the age of 5 years with the gene therapy, which are affected by the weaker variant of the disease, SMA type 2. The trigger for the study stop results from animal experiments in the preclinical Phase.

This monkey Zolgensma was injected via a Spinal injection. In Tests, the highest dose with the medium-heavy side effects, such as neuronal cellular inflammation, which can lead to cell loss.

problems since March known

The problems however were not new. Avexis knew of the side effects of the use of animal testing since March. A report to the industry portal "Fierce Pharma" confirmed Novartis.

Therefore, for the responsible Manager of Avexis learned in March of the problems. It was decided to report the results in the annual Update of the authorities, which was scheduled for September. "Unfortunately, an error was made, and the Update has not been implemented," said Novartis. The FDA was not informed until the end of last week.

The Occurrence of side effects in trials with monkeys he had noticed, as Novartis of the data manipulation was engaged, which had taken care of this summer, headlines around the world.

Tests had no relevance at all

researchers from Avexis had manipulated in the development of gene therapy results of Tests with mice. Thanks to an internal Tipster Novartis already knew since 14. March of the case. However, the group announced that the U.S. food and drug administration on may 28. June – good month, after the FDA had granted approval for Zolgensma for the treatment of SMA type 1. The U.S. food and drug administration was criticized by media release this late message is sharp, and the case made public.

Novartis had substantiated at the time the late Information that the group wanted to wait for the results of a two-piece internal investigation of the case. Among other things, the question of the mice tests were carried out again to examine whether any Changes to the application for authorisation were necessary. In fact, the Tests had no relevance to the efficacy, safety or tolerability of Zolgensma.

FDA responded within a matter of days

The processing of that data manipulation is supported now, so the delay in reporting the problems at the animal to light try. It is striking that the U.S. FDA has now responded within a few days. And the temporary test ban imposed.

A spokesman for Novartis, said that the group pursuing the question of why the message about the problems with animal late was made and what consequences to draw from it.

the group is a lot on the game. The current approval of Zolgensma is not in doubt. The funds will continue to be sold. However, the test ban could be delayed, that the FDA allows gene therapy for other fields of application. The analysts of Vontobel appreciate that the admission of Zolgensma for type 2 the muscle weakness in SMA could bring in an additional revenue of up to $ 800 million per year.

Created: 01.11.2019, 15:26 PM