Caladrius Biosciences Receives Orphan Drug Designation for CLBS03 to Treat Type 1 Diabetes
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., May 12, 2016 -- Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLBS) (“Caladrius” or the “Company”), a cell therapy company combining an industry-leading development and manufacturing services provider (“PCT”) with a select therapeutic development pipeline, announces today that its product candidate CLBS03 (autologous expanded polyclonal regulatory T cells, or Tregs) for the treatment of recent-onset type 1 diabetes (“T1D”) was granted orphan-drug designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus with residual beta cell function.
Orphan drug designation provides certain exclusivity benefits, tax credits for certain research, longer exclusivity and a waiver of the New Drug Application user fee. The designation is made to promote safe and efficacious products for the treatment of rare diseases. T1D with residual beta cell function is recognized by the FDA as an orphan disease, usually defined as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people (prevalence) nationwide.
The scientific basis for this therapeutic stems from the use of Tregs to treat autoimmune diseases caused by T cell imbalances in an individual's immune system. This novel approach seeks to restore immune balance by enhancing Treg cell number and function. Tregs are a natural part of the human immune system and regulate the activity of T effector cells, which are responsible for protecting the body from viruses and other foreign antigens. When Tregs function properly, only harmful foreign materials are attacked by T effector cells. In autoimmune diseases, it is thought that deficient Treg activity permits the T effector cells to attack the body's own beneficial cells, and in the case of T1D, insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells.
“Obtaining orphan drug designation is a key step in our regulatory and development strategy for CLBS03,” said David J. Mazzo, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Caladrius. “Coupled with the progress we are making in advancing the product through to clinical milestones, we believe that this will make CLBS03 an even more attractive opportunity for a potential partner.”
About The Sanford Project: T-Rex Study
The study is a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CLBS03 as a treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus with residual beta cell function in approximately 111 subjects age 12 to 17 in two cohorts (18 subjects followed by 93 subjects). The study is being conducted in collaboration with Sanford Research, a subsidiary of Sanford Health. Subjects will be randomized into one of three groups and will receive either a high dose of CLBS03, a low dose of CLBS03 or placebo. The key endpoints for the trial are the standard medical and regulatory endpoints for a type 1 diabetes trial and include preservation of C-peptide, an accepted measure for pancreatic beta cell function; insulin use; severe hypoglycemic episodes; and glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels.
About Caladrius Biosciences
Caladrius Biosciences, Inc., through its subsidiary, PCT, is a leading development and manufacturing partner to the cell therapy industry. PCT works with its clients to overcome the fundamental challenges of cell therapy manufacturing by providing a wide range of innovative services including product and process development, GMP manufacturing, engineering and automation, cell and tissue processing, logistics, storage and distribution, as well as expert consulting and regulatory support. PCT and Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. have entered into a strategic global collaboration to accelerate the creation of a global commercial cell therapy development and manufacturing enterprise with deep engineering expertise. Around the core expertise of PCT, Caladrius strategically develops select product candidates, which currently includes an innovative therapy for type 1 diabetes based on a proprietary platform technology for immunomodulation. For more information, visit www.caladrius.com.
