Shire Provides Regulatory Progress Update for Key Pipeline Programs Targeting Rare Disease

Shire plc recently announced the US FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation to Shire’s investigational therapy, SHP647, for the treatment of pediatric patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease. Shire is preparing to conduct Phase 3 trials investigating SHP647 for the treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease in adults. Pediatric study plans with SHP647 are currently under discussion with health authorities.

Health Canada has accepted Shire’s request for priority review for the New Drug Submission (NDS) for lanadelumab (SHP643), an investigational therapy for prevention of angioedema attacks in patients 12 years and older with hereditary angioedema (HAE). Health Canada’s review of the NDS under Priority Review is expected to be completed in the second half of 2018.

Pediatric onset Crohn’s disease presents often with a more complicated disease course compared to adults and can have an impact on patients’ growth, pubertal and emotional development. In the US, the prevalence of Crohn’s disease in the pediatric population is approximately 58 in 100,000.

HAE is a rare, genetic disorder that results in recurring attacks of edema (swelling) in various parts of the body, including the abdomen, face, feet, genitals, hands and throat.

The swelling can be debilitating and painful, resulting in significant impact on quality of life for those individuals with HAE. The US FDA Orphan Drug status is intended to advance drug development for rare diseases. The FDA provides Orphan Drug Designation to drugs and biologics that demonstrate promise for the diagnosis and/or treatment of rare diseases or conditions that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the US.
Priority review status is granted by Health Canada to a NDS for serious, life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases or conditions for which there is substantial evidence of clinical effectiveness that the drug provides an effective treatment, prevention or diagnosis of a disease or condition for which no drug is currently marketed in Canada; or a significant increase in efficacy and/or significant decrease in risk such that the overall benefit/risk profile is improved over existing therapies, preventatives or diagnostic agents for a disease or condition that is not adequately managed by a drug marketed in Canada.

SHP647 is a fully human IgG2 monoclonal antibody targeting the mucosal vascular addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1). MAdCAM-1 plays a role in leukocyte trafficking in the GI tract and also appears to facilitate excessive lymphocyte infiltration under conditions of chronic GI inflammation. Shire is currently investigating SHP647 in Phase 3 studies for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease, in adults. Shire is also preparing to conduct Phase 3 trials investigating SHP647 for the treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease in adults. Pediatric study plans with SHP647 are currently under discussion with health authorities. In November 2017, SHP647 received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. FDA for the treatment of pediatric patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.

Lanadelumab is an investigational fully human monoclonal antibody that specifically binds and inhibits plasma kallikrein and is being studied as a treatment for the prevention of angioedema attacks in patients 12 years and older with HAE. Lanadelumab is formulated for subcutaneous administration, and has a half-life of approximately 14 days in patients with HAE.

Shire is the global leader in serving patients with rare diseases. We strive to develop best-in-class therapies across a core of rare disease areas including hematology, immunology, genetic diseases, neuroscience, and internal medicine with growing therapeutic areas in ophthalmics and oncology. Our diversified capabilities enable us to reach patients in more than 100 countries who are struggling to live their lives to the fullest.

We feel a strong sense of urgency to address unmet medical needs and work tirelessly to improve people’s lives with medicines that have a meaningful impact on patients and all who support them on their journey. For more information, visit www.shire.com.