Viridian Therapeutics Announces First Subject Dosed in Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of VRDN-001 for Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)


Viridian Therapeutics, Inc. recently announced the first subject was dosed in a Phase 1/2 proof-of-concept clinical trial for VRDN-001, a monoclonal antibody that blocks the IGF-1 receptor with sub-nanomolar potency. IGF-1R blockade is a clinically validated mechanism of action for the treatment of TED.

The Phase 1/2 trial is designed to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and potential efficacy of VRDN-001. The trial includes both healthy volunteers and randomized, placebo-controlled cohorts of TED patients and will assess multiple measures of the signs and symptoms of TED, including proptosis – the bulging of eyes characteristic of TED. The Company expects to announce top line data from the proof-of-concept portion of the trial in the second quarter of 2022. The trial protocol allows for additional TED patient cohorts to assess differing treatment paradigms that may offer advantages over currently available therapies and may reduce the burden of patient treatment.

“We are excited to initiate our first clinical trial of VRDN-001. This trial is designed to quickly assess the potential of VRDN-001 to offer a new option for patients suffering from TED, and to inform how we can optimize VRDN-001 development to best meet patients’ needs,” stated Jonathan Violin, PhD, Viridian Therapeutics’ President and CEO. “VRDN-001 exemplifies Viridian’s patient-centric model of innovation that leverages proven biology and technology to efficiently craft medicines to meet the needs of patients and healthcare providers.”

The clinical development plan for VRDN-001 was informed by safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic data from more than 100 oncology patients who were previously administered this antibody under the name AVE1642.

Viridian Therapeutics is a biotechnology company advancing new treatments for patients suffering from serious diseases but underserved by today’s therapies. Viridian’s most advanced program, VRDN-001, is a differentiated monoclonal antibody targeting insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), a clinically and commercially validated target for the treatment of thyroid eye disease (TED). Viridian’s second product candidate, VRDN-002, is a distinct anti-IGF-1R antibody that incorporates half-life extension technology and is designed to support administration as a convenient, low-volume, subcutaneous injection. TED is a debilitating autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and fibrosis within the orbit of the eye which can cause double vision, pain, and potential blindness. Patients with severe disease often require multiple remedial surgeries to the orbit, eye muscles and eyelids. Viridian is based in Waltham, MA.