Scienza e Tecnologia
Pharming Group, in collaboration with Invitae Corporation, launches genetic testing program 'navigateAPDS' in US and Canada
LEIDEN, The Netherlands , March 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharming Group N.V. ("Pharming" or "the Company") (Euronext Amsterdam: PHARM/Nasdaq: PHAR), a global, commercial stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative protein replacement therapies and precision medicines for the treatment of rare diseases and unmet medical needs, in collaboration with Invitae Corporation (NYSE: NVTA, "Invitae"), a leading medical genetics company, announces the launch of a sponsored genetic testing program, navigateAPDS, designed to assist clinicians in identifying patients and their family members with activated PI3K delta syndrome (APDS), which may lead to earlier diagnosis.
APDS is an ultra-rare primary immunodeficiency disease caused by a genetic mutation affects approximately 1-2 people per million. Patients are often misdiagnosed with other immunodeficiencies or autoimmune disorders and often have a protracted course to obtain a correct diagnosis. A definitive diagnosis can be made only by a genetic test. Current treatment is generally limited to supportive therapies such as antibiotics and the use of immunoglobulin replacement therapy. There is no approved therapy for the treatment of APDS, however, clinical trials are currently ongoing, including Pharming's pivotal-stage development program for leniolisib, a small molecule phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3Kẟ) inhibitor, under development by Novartis and Pharming to treat patients with APDS.
Pharming's support of the program will facilitate genetic testing and counselling for eligible individuals in the United States and Canada at no charge. NavigateAPDS will use the Invitae Primary Immunodeficiency Panel (PI), which analyzes up to 407 genes that are associated with inherited disorders of the immune system. In addition to providing genetic testing to individuals who may present with a clinical picture known to be associated with APDS, navigateAPDS will offer pre-test and post-test genetic counseling through a third party, and all blood relatives of patients found to have a P/LP variant for APDS are qualified to be tested through the program. By offering access to the full PI panel, physicians and patients are more likely to identify the underlying cause and potential diagnosis without the need for additional expanded patient testing.
To learn more about the navigateAPDS program, visit www.invitae.com/navigateapds.
APDS is an ultra-rare primary immunodeficiency first fully described in 2013 that affects approximately 1-2 people per million. APDS occurs when there is an abnormal change in either one of two specific genes, the PIK3CD gene or the PIK3R1 gene. The genes follow an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance which means one copy of the altered gene from either biological parent is sufficient to cause the disorder. The genes are involved in making parts of a protein that helps in the growth and division of white blood cells, particularly the B-cell and T-cell lymphocytes. APDS is present at birth and signs and symptoms start early in childhood with affected individuals having increased susceptibility to a myriad of inflammatory conditions including recurrent severe respiratory tract infections, chronic benign lymphoproliferation, hematopoietic malignancies, and/or autoimmune diseases. Patients are often misdiagnosed with other immunodeficiencies or autoimmune disorders and often have a protracted course to obtain a correct diagnosis. A definitive diagnosis can only be made by a genetic test and, once appropriately identified, regular specialized health check-ups and customized treatment plans are required. Current treatment is generally limited to supportive therapies such as antibiotics and the use of immunoglobulin replacement therapy. There is no approved therapy for the treatment of APDS, however, clinical trials are currently ongoing.
To learn more, visit www.allaboutapds.com.
Pharming Group N.V. is a global, commercial stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative protein replacement therapies and precision medicines for the treatment of rare diseases and unmet medical needs.
The flagship of our portfolio is our recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor, or rhC1INH, franchise. C1INH is a naturally occurring protein that downregulates the complement cascade in order to control swelling in affected tissues.
Our lead product, RUCONEST® is the first and only plasma-free rhC1INH protein replacement therapy. It is approved for the treatment of acute hereditary angioedema, or HAE, attacks. We are commercializing RUCONEST® in the United States , the European Union and the United Kingdom through our own sales and marketing organization, and the rest of the world through our distribution network.
We are also developing rhC1INH for subsequent indications, including pre-eclampsia, acute kidney injury and we also investigating the clinical efficacy of rhC1INH in COVID-19.
In addition, we are studying our oral precision medicine, leniolisib (a phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta, or PI3K delta, inhibitor), for the treatment of activated PI3K delta syndrome, or APDS, in a registration enabling Phase 2/3 study in the United States and Europe .
Furthermore, we are also leveraging our transgenic manufacturing technology to develop next-generation protein replacement therapies most notably for Pompe disease, which program is currently in the preclinical stage.
For more information please visit the company's website: www.pharming.com.
Invitae Corporation (NYSE: NVTA) is a leading medical genetics company, whose mission is to bring comprehensive genetic information into mainstream medicine to improve healthcare for billions of people. Invitae's goal is to aggregate the world's genetic tests into a single service with higher quality, faster turnaround time, and lower prices. For more information, visit the company's website at www.invitae.com.
Sijmen de Vries, CEO: T: +31 71 524 7400
Susanne Embleton , Investor Relations Manager: +31 71 524 7400/investor@pharming.com
Laura D'Angelo
E: pr@invitae.com
Victoria Foster Mitchell / Mary Whittow / Alex Shaw ,
T: +44 203 727 1000
Leon Melens
T: +31 6 53 81 64 27
E: pharming@lifespring.nl