HYOGO, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 30, 2021 -- JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (TSE 4552; Chairman and President: Shin Ashida; “JCR”) announced today that European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted orphan drug designation to JR-171, an investigational drug for the treatment of mucoplysaccharidosis type I (MPS I, or Hurler, Hurler-Scheie and Scheie syndrome). JR-171 is a blood-brain-barrier (BBB)-penetrating form recombinant α-L-iduronidase that was developed using JCR’s proprietary J-Brain Cargo® BBB technology.
JR-171 received the orphan drug designation from the US Food Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2021. Currently JR-171 is undergoing a global Phase 1/2 clinical trial and the first patient in Japan was dosed in October, 2020 and in Brazil in March, 2021. The trial is also scheduled for enrolling patients in the US. The summary of this study is registered on clinicaltrials.gov.
JCR, as a specialty pharma in the rare disease arena, will continue to proactively engage in research and development of transformative treatment options for patients with rare diseases. Therefore, following JR-171, JCR plans to harness its J-Brain Cargo® technology platform and progress its robust pipeline of innovative enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) products for additional lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs).
This designation is expected to have a minor impact on JCR's consolidated financial results for the year ending on March 31, 2021.
Orphan designation (EMA)
The EMA implements orphan designation for promoting new drug development for rare diseases in which the prevalence of the condition in the EU must not be more than 5 in 10,000. Designated drugs are granted market exclusivity for ten years in the EU, as well as scientific guidance.
About MPS I (Hurler, Hurler-Scheie, Scheie syndrome)
MPS I is an autosomal recessive LSD caused by a deficiency of α-L-iduronidase, an enzyme that breaks down glycosaminoglycans (mucopolysaccharides) in the body. The number of patients with MPS I worldwide is estimated to be approximately 3,600 (according to JCR research). MPS I gives rise to a wide range of somatic and neurological symptoms. A major limitation to current ERT is that it does not address central nervous system (CNS) symptoms because of the enzyme’s inability cross the BBB.
About J-Brain Cargo® Technology
JCR’s first-in-class proprietary technology, J-Brain Cargo®, enables the development of therapies that cross the BBB and penetrate the CNS. The CNS complications of LSDs are often severe, resulting in developmental delays, an impact on cognition and, above all, poor prognosis, which affect patients’ independence as well as the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. With J-Brain Cargo®, JCR seeks to address the unresolved clinical challenges of LSDs by delivering the enzyme to both the body and the brain.
About JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (TSE 4552) is a global specialty pharmaceuticals company that is redefining expectations and expanding possibilities for people with rare and genetic diseases worldwide. We continue to build upon our 45-year legacy in Japan while expanding our global footprint into the US, Europe, and Latin America. We improve patients’ lives by applying our scientific expertise and unique technologies to research, develop, and deliver next-generation therapies. Our approved products in Japan include therapies for the treatment of growth disorder, Fabry disease, acute graft-versus host disease, and renal anemia. Our investigational products in development worldwide are aimed at treating rare diseases including MPS I (Hurler, Hurler-Scheie and Scheie syndrome), MPS II (Hunter syndrome), Pompe disease, and more. JCR strives to expand the possibilities for patients while accelerating medical advancement at a global level. Our core values – reliability, confidence, and persistence – benefit all our stakeholders, including employees, partners, and patients. Together we soar. For more information, please visit https://www.jcrpharm.co.jp/en/site/en/.
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