Zolgensma is the first gene therapy product approved for the treatment of children less than two years of age with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Norvastis obtained the approval of the drug May 2019 & has been a blockbuster with a price tag of 2 million dollars. In the recent FDA inspections, FDA observed that the standards were not meet in accordance to GMP guidance. Those include
- Failure to follow the standard procedures
- Failure to report complete data sets for the potency testing of the gene therapy product
- Failure to thoroughly review any unexplained discrepancy whether or not the batch has been already distributed.
- Laboratory records do not include completed records of any testing and standardization of laboratory standards.
What action FDA is taking?
FDA are carefully assessing the issue of the manipulation of the product testing data used in the production process and are conducting a thorough assessment of the information from a recently completed inspection.
The agency will use its full authorities to take action, if appropriate, which may include civil or criminal penalties.
What is Zolgensma?
Zolgensma is the first gene therapy product approved for the treatment of children less than two years of age with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The product is an adeno-associated virus vector-based gene therapy that targets the cause of SMA. The vector delivers a fully functional copy of human SMN gene into the target motor neuron cells. A one-time intravenous administration of Zolgensma results in expression of the SMN protein in a child’s motor neurons, which improves muscle movement and function, and survival of a child with SMA.
What were the clinical evidences from clinical trial?
The drug was approved on May 24 after careful review of the BLA packets including manufacturing, nonclinical safety data, clinical safety and efficacy data. According to FDA "The safety and effectiveness of Zolgensma is based on an ongoing clinical trial and a completed clinical trial involving a total of 36 pediatric patients with infantile-onset SMA between the ages of approximately 2 weeks and 8 months at study entry. The primary evidence of effectiveness is based on results from the 21 patients treated with Zolgensma in the ongoing clinical trial. In this trial, there are 19 remaining patients, who range in age from 9.4 to 18.5 months; 13 of these 19 patients are at least 14 months of age. Compared to the natural history of patients with infantile-onset SMA, patients treated with Zolgensma also demonstrated significant improvement in their ability to reach developmental motor milestones (e.g., head control and the ability to sit without support)."
How did agency find out about the discrepancy?
Subsequently, on June 28, following the FDA’s approval of the product, the agency was informed by AveXis Inc., the product’s manufacturer, about a data manipulation issue that impacts the accuracy of certain data from product testing performed in animals submitted in the biologics license application (BLA) and reviewed by the FDA.