TMAs are a group of diseases in which thrombosis occurs in small blood vessels as a result of damage to the endothelium (lining) of the vessels. This leads to hemolytic anemia, low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), end organ damage which may result in complications including renal failure, stroke and pulmonary hypertension. The major varieties of TMA are hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), malignant hypertension, scleroderma renal failure and TMA associated with hemopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The latter is often linked to toxicity of calcineurin inhibitors which are used to protect against graft versus host disease (GvHD).
There are no currently approved drugs for the treatment of HSCT-TMA and, untreated, the condition in its more severe forms has a high risk of death. TMA-HSCT is an orphan condition with an estimated fatality rate of more than 80% in pediatric patients with the disease.
A framework for a pivotal trial design for pediatric TMA-HSCT patients was agreed with the FDA in which the response to nomacopan of selected, clinically meaningful treatment variables would be the primary endpoint. In September 2018, Akari announced that in the first two patients treated with nomacopan as part of a UK named patient program it had observed a rapid reduction of the markers of complement activation as well as normalization of markers that are elevated in TMA (platelet count, red blood cell fragments, thrombocytopenia, elevated LDH and hypertension).
In December 2019, we opened a multi-center Phase III study for the treatment of pediatric HSCT-TMA with nomacopan. The primary endpoints are focused on disease response defined primarily by renal improvement and reduced transfusion dependence.
This two-part pivotal Phase III study of nomacopan in pediatric patients with HSCT-TMA is based on guidance from our end-of-Phase II meeting with the FDA.
- Part A of the trial is a dose confirmation study.
- Part B of the trial is a single arm responder-based efficacy study that will follow an interim analysis of Part A and a meeting with the FDA.
As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, although we are looking to continue the process of site openings, we anticipate delays in openings and study enrollment with the first site expected to open by the end of 2020.
