National Institutes of Health Seek Individuals to Participate in a Research Study

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in Bethesda, Maryland, seek individuals with CLN3 (Juvenile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, Batten disease) and their family members to participate in a research study. CLN3 is a neurodegenerative disease, with typical onset seen in children. Individuals with CLN3 may have symptoms such as visual impairment/blindness, seizures, personality and behavioral changes, dementia and loss of motor skills. The main purpose of this research study is to identify markers of disease to better detect, monitor, and understand CLN3.

As part of the ongoing CLN3 natural history study, participants will be recruited to the DBS study with the aim of identifying biomarkers that can aid in CLN3 screening and diagnosis at birth. The researchers believe that an early diagnosis of CLN3, prior to the onset of symptoms, will facilitate early intervention and treatment when available.

The study is noninvasive and is considered minimal risk, eliminating the need for an in-person visit to the NIH. Participants will be consented online or in person to obtain permission to request the newborn spot card collected at birth from the state. Recruitment is set to begin in the highlighted states of California, Maryland, and New York.

Efforts are underway to secure approvals from other states, allowing for the expansion of recruitment to additional regions. The researchers welcome assistance in sharing information about this new study with families and other CLN3 community organizations and contacts.

Please refer to this flyer for more details and contact information

Highly Promising 12-month results in the Phase I/II trial of Batten-1

Lyon, France – Austin, Texas, United States – 29 September 2023 – 7.30am – CET – Theranexus, a biopharmaceutical company innovating in the treatment of rare neurological diseases, and the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation (BBDF), present very encouraging interim results for efficacy and safety after 12 months of treatment in their Phase I/II trial for Batten disease (CLN3) at NCL2023, the International Congress on Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses held in Hamburg (Germany) from 26 to 30 September 2023.

For Professor Gary Clark, the trial’s principal investigator and Chief of Child Neurology at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, “The Phase I/II results for Batten-1 are highly promising, as we have observed a reduction in neurofilaments and glycosphingolipids and no notable progression of motor symptoms after 12 months of treatment in our 6 patients aged 17 years and over. This is unprecedented in the indication, and Batten-1 is thus a source of great hope for children affected by the disease and for their families”. Professor Clark will be presenting the 12-month interim efficacy and safety results at the “Translational Research Clinical” session on Friday 29 September at 12.25pm (CEST).

The 12-month treatment results further support the 6-month results announced in mid-June 2023. The new results, achieved after 12 months of treatment, show an average 32% decline in neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in patient serum (as a reminder, 17% after 6 months’ treatment). Neurofilaments are a recognized biomarker of neurodegeneration. A 64% reduction in this biomarker is also observed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). After twelve months of treatment, in line with preclinical data the results also confirmed a reduction in the glycosphingolipids involved in the disease (Gb3 reduction of 45%) which, when they accumulate, are toxic to neurons. Clinically, there was notably less worsening of motor symptoms evaluated by the modified UBDRS physical assessment subscale after 12 months than what is expected in this naturally progressive disease.

For Theranexus’ CEO, Mathieu Charvériat: “We are delighted with these 12-month results which confirm and complement our initial 6-month results. The decrease of biomarker levels confirms the effect of Batten-1 on neuronal death, and the clinical course did not worsen. These consistent results represent a significant endorsement of the mechanism of action and demonstrate the strong therapeutic potential of Batten-1 in Batten disease (CLN3)”.

As a reminder, the Phase I/II trial conducted by Theranexus and BBDF to evaluate their drug candidate, Batten-1, includes six patients with Batten disease (CLN3) aged 17 years and over. The patients are being treated over a 24-month period.

The presentation of the 12-month efficacy and safety results will be available online on 29 September after market closing.

For further information about NCL2023: https://ncl2023.de/

Read the full press release here.

BBDF Grants $60,000 Over 3-Years to Support Ineka Whiteman, Ph.D., Head of Research and Medical Affairs

BBDF grants $60,000 over 3-years to the BDSRA Foundation to support Ineka Whiteman, Ph.D. to serve as the Head of Research and Medical Affairs. With this support, Dr. Whiteman is able to focus on Batten research full-time. In addition, Ineka serves as a scientific consultant to BBDF and the Head of Research and Medical Affairs for BDSRA Australia. Her leadership brings a more cohesive approach and fosters greater partnership and collaboration across all CLN3 initiatives. Click here to read her bio.

Encouraging preliminary 6-month results in the Phase I/II trial of Batten-1 in Batten disease (CLN3)

Lyon, France – Austin, Texas, United States – 14 June 2023 – 7.30am CEST – Theranexus, a biopharmaceutical company innovating in the treatment of rare neurological diseases, and the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation (BBDF), have today announced encouraging preliminary results achieved with their drug candidate, Batten-1, in juvenile Batten disease as part of the Phase I/II ongoing trial after 6 months of treatment. These preliminary results suggest an effect of Batten-1 on neuronal death and initial signs of clinical efficacy.

Theranexus and BBDF are conducting a Phase I/II trial of their drug candidate in six patients with Batten disease (CLN3) aged 17 years and over who are due to receive treatment over a 24-month period. The first results of this Phase I/II trial after 9 weeks of treatment showed a good tolerability and pharmacokinetic profile for Batten-1. The new preliminary results, achieved after 6 months of treatment, show an average 17% decline in neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in the blood of dosed patients. Neurofilaments are a recognized biomarker of neurodegeneration. Moreover, motor symptoms assessed by the modified physical subscale of the disease- specific UBDRS did not progress over the same period (mean score of 31.8 after 6 months of treatment as against 32.4 at baseline), whereas according to data available describing the natural course of the disease, this clinical score should have progressedby around one point in these patients. Lastly, the drug candidate continues to show a good tolerability profile after six months of treatment.

Read the full press release here.

Expert Insights on Gene Therapy for International Batten Awareness Day

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a group of 13 rare inherited lysosomal disorders affecting the nervous system which are collectively referred to as Batten disease.1 According to the Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA), Batten disease is estimated to occur in approximately 2 to 4 in 100,000 births in the United States; however, the BDSRA indicates that the actual occurrence may be even higher.

Several companies are currently developing gene therapies intended to treat specific forms of Batten disease. Among these are REGENXBIO, which is developing RGX-181 and RGX-381 for the CLN2 subtype; Lexeo Therapeutics, which is developing LX1004 for the CLN2 subtype; and Taysha Gene Therapies, which is developing TSHA-118 for the CLN1 subtype.2-4 RGX-381 is specifically intended to address the ocular manifestations of CLN2; as of March 30, 2023, a phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT05791864) for the therapy is active, but not yet recruiting. RGX-181 remains in preclinical development. According to Lexeo and Taysha’s respective pipeline overviews, LX1004 and TSHA-118 have entered clinical development.

Read the full article here.

Theranexus and BBDF granted positive opinion by EMA for the design of Phase III trial to evaluate Batten-1 in CLN3 Batten disease

Lyon, France – Austin, Texas, United States – 7 June 2023 – 7.30 am CEST – Theranexus, a biopharmaceutical company innovating in the treatment of rare neurological diseases, and the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation (BBDF), have today announced receipt of a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the design of the pivotal Phase III trial to evaluate their Batten-1 drug candidate for Batten disease.

Read the full press release here.

Theranexus and BBDF win FDA approval on efficacy endpoints for the Phase III trial to evaluate Batten-1 in CLN3 Batten disease

Theranexus and BBDF win FDA approval on efficacy endpoints for the Phase III trial to evaluate Batten-1 in CLN3 Batten disease

  • Phase III’s primary endpoint will be visual acuity, with secondary endpoints including assessment of cognitive and motor functions,
  • The FDA confirmed that this sole Phase III trial would secure Batten-1 approval for Batten CLN3 disease.

Lyon, France Austin, Texas, United States 9 May 2023 7.30am CEST Theranexus, a biopharmaceutical company innovating in the treatment of neurological diseases, and the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation (BBDF), have today announced receipt of approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the design and primary and secondary endpoints of the pivotal Phase III trial for Batten disease CLN3, at a meeting with the Division of Rare Diseases and Medical Genetics (DRDMG) held in mid-April.

We are delighted with the constructive discussions we had with the FDA on defining the endpoints of Batten-1 and the design of our pivotal Phase III trial. Its valuable guidance allows us to get fully prepared for the trial launch,” explained Theranexus’ Chief Medical Officer Marie Sebille.

We would like to thank the FDA for its support, which is fundamental to the development of our Batten-1 drug candidate, the only asset in active clinical development for Batten disease (CLN3). Our pivotal Phase III trial will enable us to gain approval for Batten-1, and also deliver rich news flow throughout the duration of the Phase III trial thanks to the parallel open-label patient cohort. More generally, we have no doubt that we can deliver a therapeutic response for patients suffering from Batten disease,” added Theranexus’ CEO Mathieu Charvériat.

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BBDF Presents at World Symposia 19th Annual Scientify Meeting

BBDF was proud to partner with Theranexus and Engaged Health to present Understanding the Functional Burden of CLN3 Through the Eyes of Patients and Families at the World Symposia 19th Annual Scientify Meeting.

Contributors and attendees are contributing to the ongoing goal of providing the latest advances in lysosomal disease research and treatment to a global audience.

View the Presentation Slides

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