Category Archives: Genetic Therapy

The goal was two-fold: to identify the genes that make human cells more resistant to SARS-CoV-2 virus; and test existing drugs on the market that may help stop the spread of the disease.

The breakthrough comes at a time whendrug makers such as Pfizer, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Moderna are fast-forwarding vaccine and therapeutics to treat Covid-19.

After intensive research, the scientists and doctors claim they have found 30 genes that block the virus from infecting human cells including RAB7A, a gene that seems to regulate theACE-2 receptorthat the virus binds to and uses to enter the cell. The spike proteins first contact with a human cell is through ACE-2 receptor.

Our findings confirmed what scientists believe to be true about ACE-2 receptors role in infection; it holds the key to unlocking the virus, said [virologist Dr. Benjamin] tenOever. It also revealed the virus needs a toolbox of components to infect human cells. Everything must be in alignment for the virus to enter human cells.

The research team also identified drugs that are currently on the market for different diseases that they claim block the entry ofCovid-19into human cells by increasing cellular cholesterol. In particular, they found three drugs currently on the market were more than 100-fold more effective in stopping viral entry in human lung cells.

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30+ genes identified that could protect us from COVID, opening door to gene therapy prevention solutions - Genetic Literacy Project

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCKT) (Rocket), a clinical-stage company advancing an integrated and sustainable pipeline of genetic therapies for rare childhood disorders, today presents updated interim data from its Fanconi Anemia (FA) and Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I (LAD-I) programs at the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting. The data are highlighted in two oral presentations.

We are highly pleased with the data presented at ASH demonstrating ongoing evidence of efficacy and durability using Process B in both FA and LAD-I as we move towards potential registration, said Gaurav Shah, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Rocket. Follow-up data from the Phase 1 and 2 trials for FA continue to support RP-L102 as a potential hematologic treatment option in the absence of cytotoxic conditioning. In five of the seven patients treated as of October 2020, there was evidence of engraftment. In addition, stabilization of peripheral blood counts in two of the three patients with at least 12-month follow-up, which declined substantially in these patients prior to gene therapy, suggests a halt in bone marrow failure progression. We look forward to reporting longer-term follow-up on these patients in the first half of 2021.

Dr. Shah continued, Additionally, we continue to see encouraging evidence of efficacy for RP-L201 for the treatment of LAD-I. Patients have shown sustained CD18 expression of 23% to 40%, far exceeding the 4-10% threshold associated with survival into adulthood. These data, on top of our exciting results from our lentiviral program for PKD, show our steady progress across three of our five gene therapy programs. We are proud of this progress and are committed to advancing our investigational gene therapies through development for patients and families facing these devastating disorders.

Key findings and details for each presentation are highlighted below. To access the presentations at the conclusion of the oral presentation, please visit: https://www.rocketpharma.com/ash-presentations/

Gene Therapy for Fanconi Anemia, Complementation Group A: Updated Results from Ongoing Global Clinical Studies of RP-L102The data presented in the oral presentation are from seven of the nine patients treated as of the cutoff date of October 2020 in both the U.S. Phase 1 and global Phase 2 studies of RP-L102 for FA. Seven patients had follow-up data of at least 2-months, and three of the seven patients had been followed for 12-months or longer. Key highlights from the presentation include:

Presentation Details:Title: Gene Therapy for Fanconi Anemia, Complementation Group A: Updated Results from Ongoing Global Clinical Studies of RP-L102Session Title: Gene Editing, Therapy and Transfer IPresenter: Agnieszka Czechowicz, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation, Stanford University School of MedicineSession Date: Monday, December 7, 2020Session Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)Presentation Time: 12:15 p.m. (Pacific Time)

Phase 1/2 Study of Lentiviral-Mediated Ex-Vivo Gene Therapy for Pediatric Patients with Severe Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I (LAD-I): Results from Phase 1The data presented in the oral presentation are from three pediatric patients with severe LAD-I, as defined by CD18 expression of less than 2%. The patients were treated with RP-L201, Rockets ex-vivo lentiviral gene therapy candidate. Patient L201-003-1001 was 9-years of age at enrollment and had been followed for 12-months as of a cutoff date of November 2020. Patient L201-003-1004 was 3-years of age at enrollment and had been followed for over 6-months. Patient L201-003-2006 was 7-months of age at enrollment and was recently treated with RP-L201. Key highlights from the presentation include:

Rockets LAD-I research is made possible by a grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (Grant Number CLIN2-11480). The contents of this press release are solely the responsibility of Rocket and do not necessarily represent the official views of CIRM or any other agency of the State of California.

Presentation Details:Title: Phase 1/2 Study of Lentiviral-Mediated Ex-Vivo Gene Therapy for Pediatric Patients with Severe Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I (LAD-I): Results from Phase 1Session Title: Gene Editing, Therapy and Transfer IPresenter: Donald Kohn, M.D., Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Pediatrics (Hematology/Oncology), Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, and member of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at the University of California, Los AngelesSession Date: Monday, December 7, 2020Session Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)Presentation Time: 12:30 p.m. (Pacific Time)

Conference Call DetailsRocket management will host a conference call and webcast today December 7, at 6:00 p.m. EST. To access the call and webcast, please click here. The webcast replay will be available on the Rocket website following the completion of the call.

Investors may listen to the call by dialing (866) 866-1333 from locations in the United States or +1 (404) 260-1421 from outside the United States. Please refer to conference ID number 50038102

About Fanconi AnemiaFanconi Anemia (FA) is a rare pediatric disease characterized by bone marrow failure, malformations and cancer predisposition. The primary cause of death among patients with FA is bone marrow failure, which typically occurs during the first decade of life. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), when available, corrects the hematologic component of FA, but requires myeloablative conditioning. Graft-versus-host disease, a known complication of allogeneic HSCT, is associated with an increased risk of solid tumors, mainly squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region. Approximately 60-70% of patients with FA have a Fanconi Anemia complementation group A (FANCA) gene mutation, which encodes for a protein essential for DNA repair. Mutation in the FANCA gene leads to chromosomal breakage and increased sensitivity to oxidative and environmental stress. Increased sensitivity to DNA-alkylating agents such as mitomycin-C (MMC) or diepoxybutane (DEB) is a gold standard test for FA diagnosis. Somatic mosaicism occurs when there is a spontaneous correction of the mutated gene that can lead to stabilization or correction of a FA patients blood counts in the absence of any administered therapy. Somatic mosaicism, often referred to as natural gene therapy provides a strong rationale for the development of FA gene therapy because of the selective growth advantage of gene-corrected hematopoietic stem cells over FA cells.

About Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-ISevere Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I (LAD-I) is a rare, autosomal recessive pediatric disease caused by mutations in the ITGB2 gene encoding for the beta-2 integrin component CD18. CD18 is a key protein that facilitates leukocyte adhesion and extravasation from blood vessels to combat infections. As a result, children with severe LAD-I are often affected immediately after birth. During infancy, they suffer from recurrent life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections that respond poorly to antibiotics and require frequent hospitalizations. Children who survive infancy experience recurrent severe infections including pneumonia, gingival ulcers, necrotic skin ulcers, and septicemia. Without a successful bone marrow transplant, mortality in patients with severe LAD-I is 60-75% prior to the age of 2 and survival beyond the age of 5 is uncommon. There is a high unmet medical need for patients with severe LAD-I.

About Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCKT) (Rocket) is advancing an integrated and sustainable pipeline of genetic therapies that correct the root cause of complex and rare childhood disorders. The companys platform-agnostic approach enables it to design the best therapy for each indication, creating potentially transformative options for patients afflicted with rare genetic diseases. Rocket's clinical programs using lentiviral vector (LVV)-based gene therapy are for the treatment of Fanconi Anemia (FA), a difficult to treat genetic disease that leads to bone marrow failure and potentially cancer, Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I (LAD-I), a severe pediatric genetic disorder that causes recurrent and life-threatening infections which are frequently fatal, Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD) a rare, monogenic red blood cell disorder resulting in increased red cell destruction and mild to life-threatening anemia and Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis (IMO), a bone marrow-derived disorder. Rockets first clinical program using adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy is for Danon disease, a devastating, pediatric heart failure condition. For more information about Rocket, please visit http://www.rocketpharma.com.

Rocket Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsVarious statements in this release concerning Rocket's future expectations, plans and prospects, including without limitation, Rocket's expectations regarding its guidance for 2020 in light of COVID-19, the safety, effectiveness and timing of product candidates that Rocket may develop, to treat Fanconi Anemia (FA), Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I (LAD-I), Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD), Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis (IMO) and Danon Disease, and the safety, effectiveness and timing of related pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, may constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You should not place reliance on these forward-looking statements, which often include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "will give," "estimate," "seek," "will," "may," "suggest" or similar terms, variations of such terms or the negative of those terms. Although Rocket believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Rocket cannot guarantee such outcomes. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, without limitation, Rocket's ability to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on its business operations and take steps to ensure the safety of patients, families and employees, the interest from patients and families for participation in each of Rockets ongoing trials, our expectations regarding the delays and impact of COVID-19 on clinical sites, patient enrollment, trial timelines and data readouts, our expectations regarding our drug supply for our ongoing and anticipated trials, actions of regulatory agencies, which may affect the initiation, timing and progress of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials of its product candidates, Rocket's dependence on third parties for development, manufacture, marketing, sales and distribution of product candidates, the outcome of litigation, and unexpected expenditures, as well as those risks more fully discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Rocket's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, filed November 6, 2020 with the SEC. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All such statements speak only as of the date made, and Rocket undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Rocket Pharmaceuticals Presents Positive Clinical Data from its Fanconi Anemia and Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I Programs at the 62nd American...

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Shape Therapeutics, Inc. (ShapeTX), a next-generation gene therapy company with an industry-leading RNA targeting technology platform, announces today the appointment of Gary Fortin as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Prior to joining ShapeTX, Dr. Fortin was Head of Business Strategy and Operations for the Severe Genetic Disease unit of bluebird bio (NASDAQ:BLUE), where he navigated a portfolio of gene therapy programs through research, development, manufacturing, and commercial. Before bluebird bio, Gary held various medical affairs and program leadership positions at Biogen, Millennium/Takeda, AMAG Pharmaceuticals, and Abbott Laboratories.

"As ShapeTX transitions from a pre-clinical into a clinical-stage gene therapy company, we look forward to leveraging Gary's breadth of experience across our R&D Programs and rapidly growing operations," said Dr. Francois Vigneault, President and CEO of ShapeTX. "Gary's successful track record and experience at bluebird bio is inspiring and will have a material impact ushering ShapeTX into the next chapter as a company."

About Shape Therapeutics, Inc

Shape Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing next-generation RNA-targeted therapies to treat the world's most challenging diseases. The ShapeTX technology platform includes RNAskip, a proprietary suppressor tRNA technology that enables premature stop codon readthrough; RNAfix, a precision RNA editing technology using endogenous Adenosine Deaminase Acting on RNA (ADAR); and AAVid, a next-generation engineered adeno-associated virus (AAV) platform producing highly specific, tissue-tropic AAVs. The power of the ShapeTX platforms resides in redirecting the cellular machinery already present in our cells, thereby bypassing the risks of immunogenicity and DNA damage seen with other contemporary editing technologies. ShapeTX is committed to data-driven scientific advancement, passionate people and a mission of providing life-long cures to patients. Shape Life!

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Shape Therapeutics Announces Appointment of Gary Fortin as Chief Operating Officer - Business Wire

NEW YORK and RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Dec. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sio Gene Therapies Inc. (NASDAQ: SIOX), a clinical-stage company focused on developing gene therapies to radically transform the lives of patients with neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in the high-dose cohort of the Phase 1/2 (Stage 1) study for Type I (infantile) and Type II (late infantile and juvenile onset) GM1 gangliosidosis.

AXO-AAV-GM1 is the only gene therapy in the clinic targeting patients with Type I and Type II GM1 gangliosidosis, a devastating and fatal pediatric disease, said Gavin Corcoran, M.D., Chief R&D Officer of Sio. The initiation of the high-dose cohort builds on evidence of extension of survival in naturally-occurring GM1 disease animal models and encouraging clinical data from an expanded access study conducted by a National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) team led by our principal investigator, Dr. Cynthia Tifft at the National Institutes of Healths (NIH) Clinical Center. Our team and academic partners are dedicated to improving the lives of children affected by this devastating disease, and we look forward to reporting topline data from the low-dose cohort before year end.

The Phase 1/2 study (NCT03952637) is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and potential efficacy of AXO-AAV-GM1 delivered intravenously in patients with Type I and Type II GM1 gangliosidosis.

AXO-AAV-GM1 has received both Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation and is the only gene therapy in clinical development for both Type I and Type II GM1 gangliosidosis.

GM1 gangliosidosis is a progressive and fatal pediatric lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the GLB1 gene that cause impaired production of the -galactosidase enzyme. Currently, there are no approved treatment options for GM1 gangliosidosis. In 2019, Sio reported clinically meaningful improvements from baseline to six-month follow-up for the first GM1 Type II child dosed with low-dose AXO-AAV-GM1 gene therapy under an expanded access protocol.

About AXO-AAV-GM1

AXO-AAV-GM1 delivers a functional copy of the GLB1 gene via an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector, with the goal of restoring -galactosidase enzyme activity for the treatment of GM1 gangliosidosis. The gene therapy is delivered intravenously, which has the potential to broadly transduce the central nervous system and treat peripheral manifestations of the disease as well. Preclinical studies in murine and a naturally-occurring feline model of GM1 gangliosidosis have supported AXO-AAV-GM1s ability to improve -galactosidase enzyme activity, reduce GM1 ganglioside accumulation, improve neuromuscular function, and extend survival.

About Sio Gene Therapies

Sio Gene Therapies combines cutting-edge science with bold imagination to develop genetic medicines that aim to radically improve the lives of patients. Our current pipeline of clinical-stage candidates includes the first potentially curative AAV-based gene therapies for GM1 gangliosidosis and Tay-Sachs/Sandhoff diseases, which are rare and uniformly fatal pediatric conditions caused by single gene deficiencies. We are also expanding the reach of gene therapy to highly prevalent conditions such as Parkinsons disease, which affects millions of patients globally. Led by an experienced team of gene therapy development experts, and supported by collaborations with premier academic, industry and patient advocacy organizations, Sio is focused on accelerating its candidates through clinical trials to liberate patients with debilitating diseases through the transformational power of gene therapies. For more information, visit http://www.siogtx.com.

In 2018, Sio licensed exclusive worldwide rights from the University of Massachusetts Medical School for the development and commercialization of gene therapy programs for GM1 gangliosidosis and GM2 gangliosidosis, including Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. The use of words such as will, expect, believe, estimate, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. For example, all statements Sio makes regarding costs associated with its operating activities are forward-looking. All forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions by Sios management that, although Sio believes to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that Sio expected. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our operations, the initiation and conduct of preclinical studies and clinical trials; the availability of data from clinical trials; the development of a suspension-based manufacturing process for AXO-Lenti-PD; the scaling up of manufacturing, the expectations for regulatory submissions and approvals; the continued development of our gene therapy product candidates and platforms; Sios scientific approach and general development progress; and the availability or commercial potential of Sios product candidates. These statements are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties that are described in Sios most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2020, as updated by its subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Sio undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts:

Media

Josephine Belluardo, Ph.D. LifeSci Communications(646) 751-4361jo@lifescicomms.cominfo@siogtx.com

Investors and Analysts

David NassifSio Gene Therapies Inc.Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel(646) 677-6770investors@siogtx.com

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Sio Gene Therapies Announces First Patient Dosed in High-Dose Cohort of AXO-AAV-GM1 Clinical Trial in Patients with GM1 Gangliosidosis - GlobeNewswire

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc. (Nasdaq: TSHA), a patient-centric gene therapy company focused on developing and commercializing AAV-based gene therapies for the treatment of monogenic diseases of the central nervous system in both rare and large patient populations, today announced that it has received both rare pediatric disease and orphan drug designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for TSHA-103, an AAV-9-based gene therapy in development for SLC6A1-related epilepsy.

We are pleased by the FDAs acknowledgement of the imperative need to develop therapies for such a severe and life-threatening condition, said RA Session II, President, Founder and CEO of Taysha. We are encouraged by the early evidence of our gene therapy approach to potentially treat this devastating disease. These designations in now five programs underscore the critical nature of our work and add momentum for these programs. We remain committed to advancing our pipeline of innovative and potentially transformative product candidates as we aim to eradicate monogenic CNS disease.

SLC6A1 epilepsy is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by the loss of function of one copy of the SLC6A1 gene, with clinical manifestations of seizures, epilepsy, language impairment and intellectual disability.

Haploinsufficiency in the SLC6A1 gene has been identified as a cause of genetic epilepsy, yet there remains a lack of approved disease-modifying therapies, said Steven Gray, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Advisor at Taysha and Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern. The designations highlight the innovation of TSHA-103 and the importance of developing a treatment for patients living with this devastating disease.

As a mother of a child affected by SLC6A1, Tayshas dedication to developing a treatment for this community is greatly applauded, said Amber Freed, Founder of SLC6A1 Connect. We are delighted that the FDA recognizes the unmet medical need and the role that TSHA-103 may play.

The FDA grants rare pediatric disease designation for serious and life-threatening diseases that primarily affect children ages 18 years or younger and fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. The Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program is intended to address the challenges that drug companies face when developing treatments for these unique patient populations. Under this program, companies are eligible to receive a priority review voucher following approval of a product with rare pediatric disease designation if the marketing application submitted for the product satisfies certain conditions, including approval prior to December 11, 2022 unless changed by legislation. If issued, a sponsor may redeem a priority review voucher for priority review of a subsequent marketing application for a different product candidate, or the priority review voucher could be sold or transferred to another sponsor.

Orphan drug designation is granted by the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development to investigational treatments that are intended for the treatment of rare diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. The program was developed to encourage the development of medicines for rare diseases, and benefits include tax credits and application fee waivers designed to offset some development costs as well as eligibility for market exclusivity for seven years post approval.

About Taysha Gene Therapies

Taysha Gene Therapies (Nasdaq: TSHA) is on a mission to eradicate monogenic CNS disease. With a singular focus on developing curative medicines, we aim to rapidly translate our treatments from bench to bedside. We have combined our teams proven experience in gene therapy drug development and commercialization with the world-class UT Southwestern Gene Therapy Program to build an extensive, AAV gene therapy pipeline focused on both rare and large-market indications. Together, we leverage our fully integrated platforman engine for potential new cureswith a goal of dramatically improving patients lives. More information is available at http://www.tayshagtx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as anticipates, believes, expects, intends, projects, and future or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning or implying the potential of our product candidates, including TSHA-103, to positively impact quality of life and alter the course of disease in the patients we seek to treat, our research, development and regulatory plans for our product candidates, the potential benefits of rare pediatric disease designation and orphan drug designation to our product candidates, the potential for these product candidates to receive regulatory approval from the FDA or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies, and whether, if approved, these product candidates will be successfully distributed and marketed. Forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Risks regarding our business are described in detail in our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, which is available on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. Additional information will be made available in other filings that we make from time to time with the SEC. Such risks may be amplified by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to update these statements except as may be required by law.

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Taysha Gene Therapies Receives Rare Pediatric Disease and Orphan Drug Designations for TSHA-103 for the Treatment of Epilepsy Caused by SLC6A1...

Forty years after their members were infected by blood products provided by the State, the haemophilia community in Ireland is making news again for altogether better reasons.

That scandal saw hundreds of people with the condition contract the HIV and hepatitis C viruses from contaminated anti-clotting products they were administered. More than 100 died.

Now, the community is celebrating the success of the first gene therapy to provide an effective cure for the condition.

Ironically, the treatment uses another virus to deliver the therapy intravenously to the liver of the haemophilia B patient, where it provides a new working copy of the genes for clotting factor protein.

In another irony, one of the three Irish patients who took part in a worldwide trial to test the gene therapy is Brian OMahony, long-time head of the Irish Haemophilia Society.

For years, OMahony has needed regular intravenous injections to ensure his blood clots; twice a week until recently, when a new product pushed out the time interval to a week to 10 days.

Often thered be no cause for a bleed; I could be just sitting at a desk and it could happen, spontaneously. With the injections, youd suffer peaks and troughs, as your levels went up and then down again and you needed a fresh jab.

Nine months into the trial, he describes himself as functionally cured. It has worked very well. I havent had a single bleeding episode since February and I havent had an injection since then.

Dr Niamh OConnell from the National Coagulation Centre in St Jamess Hospital says the problem with current treatments is that they require intravenous injection and their effects start wearing off immediately. In contrast, gene therapy provides a constant and lasting level of protection.

The potential of gene therapy for curing the condition has taken 20 years to be realised, she says.

The trial uses so-called adeno-associated virus (AAV) to get the gene into the body. AAV are small viruses that are not currently known to cause disease but can cause a very mild immune response.

There are 860 people with haemophilia in Ireland, 60 of whom have a deficiency in factor IX (haemophilia B).

The severity of haemophilia is categorised according to the percentage of blood clotting factor the person can produce. Severe cases produce less than 1 per cent of the normal level, moderate cases between 2 and 5 per cent and mild cases anywhere between 5 and 40 per cent.

In the trial, factor IX levels in patients rose from under 2 per cent to an average of over 37 per cent after six weeks.Most reported no bleeding.

Although patients on the trial are functionally cured they can still pass on the genetic condition to their children, Dr OConnell points out.

Referring to the horrendous events of the 1980s and 1990s, when people with haemophilia were infected with contaminated blood products, she says the new therapy shows good things can come from tragedies with services better-organised as a result of what had happened.

This could not have been achieved without our partnership with the patient community, the clinical research facilities which have been developed at St Jamess and the support of the hospital over 50 years.

Its been a long journey, OMahony says of his work for the community since the tragedies of the 1980s. If youd told me 38 years ago Id still be here, I dont think I would have believed it.

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Haemophilia treatment: Successful long road to being functionally cured - The Irish Times