Country for PR: United Kingdom
Contributor: PR Newswire Europe
Tuesday, October 11 2022 - 16:00
AsiaNet
Pharming submits a Marketing Authorisation Application to the European Medicines Agency for Leniolisib
LEIDEN, Netherlands, Oct. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

-- Application is based on randomized, controlled and long-term extension data 
for leniolisib as a treatment for APDS, a rare primary immunodeficiency 

-- This submission follows the grant of accelerated assessment allowing an 
expedited review for leniolisib from a standard 210 days to 150 days

Pharming Group N.V. ("Pharming" or "the Company") (EURONEXT Amsterdam: 
PHARM/Nasdaq: PHAR) announces that it has submitted a Marketing Authorisation 
Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for leniolisib, an 
oral, selective phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3K delta) inhibitor, as a 
treatment for activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta syndrome (APDS), a rare 
primary immunodeficiency, in adults and adolescents 12 years or older. 

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On August 1, 2022, Pharming announced the leniolisib MAA was granted 
accelerated assessment by EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use 
(CHMP). The accelerated assessment reduces the review timeframe from 210 days 
to 150 days. Upon request, the EMA will grant an accelerated assessment of an 
MAA if they decide the product is of major interest for public health, and in 
particular, from the viewpoint of therapeutic innovation. Marketing 
authorisation for leniolisib in the EEA is anticipated in H1 2023.

Anurag Relan, Chief Medical Officer of Pharming, commented: 

"This MAA submission, under an accelerated regulatory pathway, is an important 
step towards approval of our second product in the EEA and highlights 
Pharming's ongoing commitment to advancing leniolisib as a treatment for 
patients with APDS. There is a significant unmet need for therapies to improve 
outcomes for these patients, which, if left untreated, can result in permanent 
lung damage and lymphoma. Leniolisib has the potential to be the first approved 
treatment for this rare and orphan-designated disease, and we look forward to 
continuing our work with key stakeholders to bring this new product to 
patients."

The MAA is supported by positive data from a Phase II/III study of leniolisib, 
announced on February 2, 2022, which met its co-primary endpoints of reduction 
in lymph node size and correction of immunodeficiency in the target population. 
Furthermore, safety data from the study showed that leniolisib was well 
tolerated by participants. Also submitted as part of the MAA were data from a 
long-term, open-label extension clinical trial in patients with APDS treated 
with leniolisib.

About Activated Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Delta Syndrome (APDS)

APDS is a rare primary immunodeficiency that affects approximately 1 to 2 
people per million. It is caused by variants in either of two genes, PIK3CD or 
PIK3R1, that regulate maturation of white blood cells. Variants of these genes 
lead to hyperactivity of the PI3K delta (phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta) 
pathway.(1,2) Balanced signaling in the PI3K delta pathway is essential for 
physiological immune function. When this pathway is hyperactive, immune cells 
fail to mature and function properly, leading to immunodeficiency and 
dysregulation.(1,3) APDS is characterized by severe, recurrent sinopulmonary 
infections, lymphoproliferation, autoimmunity, and enteropathy.(4,5) Because 
these symptoms can be associated with a variety of conditions, including other 
primary immunodeficiencies, people with APDS are frequently misdiagnosed and 
suffer a median 7-year diagnostic delay.(6) As APDS is a progressive disease, 
this delay may lead to an accumulation of damage over time, including permanent 
lung damage and lymphoma.(4-7) The only way to definitively diagnose this 
condition is through genetic testing.

About Leniolisib

Leniolisib is a small-molecule inhibitor of the delta isoform of the 110 kDa 
catalytic subunit of class IA PI3K with immunomodulating and potentially 
anti-neoplastic activities. Leniolisib inhibits the production of 
phosphatidylinositol-3-4-5-trisphosphate (PIP3). PIP3 serves as an important 
cellular messenger activating AKT (via PDK1) and regulates a multitude of cell 
functions such as proliferation, differentiation, cytokine production, cell 
survival, angiogenesis, and metabolism. Unlike PI3K alpha and PI3K beta, which 
are ubiquitously expressed, PI3K delta and PI3K gamma are expressed primarily 
in cells of hematopoietic origin. The central role of PI3K delta in regulating 
numerous cellular functions of the adaptive immune system (B-cells and, to a 
lesser extent, T cells) as well as the innate immune system (neutrophils, mast 
cells, and macrophages) strongly indicates that PI3K delta is a valid and 
potentially effective therapeutic target for several immune diseases. To date, 
leniolisib has been well tolerated during both the Phase 1 first-in-human trial 
in healthy subjects and the Phase II/III registration-enabling study.

About Pharming Group N.V.

Pharming Group N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: PHARM) (NASDAQ: PHAR ( 
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pharming-announces-us-fda-acceptance-for-priority-review-of-its-new-drug-application-for-leniolisib-301634867.html#financial-modal 
)) is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming the lives of 
patients with rare, debilitating, and life-threatening diseases. Pharming is 
commercializing and developing an innovative portfolio of protein replacement 
therapies and precision medicines, including small molecules, biologics, and 
gene therapies that are in early to late-stage development. Pharming is 
headquartered in Leiden, Netherlands, and has employees around the globe who 
serve patients in over 30 markets in North America, Europe, the Middle East, 
Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

For more information, visit www.pharming.com and find us on LinkedIn ( 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/36477/admin/ )

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including with respect 
to timing and progress of Pharming's preclinical studies and clinical trials of 
its product candidates, Pharming's clinical and commercial prospects, 
Pharming's ability to overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to 
the conduct of its business, and Pharming's expectations regarding its 
projected working capital requirements and cash resources, which statements are 
subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not 
limited to the scope, progress and expansion of Pharming's clinical trials and 
ramifications for the cost thereof; and clinical, scientific, regulatory and 
technical developments. In light of these risks and uncertainties, and other 
risks and uncertainties that are described in Pharming's 2021 Annual Report and 
the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with 
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the events and circumstances 
discussed in such forward-looking statements may not occur, and Pharming's 
actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or 
implied thereby. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of 
this press release and are based on information available to Pharming as of the 
date of this release.

Inside Information

This press release relates to the disclosure of information that qualifies, or 
may have qualified, as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of 
the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

References

    1. Lucas CL, et al. Nat Immunol. 2014;15:88-97.
    2. Elkaim E, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016;138(1):210-218.
    3. Nunes-Santos C, Uzel G, Rosenzweig SD. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 
       2019;143(5):1676-1687.
    4. Coulter TI, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017;139(2):597-606.
    5. Maccari ME, et al. Front Immunol. 2018;9:543.
    6. Jamee M, et al. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2019;May 21.
    7. Condliffe AM, Chandra A. Front Immunol. 2018;9:338.

For further public information, contact:

Pharming Group, Leiden, The Netherlands
Heather Robertson, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Manager
T: +31 71 524 7400
E: investor@pharming.com

FTI Consulting, London, UK
Victoria Foster Mitchell/Alex Shaw/Amy Byrne
T: +44 203 727 1000

LifeSpring Life Sciences Communication, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Leon Melens
T: +31 6 53 81 64 27
E: pharming@lifespring.nl

US PR:
Ethan Metelenis
T: +1 (917) 882 9038
E: Ethan.Metelenis@precisionvh.com

EU PR:
Dan Caley
T: +44 (0) 787 546 8942
E: Dan.caley@aprilsix.com

SOURCE Pharming Group N.V.