Benzinga | Apr 28, 2021 08:04AM EDT

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Announces Improvement In Fibrosis After ARO-AAT Treatment In Patients With Alpha-1 Liver Disease

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ARWR) today announced positive interim 48-week liver biopsy results from the AROAAT2002 study, an open-label Phase 2 clinical study of ARO-AAT, the company's second generation investigational RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic being co-developed with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited ("Takeda") as a treatment for the rare genetic liver disease associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). The results demonstrate that ARO-AAT treatment led to a consistent and substantial reduction in intra-hepatic mutant AAT protein (Z-AAT), both Z-AAT monomer and Z-AAT polymer; a consistent decrease in histological globule burden; improvements in fibrosis; and, improvements in other relevant biomarkers of liver health. Arrowhead intends to present additional interim AROAAT2002 data at an upcoming medical congress, pending abstract acceptance.

After 48 weeks of treatment with investigational ARO-AAT in cohort 2 (n=5) of the AROAAT2002 study, the following results were observed:

* Four of the five patients achieved a 1 or greater stage improvement in Metavir fibrosis stage, with no worsening of fibrosis in the fifth patient

* All five patients demonstrated reductions in histological globule assessment scores

* Total intra-hepatic Z-AAT decreased by 77-97% After only 24 weeks of treatment with investigational ARO-AAT in cohort 1 (n=4) of the AROAAT2002 study, the following results were observed: Two of the four patients achieved a 1 or greater stage improvement in Metavir fibrosis stage, with no worsening of fibrosis in the other two patients The two patients who improved fibrosis stages during treatment were both deemed cirrhotic (F4) when the study began All four patients demonstrated reductions in histological globule assessment scores As previously reported, total intra-hepatic Z-AAT decreased by 72-95% Javier San Martin, M.D., chief medical officer at Arrowhead, said: "The results from treatment with investigational ARO-AAT in the Phase 2 AROAAT2002 open-label study continue to impress us. We believe the pharmacodynamic effect in alpha-1 patients is clear and consistent. The results from 24 and 48 weeks of treatment also indicate that when production of the Z-AAT protein is inhibited, the liver has the ability to clear the accumulated mutant protein and begin the fibrosis regression process earlier and more efficiently than we anticipated, even in patients with severe liver disease. We look forward to sharing more details about these exciting results at an upcoming medical congress. We also intend to use these and other results to inform further interactions with regulatory authorities to pursue opportunities for potential accelerated approval pathways, if appropriate. Our collaboration with Takeda on the ARO-AAT program has been highly productive, and we continue to see them as the ideal partner as the program advances towards patients in need of new therapies for alpha-1 liver disease." In October 2020, Arrowhead and Takeda announced a collaboration and licensing agreement to develop ARO-AAT. Under the terms of the agreement, Arrowhead and Takeda will co-develop ARO-AAT which, if approved, will be co-commercialized in the United States under a 50/50 profit-sharing structure. Outside the U.S., Takeda will lead the global commercialization strategy and receive an exclusive license to commercialize ARO-AAT with Arrowhead eligible to receive tiered royalties of 20-25% on net sales. Arrowhead received an upfront payment of $300 million and is eligible to receive potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $740 million. AROAAT2002 (NCT03946449) is a pilot open-label, multi-dose, Phase 2 study to assess the response to ARO-AAT in 16 patients with AATD associated liver disease and baseline liver fibrosis. All eligible participants receive a pre-dose biopsy and an end of study biopsy. Treated participants will also be offered the opportunity to continue treatment in an open-label extension (OLE). Including the OLE, interim assessments will be made after 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months of treatment with ARO-AAT.