Exhibit 99.1
Capricor Therapeutics Announces Initiation of Rolling Submission of Biologics License Application (BLA) with U.S. FDA for Deramiocel for the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
-Company Plans to Complete Rolling BLA Submission by End of 2024; Application May be Eligible for Priority Review by FDA-
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 9, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CAPR), a biotechnology company developing transformative cell and exosome-based therapeutics for the treatment of rare diseases, announced today that it has initiated its rolling submission process with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a Biologics License Application (BLA), seeking full approval for deramiocel to treat all patients diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) cardiomyopathy.
“This announcement marks an important step in the U.S. regulatory process towards a potential Biologics License Application approval of deramiocel for the treatment of DMD,” said Linda Marbán, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Capricor. “An approval of deramiocel would allow us to expedite the delivery of this novel, first-in-class treatment to patients in need. We look forward to working with the FDA during this process.”
Capricor plans to complete its rolling BLA submission by the end of 2024. The application may be eligible for priority review as deramiocel could potentially provide significant improvements in the safety and/or effectiveness of the treatment for the serious condition of DMD cardiomyopathy, where there are currently no approved treatment options available. Once the rolling BLA submission is completed, the FDA will notify the Company when it is formally accepted for review.
About Deramiocel
Deramiocel (CAP-1002) consists of allogeneic cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs), a population of stromal cells that have been shown in preclinical and clinical studies to exert potent immunomodulatory, antifibrotic and regenerative actions in dystrophinopathy and heart failure. CDCs act by secreting extracellular vesicles known as exosomes, which target macrophages and alter their expression profile so that they adopt a healing, rather than a pro-inflammatory, phenotype. CDCs have been the subject of over 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications and have been administered to over 200 human subjects across several clinical trials.
Deramiocel for the treatment of DMD has received Orphan Drug Designation and the regulatory pathway for deramiocel is supported by RMAT (Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy Designation). In addition, if Capricor were to receive FDA marketing approval for deramiocel for the treatment of DMD, Capricor would be eligible to receive a Priority Review Voucher (PRV) based on its previous receipt of a rare pediatric disease designation.
About Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating genetic disorder characterized by progressive weakness and chronic inflammation of the skeletal, heart and respiratory muscles with mortality at a median age of approximately 30 years. It is estimated that DMD occurs in approximately one in every 3,500 male births and that the patient population is estimated to be approximately 15,000-20,000 in the United States. DMD pathophysiology is driven by the impaired production of functional dystrophin, which normally functions as a structural protein in muscle. The reduction of functional dystrophin in muscle cells leads to significant cell damage and ultimately causes muscle cell death and fibrotic replacement. Treatment options are limited and there is no cure.
About Capricor Therapeutics
Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAPR) is a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing transformative cell and exosome-based therapeutics to redefine the treatment landscape for rare diseases. At the forefront of our innovation is our lead product candidate, deramiocel (CAP-1002), an allogeneic cardiac-derived cell therapy. Extensive preclinical and clinical