Proqr Therapeutics N.V
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ANNUAL REPORT 2017 Meaningful progress - Excited about the future PAGE I PAGE II ANNUAL MAGAZINE 2017 ANNUAL MAGAZINE 2017 our courage to do things differently University of Colorado and during his ACCOMPLISHMENTS – and challenge the status quo. career has earned a global reputation A QUICK GLANCE We can and will make a meaningful for translating cutting-edge science impact – changing the lives of into transformational new therapies Eluforsen (formely known as QR-010) for CF patients. Be it in a small way – for rare diseases including cystic fibro- • Completed second trial for eluforsen by improving one’s quality of life. sis, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary • Announced positive data from Or in a big way – by stopping artery hypertension, severe immuno- Phase 1b safety and tolerability study a disease or by curing patients. logic, and inflammatory diseases. • Received FDA Fast Track designation and Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) CREATING MEANINGFUL IMPACT At ProQR, we do it all in the interest Dave is excited to be part of ProQR’s in US and Europe of patients. We’re driven, deter- management team: “ProQR has • Granted two key patents mined, excited to make this differ- a patient-centric culture committed ence. Today, tomorrow and more to transforming lives. Applying our QR-110 for LCA 10 days to come, until we get it right. RNA editing platform to precision • IND clearance from FDA and IN THE INTEREST medicine in hereditary forms of commenced Phase 1/2 safety and Building ProQR blindness, dystrophic epidermolysis efficacy trial In 2017, we made important strides bullosa, cystic fibrosis and other • First patient in trial dosed in late 2017 in ProQR’s growth. We intensified our rare genetic diseases will change the • Received FDA Fast Track designation OF PATIENTS efforts to become a robust, diversi- way we think about advanced drug • Presented positive preclinical proof of fied company with a wide array of discovery and development.” concept data at key scientific conference potential new medicines focused in the areas of ophthalmology, debilitat- The sad news of 2017 was the QR-313 for DEB ing skin diseases and cystic fibrosis. passing away of Henri Termeer. • Completed IND-enabling studies Five years have passed since ProQR began on a quest. The initial quest to We understand that we need every Henri, who was our co-founder and • Presented positive preclinical data find a treatment for CF evolved into a broader goal for patients that suffer bit of talent, knowledge, experience vice chairman of our Supervisory at two European scientific meetings and guidance to be successful and Board, died at age 71 at his house • Received ODD in US and Europe from rare diseases. This kick-started the mission of everyone at ProQR – we were happy to welcome new col- in Marblehead, MA. The magazine to create meaningful medicines for patients in need. We are putting leagues in many departments. ProQR is dedicated to his legacy. Axiomer® RNA-editing platform ground-breaking RNA technologies to work to develop medicines that also welcomed Dr. Phil Zamore, • Introduced new Axiomer® technology Dr. Cy Stein, Dr. Scott Armstrong Spin-out of Amylon Therapeutics • Presented in vivo proof of concept will transform the lives of patients with severe genetic disorders – and and Dr. Thaddeus (Ted) Dryja to its Since its inception in 2012, data at two scientific meetings their loved ones. Since the start of ProQR we have come a long way in Scientific Advisory Board. All are ProQR has invested significantly our strategy to create a well-diversified pipeline of medicine candidates well-regarded in their respective in discovering and developing QR-421a and QR-411 for Usher syndrome 2A fields and bring with them a wealth innovative RNA therapies for severe • Presented positive data for QR-421a in several therapeutic areas. In this report, we tell you about how ProQR of knowledge and experience that rare diseases. This has led to an and QR-411 progressed in 2017, by our discoveries and in our programs and trials. will help us to further build and extensive pipeline of discovery • Received ODD for QR-421a and advance our pipeline. and development programs. QR-411 for US and Europe From the start, ProQR has broad- Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, One of our new faces is Dr. David In 2017, one of these programs that Created Amylon Therapeutics ened its focus from CF to other Stargardt’s disease and dystrophic Rodman. As our new Executive focused on CNS disorders was spun as privately-held CNS focused company areas, as we have seen the potential epidermolysis bullosa. Vice President Research and out into a new company we created: of RNA science for a range of rare Development, Dave oversees all Amylon Therapeutics. Amylon em- Welcomed David Rodman genetic diseases. Building on the As the results from the clinical trials clinical development at ProQR. barked on a promising future, with ProQR’s Executive Vice President promise that RNA holds, we have suggest we can change lives, we He previously served in leadership funding from a group of institutional Research and Development come to think bigger over the years. are more energized than ever to roles with Novartis Institutes for and private investors. Amylon is Our growing pipeline of therapeu- complete our mission. The positive Biomedical Research (NIBR) and developing therapeutics for a rare Advisory Board Members tic candidates target other severe findings on safety and efficacy is Vertex Pharmaceuticals. genetic brain disease. ProQR retains Appointed several new scientific disorders such as Leber’s congenital building momentum, feeding our Prior to moving into industry in a majority ownership stake and advisory board members amaurosis, Usher syndrome, passion, our impatience. It builds 2005, Dave led the Center for remains involved through member- Genetic Lung Diseases at the ship on the Boards. PAGE III PAGE IV ANNUAL MAGAZINE 2017 ANNUAL MAGAZINE 2017 As you will read on the next pages, the advancements made in ProQR’s research and development pipeline were significant. The good news comes from all areas and programs, from cystic fibrosis to ophthalmology and from dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa to the launch of our next-generation Axiomer® RNA technology platform. ProQR’s eluforsen (QR-010) ProQR’s Ophthalmology Encouraging program for cystic fibrosis (CF) programs In 2017, we were excited to com- In 2017, the investigational new signals that plete and announce positive results drug (IND) application for QR-110, of our second global trial for ProQR’s lead program in ophthal- CF patients eluforsen in CF patients with mology, was cleared by the FDA the F508del mutation. to start a safety and efficacy clinical can BENEFIT trial in both adults and children with The Phase 1b trial showed that LCA 10. LCA 10 is one of the most from taking eluforsen was safe and well- common types of genetic blindness. tolerated across all dose levels The Phase 1/2 trial commenced in eluforsen and we saw encouraging signals 2017. In November, the first patient that CF patients can benefit from was dosed in the Phase 1/2 open- SOLID PROGRESS ON OUR MISSION TO taking eluforsen. Most patients in label trial in patients with LCA 10. the trial who received eluforsen Six-month treatment data is expect- reported having a reduction in ed in 2018 and 12-month treatment CF respiratory symptoms. data in 2019. In November, the data was Progress was made in ProQR’s CREATE LIFE- presented at the North American QR-421a preclinical program for Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) Usher syndrome 2A caused by an in Indianapolis, Indiana. During exon 13 mutation. Usher syndrome the conference, ProQR held an is the leading cause of combined CHANGING investor and analyst event at which hearing loss and blindness. Patients Dr. Stuart Elborn discussed the with Usher syndrome 2A gener- recent Phase 1b data and company ally progress to a stage in which management provided an update they have very limited central and on other candidates in the pipeline. peripheral vision and moderate to MEDICINES Also, new opportunities were severe deafness. QR-421a received discussed to potentially target ODD in the US and Europe and is other CF mutations which currently expected to advance to the clinic have no available therapies. in late 2018, with data anticipated in 2019. Our QR-411 candidate FOR PATIENTS Another milestone in 2017: ProQR also for Usher syndrome but for was granted two key patents a different mutation, received ODD protecting eluforsen in the US in the US and Europe. QR-411 is and Europe. expected to follow behind QR-421a IN NEED into clinical development. PAGE V PAGE VI ANNUAL MAGAZINE 2017 ANNUAL MAGAZINE 2017 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE – DECEMBER 2017 We can also report progress in Axiomer® platform Our talented other ophthalmology preclinical In 2017, ProQR introduced its candidates, such as QRX-1011 for completely novel Axiomer® platform Ophthalmology scientists Stargardt’s disease and QRX-504 technology. Our talented scientists PR IVR PRII VP for Fuchs endothelial corneal found a way to make single P RI RIRI RI found a way dystrophy (FECD). nucleotide changes to RNA, which QR-110 for LCA 10 p.Cys998X can potentially treat over 200,000 to make ProQR’s program for DEB genetic defects causing diseases. QR-421a for Usher syndrome 2A exon 13 In 2017, ProQR’s teams invested QRX-504 for FECD SINGLE time and effort into QR-313 for Axiomer® technology was intro- dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, duced in 2017 at the second annual QR-411 for Usher syndrome 2A PE40 NUCLEOTIDE a rare genetic disease that can lead ProQR’s R&D Investor Day in to severe blistering, a poor quality New York, and we validated this QRX-1011 for Stargardt’s disease c.5461-10T>C CHANGES of life and limited life expectancy.