This U01 Translational Research in iVluscular Dystrophy will support the deveiopment of recombinant human biglycan (rhBGN) as a therapeutic and to prepare the data package necessary for an IND filing with the FDA. It builds upon work supported by an exploratory R21 proposal to our laboratory where we have demonstrated that systemically-delivered, rhBGN counters the dystrophic phenotype in mdx mice and improves muscle function. Notably, rhBGN is effective when delivered at 3 week intervals and at doses of <10mg/kg. We propose a 4 year development plan to produce and to validate rhBGN material that is compatible with use in clinical trials. This plan will extend from pilot studies with material produced by transient transfection, to PK/PD in the mdx mouse model, to dose optimization with highly characterized material produced from a stable cell line under cGMP conditions. To maximize the efficiency and speed of this process, the work will make use of standardized models and assays as well as collaborations with several expert vendors of biologic development services. We have also enlisted consultants who have extensive expertise in the manufacturing, testing and regulatory issues that are unique to biologies.

Public Health Relevance

In these translational studies we will develop a novel protein therapeutic for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The goal is to take our findings in mouse models of this disease and do the work necessary to test this therapy in boys with this devastating disease. If the proposed work is successful, we will be able to move immediately into Phase I clinical trials.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01NS064295-02
Application #
8136540
Study Section
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Initial Review Group (NSD)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2010-08-01
Budget End
2011-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$1,323,135
Indirect Cost
Name
Brown University
Department
Type
DUNS #
001785542
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02912
Fallon, Justin R; McNally, Elizabeth M (2018) Non-Glycanated Biglycan and LTBP4: Leveraging the extracellular matrix for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy therapeutics. Matrix Biol 68-69:616-627
Yilmaz, Atilgan; Kattamuri, Chandramohan; Ozdeslik, Rana N et al. (2016) MuSK is a BMP co-receptor that shapes BMP responses and calcium signaling in muscle cells. Sci Signal 9:ra87
Furlong, Pat; Bridges, John F P; Charnas, Lawrence et al. (2015) How a patient advocacy group developed the first proposed draft guidance document for industry for submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Orphanet J Rare Dis 10:82
Young, Marian F; Fallon, Justin R (2012) Biglycan: a promising new therapeutic for neuromuscular and musculoskeletal diseases. Curr Opin Genet Dev 22:398-400
Amenta, Alison R; Creely, Hilliary E; Mercado, Mary Lynn T et al. (2012) Biglycan is an extracellular MuSK binding protein important for synapse stability. J Neurosci 32:2324-34
Amenta, Alison R; Yilmaz, Atilgan; Bogdanovich, Sasha et al. (2011) Biglycan recruits utrophin to the sarcolemma and counters dystrophic pathology in mdx mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108:762-7
Fallon, Justin R (2011) Calcium channels put synapses in their place. Nat Neurosci 14:536-8