Leiden, The Netherlands – 19 September 2012 – Prosensa, the Dutch biopharmaceutical company focusing on RNA-modulating therapeutics for rare diseases with high unmet need, has been named by FierceBiotech as one of 2012’s Fierce 15, designating it as one of the most promising private biotechnology companies in the industry.
Prosensa’s main focus is the treatment of rare neuromuscular diseases. Drisapersen (PRO051/GSK2402968), its leading therapy for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), is currently in Phase III trials in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
“When New Enterprise Associates went looking for its first European biotech investment, they found an ideal candidate in Prosensa,” says FierceBiotech Editor John Carroll. “Its Big Pharma partner GlaxoSmithKline is executing a pivotal study on its lead drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, making Prosensa − which has five other DMD programs in the pipeline − a leader in rare diseases worth watching closely. A strong investment syndicate gives Prosensa some real options to ponder about its future. And we’ll be watching every step of the way.”
Hans Schikan, Prosensa CEO said: “Prosensa is very pleased to have been recognised as a ‘fierce’ biopharmaceutical company. Thanks to our partnerships with patient organisations, academia and pharmaceutical companies, along with the support of our investors, we will passionately continue on our path of growth to become a leading rare disease player with an initial focus on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy and Huntington’s disease. Prosensa’s platform of RNA modulation can be applied to a large number of unmet medical needs.”
Prosensa has the most advanced portfolio of drug candidates for the treatment of DMD, with two compounds in clinical trials in partnership with GSK (drisapersen and PRO044) and four additional compounds in preclinical development, as well as preclinical compounds for myotonic dystrophy and Huntington’s disease. Prosensa’s DMD compounds are based on its proprietary exon-skipping technology that uses antisense oligonucleotides to restore expression of a functional dystrophin protein and to provide potential treatment for patients affected by this progressively debilitating neuromuscular disease.
This is FierceBiotech’s tenth annual Fierce 15 selection. The Fierce 15 celebrates the spirit of being “free” – championing innovation and creativity, even in the face of intense competition. A complete list of the “Fierce 15” companies can be found at www.fiercebiotech.com
