Category: Press Releases

NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prevail Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: PRVL), a biotechnology company developing potentially disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase 1/2 PROCLAIM clinical trial evaluating PR006, an investigational AAV9 gene therapy delivering the GRN gene, for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia patients with GRN mutations (FTD-GRN).

“Dosing the first patient in our PROCLAIM clinical trial marks an important milestone in our efforts to advance a potentially disease-modifying treatment for patients with frontotemporal dementia with GRN mutations,” said Asa Abeliovich, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prevail. “We are excited to progress clinical development of PR006 and to bring forward a much-needed therapy for this rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease.”

The PROCLAIM trial is a Phase 1/2 open-label trial investigating the safety and tolerability of PR006 as well as key biomarkers and exploratory efficacy endpoints. The Company expects to enroll up to 15 patients, and it currently anticipates it will provide a biomarker and safety analysis on a subset of patients enrolled in the PROCLAIM trial in 2021.

“Frontotemporal dementia is a devastating condition, with no disease-modifying therapeutic options available,” said Dr. Jonathan Rohrer, principal research fellow at the University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology. “PROCLAIM is an important clinical study which could further increase our understanding of frontotemporal dementia due to mutations in the progranulin gene, and help demonstrate the potential of gene therapy to correct the underlying genetic cause of this condition, potentially slowing or stopping disease progression.”

PR006 has been granted Orphan Drug designation for the treatment of FTD and Fast Track designation for the treatment of FTD-GRN by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as orphan designation for the treatment of FTD by the European Commission.

About Frontotemporal Dementia with GRN Mutations
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common cause of dementia in people under the age of 65, after Alzheimer’s disease. FTD affects 50,000 to 60,000 people in the U.S. and 80,000 to 110,000 individuals in the European Union. FTD-GRN represents 5-10% of all patients with FTD. FTD results from the progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which control decision-making, behavior, emotion and language. In FTD-GRN patients, reduced levels of progranulin lead to age-dependent lysosomal dysfunction, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. There are no approved treatments for FTD or FTD-GRN.

About Prevail Therapeutics

Prevail is a gene therapy company leveraging breakthroughs in human genetics with the goal of developing and commercializing disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The Company is developing PR001 for patients with Parkinson’s disease with GBA1 mutations (PD-GBA) and neuronopathic Gaucher disease (nGD); PR006 for patients with frontotemporal dementia with GRN mutations (FTD-GRN); and PR004 for patients with certain synucleinopathies.

Prevail was founded by Dr. Asa Abeliovich in 2017, through a collaborative effort with The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson’s with GBA and OrbiMed, and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Forward-Looking Statements Related to Prevail

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning the potential for PR006 to be a disease-modifying gene therapy to patients with FTD-GRN; the potential benefits of Fast Track and Orphan Drug designation by the FDA and orphan designation by the FDA and the European Commission; the anticipated timing of enrollment and of reporting of interim data on a subset of patients from the PROCLAIM trial; and the potential for the PROCLAIM trial to increase understanding of frontotemporal dementia and help demonstrate the potential of gene therapy to correct the underlying genetic cause of this condition, potentially slowing or stopping disease progression. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Prevail’s novel approach to gene therapy makes it difficult to predict the time, cost and potential success of product candidate development or regulatory approval; Prevail’s gene therapy programs may not meet safety and efficacy levels needed to support ongoing clinical development or regulatory approval; the regulatory landscape for gene therapy is rigorous, complex, uncertain and subject to change; the fact that gene therapies are novel, complex and difficult to manufacture; and risks relating to the impact on our business of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises. These and other risks are described more fully in Prevail’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the “Risk Factors” sections of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Prevail undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prevail Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: PRVL), a biotechnology company developing potentially disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that the European Commission has granted orphan designation for PR006 for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). PR006 is an investigational AAV9 gene therapy delivering the GRN gene and is being developed as a potential therapy for patients with frontotemporal dementia with GRN mutations (FTD-GRN).

“The European Commission’s decision to grant orphan designation for PR006 is an important step in helping to advance this potential therapeutic option for patients with frontotemporal dementia with GRN mutations,” said Asa Abeliovich, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prevail. “We are excited to progress clinical development of PR006 as part of our mission to deliver a potentially disease-modifying gene therapy to these patients as quickly as possible.”

The Company expects to initiate enrollment in the Phase 1/2 PROCLAIM trial of PR006 in the fourth quarter of 2020, and it currently anticipates it will provide a biomarker and safety analysis on a subset of patients in the PROCLAIM trial in 2021.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also granted Orphan Drug designation for PR006 for the treatment of FTD and Fast Track designation for FTD-GRN.

About European Commission Orphan Designation

Orphan designation is granted by the European Commission to encourage development of medicines intended to treat a seriously debilitating or life-threatening condition that affects fewer than five in 10,000 people in the European Union. Orphan designation by the European Commission provides companies with certain benefits and incentives, including protocol assistance, reduced regulatory fees and 10 years of market exclusivity following regulatory approval.

About Prevail Therapeutics

Prevail is a gene therapy company leveraging breakthroughs in human genetics with the goal of developing and commercializing disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The Company is developing PR001 for patients with Parkinson’s disease with GBA1 mutations (PD-GBA) and neuronopathic Gaucher disease (nGD); PR006 for patients with frontotemporal dementia with GRN mutations (FTD-GRN); and PR004 for patients with certain synucleinopathies.

Prevail was founded by Dr. Asa Abeliovich in 2017, through a collaborative effort with The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson’s with GBA and OrbiMed, and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Forward-Looking Statements Related to Prevail

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning Prevail’s mission to deliver a potentially disease-modifying gene therapy to patients with FTD-GRN as quickly as possible; the potential benefits of orphan designation by the European Commission; and the anticipated timing of enrollment and of reporting of interim data on a subset of patients from the PROCLAIM trial. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Prevail’s novel approach to gene therapy makes it difficult to predict the time, cost and potential success of product candidate development or regulatory approval; Prevail’s gene therapy programs may not meet safety and efficacy levels needed to support ongoing clinical development or regulatory approval; the regulatory landscape for gene therapy is rigorous, complex, uncertain and subject to change; the fact that gene therapies are novel, complex and difficult to manufacture; and risks relating to the impact on our business of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises. These and other risks are described more fully in Prevail’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the “Risk Factors” sections of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Prevail undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prevail Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: PRVL), a biotechnology company developing potentially disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on November 17, 2020 issued a composition of matter patent, U.S. Patent No. 10,837,028, with claims directed to the AAV vector used in PR001, Prevail’s experimental gene therapy program for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with GBA1 mutations (PD-GBA) and neuronopathic Gaucher disease (nGD). The base patent term extends until October 3, 2038, excluding patent term extensions or coverage in additional related patent filings.

“We are excited to make important progress this year with PR001, which is being evaluated in the Phase 1/2 PROPEL trial for patients with Parkinson’s disease with GBA1 mutations and in the Phase 1/2 PROVIDE trial for patients with Type 2 Gaucher disease,” said Asa Abeliovich, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prevail. “We are advancing clinical development of PR001 to make a potentially transformative difference for these patients who currently have no approved treatment options.”

The Company recently announced that patient dosing has continued in the Phase 1/2 PROPEL clinical trial of PR001 for PD-GBA patients, and it expects to provide the next biomarker and safety analysis on a subset of patients in the PROPEL trial by mid-2021. The Company expects to initiate enrollment of the Phase 1/2 PROVIDE clinical trial of PR001 for Type 2 Gaucher disease patients in the fourth quarter of 2020 and currently anticipates it will provide the next update on PR001 biomarker and safety data for nGD in 2021.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Fast Track designations for PR001 for the treatment of PD-GBA and nGD. In addition, the FDA granted PR001 Rare Pediatric Disease designation for the treatment of nGD, and Orphan Drug designation for the treatment of patients with Gaucher disease.

About Prevail Therapeutics

Prevail is a gene therapy company leveraging breakthroughs in human genetics with the goal of developing and commercializing disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The Company is developing PR001 for patients with Parkinson’s disease with GBA1 mutations (PD-GBA) and neuronopathic Gaucher disease (nGD); PR006 for patients with frontotemporal dementia with GRN mutations (FTD-GRN); and PR004 for patients with certain synucleinopathies.

Prevail was founded by Dr. Asa Abeliovich in 2017, through a collaborative effort with The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson’s with GBA and OrbiMed, and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Forward-Looking Statements Related to Prevail

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning the potential for Prevail’s gene therapy candidates to make a transformative difference for patients with neurodegenerative diseases; the expected timing of reporting additional interim data on a subset of patients from the PROPEL trial; and the anticipated timing of enrollment of and the next update on data from the PROVIDE trial. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Prevail’s novel approach to gene therapy makes it difficult to predict the time, cost and potential success of product candidate development or regulatory approval; Prevail’s gene therapy programs may not meet safety and efficacy levels needed to support ongoing clinical development or regulatory approval; the regulatory landscape for gene therapy is rigorous, complex, uncertain and subject to change; the fact that gene therapies are novel, complex and difficult to manufacture; and risks relating to the impact on our business of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises. These and other risks are described more fully in Prevail’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the “Risk Factors” sections of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Prevail undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Patient Dosing Continues in the Phase 1/2 PROPEL Trial of PR001 for Parkinson’s Disease with GBA1 Mutations

Phase 1/2 PROVIDE Trial of PR001 for Type 2 Gaucher Disease and Phase 1/2 PROCLAIM Trial of PR006 for Frontotemporal Dementia with GRN Mutations Expected to Initiate Enrollment in Fourth Quarter of 2020

PR001 Receives U.S. FDA Fast Track Designation for Neuronopathic Gaucher Disease

NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prevail Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: PRVL), a biotechnology company developing potentially disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, today reviewed recent clinical and business updates and reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020.

“We’re pleased to be making significant progress across our pipeline as we seek to develop urgently needed disease-modifying gene therapy treatments for patients with neurodegenerative diseases,” said Asa Abeliovich, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prevail. “We are encouraged by the continuation of patient dosing in our Phase 1/2 PROPEL trial of PR001 for Parkinson’s disease with GBA1 mutations, and we are excited to advance our PROVIDE and PROCLAIM clinical trials for Type 2 Gaucher disease and frontotemporal dementia with GRN mutations, respectively, this year.”

Recent Business Updates

Patient Dosing Continues in Phase 1/2 PROPEL Trial of PR001 for Parkinson’s disease with GBA1 mutations (PD-GBA): Enrollment in the Phase 1/2 PROPEL clinical trial for PD-GBA has resumed following implementation of modifications to the clinical protocol. As previously announced, Prevail elected to modify the immunosuppression regimen in the clinical protocol for PROPEL and has adapted the trial design to be open-label. The Company expects to provide the next biomarker and safety analysis on a subset of patients in the PROPEL trial by mid-2021.

Phase 1/2 PROVIDE Trial Expected to Initiate Enrollment in Fourth Quarter of 2020: Initiation of patient enrollment remains on track for the fourth quarter of 2020 for the Phase 1/2 PROVIDE clinical trial of PR001 for Type 2 Gaucher disease. The optimized immunosuppression regimen used in the amended PROPEL trial will also be implemented in the PROVIDE trial. The Company currently anticipates it will provide the next update on PR001 biomarker and safety data for neuronopathic Gaucher disease (nGD) in 2021.

Phase 1/2 PROCLAIM Trial Expected to Initiate Enrollment in Fourth Quarter of 2020: Initiation of patient enrollment remains on track for the fourth quarter of 2020 for the Phase 1/2 PROCLAIM clinical trial of PR006 for frontotemporal dementia with GRN mutations (FTD-GRN). The optimized immunosuppression regimen used in the amended PROPEL trial will also be implemented in the PROCLAIM trial. The Company currently anticipates it will provide a biomarker and safety analysis on a subset of patients in the PROCLAIM trial in 2021.

PR001 Granted U.S. FDA Fast Track Designation for nGD: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation for PR001 for the treatment of nGD. The FDA previously granted PR001 Rare Pediatric Disease designation for the treatment of nGD, and Orphan Drug designation for the treatment of patients with Gaucher disease. In addition, the FDA has granted Fast Track designation for PR001 for the treatment of PD-GBA.

Strengthened Leadership with Board Appointment: Prevail has appointed William H. Carson, M.D., to its Board of Directors. Dr. Carson was most recently the President and CEO of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. (OPDC), leading the development and regulatory approvals of Otsuka’s global compounds. Before joining Otsuka, he held several roles in the CNS Research and Development department at Bristol Myers Squibb. Dr. Carson currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of OPDC and is also the Chairman of the Board of the Sozosei Foundation, a newly established Otsuka charitable organization with a main focus on decriminalization of mental illness. He is a Board Member of Excision Biotherapeutics and Trustee of the non-profit Internet2. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, the National Medical Association and the Executive Leadership Council. Prior to joining the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Carson, a board-certified psychiatrist, was an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Favorable Decision Received in Alector Arbitration: Prevail announced a favorable decision in the arbitration proceeding brought in 2019 by Alector Inc. against Prevail’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Asa Abeliovich, M.D., Ph.D. The arbitrator rejected Alector’s claims against Dr. Abeliovich that Alector confidential information was used in connection with his work on behalf of Prevail and that Alector had rights to Prevail’s patents and patent applications. The arbitrator found that Dr. Abeliovich did not breach his confidentiality obligations to Alector under his consulting agreement. Prevail was not a party to this arbitration.

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

• Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and investments were $114.3 million as of September 30, 2020, as compared to $131.2 million and $168.1 million as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The Company continues to anticipate that its cash runway will extend into the first half of 2022.
• R&D Expenses: R&D expenses were $12.3 million for the third quarter of 2020 compared to $16.8 million for the third quarter in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of $3.9 million in external manufacturing costs due to the timing of production of clinical and preclinical supply, a decrease of $1.5 million in direct clinical trial costs, and a decrease of $0.5 million related to external preclinical studies. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $1.4 million in employee-related costs, resulting from an increase in research and development employees hired to execute the development of our clinical-stage product candidates and preclinical pipeline.
• G&A Expenses: G&A expenses were $6.3 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $4.5 million for the third quarter of 2019. The increase was primarily due to a $1.3 million increase in employee related costs, resulting from an increase in general and administrative employees to support our expanded operations and establish capabilities to operate as a public company, a $0.8 million increase in legal fees, offset by a decrease of $0.2 million in other professional services and facilities cost.
• Net Loss: Net loss was $18.6 million, or $0.55 loss per share, for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $20.3 million, or $0.62 loss per share, for the third quarter of 2019.

About Prevail Therapeutics

Prevail is a gene therapy company leveraging breakthroughs in human genetics with the goal of developing and commercializing disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The Company is developing PR001 for patients with Parkinson’s disease with GBA1 mutations (PD-GBA) and neuronopathic Gaucher disease (nGD); PR006 for patients with frontotemporal dementia with GRN mutations (FTD-GRN); and PR004 for patients with certain synucleinopathies.

Prevail was founded by Dr. Asa Abeliovich in 2017, through a collaborative effort with The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson’s with GBA and OrbiMed, and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Forward-Looking Statements Related to Prevail

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning the potential for Prevail’s gene therapy candidates to modify the course of neurodegenerative diseases; the anticipated timing of Prevail’s clinical trials of PR001 in PD-GBA and in Type 2 Gaucher disease and Prevail’s clinical trial of PR006 in FTD-GRN; the expected timing of reporting of additional interim data for a subset of patients from the PROPEL trial; and expectations regarding Prevail’s cash runway. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Prevail’s novel approach to gene therapy makes it difficult to predict the time, cost and potential success of product candidate development or regulatory approval; Prevail’s gene therapy programs may not meet safety and efficacy levels needed to support ongoing clinical development or regulatory approval; the regulatory landscape for gene therapy is rigorous, complex, uncertain and subject to change; the fact that gene therapies are novel, complex and difficult to manufacture; and risks relating to the impact on our business of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises. These and other risks are described more fully in Prevail’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Prevail undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

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NEW YORK, Nov. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prevail Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: PRVL), a biotechnology company developing potentially disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, today announced a decisive victory in the arbitration proceeding brought in 2019 by Alector Inc. against Prevail’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Asa Abeliovich, M.D., Ph.D.

The arbitrator rejected all of Alector’s principal claims against Dr. Abeliovich, including all claims alleging misappropriation or misuse of trade secrets. Significantly, the arbitrator rejected Alector’s claims that Dr. Abeliovich used Alector trade secrets or confidential information in connection with his work on behalf of Prevail, as well as Alector’s claim that it has rights to Prevail’s patents and patent applications. Prevail was not a party to this arbitration.

“We appreciate the arbitrator’s thorough and independent review of this matter. This decision vindicates Dr. Abeliovich and rules in his favor on all significant issues,” said Francois Nader, M.D., Non-Executive Chairman of Prevail. “With this positive outcome, Prevail is looking forward to advancing our pipeline for the benefit of patients.”

“I am pleased with the decision, which confirms Prevail’s ownership of its intellectual property,” said Dr. Abeliovich. “Our team continues to advance our pipeline and remains committed to our critical mission of developing novel, urgently needed therapies for patients with neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and frontotemporal dementia.”

The only relief granted to Alector by the arbitrator was permission to seek reimbursement for a portion of Alector’s out-of-pocket costs and fees in connection with certain document retention-related claims. Alector will need to provide sufficient proof of such amounts.

About Prevail Therapeutics

Prevail is a clinical stage gene therapy company leveraging breakthroughs in human genetics with the goal of developing and commercializing disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The company is developing PR001 for patients with Parkinson’s disease with GBA1 mutations (PD-GBA) and neuronopathic Gaucher disease (nGD); PR006 for patients with frontotemporal dementia with GRN mutations (FTD-GRN); and PR004 for patients with certain synucleinopathies.

Prevail was founded by Dr. Asa Abeliovich in 2017, through a collaborative effort with The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson’s with GBA and OrbiMed, and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Forward-Looking Statements Related to Prevail

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning the amount of costs and legal fees that Prevail may be required to reimburse. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Prevail’s novel approach to gene therapy makes it difficult to predict the time, cost and potential success of product candidate development or regulatory approval; Prevail’s gene therapy programs may not meet safety and efficacy levels needed to support ongoing clinical development or regulatory approval; the regulatory landscape for gene therapy is rigorous, complex, uncertain and subject to change; the fact that gene therapies are novel, complex and difficult to manufacture; and risks relating to the impact on our business of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises. These and other risks are described more fully in Prevail’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on August 11, 2020, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Prevail undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prevail Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: PRVL), a biotechnology company developing potentially disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for the Company’s experimental gene therapy program, PR001, for the treatment of neuronopathic Gaucher disease (nGD). The Company expects to initiate enrollment of the PROVIDE Phase 1/2 clinical trial of PR001 for Type 2 neuronopathic Gaucher disease patients in the second half of 2020.

“FDA Fast Track designation for PR001 for the treatment of neuronopathic Gaucher disease underscores the significant unmet medical need for this devastating condition, for which there are no currently approved therapies,” said Asa Abeliovich, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prevail. “Type 2 Gaucher disease involves rapidly progressive neurodegeneration leading to death in infancy or early childhood, and Type 3 Gaucher disease is associated with significant neurological manifestations including seizures and motor abnormalities. We believe PR001 has the potential to serve as a much-needed therapeutic option for these patients as enzyme replacement therapies approved for Type 1 Gaucher disease cannot cross the blood brain barrier to address neurological symptoms.”

The FDA previously granted PR001 Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for the treatment of nGD, and Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of patients with Gaucher disease. In addition, the FDA has granted Fast Track designation for PR001 for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with GBA1 mutations.

About Fast Track Designation

The FDA’s Fast Track designation is a process designed to expedite or facilitate the review of product candidates to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. Fast Track designation allows for early and frequent communication with the FDA throughout the entire drug development and review process. It may also allow for priority or rolling review of a company’s Biologics License Application (BLA).

About Neuronopathic Gaucher Disease

Gaucher disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene GBA1, leading to multi-organ pathology. Patients with severe mutations in the GBA1 gene can present with neuronopathic Gaucher disease, also termed Type 2 or Type 3 Gaucher disease. Type 2 Gaucher disease presents in infancy and involves rapidly progressive neurodegeneration leading to death in infancy or early childhood. Type 3 Gaucher disease typically presents in childhood and can involve neurological manifestations such as seizures and gaze and motor abnormalities. There are no therapies approved by the FDA for the treatment of neuronopathic Gaucher disease.

About Prevail Therapeutics

Prevail is a gene therapy company leveraging breakthroughs in human genetics with the goal of developing and commercializing disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The Company is developing PR001 for patients with Parkinson’s disease with GBA1 mutations (PD-GBA) and neuronopathic Gaucher disease (nGD); PR006 for patients with frontotemporal dementia with GRN mutations (FTD-GRN); and PR004 for patients with certain synucleinopathies.

Prevail was founded by Dr. Asa Abeliovich in 2017, through a collaborative effort with The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson’s with GBA and OrbiMed, and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Forward-Looking Statements Related to Prevail

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning the potential advantages of Fast Track designation and the potential for PR001 to serve as a potentially disease-modifying therapeutic option for patients with neuronopathic Gaucher disease. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Prevail’s novel approach to gene therapy makes it difficult to predict the time, cost and potential success of product candidate development or regulatory approval; Prevail’s gene therapy programs may not meet safety and efficacy levels needed to support ongoing clinical development or regulatory approval; the regulatory landscape for gene therapy is rigorous, complex, uncertain and subject to change; the fact that gene therapies are novel, complex and difficult to manufacture; and risks relating to the impact on our business of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises. These and other risks are described more fully in Prevail’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on August 11, 2020, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Prevail undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Preliminary Data Demonstrates Normalization of CSF GBA1 Enzyme Activity in Parkinson’s Disease with GBA1 Mutations and Neuronopathic Gaucher Disease Patients

Company Modifies Protocol for PROPEL Trial of PR001 for Parkinson’s Disease Patients with GBA1 Mutations; Expects to Continue Enrollment in Second Half of 2020

PROVIDE Trial of PR001 for Type 2 Gaucher Disease and PROCLAIM Trial of PR006 for Frontotemporal Dementia Patients with GRN Mutations Expected to Initiate Enrollment in Second Half of 2020

$75.0 Million At-The-Market Equity Program

Conference call and live webcast today at 7:30 a.m. ET

NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prevail Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: PRVL), a biotechnology company developing potentially disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, today reviewed recent clinical and business updates and reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.

“We are making strong progress advancing our lead program, PR001, for both Parkinson’s disease patients with GBA1 mutations (PD-GBA) and neuronopathic Gaucher disease (nGD) patients — two devastating neurodegenerative disorders with no disease-modifying treatments available,” said Asa Abeliovich, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prevail. “The first patients dosed demonstrated normalization of CSF enzyme activity in response to PR001 administration, which is very encouraging and a critical first step in establishing PR001 as a potential new therapeutic approach for patients in need of effective treatment options.”

Dr. Abeliovich added, “We are incredibly proud of the many achievements made by our team as we continue to advance our gene therapy programs into the clinic, including activation of the IND and clinical preparations for PR006 for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia patients with GRN mutations (FTD-GRN). Their ongoing dedication to Prevail’s goal of developing groundbreaking gene therapies to help as many patients as quickly as possible is evident in our many accomplishments this year.”

“There are no effective treatment options available for patients with neuronopathic Gaucher disease,” said Ari Zimran, M.D., founder, Gaucher Clinic, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem. “The fact that PR001 was able to increase GCase enzyme activity to normal levels in these two patients is incredibly encouraging, and we look forward to future updates.”

Recent Business Updates:

• Clinical Administration of PR001 Yields Early Data from Two Patients: To date, two patients have been enrolled in the Phase 1/2 PROPEL trial of PR001 for PD-GBA — one who received PR001 and another who received a sham procedure. Additionally, the company has received initial data from a Type 2 Gaucher disease patient treated with PR001 under a previously disclosed compassionate use request.In both treated patients, administration of PR001 resulted in normalization of glucocerebrosidase (GCase) enzyme activity levels measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at 3 to 4 months after administration.
  • The Type 2 Gaucher disease patient demonstrated an increase in CSF GCase enzyme activity from an undetectable level at baseline to 1.0 μmol/L/d at month 1 and 4.7 μmol/L/d at month 4 following PR001 administration (adult normal range: 1.1 – 8.1 μmol/L/d).
  • The PD-GBA patient is also diagnosed with Gaucher disease and thus has GBA1 mutations in both chromosomal copies. This patient demonstrated an increase in CSF GCase enzyme activity from an undetectable level at baseline to 3.0 μmol/L/d at month 3 following PR001 administration.

PR001 was observed to be well tolerated in the Type 2 Gaucher disease patient, and no adverse events related to PR001 treatment have been reported. The patient is clinically stable and no apparent worsening of the patient’s neurological symptoms has been observed since PR001 administration. Follow-up clinical assessments are planned.

In the case of the PD-GBA patient, approximately three months following PR001 administration, the patient experienced severe adverse events (SAEs) that are presumed to have been caused by an immune-mediated response to the AAV9 viral vector. The patient received additional immunosuppressive treatment and the SAEs have markedly resolved.

Based on these initial efficacy and safety findings, Prevail has elected to modify the clinical protocol for the PROPEL trial in order to optimize the immunosuppression regimen, and has adapted the trial design to be open-label. The modifications have been endorsed by the independent data monitoring committee and discussed with and submitted to the FDA.

Taking into account the prior impact of COVID-19 on trial enrollment as well as this protocol amendment, the Company expects to continue enrollment in PROPEL in the second half of 2020, and to provide the next biomarker and safety analysis on a subset of patients enrolled in the PROPEL trial by mid-2021.

• Planning Continues for Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial for nGD: Study startup activities are continuing for the PROVIDE Phase 1/2 clinical trial of PR001 for Type 2 Gaucher disease patients, and the Company expects to initiate enrollment in the second half of 2020. The optimized immunosuppression regimen to be used in the amended PROPEL trial will also be implemented in the PROVIDE trial. In addition, the initiation of the PROGRESS Phase 1/2 clinical trial of PR001 for Type 3 Gaucher disease will be postponed until additional clinical data from the PROPEL and PROVIDE trials is available to inform the clinical development strategy for this indication.
• Second Compassionate Use Patient Dosed: The Company has granted a second compassionate use request for the administration of PR001 to a child with nGD, following approval by an international regulatory authority. The second patient was recently dosed, and the procedure was well tolerated.
• PROCLAIM Trial of PR006 for FTD-GRN Scheduled to Initiate Enrollment in Second Half of 2020: Study startup activities are also continuing for the PROCLAIM Phase 1/2 clinical trial of PR006 for FTD-GRN patients. The optimized immunosuppression regimen to be used in the amended PROPEL trial will also be implemented in the PROCLAIM trial.
• Composition of Matter Patent Granted: On June 23, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a composition of matter patent, U.S. Patent No. 10,689,625, with claims directed to the AAV vector used in PR006, Prevail’s experimental gene therapy program for the treatment of FTD-GRN. The base patent term extends until October 2038, excluding patent term extensions or coverage in additional related patent filings.
• Data Presented at Annual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC): Prevail presented three poster presentations at the 2020 AAIC meeting in July. The data underscored the robust preclinical evidence in support of Prevail’s AAV-based gene therapy approach, and highlighted the Company’s strategy to validate these data in the planned PROCLAIM clinical trial evaluating PR006 for FTD-GRN.
• Leadership Team Strengthened with Addition of General Counsel: Kira Schwartz, J.D., joined Prevail on June 1 as the Company’s General Counsel. In this new role, she leads all aspects of the Company’s legal organization. Prior to joining Prevail, Ms. Schwartz served as Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary at Allergan plc (formerly Actavis plc), where she led a legal group supporting business development, corporate governance, finance, human resources, supply chain and real estate functions.
• $75 Million At-The-Market Equity Program: The Company has established an at-the-market equity program under which it may offer and sell up to $75.0 million of shares of its common stock.

Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results

• Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and investments were $131.2 million as of June 30, 2020, as compared to $149.6 million and $168.1 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The Company continues to anticipate that its cash runway will extend into the first half of 2022.
• R&D Expenses: R&D expenses were $12.9 million for the second quarter of 2020, compared to $12.0 million for the second quarter of 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $2.6 million in direct clinical trial costs related to the PROPEL, PROVIDE, and PROCLAIM clinical trials and other trial startup costs and a $1.8 million increase in employee-related costs. These increases were partially offset by decreases of $2.6 million in direct manufacturing and process development cost due to the timing of production of clinical and preclinical supply and $1.7 million in license fees related to the options exercised under a license agreement with REGENXBIO during the three months ended June 30, 2019.
• G&A Expenses: G&A expenses were $9.2 million for the second quarter of 2020, compared to $3.7 million for the second quarter of 2019. The increase was primarily due to a $4.4 million increase in legal fees, primarily related to costs associated with the ongoing arbitration matter, intellectual property patent costs and costs to operate as a public company.
• Net Loss: Net loss was $22.1 million, or $0.66 loss per share, for the second quarter of 2020, compared to $15.1 million, or $0.58 loss per share, for the second quarter of 2019.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Prevail will host a conference call and webcast today at 7:30 a.m. ET to discuss its second quarter 2020 financial results and other clinical and business updates.

The webcast will be available under “Events and Presentations” in the Investors and Media section of the Company’s website at ir.prevailtherapeutics.com. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1 (866) 996-7201 (U.S. domestic) or +1 (270) 215-9495 (international) and referring to conference ID 7058186. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Prevail Therapeutics website following the presentation.

About Prevail Therapeutics

Prevail is a clinical stage gene therapy company leveraging breakthroughs in human genetics with the goal of developing and commercializing disease-modifying AAV-based gene therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The company is developing PR001 for patients with Parkinson’s disease with GBA1 mutations (PD-GBA) and neuronopathic Gaucher disease; PR006 for patients with frontotemporal dementia with GRN mutations (FTD-GRN); and PR004 for patients with certain synucleinopathies.

Prevail was founded by Dr. Asa Abeliovich in 2017, through a collaborative effort with The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson’s with GBA and OrbiMed, and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Forward-Looking Statements Related to Prevail

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning: the potential impact of COVID-19 on Prevail’s ongoing and planned clinical trials, business and operations; the potential of Prevail’s gene therapies to modify the course of neurodegenerative diseases; the anticipated timing of Prevail’s clinical trials of PR001 in PD-GBA and in nGD and Prevail’s clinical trial of PR006; the expected timing of reporting of additional interim data for a subset of patients from the PROPEL trial; the modifications to the clinical trial protocols for PR001, PR004 and PR006 and the FDA’s feedback thereon; and expectations regarding Prevail’s cash runway. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Prevail’s novel approach to gene therapy makes it difficult to predict the time, cost and potential success of product candidate development or regulatory approval; Prevail’s gene therapy programs may not meet safety and efficacy levels needed to support ongoing clinical development or regulatory approval; the regulatory landscape for gene therapy is rigorous, complex, uncertain and subject to change; the fact that gene therapies are novel, complex and difficult to manufacture; and risks relating to the impact on our business of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises.

These and other risks are described more fully in Prevail’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on May 14, 2020 and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2020. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Prevail undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

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