SOBI Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB

Sobi Receives Approval from Health Canada for Once-Daily Dosing of Orfadin® (nitisinone) for the Treatment of HT-1

Sobi, a pioneering international biopharmaceutical company dedicated to rare diseases, has received approval from Health Canada for a reduced dosing frequency for Orfadin® (nitisinone).

Orfadin is approved in combination with dietary restriction of tyrosine and phenylalanine in the treatment of hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT-1), a rare genetic disorder that may result in liver, renal and neurological complications and in most cases is fatal if untreated. The once-daily reduced dosing frequency is approved for use in patients who weigh 20 kg or more and who have undetectable serum and urine succinylacetone concentrations after a minimum of 4 weeks on a stable twice-daily dosage of nitisinone.

“Orfadin is the first nitisinone product approved for once-daily use in Canada. This is an important step towards reducing the treatment burden of people with HT-1 and it follows Sobi’s introduction of Orfadin oral suspension and 20 mg capsules,” said Bob McLay, Vice President and General Manager of Sobi Canada, Inc. “In the U.S., where all Orfadin dosing and formulation options have been available for some time, we see patients increasingly choosing to take advantage of the flexibility that these options offer. I am glad to be able to offer these choices to patients in Canada as well.”

Sobi currently provides a range of Orfadin dosing options in Canada including 2mg, 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg capsules, as well as a 4mg/mL oral suspension and the new once-daily dosing frequency. The original Canadian approval of Orfadin was based on a multinational, uncontrolled, open-label study of 291 HT-1 patients. Patients treated with Orfadin and dietary restrictions experienced 2-, 4-, and 6-year survival probabilities of 93% to 96%; historical controls treated with dietary restriction alone experienced survival probabilities of 38% and 29% (1- and 2-year survival, respectively, for patients younger than 2 months of age at the onset of symptoms), 74% (for patients 2-6 months of age at the onset of symptoms), and 96% (for patients older than 6 months of age at the onset of symptoms). The most common reported adverse reactions in the trial were thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, granulocytopenia and conjunctivitis, corneal opacity, keratitis, and photophobia. No patients discontinued treatment due to adverse drug reactions. More information and the Product Monograph can be found at the Sobi North America website.

“HT-1 caregivers often feel their life is far from normal, revolving around the demanding treatment schedule and dietary restrictions, so I am grateful to Sobi for bringing new dosing options like once-daily Orfadin to Canada,” said Durhane Wong-Rieger, President of the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders. “It is particularly important to have dosing options like this for patients approaching adolescence, as studies have shown that adherence to medicines is more difficult at this age.”

About hereditary tyrosinemia (HT-1)

People with hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT-1) have problems breaking down an amino acid called tyrosine. Toxic by-products are formed and accumulate in the body, which can cause liver, renal and neurological complications. In most cases HT-1 is fatal if untreated. Approximately 1,000 persons worldwide are identified as living with HT-1 today. Roughly 10 percent of those patients reside in Canada.

About Orfadin®

Orfadin® (nitisinone) blocks the breakdown of tyrosine, thereby reducing the amount of toxic tyrosine by-products in the body. Patients must maintain a special diet in combination with Orfadin treatment as tyrosine is not adequately broken down. Orfadin is a proprietary product and is developed and made available globally by Sobi. For full European prescribing information, please visit the EMA website. For full US prescribing information please see www.orfadin.com. Full Canadian prescribing information can be found on the Sobi North America website.

About Sobi™

Sobi™ is an international specialty healthcare company dedicated to rare diseases. Our vision is to be recognized as a global leader in providing access to innovative treatments that make a significant difference for individuals with rare diseases. The product portfolio is primarily focused on treatments in Hemophilia and Specialty Care. Partnering in the development and commercialization of products in specialty care is a key element of our strategy. Sobi has pioneered in biotechnology with world-class capabilities in protein biochemistry and biologics manufacturing. In 2017, Sobi had total revenues of SEK 6.5 billion and approximately 850 employees. The share (STO:SOBI) is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information is available at www.sobi.com and www.sobi-northamerica.com.

EN
17/04/2018

Underlying

To request access to management, click here to engage with our
partner Phoenix-IR's CorporateAccessNetwork.com

Reports on Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB

ABGSC Healthcare Research ... (+3)
  • ABGSC Healthcare Research
  • Alexander Krämer
  • Morten Larsen
Patrik Ling
  • Patrik Ling

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Buy, TP: SEK320.00) - Vonjo sales likely to ...

We forecast still-soft Vonjo sales in Q1, as we believe new patients will not fully compensate for those coming off treatment until Q2, when we expect growth to return. We are slightly below consensus for Q1e and 2024e (Q1 results due at 08:00 CET on 25 April). We reiterate our BUY and SEK320 target price.

Patrik Ling
  • Patrik Ling

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Buy, TP: SEK320.00) - Operating expenses on ...

Q4 earnings were below our forecast. Sales were in line but gross margin lower and operating expenses were higher than our estimate and consensus. The higher sales costs were due to marketing efforts behind Vonjo and launch preparations for the efanesoctocog alpha (expected EU approval in H1). Vonjo’s sales growth was also below our forecast. We reiterate our BUY and SEK320 target price.

Patrik Ling
  • Patrik Ling

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Buy, TP: SEK320.00) - Set for strong Q4

We expect solid Q4 earnings (results due at 08:00 CET on 8 February), driven by Beyfortus royalties, Vonjo, and Gamifant sales. We forecast a Q4 gross margin of 80.2% and improved sales growth from the integration of the Vonjo and Doptelet sales force while costs should be kept at bay. We reiterate our BUY and have increased our target price to SEK320 (300) on estimate revisions.

Patrik Ling
  • Patrik Ling

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Buy, TP: SEK291.00) - Expecting a solid perf...

We are in line with post-Q2 consensus on the Q3 top line but well below on earnings, we believe largely explained by our higher operating cost assumption from the inclusion of CTI and streamlining initiatives only really starting to materialise in Q4e (the results are due at 08:00 CET on 30 October). We reiterate our BUY and SEK291 target price (adjusted for the rights issue).

ResearchPool Subscriptions

Get the most out of your insights

Get in touch