Deramiocel

FDA issued Complete Response Letter Capricor plans to resubmit its BLA to include data from the ongoing Phase 3 HOPE-3 trial in Q3 2025 to continue pursuing the indication for the treatment of cardiomyopathy associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy FDA advised Capricor to request a meeting to determine next steps toward potential approval Conference call and webcast scheduled for today at 8:30 a.m. ET July 11, 2025 -- Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CAPR), a biotechnology company developing transformative cell and exosome-based therapeutics for rare diseases, today announced that it has received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its Biologics License Application (BLA) for Deramiocel, the Company’s lead cell therapy candidate for the treatment of cardiomyopathy associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In the CRL, the FDA stated that it had completed its review of the application but is unable to approve the BLA in its current form, specifically citing that the BLA does not meet the statutory requirement for substantial evidence of effectiveness and the need for additional clinical data. The CRL also referenced certain outstanding items in the Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) section of the application, most of which Capricor believes it has addressed in prior communications to the FDA. However, these materials were not reviewed by the FDA due to the timing of the CRL issuance. The FDA confirmed that it will restart the review clock upon resubmission. In addition, the agency offered the company the opportunity to request a Type A meeting to discuss the path forward. Capricor plans to engage further with the FDA to determine the appropriate next steps. Capricor’s BLA for Deramiocel was granted Priority Review in March 2025 and was supported by data from the HOPE-2 trial, its open-label extension (OLE), and natural history comparisons from FDA-funded datasets. “We are surprised by this decision by the FDA. We have followed their guidance throughout the process. Prior to the CRL, the review had advanced without major issues, including a successful pre-licensure inspection and completion of the mid-cycle review,” said Linda Marbán, Ph.D., CEO of Capricor. “Capricor plans to submit data from the Phase 3 HOPE-3 clinical trial to provide additional evidence of effectiveness from an adequate and well-controlled study. The HOPE-3 trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 104 patients, with topline results expected in the third quarter of 2025. We believe these data, if positive, along with our existing long-term clinical results showing cardiac stabilization, preservation of skeletal muscle function, and a consistent safety profile, could support efforts to resolve the questions raised by the FDA for the treatment of cardiomyopathy associated with DMD. While this was an unexpected decision by the FDA, we remain committed to the DMD community to get Deramiocel through the approval process.” HOPE-3 is a Phase 3, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial consisting of two cohorts evaluating the safety and efficacy of Deramiocel in participants with DMD. Non-ambulatory and ambulatory boys who meet eligibility criteria are randomly assigned to receive either Deramiocel or placebo every 3 months for a total of 4 doses during the first 12 months of the study. Approximately 104 eligible study subjects have been enrolled in the dual-cohort study. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, X-linked genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration affecting the skeletal, respiratory, and cardiac muscles. It is caused by the absence of functional dystrophin, a key structural protein in muscle cells. DMD affects approximately 15,000 individuals in the United States and primarily impacts boys. Over time, deterioration of the heart muscle leads to cardiomyopathy and heart failure, which is the leading cause of death in DMD. There is no cure, and treatment options remain limited. Deramiocel (CAP-1002) consists of allogeneic cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs), a rare population of cardiac cells that have been shown in preclinical and clinical studies to exert potent immunomodulatory and anti-fibrotic actions in the preservation of cardiac and skeletal muscle function in dystrophiopathies such as DMD. CDCs act by secreting extracellular vesicles known as exosomes, which target macrophages and alter their expression profile to adopt a healing, rather than a pro-inflammatory phenotype. CDCs have been investigated in more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific publications and administered to over 250 human subjects across multiple clinical trials. Deramiocel has received Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) from both the U.S. FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In addition, it has been granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation in the U.S., Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) designation in Europe, and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation from the FDA, which may qualify Capricor for a Priority Review Voucher upon approval. Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CAPR) is a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing transformative cell and exosome-based therapeutics to redefine the treatment landscape for rare diseases. At the forefront of our innovation is our lead product candidate, Deramiocel, an allogeneic cardiac-derived cell therapy. Extensive preclinical and clinical studies have shown Deramiocel to exert potent immunomodulatory and anti-fibrotic actions in the preservation of cardiac and skeletal muscle function in muscular dystrophies such as DMD. Deramiocel is currently in late-stage development for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Capricor is also harnessing the power of its exosome technology, using its proprietary StealthX™ platform in preclinical development focused on the areas of vaccinology, targeted delivery of oligonucleotides, proteins and small molecule therapeutics to potentially treat and prevent a diverse array of diseases. At Capricor, we stand committed to pushing the boundaries of possibility and forging a path toward transformative treatments for those in need. The content above comes from the network. if any infringement, please contact us to modify.