GSK 2696273 is filed at EMA to treat adenosine deaminase severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (ADA-SCID)- GSK

GSK, Fondazione Telethon (Telethon) and Ospedale San Raffaele (OSR) announced the submission of a marketing application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for a gene therapy (GSK 2696273) to treat patients with a rare disease, adenosine deaminase severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (ADA-SCID), for whom no suitable human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related stem cell donor is available.

Adenosine deaminase severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome- ADA-SCI. is an ultra rare disease in which patients cannot make lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and, as a result, have a severely deficient immune system. An estimated 14 children in Europe are born each year with the condition. A faulty gene inherited from both parents stops production of an essential protein called adenosine deaminase (ADA), which is particularly important for the formation of lymphocytes and a functioning immune system. Children born with ADA-SCID have an impaired ability to fight off everyday infections resulting in severe and life-threatening illness. They rarely survive beyond 1-2 years unless immune function is restored.

Comment; This ultra-rare white blood cell deficiency condition often referred to as ‘bubble boy disease’.